Jourdan-Speegle Family Photographs and Papers, 1878-1932

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Summary

Creators:
Speegle, Elise Jourdan Bostick, Elise Speegle Green Speegle Jourdan
Abstract:
Extent:
.5 linear feet (1 box)
Language:
Preferred citation:

Jourdan-Speegle Family Photographs and Papers. History San Jose Research Library

Background

Scope and content:

The bulk of the collection are photographs relating to French immigrants Rosine Martin and Elius Jourdan, and their daughter Elise Jourdan’s childhood, as well as their extended French families. There are also a number of photographs of Gordon Speegle as a young man, and the Speegle family in San Jose. While a man referred to as “Uncle Adrien” and “Adrien Bonnet” appears in at least two of the photographs, he does not appear to be the same Adrien Bonnet described in Sawyer's History of Santa Clara. Initial family research did not identify this family member, and he may not have been a blood uncle. The small set of papers comprise Rosine Jourdan's marriage contract and property records, and Elise Jourdan's elementary school autograph album, notebook, and drawings.

Biographical / historical:

The donor, Elise Speegle Green Bostick, was the daughter of Elise Jourdan Speegle (b. 1893), and granddaughter of Rosine (née Martin, c. 1865-1944) and Elius Jourdan (1850-1906). According to San Jose news reports, in 1906 Elius Jourdan tried to murder daughter Elise when she was thirteen; he subsequently committed suicide. Elise and mother Rosine continued to live in San Jose while Elise attended Gardner School. Rosine remarried at least twice, lastly to Theophile J. Espitallier. Elise later married childhood friend Grover Speegle, and they moved to Watsonville, California. Grover Speegle worked as a driver for Wells Fargo in San Jose before managing auto parts businesses in Watsonville; in his spare time he raced outboard motorboats.

Acquisition information:
Originally donated to the Pajaro Valley Historical Association by Elise Speegle Green Bostick. The Historical Association transferred the collection to the San Jose Historical Museum in 1993.

Access and use

Restrictions:

Open to the public by appointment with the Research Library & Archives

Terms of access:

Please contact the Research Library & Archives with publication and reproduction requests

Preferred citation:

Jourdan-Speegle Family Photographs and Papers. History San Jose Research Library

Location of this collection:
1661 Senter Road
San Jose, CA 95112, US
Contact:
(408) 287-2290
research@historysanjose.org
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