Santa Clara County Biographies


This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm



 
EDWARD TOPHAM 
 
was born in Toronto, Canada, on the twenty-fifth of October, 1840. His parents, 
William and Eliza (Sylvester) Topham, were natives of Ireland, who emigrated 
while young to Canada, and there engaged in agriculture. Until eighteen years of 
age he lived on his father's farm, meanwhile receiving such schooling as was 
afforded by the common schools. At that age he was apprenticed to the trade of 
blacksmith; however, he remained there but a short time after serving his 
apprenticeship, before coming to the United States. He traveled quite 
extensively in the Middle States, in Kentucky, Missouri, Illinois, and Ohio, and 
was also engaged as an assistant engineer on the Mississippi and Yazoo Rivers. 
In 1861 he returned to Canada, but after a short sojourn there he returned to 
the United States, and during a portion of the years 1862-63 was employed in the 
government shops at Washington, District of Columbia. In the last-named year he 
again returned to Canada, and entered into partnership with his old employer for 
three years in Burgessville, and shortly after purchased a foundry and machine 
shop, which he, with his brothers, conducted until 1868. He then sold out his 
business and came to this State, locating, in June of that year, in Santa Clara, 
where he spent about six months in working at his trade. Early in the following 
year he settled at Milpitas, and there entered into partnership with David S. 
Boyce, in blacksmithing and carriage works, and in this business he has since 
continued, having conducted it through all these years most successfully.
        The subject of our sketch married, in 1874, Miss Hattie Castle, the 
daughter of W. D. and Frank (Ferry) Castle, residents, at that time, of 
Milpitas.  Mr. and Mrs. Topham have seven children: Clarence, Frank, Edward, 
Chester A., Blanche, Clifton, and Alida.
        Mr. Topham has been very successful in all his business enterprises, and 
is the owner of considerable real estate, among which are seven houses and lots 
in Milpitas, also a forty-acre tract adjoining the town on the north. In Tulare 
County he owns eighty acres, which will be devoted to orchard culture, and is 
also half owner of a large stock ranch in San Benito County, upon which are 
roaming a large herd of cattle. He is much interested in the finer breeds of 
horses, and is raising some trotting stock from " Nutwood," " American Boy," " 
Grosvenor," and other great families of horses. His horses are well known, and, 
when entered in the agricultural fairs, take their full share of premiums. He is 
also a share-holder in the Mexican Pacific Railroad.
        Mr. Topham is well known in social as well as business circles, and is 
connected with several industrial organizations. He has been a Director, and is 
now the President, of the Santa Clara Valley Agricultural Society, and is also 
the presiding officer of the District Agricultural Society, No. 5, of the State, 
comprising Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties. For the past fifteen years he has 
served with credit as School Trustee of his district. He is also a Trustee of 
the Presbyterian Church, of which his wife is a member. He is associated with 
San Jose Lodge, No 10, of the Masonic fraternity.
        Politically, Mr. Topham is connected with the Republican party, and is 
deeply interested in the administration of affairs in his county. As a 
public-spirited man, and one who is ever ready to devote time and means to the 
advancement of his section, he is a most useful citizen.
 
Pen Pictures From The Garden of the World or Santa Clara County, California, 
Illustrated. - Edited by H. S. Foote.- Chicago:  The Lewis Publishing Company, 
1888.
Pg. 438-439