Historical California Stone Carvers, Stone Cutters, & Monument Dealers

• 1862-1888 - Story of Frederick Field & his Families lives in Vermont and California as told in the Biography of their son Arthur G. Field in the Garden of the World or Santa Clara County, California, Edited by H. S. Foote; The Lewis Publishing Co., 1888, pp. 668:

  “Arthur G. Field, a member of the firm Wright & Field, real-estate and insurance agents, No. 15 No. First Street, San Jose, is a native of Vermont, having been born in that state in 1862. His parents removing to San Jose in 1872, he received most of his education in the city, later attending for about six years the University of the Pacific. After leaving school, Mr. Field learned the business of marble cutter, working for three years in his father’s marble yard. At the end of that time he took the road as a commercial traveler, selling marble and granite up to 1886. He then engaged in the real-estate business with Mr. Wright, with whom he is still associated.

  “Mr. Field’s parents were Frederick and Mary H. (Bacon) Field. Frederick Field was also a native of Vermont, where he was born in 1820, brought up and became largely interested in the marble lands and quarries. At one time previous to the late Civil War he was considered worth 2 millions of dollars, a large fortune for that period. He owned much property, among which was Italian marble quarries in Bennington County, near Rutland, Vermont. Naturally a large operator and speculator, he lost an immense fortune in introducing this marble through the South, furnishing dealers with vessel and car-load lots and waiting until it had been cut up and sold as monuments before receiving payment for it. That would have succeeded under ordinary conditions, but the war coming on he lost almost every bill due him in that section of the country. Misfortunes never coming singly, the marble in the main quarry drifted into a thick limestone stratum, which had to be removed before satisfactory marble could again be had. Altogether he had received a succession of blows from which he could not recover. Selling out to a stock company...he removed to San Jose, California, where he established a marble yard, and untiring he built up his business so successfully that he had again acquired a satisfactory competency at the time of his death in November 1887. He was a member of the Board of Trade of San Jose during most of its existence, and interested in real-estate here.

  “During his early experience in the marble business in Vermont, conceiving that Chicago would be a good distribution point, he at one time brought a cargo of marble by water, landing at that Place. Finding that he would need a building to store his marble permanently, preferring brick to wooden buildings, he tested the clay of the vicinity, found it admirable for the purpose of establishing a brick factory, and from the product of that kiln, built the first brick house erected in Chicago, having built the first brick kiln and made the first bricks in that now immense city. In every respect he was a man of large views and extensive operations. For 10 years he operated between Vermont and Chicago, as well as many other points in the country. While thus employed he met and married Miss Mary H. Bacon, daughter of Honorable Nathaniel Bacon, of Niles, Michigan, one of the Justices of the Supreme Court of that state...Mrs. Field is a well-known magazine writer and authoress. They have seven children. The subject of this sketch, as was his father, an adherent of the Republican party, and a member of the Presbyterian Church.”

• Circa 1874 - Charles Armstrong Field, nephew of Frederick Field, Associate Manager of the branch of the Producers Marble Company in San Francisco, California.

  The following excerpt is The following obituary for Charles Armstrong Field is from the Manchester Journal, Thursday, April 23, 1908. The transcription of this obituary is a part of Dorset Families; Genealogical Records and Notes by The Rev. Parsons S. Pratt (1822-1906) With Occasional Additions by His Granddaughter Miss Anna E. Gilbert (1881-1970) located in Dorset Historical Society collection. (The full text of this article is available on the main menu of the Frederick Field Chronology.)

  Obituary - Charles Armstrong Field

  From the Manchester Journal - Thursday, April 23, 1908.

  “Many old friends and relatives of the Field family in Dorset and elsewhere have been greatly pained to hear of the death of Mr. Charles Armstrong Field, only son of the late Charles and Henrietta Armstrong Field of Dorset, Vt. Mr. Field died in Tuscon (sic), Arizona, after seven years of illness borne with invincible patience and courage.

  “He was born in Dorset May 23rd, 1853, in a home of rare refinement and cultivation, where childhood was understood, appreciated and made happy in a way quite unusual....”

  “In 1874 he went to Nevada and lived for a year on its wide sunny heights; later he went to California where another year of out-door life followed, which he greatly enjoyed. Sunsequently (sic) he spent several years in Toledo, Ohio, being associated with his father in business there. Always anxious to return to California permanently, in 1883 he went to San Francisco as Associate Manager of that branch of the Producers Marble Company. Thus he became identified with the interests of Senator Proctor, his father’s friend and his own, and continued in that connection until the end. As the foreign manager of the Vermont Marble Co. at San Francisco he introduced the use of New England marble in the Orient, and those countries whose shores are washed by the Pacific Ocean. Six times he visited all the great ports of Australia and New Zealand; twice he extended these trips to India, China and Japan; travelling (sic) extensively in all these countries, and in Central and South America, and three times encircled the globe.

  “In 1894 he married Sylvia Williston Little of Liverpool, England, a most fortunate and congenial marriage. Mrs. Field shared his long exile and was his devoted nurse through his years of suffering. She lives to mourn his death, as do his sisters, Mrs. Frances Field Abbott of New York and Mrs. Katherine Field White of Chicago.”

• The Years Frederick Field & His family lived in San Jose, Santa Clara County, California
  • 1875 - Field, Combs & Gregory, Marble Works, 227 Second, San Jose, San Jose, Santa Clara County, California (“Hand-Book Directory of Santa Clara, San Benito, Santa Cruz, Monterey and San Mateo Counties,” 1875, Compiled and Published by L. L. Paulson, Francis & Valentine, San Francisco, 1875, pp. 69.)
  • November 26, 1875 - Hubert Charles Field born in San Jose, Santa Clara County, California. (Seventh child of Frederick and Mary H. (Bacon) Field)
    • Excerpt from “Some Notes on The Field Connection (Traced through direct male descendants),” by Hubert Field, Lozano, 1993.

      “Hubert Charles Field b. Nov. 26, 1875 m. Petra Diaz de Leon of Zacatecas, Mexico after studying Mining Engineering at Colorado School of Mines. He moved to Gunajuato, Mexico. Friend of Porfirio Diaz, Mexican President. Expelled for political reasons during Mexican Revolution and escaped in a cattle train over the border and settled in Corpus Christi, Texas. He lost track of his wife and children for two years - finally locating them through the Red Cross. By this time four of the children had died. Returned to Mexico after the Revolution and died there in 1944. He is buried in Mexico City.

      “Hubert Field is my grandfather. He and all his predecessors are all listed with a registry number in ‘Field Genealogy’ by Frederick Clifton Pierce, Chicago: Hammond Press, W.B. Conkey Co., 1909 - a book possibly financed by Marshall Field. In the preface of the book is a poem ‘Sans Dieu Rein’ authored by Mary Hannah Bacon Field, my great grandmother, the wife of Frederick Field, and mother of Hubert Field, my grandfather.”

    • The following photographs were contributed by Hubert Field Lozano, grandson of Hubert Charles Field:

      Wilfred Bacon Field (Hubert Charles Field’s brother)

      Wilfrid Field (Hubert Charles Field’s brother/Hubert Field Lozano’s uncle)

      Hubert Charles Field (Hubert Field Lozano’s grandfather)

      Dolores Field Lozano (Hubert Field Lozano’s mother)

  • 1876 - Field, Combs & Kendall, 277 Second St. (bus) Marble Works, Post Office: San Jose. (Historical Atlas Map of Santa Clara County, California,” compiled by Thompson & West, San Francisco, Cal. 1876.)
  • 1876 - Excelsior Marble Co., 277 Second (AKA Excelsior Marble Works), San Jose, Santa Clara County, California (“Bishop’s Directory of the City of San Jose For 1876 and a Directory of Santa Clara,” 1876 (Published by B. C. Vandall, San Francisco, 1876, pp. 289.) (The following names are some of the men who worked for Excelsior Marble Works in 1876 according to the San Jose city directory. - There are probably others that I missed, so do not consider this a complete list. - John. W. Combs, sculptor; Frederick Field; Marshall J. Gillman, marble cutter; J. M. Gregory, marble worker; George W. Harris, marble polisher; John Harris, marble polisher and mantle setter; Allen O. Kendall; George W. Lee, agent; William Miskel, marble cutter; Charles Poulain, marble cutter; Lewis W. Stark, stone cutter; and Patrick F. Sullivan, marble cutter.)
    • 1876 - Field, Frederick (Excelsior Marble Co.), res. S s Clinton nr Stockton av, San Jose, Santa Clara County, California (“Bishop’s Directory of the City of San Jose For 1876 and a Directory of Santa Clara,” 1876 (Published by B. C. Vandall, San Francisco, 1876, pp. 124)
  • Excelsior Marble Works, San Jose, Santa Clara County, California. The following photographs were contributed by the Sourisseau Academy. Used with Permission.

    

  • 1878 - Field, Frederick (Field & Kendall), res. Ss. Res. Clinton nr Stockton av, San Jose, Santa Clara County, California (“San Jose City Directory,” 1878 (Microfilm #808, California State Library, pp. 127)
    • 1878 - Field & Kendall (F. Field & O. A. Kendall), marble yard, 277 Second, San Jose, Santa Clara County, California (“San Jose City Directory,” 1878 (Microfilm #808, California State Library, pp. 127); Field & Kendall, 277 Second, San Jose, Santa Clara County, California (“San Jose City Directory,” 1878 (Microfilm #808, California State Library, pp. 277)
  • 1880 - Field, Frederick 1880 California Census Record, San Jose, Santa Clara County, California, entry: white, male, (age) 60, married, proprietor of marble works, (F. Field born in) Vermont, (parents born in) Vermont, (others in household) Mary H. FIELD, white, female, (age 40), married, keeping house, (Mary born in) Michigan, (Mary’s parents born in) New York; Arthur FIELD, white, male, 18, son, unmarried, marble cutter, (Arthur born in) Vermont, (father born in) Vermont, (mother born in) Michigan; Mabel FIELD, white, female (age) 11, daughter, unmarried, at school, (Mabel born in) Vermont; (father born in) Vermont), (mother born in) Michigan; Wilfred FIELD, white, male, (age) 6, son, unmarried, (Wilfred born in) Vermont), (father born in Vermont, (mother born in) Michigan; Hubert FIELD, white, male, (age) 3, SON, UNMARRIED, (Hubert born in California, (father born in) Vermont, (mother born in) Michigan.
  • June, 1880 - 1880 San Jose Township, Santa Clara County, California, Census, Sup. Dist. 1, Enumeration District 248, enumerated on the twenty-nine day of June, 1880, Chas. N. Bennett, Enumerator, #363 (pg. 50 on California State Library Microfilm Roll #81.)

    (The Field entry below is dwelling house numbered in order of visitation (1): 363; Family numbered in order of visitation (2): 364.)

    12. (Name) Field, Frederick, W (white), M (male), (age) 60, Relationship of each person to the head of this family...) (blank), Married, (Profession, Occupation or Trade) Prop’r. of Marbleworks.

    13. (Field) Mary H., W, F (female), (age) 40, wife, Married, Keeping House

    14. (Field) Arthur, W, M, (age 18), Son, Single, Marble Cutter

    15. (Field) Mabel, W, F, 11, Daughter, Single, At School

    16. (Field) Wilfred, W, M, 6, Son, Single

    17. (Field) Hubert, W, M, 3, Son, Single

  • 1881-1882 - Field, Frederick, (proprietor) Excelsior Marble Works, 277 Second, res. 5 Clinton place, San Jose, Santa Clara County, California (“Directory of the City of San Jose and Santa Clara County 1881-1882 (L. M. McKenney & Co., Publishers, San Francisco, pp. 135; Field, F. (Marble Works), 277 Second, pp. 338)
    • 1881-1882 - Field, Arthur G., marble worker with F. Field, res. 3 Clinton pl., San Jose, Santa Clara County, California (“Directory of the City of San Jose and Santa Clara County 1881-1882 (L. M. McKenney & Co., Publishers, San Francisco, pp. 135)
  • October 1881 - Silver Wedding Anniversary Announcement for Frederick and Mary Field.

    (The following article is from The Occident, October 19, 1881, San Francisco, California; and it is located in Excerpts From Dorset Families; Genealogical Records and Notes, by The Rev. Parsons S. Pratt (1822-1906), With Occasional Additions by His Granddaughter, Miss Ann E. Gilbert (1881-1970), - (unpublished manuscript), The Dorset Historical Society, P. O. Box 52, Dorset, Vermont 05251.

    A Silver Wedding

    “Mr. Frederick Field, an honored elder of the First Presbyterian Church in San Jose, and Mary, his wife, celebrated the 25th anniversary of their marriage last Saturday evening. Their pleasant home on Clinton Street was filled with guests who enjoyed a material feast, as well as a feast of reason and flow of soul. About seventy were present. After social converse for an hour or two and refreshments, Dr. Gunkle recited Burns’ ‘Cotter’s Saturday Night’ with great feeling, and reproduced old Scotia ’s dialect with wonderful perfection.

    “Prof. Allen, of the State Normal School, amused the guests greatly with some remarkable statistics: as, for instance, how many meals the busy house-mother had prepared in twenty-five years, how many pairs of socks had been mended, buttons sewed on and etc. Then how many yards of calico the host had bought to supply her wardrobe, how many times he had probably found the bread sour, the coffee muddy, and the buttons missing; how many miles he had walked in the dead of night with a crying baby and a paregoric bottle, and various martyrdoms which all heads of households understand.

    “Dr. Stratton, of the Pacific University, then added to the fun by reading directions as to how to cook a husband in order to produce a good article.

    “The host, himself, then made a few happy remarks, thanking the guests for their presence and friendship.

    “In speaking of the flight of time, he said ‘that he had a birthday a day or two previous, and as he was musing upon his advancing years, on sitting down at the morning meal, he found under his plate a bit of poetry which took so novel and flattering a view of it that he would allow his guests to hear it, with the understanding that he thought the author took altogether too favorable view of his character, which would perhaps be pardoned in consideration of her relationship.

    “The little daughter of the house then read the poem, prefacing it by saying that ‘papa thought mamma was prejudiced, but the rest of the family knew better.’

    “The following is the poem:

    To F. F. on His Birth-day Oct. 12,’ 81.

    ‘We live in deeds not years,’ the poet says,

    O, comrade mine,

    If this be so and thy good deeds were weighed

    What ageis (sic) thine?

    Thy years would vie with old Mothusaleh’s,

    If of kind thought,

    Any patient care, and generous sacrifice,

    Long life be wrought.

    But if we measure youth by warmth of heart,

    By guileless joy,

    By dauntless faith and hope, how young thou art!

    My grey-beard boy!

    Who talks of birth-days? with a smile serene

    We’ll let them pass,

    No years touch the immortal: Father Time,

    Put up thy glass!

    “The unavoidable absence of the pastor, Rev. J. P. Egbert, was greatly regretted by all. He was at Gilroy, filling an appointment of Presbytery.”

  • 1882-1883 - Field, F., proprietor, Excelsior Marble & Granite Works, res. 5 Clinton Place, San Jose, Santa Clara County, California (“San Jose City Directory,” 1882-1883, pp. 174)
    • 1882-1883 - Field, A. G., salesman with F. Field, res. 5 Clinton Place, San Jose, Santa Clara County, California (“San Jose City Directory,” 1882-1883, pp. 174)
  • 1882-1883 - Field, F., 277 Second, San Jose, Santa Clara County, California (“San Jose City Directory,” 1882-1883, pp. 419)
  • 1884-1885 - Field, F., proprietor, Excelsior Marble & Granite works, 46 No.2nd bet St. John & Santa Clara, res. 5 Clinton Place, San Jose, Santa Clara County, California (“San Jose City Directory Including Santa Clara, San Mateo, and Santa Cruz Counties,” 1884-1885, L. M. McKenney & Co., Publishers, Oakland and San Francisco, California, pp. 100)
  • June 1887 - Letter Regarding the Death of Frederick Field’s Brother, Charles Field (The letter below is from Excerpts From Dorset Families; Genealogical Records and Notes, by The Rev. Parsons S. Pratt (1822-1906), With Occasional Additions by His Granddaughter, Miss Ann E. Gilbert (1881-1970), - (unpublished manuscript), The Dorset Historical Society, P. O. Box 52, Dorset, Vermont 05251. This letter is used with permission.)

    “Dorset, Vt. June 28, 1887.

    “My Dear Dr. Smart:

    “You have probably received from Mrs. Field statements respecting her deceased husband which will be of service to you; but a slight tribute of personal friendship from myself may also be acceptable. I met near forty years ago, at a common table in a then western town, Niles Mich., Messrs. F. & C. Field, who as well as myself were young men nearly of an age and beginning active business in life.

    “They were of my congregation in that city; both were afterwards members of my church in Dorset; and hardly a year ago I officiated as pastor at the funeral of the younger of the two brothers. The older also being present...residency on the Pacific coast. In all this period my acquaintance with these two men was one of peculiar satisfaction to me, and our mutual regard and confidence was unmarred by one single word or act of disaffection.

    “Those who best knew your army associate, Mr. Charles Field, in a prolonged business or private life would testify that he was no common man.

    “He commanded very general respect for his opinions, his counsels, and his personal activities and influence. From his parentage on both sides he inherited more than average mental and moral capacity, and strong proclivities to truth, virtue and goodness.

    “He must have had an innate love of his country. One would have suspected this, even before our day of peril, from his intelligent ardent practical interest in the surroundings of his Vermont home. He thought the land God had made and spread before his sight was worthy of honor & affection, of culture and adornment, and this without respect to private ownership.

    He was a man of admirably good taste and rare public spirit, and probably to no other person are our citizens so much indebted for the early, well planned, and successful efforts for the improvement of our streets, homes and public buildings. We naturally looked that his whole country would receive from him just such appreciation, ready...and efficient vindication and support. He might make few eloquent speeches, but would be likely to render ceaseless patriotic services.

    “He was a lover of his kind. He knew a great many men; few could have had so extensive an acquaintance, east and west.

    “But in all his conversations with me, his recitals of varied contact with the world, I recall no mention of expressed contempt, of bitterness or misanthropy; it was not like him. I have reason to believe that he did a vast deal of kindness to others from pure philanthropy and at great self sacrifice.

    “I think he loved the Lord: such was his personal profession in early life, and he was in good standing with this church for forty five years.

    “He certainly manifested a generous interest in the religious institutions of his native town, was active in society work, and like the pious prince...was unwilling to bring offerings to the Lord his God of that which cost him nothing.

    “From his enlistment in the public service to the close of his life, the interests of his family and friends, and the demands of an extensive business which no other seemed to understand so perfectly or conduct so well, involved the necessity of almost constant travel and...brief visits at his delightful & cherished home.

    “He returned at length for the last time with exhausted strength and in evident decline, spent a few precious weeks enjoying the sympathy and ministrations of his loved ones, by a specially favoring...whole family and a brother and sister, kindred being brought to his bedside.

    “He endured his sufferings with a cheerful patience, and died in submission, serenity and hope.

    “Charles Field was born, Dorset, Vt. Dec. 1, 1824, younger son of Alfred and Sophronia (Gilbert) Field;

    “Married, Oct. 23, 1851, Henrietta daughter of Cyrus & Sementha (?) ( Baldwin) Armstrong. He died, Dorset, July 8, 1886.

    “Three children survived their father: Charles A. of San Francisco much resembling his father in person, character and capacity;

    “Frances, wife of Nathan Abbott Esq. of Boston, and Katharine wife, Horace F. White Esq. of Chicago. Mrs. Abbott & Mrs. White have each a young daughter.”

    (The letter is unsigned.)

  • 1887-1888 - Field, Frederick, Marble & Granite Works, 42 to 48 North Second, res. 5 Clinton pl., San Jose, Santa Clara County, California (“McKenney’s San Jose city Directory, Including Santa Clara, San Mateo, and Santa Cruz County,” 1887-1888, pp. 100) Also: Field, Frederick, 42-48 North Second, San Jose, Santa Clara County, California (“McKenney’s San Jose city Directory, Including Santa Clara, San Mateo, and Santa Cruz County,” 1887-1888, in the “Marble Dealers” section)
    • 1887-1888 - F. Fields Marble & Granite Works Advertisement, 42-48 North Second St., San Jose, Scotch and Eastern Granite Monuments,, San Jose, Santa Clara County, California (“San Jose City Directory Including Santa Clara, San Mateo, and Santa Cruz Counties,” 1887-1888, Ulhorn & McKenney, Publishers, San Francisco, California, pp. 6)

      

    • 1887-1888 - Field, Arthur, marble dealer, res. 5 Clinton pl., San Jose, Santa Clara County, California (“McKenney’s San Jose city Directory, Including Santa Clara, San Mateo, and Santa Cruz County,” 1887-1888, pp. 99)
  • 1880s - Frederick Field Business Card, N. E. Corner of Sixth & William Streets, San Jose, California.

    

    The business card for Frederick Field above and the entry below are both from Excerpts From Dorset Families; Genealogical Records and Notes, by The Rev. Parsons S. Pratt (1822-1906), With Occasional Additions by His Granddaughter, Miss Ann E. Gilbert (1881-1970), - (unpublished manuscript), The Dorset Historical Society, P. O. Box 52, Dorset, Vermont 05251. (This quotation is used with permission.)

    “Always Mr. Field was devoted to his family and friends, a loyal son to his widowed mother, the best of brothers, the best of friends. Always he was sincere, wise, kind, just and broad in his judgements (sic). He will be missed and remembered to an unusual degree, yet can we not almost hear his voice as he sets out on this new voyage:

    Let there be no sadness of farewell

    When I embark,

    For if from out this bourne of Time and Space

    My Spirit Drifts afar,

    I trust that I shall meet my pilot face to face

    When I have crossed the Bar.

    “M. H. F. (Mary Hannah Field) Mrs. Frederick Field.”

  • Summer/Fall of 1887 - Frederick Field’s New Partner, Mr. Kalfus .

    The following information is from the article entitled, "Frederick Field. A Prominent San Josean Passes Away. His Death Thursday. A Citizen Whose Loss Will be Generally Deplored - A Brief Sketch of His Life," in San Jose Herald, November 18, 1887.

    According to this article, “Mr. Kalfus became his (Frederick Field’s) partner a few months ago.”

  • November 1887 - Frederick Field died on November 17, 1887.

Please Note: You can go on to the next section to view some “Documents Relating to Frederick Field’s Injury, Death, Obituaries, & Will.”

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