USA > California > San Benito County > History and biographical record of Monterey and San Benito Counties : and history of the State of California : containing biographies of well-known citizens of the past and present. Volume II > Part 53
USA > California > Monterey County > History and biographical record of Monterey and San Benito Counties : and history of the State of California : containing biographies of well-known citizens of the past and present. Volume II > Part 53
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One of the sons of this well-known citizen is Walter R. Tavernetti, who was born on a ranch near Soledad June 10, 1883. The common schools of the town supplied his early educational training, and thereafter he was privileged to take a course in Heald's Business College in San Francisco. Wishing to put his theoretical train- ing into practice he accepted a position as book- keeper in the Italian-American Bank at San Francisco, a position which he filled acceptably for two years. At the end of this time he re- turned to Soledad and with his brother Henry bought the dairy business which had formerly been carried on by the father. Here they lease
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five hundred acres of excellent land, all of which is productive and under the care of the present owners is made to return abundantly for labor expended. One hundred and twenty-five acres are in alfalfa, one hundred acres in beets, ninety acres in potatoes, one hundred acres in hay, while on the remainder of the land they pasture one hundred head of cows. A factory for the man- ufacture of cheese is also maintained on the ranch, thus disposing of all of the milk. They also raise sufficient stock to supply their own dairy, besides raising some hogs for the market. The secret of the success with which the brothers are meeting, to some extent lies in the fact that the ranch is well irrigated, water being supplied from the river and distributed by means of a private pumping plant. Fraternally Walter R. Tavernetti is a member of Lodge No. 173, F. O. E., of Salinas, and Gonzales Circle No. 236, Foresters of America.
CHRISTIANO MACHADO.
It is an unusual occurrence for one who has been born and reared under the sunny skies of California to seek a home in any other part of the country upon reaching years of maturity, as almost without exception they remain in the midst of familiar scenes and take up their life work. This has been true of Mr. Machado, who has never been outside of his native state except for one year, at the end of which time he was glad to return to California and resume his duties on the ranch in Monterey county.
As the name would indicate, Christiano Mach- ado is of foreign origin. His ancestors for gen- erations had lived and flourished on the Azore Islands, and there it was that the father, Chris- tiano Machado, Sr., was born and reared. While he was still a young man he immigrated to the United States and became one of the first settlers in what is now Monterey county, Cal. He is still living and for the past thirty-two years has made his home in Carmel. The parental family comprised ten children, as follows: Antonio, a resident of Monterey; Mary, Mrs. Suckow, of Blanco; Jessie, Mrs. DeCarlie, also a resident of Monterey; Mrs. Kate Martan and Mrs. Lottie Freitas, both of Salinas; Manuel, living in Chua-
lar : Mary Ann, Mrs. Gould, and John, both living in Carmel-by-the-Sea; Emily, at home; and Christiano. The latter was born at Carmel, Feb- ruary 5, 1877, and was reared and educated in the vicinity of his early home in Monterey county. As was natural, he assisted with the farm duties as soon as his strength would permit, and by the time he was nineteen years of age he had a good insight into the requirements and responsibilities of ranch life. It was at this age that he left his native state for the first and only time in his life, going at that time to South Dakota to tempo- rarily take charge of his sister's farm. At the end of one year, however, he returned to Carmel valley and began farming on his own account on the Gregg ranch, continuing this for the same length of time, when he came to Salinas and en- gaged in raising beets for the Spreckels Sugar Company. In the latter undertaking he was especially successful, being associated in partner- ship with his brother-in-law, John Freitas. This partnership continued until 1905, and after its dissolution Mr. Machado once more engaged in ranching on his own account, this time on the J. Olsen ranch of one hundred and ten acres, of
which he is still the proprietor. So successful was he during the first year in which he was in charge of the ranch that during the following year, 1906, he added seventy acres adjoining and altogether he has one hundred and eighty acres under cultivation.
Mr. Machado's marriage united him with Miss Christina Olsen, a native of Monterey county and the daughter of John Olsen, a resident of Salinas. Three children have come to brighten the home life of Mr. and Mrs. Machado, Mil- dred, Melvin and Chris.
FREDERICK FRESE.
Another of the foreign-born citizens of Mon- terey county is Frederick Frese, a native of Den- mark, born in Sleswick-Holstein, April 8, 1850. It is doubtful whether Mr. Frese would ever have had more than a historical knowledge of California had it not been for an accident that befell an older brother. This brother in follow- ing his calling of sailor on the high seas met with an injury, and it was decided by the other
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brothers, Frederick, Lauritz F. and Mads F., to bring him to California, where in the balmy sunshine he might recover his health. This they did in 1870, and he is now one of the well- known citizens of Monterey county.
Frederick Frese and one of his brothers was employed on the ranch of Samuel Gordon in Monterey county for a time after coming here, and by carefully saving their earnings they were soon in a position to make a payment on some government land and begin raising cattle. This land was located at the head of Carmel valley, and was purchased from a squatter in 1872. The year following the sons were joined by their father and mother and three sisters. The father lived many years to enjoy his home in the New World, at the time of his death in 1898 having attained the age of eighty years. The original property purchased by the brothers in Carmel valley has been added to as their means would allow, until at one time, including tide land, it included nineteen hundred and twenty acres, all devoted to stock-raising. This has been im- proved for cultivation from year to year, until it now takes rank with the most productive properties in Monterey county. Frederick Frese made his home on the property until 1907, in which year he moved into Salinas, leaving the ranch in the care of his brother Mads F., with whom he is a part owner of the property. While living in that district Mr. Frese was school trus- tee for eleven years, and during that time worked indefatigably for the organization and main- tenance of good schools.
During the year 1883-84 Frederick Frese re- turned to Denmark, and while there, in May, 1884, was united in marriage with Miss Mattie Thirrstup. Three sons have been born of this marriage, Thomas and Frederick William born on the ranch in Carmel valley, and Marcus L. in Salinas. All of the children received the advan- tages of the common and high schools of Salinas, and Thomas, who has a pronounced artistic tal- ent. has also been given a four-year course in the Wilmerding Art school, where he has made rapid strides in modeling and drawing. Besides the property in Carmel valley which he owns in partnership with his brother, Mr. Frese owns privately two hundred and thirty-seven acres of hill and bottom land for which he paid $30 per
acre. The entire acreage is devoted to raising hay, a commodity which commands excellent prices in the market. Fraternally Mr. Frese is a member of the Odd Fellows Lodge at Monte- rey, politically is a Republican, and with his family is a member of the Lutheran Church. No one has been more enthusiastic concerning the upbuilding of this part of California than Mr. Frese, who is intelligently informed on all topics of a public character, and as one of the pioneer settlers in this locality has been an in- terested witness of the progress made from year to year.
Reference has already been made to the fact that Mr. Frese's brother, Mads F. Frese, is now residing on and superintending the ranch in Car- mel valley. He is unmarried, and his sister Julia, who is also single, lives with him and keeps house for him. Another sister, Arnie, is the wife of A. K. Nissen, of Salinas. Magda- lena, who became the wife of Peter S. Erick- son, is now deceased.
CHARLES CARLSON.
The laborious life of a rancher with its quiet round of daily duties brings its own reward in the consciousness of work well done and a spot of earth made more productive by reason of that work. There came to Charles Carlson the quiet, uneventful existence, devoted to the improve- ment of a ranch in Monterey county and to the discharge of the duties devolving upon a loyal citizen. None was more devoted than he to the welfare of his adopted country. After having gained familiarity with our language and insti- tutions he gave unswerving allegiance to our constitution and there could be found no native- born son more patriotic than he, although he had no taste for office-holding and always de- clined local positions of a political nature.
The early years of Charles Carlson passed uneventfully in Sweden, where he was born in 1855 and where he secured an education in the common branches. Crossing the ocean at the age of nineteen years he proceeded direct to California and settled in Monterey county. For three years he was employed on the Zabala ranch and meanwhile he was studying the soil and the
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best methods of its cultivation. Upon leaving that ranch he took up four hundred and eighty acres of government land near King City and from that time forward he held an increasing acreage of ranch property. By purchase from the owners he acquired the title to twenty-five hundred acres in addition to his original pre- emption, and this vast tract he was superin- tending at the time of his death, May 25, 1906. The cultivation of the tillable part of the tract required considerable time and attention, but brought satisfactory returns in the form of bountiful crops. Much of the land was in pasture and furnished grazing for the herds of the owner.
Upon coming to this country Mr. Carlson was a bachelor, but in 1883 he had saved an amo". + that justified him in establishing a home of his own and he was united in marriage with Miss Christine Johanson, a young lady of gentle dis- position and attractive qualities of heart and mind. The only child of their union, a daugh- ter, was taken from the home by death while yet quite small. After the death of Mr. Carlson his widow sold three thousand acres of the estate, but she still retains four hundred acres of productive land near San Lucas and also owns the residence property in King City where she now makes her home.
CATHERINE JUHL.
The life of Catherine Julil is both interesting and instructive, from the fact that it depicts a type of womanhood peculiar to this age and country. The time was when woman's sphere of usefulness did not extend beyond the home and kindred domestic influences, but today her influ- ence and co-operation are important factors in the business world, brought about by the social and economic evolution of the last half century. Miss Juhl is not only doing commendable work in a public school of San Luis Obispo county, but she also maintains an interest in the stock on her brother's ranch.
A native of Denmark, Catherine Juhl was born near Koaling November 7, 1882, the daughter of Falle and Freda (Zoffman) Juhl. Prior to her marriage with Mr. Juhl, however,
the mother had become the wife of Alexander Hellesoe, this marriage resulting in the birth of two sons, John and Alexander Hellesoe. The. elder of these children is married and the father of four children, George, Olive, Alexander and Gregory. Five children were born of the mar -. riage of Falle and Freda Juhl, named in the or- der of their birth, as follows: George, Chris, Marie, Fred and Catherine. The third child and elder daughter, Marie, has formed domestic ties and is the wife of Clovis Bequette and the- mother of one son, Alfred.
When she was a child of one year Miss Julil was brought to the United States by her parents, who came directly to California and settled on the Toro ranch in Monterey county, the prop- erty belonging to David Jacks. The family made this their home for six years, during which time their youngest daughter had reached school' age and had become initiated in her studies in the Spring school, having as her teacher G. W. Gretter. Subsequently the home of the family was removed to the James Lynn place, now the. property of John Hebbron, and while living there she attended the schools of Santa Rita for two years. The next removal of the family took them to Jolon, Monterey county, where her brothers took charge of part of the Milpitas ranch, continuing its management for seventeen. years, when they came to San Luis Obispo county and bought a cattle ranch near Temple- ton, which has since been the home of the family. In the meantime Miss Juhl had continued her studies in the Argyle school, and at the age of fourteen years she graduated from the grammar department of that school. She was ambitious to continue her studies in the Normal, but as she was too young to enter that institution, she car- ried on her studies at home, and thus prepared for the teacher's examination. At the age of eighteen she passed a satisfactory examination. which permitted her to teach in the primary grades. Ambitious to take a higher place in her profession she attended the summer Normal and' also took private lessons from university teach- ers, with the result that she obtained a grammar grade certificate and now holds a life diploma and is teaching in Oak Grove school in Monte- rey district. Miss Juhl is one of the most com- petent teachers in the district, due to the fact
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that she loves her work and is a constant student. During the years she has followed her profes- sion she has also indulged an ambition to become a stock-raiser, and whatever has remained of her salary after paying her expenses has been de- voted to the purchase of stock, of which she now has quite a large number.
JEREMIAH CASEY.
One of the oldest residents of the county, and ·one who has been a factor in its unbuilding and taken an active interest in all matters that have been brought to his notice for the betterment of the citizens, is Jeremiah Casey, of King City. He was born in County Cork, Ireland, December 25, 1829. In his native country he was engaged. in farming, but he decided that the new world held better inducements for a young man of en- ergy, and, once having made up his mind to come to the land of promise, he made the trip, and after a voyage of sixty days landed in Boston. Here he remained but a short time, when he de- cided to come to California. In 1856 he began the journey via Nicaragua, arriving in San Francisco after an uneventful journey. He came direct to Monterey county, where he engaged in ranching pursuits, which he has followed all these years with merited success.
Mr. Casey was married in 1862 to Honora Hayes, also a native of Ireland, born in 1838, and of this union six children were born, as fol- lows: William, supervisor of the county; Nora, the wife of J. E. Campbell and the mother of six children; Mary, who became the wife of B. F. Norris and has one child; Jeremiah, of San Francisco; Kate, living in San Jose, the wife of William McCormick and the mother of three children ; and Robert. There are fourteen grand- children numbered among the descendants of Mr. Casey, and all are a credit to the family name. Mrs. Honora Casey died in 1875. In 1884 Mr. Casey married Margaret Mclaughlin, who passed away in 1889, leaving no children.
The children were all reared in this county and educated in its schools, and by the training un- ·der the parental roof have gone into the world well equipped and have made names for them- :selves among the best citizens of the county. In
1869 Mr. Casey settled in Long Valley, and it was here that he made his success following the stock business, and by giving it his personal di- rection won a competence that enables him, in the evening of his days, to live practically retired from active cares. He has been a director of the First National Bank of Salinas since its organiza- tion, and in the councils of the board has given well-directed advice. For some time he has wanted to retire from the board, but his resigna- tion will not be accepted by the other members, who know the value of his suggestions. He has always been a great reader, and in this way has ' become a well-informed man and has taken great pleasure in keeping posted on current events. Now, at the age of fourscore years, he retains to a degree all his faculties and takes as warm an interest in the welfare of the county as he did thirty years ago. He has served as trustee of schools for many years. During the years that Mr. Casey has been a resident of the county he has won the esteem of a wide circle of friends, and in the evening of his days looks back upon a life well spent and with no regrets, for he has "done unto others as he would have them do unto him," and those who know him best know that his word is as good as his bond.
JAMES FRANSCIONI.
Thirty-five years have come and gone since Mr. Franscioni came to California and cast in his lot with others of his countrymen in this commonwealth of opportunity and privilege, and though in the meantime he has returned for a visit to his old home in Switzerland, he has no desire to remain there permanently. Born in the Canton of Ticino in 1859, he passed his boy- hood and youth in his native surroundings, but in the meantime was developing an interest in the New World that was destined to bring about an entire change in his career. The year 1875 found him debarking from the vessel that had brought him across the Atlantic, and from the port at which he landed he immediately secured transportation to the Pacific coast, going direct to Santa Cruz county. From Watsonville, where he remained for a few months, he went to Sa- linas, also remaining there but a short time,
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when he went to Gonzales. Pleased with the prospects of this locality he signified his satis- faction by the purchase of land, which he cul- tivated with splendid success for nine years.
A desire to see his old homeland once more caused Mr. Franscioni to rent his ranch to a tenant in 1886, and the same year he took pas- sage for Switzerland. That was also the home of his sweetheart, Miss Eliza Pincini, and the marriage of the young people followed soon after Mr. Franscioni reached his destination. Not until the fall of 1888 did they return to the United States, Mr. Franscioni at that time re- suming the management of his ranch lying be- tween Salinas and Gonzales. Eight hundred acres were included in his holdings, all of which he cultivated to advantage for twenty years, when he disposed of his entire interests, includ- ing land and implements, as well as a liquor busi- ness which he had maintained in Soledad since 1896. Since disposing of his property he has been enabled to concentrate his attention more closely upon other matters with which he was formerly associated only nominally, this being especially true of the threshing business which he began in 1893. He has a splendid equipment of engines, separators and all that comprises a complete threshing outfit, for which he finds a ready demand at harvest time. For a time, from 1896 until 1903, Mr. Franscioni was in- terested in a ranching enterprise with John Rianda, the latter having the active care and management of the property, but in the year last mentioned Mr. Franscioni disposed of his interest in it. Throughout the years of his resi- dence in California Mr. Franscioni has had a faith in its ultimate prosperity which has known no wavering or diminution, and in 1908 he demonstrated this faith by the erection of one of the finest structures in Soledad. This is known as the Franscioni and Pincini building, and was erected at a cost of $18,000. Another interest in this city which benefits by his business acumen is the Soledad Mercantile Company, in which he is a stockholder.
Twelve children were born of the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Franscioni, three of whom are deceased, while those living are as follows: Lunta, Katie, Valentina, Esther, Lena, James, Della, Victor and Earl. Politically Mr. Fran-
scioni is a stanch Republican and on a number of occasions lias served as delegate to county conventions. Fraternally he is a member of the Foresters of America, belonging to Soledad Circle No. 153, and he is also a stockholder in the Foresters Hall Association of Soledad. In 1909 Mr. Franscioni took his entire family on a trip back to Switzerland, where he and his wife renewed the acquaintances of their younger days and gave their children an opportunity to see something of the world.
I. G. GIACOMAZZI.
There is much in the California environment to win and hold the people of Switzerland. Somewhat alike are the two regions in their oc- cupations, for in both countries agriculture is a leading industry and dairying has enlisted the efforts of many of the people. These resem- blances were noted by Mr. Giacomazzi, when in 1885 he came to California from Switzerland, where he was born in 1868, and where up to the time of his arrival in the west he had lived and labored among his kindred.
After his arrival in Monterey county during May of 1885, Mr. Giacomazzi remained at Cas- troville for four months and then secured em- ployment on a farm near Soledad. For six years he continued in the employ of farmers, after which he started to farm for himself. For nine years he operated fourteen hundred acres on Three-Mile flat, and from there he moved to the Zabala ranch and rented seven hundred acres. On this estate he has since made his home and here he is engaged in raising barley. In stock- raising he makes a specialty of horses. Some time after coming to this state he established do- mestic ties through his marriage to Miss Agnes Pettit, of Soledad. They are the parents of four sons and one daughter, Lino T., Irene G., James P., Cecil and a baby unnamed.
Ever since he took out his naturalization papers Mr. Giacomazzi has been stanch in his allegiance to the Republican party. On various occasions he has been chosen to represent the party in local matters and at this writing he is a member of the township Republican commit- tee, besides which twice he has served as a dele-
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gate to the county convention. For the past seven years he has been clerk of the board of trustees of the Romie and Greenfield schools. Interest in educational affairs has been one of his leading traits. In fraternal relations he holds membership with the Modern Woodmen of America, the Foresters of America and the Fra- ternal Brotherhood of Soledad.
GUY GIACOMETTI.
Among the many countries that have contrib- uted of her citizens to the commonwealth of California none have been more acceptable or made better citizens than those who have come from the little republic of Switzerland. Here they find much in environment and climate to remind them of their old home across the water, with the added advantage of more advanced methods along all lines unknown in their native land. In the canton of Ticino, Switzerland, where his birth occurred November 17, 1847, Guy Giacometti grew to be a sturdy young man of twenty years before he struck out in the world on his own behalf. It was in 1867 that he bade farewell to home and family and came to the United States, making his way direct to Cali- fornia, where other of his countrymen had pre- ceded him and made a success of their efforts.
Mr. Giacometti's first experience in the state was in San Jose, where for one year he was employed in a lumber yard, and thereafter he went to Watsonville and was employed at gar- dening for about three years. The experience thus gained made him self-reliant and ambitious to try his own hand at ranching, and for four years in the vicinity of Watsonville he gratified this desire and at the same time made a financial profit in raising grain. His next venture was on a ranch near Castroville, which he operated for one year, after which he came to Gonzales and for four years operated a ranch across the river from the town. Subsequently he went to Camp Phora and rented eight hundred acres of land which he planted to grain, making a spe- cialty of raising barley. and for twenty-three years he was uniformly successful with the com- ing of the seasons. In 1902, however, he pur- chased one hundred and twenty-eight acres of
land near Gonzales, upon which he located the following year and has since made it the scene of his activities. Here he carries on general farming, although his specialty is dairying, hav- ing twenty cows of the finest breed, whose milk he disposes of to the Alpine Condensed Milk factory at Gonzales. Forty acres of the land are in grain, while the remainder of the land not used for pasturage is in alfalfa. All of the improvements seen upon the ranch must be credited to Mr. Giacometti, for when he pur- chased it seven years ago not a furrow had been turned or any other attempt at improvement made.
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