Does any Jack London fan know if the Judge Miller of Santa Clara Valley was based on a true character?

Question

I have wondered about this ever since I read "Call of the wild". If there was such a man where was the home that Jack London describes? I remember that valley as a farming valley not as Silicon valley of today. I was born in 1950 and I remember orchards with grand houses. One place in particular was about 2 miles from the University of Santa Clara close to El Camino Real. My mother told me it was the home of a old judge.

Answer 1

It's difficult to tell exactly, of course. But let's put it this way:

When Jack London was nineteen, he joined his brother became involved in the Klondike gold rush. He was struck ill while there and was nursed back to health by a wealthy mining investor and philanthopist by the name of Judge Hiram Bond. Judge Bond lived on a farm with his sons and had a St Bernard / German Shepherd mixed breed dog, which he lent Jack for his use.

It is reported that the description of the farm in "Call of the Wild" seems identical to that of Judge Bond's farm. The dog is certainly similar to Judge Bond's dog. That certainly suggests very strongly that Judge Miller of the story is perhaps inspired by some other judge. But I suppose only Jack or Hiram could tell you exactly where the two differ...

Answer 2

i m not the one