The Valley of Heart's Delight
BRUNO BERNAL, JR.
HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY 508
SURNAMES: CASTRO, DUARTE, COMELIO,
A worthy pioneer whose hallowed memory all who knew him delight to
honor was the late Bruno Bernal, who was born on the Santa Teresa
rancho, south of San Jose, on February 14, 1857, the youngest son of Bruno Bernal, Sr.,
the pioneer and wealthy ranchman, and owner of the Santa Teresa grant.
He came to Santa Clara in the early days, and became one of her
foremost citizens. He was married a second time to Miss Blanda Castro,
and from this union sprang the subject of this story and three
daughters. His brother-in-law was General Castro.
Bruno Bernal, Jr., grew to manhood on the home ranch, and he lived at
home until he was twenty-one years of age. Then he came to San Jose,
and for many years thereafter he conducted a cigar store here, and
after that, removing to San Luis Obispo, he likewise was a merchant for
fifteen years. He was married to Miss Josephine Comelio, the daughter
of Antonio and Luella (Duarte) Comelio, a gifted lady born on April 26,
1862, the eighth child in a family of twelve, three of whom survive the
father and mother. She attended Notre Dame convent, and was a most
popular young woman among her musical associates.
Mr. Bernal died on May 5, 1920, an honored member of the Pioneer Society of Santa Clara County, and also of the Foresters.
Eight children were granted Mr. and Mrs. Bernal. Bruno Arthur resides
at Oakland, is married and has one child; Rebecca died at the age of
fourteen; Edward R. resides at home; William, the fourth in the order
of birth, died in infancy, while William, the next-
born, also lives at home; Salvadore is single and a lieutenant in the
San Jose Fire Department; Adele remains with her mother and is an
accomplished young woman in music and the drama, having attended Notre
Dame Convent and the School of Expression of the College of the
Pacific. Jose, the youngest, also enjoys the shelter of the paternal
roof.
Edward R. Bernal served in the One Hundred Fifteenth Ambulence Truck
supply, and was overseas for eight months; he received his honorable
discharge from Camp Kearney on May 4, 1919. William Bernal served as a
bandmaster on the U. S. S. Huntington, which made nine trips overseas
in the transport service. Salvadore served for three years as a
sergeant under General Funston in Mexico, and he also enlisted for
service in the recent war as a membre of the One Hundred Nintey-Fifth
Infantry. The oldest son, Bruno, worked in the shipyards, and Miss
Adele gave entertainments to the boys in the camps, and did all she
could to sustain the morale of the brave boys in khaki.
Transcribed by Marie Clayton, from Eugene T. Sawyers' History of Santa Clara County,California, published by Historic Record Co. , 1922. page 508
SANTA CLARA COUNTY PIONEER BIOGRAPHIES
SANTA CLARA COUNTY-The Valley of Heart's Delight