MRS. CATHERINE E. BARRY
HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY 446
SURNAMES: Fenton, Callahan
MRS. CATHERINE E. BARRY.--The memory of a public-spirited man who was
widely known for his keen interest in the general welfare of the
community, state and nation, is revived in the life-story of Mrs.
Catherine E. Barry of 490 North Fourth Street, San Jose, the
highly-esteemed widow of John T. Barry, a New Englander who came here
as a veritable pioneer. She was born in far-off New Zealand, the
daughter of Patrick Fenton, of County Cork, Ireland, who had married
Miss Ellen Callahan also of that county, while they were still on the
green soil of Erin. They then sailed for New Zealand, and for three
years followed farming in that co-untry; and after that they migrated
to Chile, South America. and for six years continued agricultural
pursuits there.
In 1849, stirred up by the world-wide excitement over the discovery of
gold in California, Mr. and Mrs. Fenton came to San Francisco and
engaged in business until 1856; then they settled on a ranch about six
miles north of Santa Clara in the vicinity of the present site of
Agnew. There they had about 200 acres, and they devoted the land to the
raising of grain. They did so well that Mr. Fenton continued there
until he died at the age of sixty years; and Miss Catherine was living
on this ranch at the time she was married.
She had attended the Dominican Convent at Benicia and was a cultured,
accomplished young lady when, on August 15, 1868, at Santa Clara, she
was married to John T. Barry a native of Boston, Mass., who had come
out to California in 1856. He had not only attended the excellent
grammar schools of the "City of Culture", but he had enjoyed a college
education as well in the New England metropolis, and hence was just the
kind of timber wanted for commonwealth building. After their marriage,
they took up their residence in San Francisco, and there for twenty
years Mr. Barry was connected with the San Francisco Monitor. In 1901
Mrs. Barry removed to San Jose, and here she has lived ever since. Mr.
Barry, who died in Sacramento, in 1894, was always alive to everything
that would contribute to community uplift, and as a stanch Democrat, he
worked hard for civic reform. Mrs. Barry, also as a stand-pat Democrat,
has endeavored to continue this good work, and from her hospitable home
where she has lived since returning to San Jose, she has sent out much
influence for the benefits of others.
Two children blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Barry. Marcella J. is an
instructor, well trained and very popular with the pupils of the Horace
Mann School in San Jose; while the son, Charles J. Barry has been
connected for twenty years with the Hibernian Bank in San Francisco.
Transcribed by Marie Clayton, from Eugene T. Sawyers' History of Santa Clara County,California,
published by Historic Record Co. , 1922. page 446
SANTA CLARA COUNTY BIOGRAPHIES
SANTA CLARA COUNTY HISTORY-The Valley of Heart's Delight