The morning call., 1892-05-22
MARRIED HIS HOUNEMAID.
Millionaire Pierce Of Santa Clara
Is the Man.
BE Surprises His Friends By Wedding His
Former Excitement in
Society Circles,

Social circles in the charming Santa Clara
| Valley, and particularly in tile quiet little
town of that name, are GgOg with excite
| ment over the recent marriage OF james Z.
| Pierce, the millionaire lumbermau and ex-
mining man, to Miss Julia Neff. who was
formerly employed in his family in the
capacity of n maid-of-all-wOrk. The bride
is described as a charming lady CT 30 OF
thereabouts.
MIR. Pierce is one of the well-knOwn men
of the State and Is a notwithstanding old
gentleman of 66 or 20, with pretty gray
whiskers, which tempt the soft hTeeZes Of
his valley home and a brisk walk that
leads people TO underestimate the number Of
his years. lie is what would be called by
nine people cut Of ten handsome old gen.
tleman, with an air Of the aristOcrat about
his well-kept person, which is largely en-
hanCed by the jaunty way IN which he toys
| with his gold-Timmed Spectaces whenever
| engrosSed in conversation. AS cdpturer
OF female hearts, however, he has never en-
| j0yed a wide reputation, and bis present
little affair is, as consequence, IN the ma
tuTe Of a surprise TO his friends.
Mr.. Pierce is the father of seven children,
five OF whom are girls. The two boys
Richard and HarTy-are married and set
tied in business, and three Of the daughters
have taken unto themselves husbands. Two
are still single and at home.
THE FIRST MRS PIERCE.
Some three or four years ago the first
Mrs. Pierce, who was lady Of most ire
proachable character and who was known
for her many acts Of charity, died. When
she was laid TO rest there was mourning IN
the community where she had lived so long
and where she was so well and kindly
| known.
About this time OF a little later Miss Neff
applied for a position, and was given en-
pl0yment as a maid-Of-all- in the family
residence at Santa Clara, and for a time
her services were Of the most satisfactory
nature. Gradually however n cOldneSs
spTang up between her and the Oldest
daughter, then at home. and upon whose
shoulders had fallen the burden or the
household cares. Just what caused the
feeling is not known, but about year ago
It resulted in the discharge Of Miss Netf,
who was compelled TO leave the house in
which she had worked so long. Nothing
was thought Of it at the time, and in a few
months she was forgotten to all appear
auceS.
That such was not the case in fact was
made plain on Thursday last when tie news
wss whispered about in Santa Clara that
Miss Nef had forsaken her maidenhOOd aud
h u married Mr.. Pierce quietly at PasO
R0bes. The feeling Of iucTedUllty with
which the first TumOr was received gave
way 10 establishment, followed by blank
amazement when the report was verified,
aud the tongues of the gOSSipS were at once
unfastened. They have been busily wag-
giug ever since, until in spite Of the efforts
OF the venerable groom TO keep the matter
a profound secret the truth leaked out, and
even San Francisco society, where the
PIeTces are well known, began 10 discuss 1t
as choice mOTsel OF news.
AT HOME WITH HIS BRIDE.
a telegram sent to Santa Clara elected
the fact that the details as given above are
true, and that Mr.. Pierce was at home With
his bride.
James P. Pierce is one Of the weathiest
men in Santa Clara County, his fortune be-
ing TeckOned in the millions, and lie is at
the mead OF number OF extensive euteT-
prises. lie was the founder aud is the
principal owner Of the Pacific Manufacture
ing Company and the California Casket
Company. His lumber interests, especially
in the Santa Cruz Mountains, are also ex-
tensiye, and lie is president Of the Bank Of
Santa Clara County, and yet this is but &
small part Of his extensive fortune, which
includes much valuable real estate in this
city and in Santa Clara Valley.
In early days Pierce lived in Smartsvile,
where he acquired a rich blue-gTavel mining
claim, which proved on development to be
bonanza and which he afterward disposed
for something like half million dollars
Pierce in the meantime came TO San Fran
cisco, where he remained for some time
engaging IN various enterprises, and then
went to Santa Clara, where he purchased a
valuable tract of land on the outskirts OF
the town. Here he erected a beautiful
home. and surrounded himself with every
luxury.
The Pacific Manufacturing Company
which he established there is tile most ex-
tensiYe of its kind on the coast
Two of Or. PIeTce's daughters were mar
ried about a year ago, and one some time
prior TO that. One lives in Cincinnati, Que
in Oakland, and one in this city.
One brOther-in-law was named Morrison,
and was known as one of the wealthy men
of San Francisco. He left a large esl ate, a
portion Of which is 30 feet front on Market
street, near Taylor, and is valued at more
than a quarter Of a million,
Another brother-in-law was Houston, the
pioneer contractor who constructed the old
San Francisco and San Jose Railroad, known
now as the Northern Division of the South.
ern Pacific He, too. left large estate.