EDMUND W. MAYNARD. - One of the most loved and highly esteemed business men who contributed to make San Jose a better city through his great love of books was the late Edmund W. Maynard, who was born at Bratton, Yorkshire, England. His father was Col. Edmund Gilling Maynard, who spent twenty-one years in the British Army, serving with distinction in the Crimean War and in the Indian mutiny. In 1869 Col Maynard brought his family to Canada, where they resided for about six years. However, the climate proved too severe for Mrs. Maynard, so the Colonel decided to take up his residence in New Zealand, but upon arriving in California took a decided liking for this state with the result that he came to Santa Clara County and settled in San Jose. Thus it was here that Edmund Maynard received his education. Here too he was married in 1892 to Miss Anna M. Tomkin, a daughter of Dr. Alfred Royce Tomkin, an early settler here, who was county coroner and public administrator at the time of his death, and a granddaughter of James Alexander Forbes, one of the original owners of the New Almaden mine and the first British consul to California under the Mexican rule.
Edmund Maynard became a successful business man in San Jose where he conducted one of the largest and best known book and stationery stores in this city. However, he was not permitted to enjoy the fruits of his success, for he was called by Providence July 5, 1917, mourned by all who knew him and particularly by his family and friends. He was a great lover of books and was a good judge of their merits, so his advice in courses of reading was frequently sought. He was a talented musician, the flute being his chosen instrument, and he was an active member of the San Jose Symphony Orchestra and the San Jose Harmonic Orchestra. He was also a member of the Chamber of Commerce and the Business Men's Association, the Sons of St. George, Odd Fellows and the Woodmen of the World. He was greatly interested in civics and stood for high morals and Christian influence. Among his business associates, Edmund W. Maynard was looked up to as a man of unquestionable honor, of progressive ideas and of unusual business ability. With his personal friends he was loved as few men are loved; his unselfishness, ready sympathy and keen sense of humor, endeared him to all who had the pleasure of his acquaintance; he was especially fond of children and scores of them, large and small, will sadly miss "Uncle Ed" as he was affectionately called by his host of friends. His loss was greatly felt in the business world as well as in the social life of San Jose.
Transcribed by joseph Kral from Eugene T. Sawyers' History of Santa Clara County,California, published by Historic Record Co. , 1922. page 807
Twin of William Trevor Maynard
