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 56
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 56
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In Watsonville, Santa Cruz county, John H. Twisselman was united in marriage with Miss Bertha Martens, and two children have been born to add cheer to their home life, Catherine Alwena and Herman Wilbur.
ALAN L. RODDICK.
Noteworthy among the prosperous chicken ranchers of Monterey county is Alan L. Rod- dick, who is pleasantly and conveniently located on a ranch in the Salvation Army colony. Hav- ing lived in an agricultural community nearly all
of his life, he became familiar with the various branches of agriculture when young. Of later years, however, he has become specially inter- ested in chicken-raising, and it is along this line that his greatest success has been achieved. In- telligent, enterprising and public-spirited, he takes pleasure in identifying himself with the best interests of Soledad, near which town his ranch is located, and is deserving of the high regard in which he is held as a man and citizen.
A native of the Golden state, Alan L. Roddick was born in 1870, in Volcano, Amador county, where he was reared and educated up to the age of thirteen years, his parents at that time set- tling in Siskiyou county. Until he was twenty years of age he continued to make his home under the parental roof, but on reaching this age he determined to strike out in the world in- dependently. This determination was carried out at once, and the year 1899 found him in San Francisco, where for four years he was employed in the stock vards. He then went to Mendocino county, and for one year found em- ployment in the woods, thereafter coming to . Monterey county. The property on which he then located has continued to be his home and the scene of his activities ever since, this being a tract of twenty-one acres, which he purchased in the Salvation Army colony. Having, in the meantime, determined to give his attention to the raising of chickens, the land was chosen with this object in view, and it has proven well adapt- ed to the purposes for which it was selected, being high and free from moisture. Here he has twenty-five hundred hens laying, which are sheltered in adequate chicken houses, besides which two brooder houses and numerous other requisites for this special line of agriculture may be found on the place. On an average he raises twenty-four hundred chickens annually, which he expects to increase from year to year as his means will permit, while his daily average of eggs is one thousand. To furnish sufficient feed for his chickens he has twenty-two acres devoted to grain exclusively, twelve acres of this being a part of his own property, while the remainder is adjoining property, which he rents. Mr. Rod- dick has spared no expense in fitting up his ranch with the necessary requirements for carry- ing on an up-to-date chicken business, and a fur-
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ther reason for his success is the fact that he gives his undivided attention to details.
Mr. Roddick's marriage united him with Miss Jessie Rader, a native of Siskiyou county, and three children add brightness and cheer to their home life, Alan, Donald and Scott. Mr. Rod- dick is not so absorbed in his private business that he has no time for outside associations, as may be proven by his membership in San Fran- cisco camp, Woodmen of the World, and in the Fraternal Brotherhood of Soledad.
EMIL SGHEIZA.
In many sections of the west, and especially in Monterey county, are evidences of the thrift and perseverance of men who have passed their child- hood in the shadow of the Swiss Alps, and who, after crossing the Atlantic ocean, have developed a remarkable loyalty to the country and institu- tions of their adoption. While all departments of activity seem to be within range of their va- ried powers of accomplishment, the agricultural life comes as second nature to the sons of Switzer- land, and especially the dairy business. Emil Sgheiza belongs to this worthy class of citizens, and that he is making a success of his undertak- ing needs but a casual glance at his ranch, located within a few miles of Salinas.
Emil Sgheiza was born in the Canton of Ti- cino, Switzerland, in 1878, the son of James Sgheiza, who, while his son was still a small child, had come alone to the United States and established the name in California. Emil had comparatively meagre opportunities for gaining an education, for when he was about eight years of age he was brought to the United States by an elder sister, and all the school training he ever received was prior to that time. They reached California in June, 1885, going directly to Marin county. Miss Sgheiza soon afterward became the wife of Joseph Introzzi, a rancher of that county, and on his brother-in-law's ranch Emil found steady employment for three years. These were invaluable years to the lad, for dur- ing this time he not only learned the language and customs of his adopted country, but he ob- tained a business experience which has had much to do with placing him in the high position which
he holds to-day. His first independent expe- rience as a rancher was on a dairy farm of four hundred and fifty acres, which he rented from. his sister, continuing this for three years, when. he assumed control of the property on which he lives to-day. This consists of fourteen hundred acres of the Lagunita ranch, which he leases, using it for the pasturage of the sixty milch cows comprising his dairy. All of the milk is manu- factured into cheese upon the ranch and finds a. ready market in San Francisco. In the main- tenance of the ranch Mr. Sgheiza has the as- sistance and co-operation of his partner, Peter Andreotti, as well as the help of four hired hands.
Mr. Sgheiza's marriage united him with Miss. Annie Andreotti, a sister of his partner in busi- ness, and one child, Emil, Jr., has been born to them. Politically Mr. Sgheiza is a Republican,. but beyond casting his ballot at the polls is not interested in party affairs. Fraternally he be- longs to the U. A. O. D. In reviewing his life- in his adopted country and summing up the ad- vantages which have surrounded him on every hand, Mr. Sgheiza is indeed thankful that a kind Fate led him to this land of opportunity, and in turn Monterey county is glad to number him among her citizens.
CELESTE LANINI.
Nearly thirty years have come and gone since Mr. Lanini first set foot on our shores. He was born in the Canton of Ticino, Switzerland, November 10, 1860. His boyhood and youth and the opening years of his manhood were passed in the locality of his birth, but in 1882, when twenty-two years of age, he landed at the port of New York. His first location in Cali- fornia was in Marin county, where for two years he was employed in the dairy business, and thereafter was similarly employed on the Cowell' place, on the present site of Spreckels, Monte- rey county.
By the time Mr. Lanini had been in the state about seven years he became ambitious to under- take responsibilities on his own account, and in 1889 he rented thirteen hundred and fifty acres of the Malarin ranch, near Chualar, which he.
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operated for seventeen years. At the end of this time he disposed of his dairy and stock in- terests and made a visit to his old home in Switzerland, remaining there for five months, when he was content to return to his adopted home in California. Coming back to Monterey county, he purchased three hundred and forty- six acres of land of Chris Twisselman, this being a part of what is more generally known as the Soberanes ranch. Until October 1, 1909, he rented one hundred and sixty acres for dairy purposes, while the remainder of the land he cultivated himself, raising potatoes and grain on the land exclusively. He now leases the entire ranch and has retired from active business. Be- sides this ranch he also owns, in partnership with two others, six hundred and fifty-two acres of the Old Soledad Mission ranch, in which the partners are interested in a general ranching and dairy enterprise. The ranching interests aforementioned do not represent all of the business activities that have a claim upon Mr. Lanini's time, for he is interested as a stockholder in the First National Bank of Sa- linas and the Swiss-American Bank, formerly of San Francisco, which was a branch of the same bank in Switzerland, and where he still owns his stock.
Mr. Lanini's marriage was celebrated in San Francisco in 1895, uniting him with Miss Spe- ranza Martella, of Switzerland. Five children have been born to them. Named in the order of their birth they are as follows: Lillie, Har- vey, Wilhelmina, Robert and Romie.
PETER PETERSEN.
Born in Denmark April 10, 1826, Peter Peter- sen received a fair education in local schools and served an apprenticeship to the trade of ship carpenter. When news came in 1849 of the discovery of gold in California he was eager to try his fortunes in the far west, but before the necessary preparations could be made for the long voyage other events happened to detain him. War broke out in his native land with the province of Schleswig-Holstein, now a part of Germany.
With loyal devotion to his native country Mr.
Petersen offered his services as a soldier and for three years he remained in the army, but when the struggle ended and there was no longer any need of his services he returned to his trade of ship carpenter. During December of 1855 he sailed as carpenter on a clipper ship from Den- mark and crossed the ocean, rounded Cape Horn, went up the Pacific ocean, stopped at the harbor of Valparaiso off the coast of Chili, and thence proceeded northward, landing at San Francisco during July of 1856, after a tedious but uneventful voyage. In a strange country he was not entirely friendless, for two brothers-in- law had preceded him hither and had been suf- ficiently pleased with prospects to send him en- couraging reports.
A brief experience in the mines at Mud Springs, Placer county, convinced Mr. Petersen that mining was not a congenial occupation to one of his tastes, so he took up ranch work. For some years he worked for wages near Winters, Yolo county. With his savings he sent for his family and in 1862 his wife, Caroline, left Den- mark with their children, but on the voyage they suffered shipwreck and accordingly did not ar- rive in California until 1863. The family set- tled on a leased farm in Yolo county and re- mained for ten years, meanwhile witnessing many changes in the surrounding country.
Bringing with him the proceeds of his earnest labor as a rancher, Mr. Petersen came to Monte- rey county to join a brother-in-law, Louis Peter- sen, now deceased. The climate proved satis- factory and he decided to remain, although the country was still scarcely more than a wilderness. With his savings he bought two hundred acres of undeveloped land at $14 an acre. Only about fifteen acres had been cleared. The most ardu- ous effort was necessary to transform the place into a habitable home, but the results of his labor are now to be seen in the cultivated condition of the property. Grain and hay are the principal crops. Vegetables are raised for the local mar- kets and there are two and one-half acres in fruits of assorted kinds. His eldest son, Hans E., is living in San Luis Obispo county, and the only daughter, Annie E., acts as housekeeper for her father. The youngest member of the family circle, Peter W., was born in Yolo county, is now married and occupies the old home ranch.
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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
Educational matters as relating to rural schools have always commanded the attention and en- listed the aid of Mr. Petersen, who, upon the organization of Prunedale district in 1872, was chosen trustee and filled the office with unwaver- ing fidelity to the interests of the pupils and of the tax-payers. On becoming a naturalized citi- zen of the United States he began to vote the Republican ticket and ever since then he has been stanch in his allegiance to the party of his choice, which he has served as a delegate to the county conventions. He took no part whatever in the division of the county nor in other mat- ters where bitterness easily could be roused among people holding different opinions. Fra- ternally he is identified with Dania Lodge No. 6, in Salinas. The liking which he felt toward Monterey county at the first has only increased with the passing years, and he believes this re- gion has no superior for healthfulness of climate, while at the same time offering opportunities to the tiller of the soil and the man of business af- fairs.
JOSEPH LANINI.
One of the unpretentious though thriving en- terprises in the vicinity of King City is the ranch owned and managed by Joseph Lanini and E. Martella, the property comprising nine hundred acres. Both of the partners are natives of Switz- erland, Joseph Lanini having been born in the Canton of Ticino in 1879. During his boyhood he gained an insight into farming and dairy life through helping his father with the chores about the home farm, so when he came to California in young manhood it was with a working knowl- edge along these lines that enabled him to find employment at once.
Coming to the United States and California in 1897, Mr. Lanini located first in Santa Barbara county, where for nine years he worked in the dairies of the ranchers round about. Coming to Soledad in 1907 he purchased a half interest with E. Martella in a dairy near this town, renting for the purpose one hundred and sixty acres from Celesta Lanini. All of the land not used as pas- turage for their sixty cows and the raising of hogs and sufficient cattle to keep their dairy sup- plied, was in alfalfa.
The partners subsequently purchased nine hun- dred acres of land in Monterey county, three miles south of King City, where they have be- gun an enterprise of dairying and stock-raising on a large scale. Taking their past accomplish- ments as an index of the future their new under- taking will undoubtedly be a success. The land is irrigated from a pumping plant supplied from wells, which gives plenty of water for their stock and irrigation.
VICTOR PISONI.
Born in the Canton of Ticino, Switzerland, in 1866, Victor Pisoni was reared and educated in the vicinity of his birthplace and grew to a sturdy young manhood. He was only eighteen years of age when he bade farewell to familiar scenes and embarked for the new world, where he had determined to locate and take up life in earnest. Crossing the Atlantic, he continued the journey by land until he reached the Pacific side of the continent. His first location was in Sole- dad, Monterey county, Cal., where he worked as a ranch hand for about four years, during which time he became familiar with American methods, familiarized himself with the country's language and customs, and equipped himself, as far as possible, so that when he branched out in life on his own account he could reasonably hope for success. His first venture of an independent character was on rented property in the vicinity of Soledad, which he ran successfully for two years, after which he branched out upon larger quarters near San Ardo, remaining on that prop- erty for eight years. It was at the expiration of that time that he came to the property upon which he now lives, in the vicinity of San Lucas. This consists of nine hundred acres of land in the Trescony grant, all of which he devotes to the raising of barley, a commodity which yields abundantly and for which lie receives the highest market prices. He also raises horses to some ex- tent, chiefly for his own use, however, rather than for profit.
In his marriage Mr. Pisoni chose as his wife a native daughter of Switzerland, Miss Mary Pescia, their marriage being celebrated October 21, 1901. Four children have been born to brighten their home life, Richie Pescia, Thomas,
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Angel and Attilia, all of whom are still at home and are receiving every advantage in the power of their parents to bestow. Fraternally Mr. Pisoni belongs to the Knights of Pythias, hold- ing membership in Beatrice Lodge, No. 154, at San Lucas.
STEVE DEDINI.
Experience in dairying in his native land dur- ing early years qualified Mr. Dedini to take up this occupation upon coming to California with every hope of success, and he has gradually built up a dairy including from eighty to one hundred milch cows. The equipment in the dairy is modern and has been enlarged recently by the installation of a separator and motor operated by gasoline. Not only is the cream separated by machinery, but the same process utilized in the manufacture of butter and about fifteen hun- dred pounds are churned every month. The product is of the best quality and finds a ready sale in the markets of Salinas and San Fran- cisco.
The Canton of Ticino, Switzerland, is the na- tive home of Mr. Dedini and January 1, 1854, the date of his birth. Local schools afforded him a fair education in the language of his ancestors and fitted him for business responsi- bilities. As a boy he helped on the home farm and was trained in the principles of dairying un- der the skilled methods in use in that country. February 28, 1873, he arrived in California after an uneventful voyage from the old country, and immediately after reaching Santa Cruz county he secured employment on a ranch. From that time until 1882 he worked in the employ of others. Meanwhile with the utmost frugality he saved his earnings until finally he was in a position to buy an equipment for agricultural operations. Upon starting out for himself he leased a large tract from David Jacks and since then he has remained on the same ranch, mean- while controlling between twelve hundred and fifteen hundred acres. Large quantities of hay are raised to provide the necessary feed for his cows and every effort is made to secure the largest returns from the dairy.
After coming to Monterey county Mr. Dedini established domestic ties, but he suffered the loss
of his wife by death in 1899. Their two daughters and one son, Romilda, Julia and Grid- ley, were born in this county and received fair educations in the district schools. Good schools form one of Mr. Dedini's hobbies and as trustee of Washington district, which position he filled for two terms, he was instrumental in maintain- ing a high standard of scholarship in this school. Though never an aspirant for office, he is well informed concerning political matters and fav- ors Republican principles. It has been his priv- ilege to enjoy excellent health and he believes this climate to be healthful to an unusual de- gree. In addition, judging from his own ex- perience, he believes the county offers to men of industrious habits exceptional advantages for earning a livelihood.
WELLS H. PARSONS.
In everything but birth Wells H. Parsons. may with truth be considered a native Cali- fornian, for he was brought here when a lad of ten years. For generations his ancestors had been associated with the south, especially with the Virginias, and at the time of the birth of Wells H., in 1862, his parents were living in Tucker county, W. Va. With the idea of bet- tering their own prospects and with the hope of giving their children larger opportunities the parents set out for the west in 1872, California being their objective point. The venture proved all and more than they had hoped for it, and here they have rounded out their long and use- ful lives.
While in the south, Wells H. Parsons had attended school to some extent, but it was not until reaching the west that he devoted himself assiduously to his studies and completed his school training. Ambition has ever been a commend- able trait in Mr. Parsons' make-up, a character- istic which exhibited itself at an early age, for while he was still in school he became anxious to be employed at something that would make him independent. His first experience was on farms of neighboring ranchers, this practical experience finally enabling him to assume re- sponsibilities on his own account. In 1894 he located in Chualar Canyon on twelve hundred
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acres of land that he rented, and for the follow- ing eleven years he was successful in his opera- tion. The raising of cattle, horses and hogs formed his chief industry although he also main- tained a dairy business that brought in a very satisfactory annual income. At the expiration of the time mentioned he disposed of his inter- ests in Chualar Canyon and leased seven hun- dred acres of what is known as the Gonzales ranch, the same on which he now resides, and here he has made an even greater success than of his former venture. Here, in addition to rais- ing barley and hay for his own use, he has made a specialty of raising a fine breed of cattle and horses, having at the head of his stud a fine Nor- man stallion raised in Monterey county.
Mr. Parsons' marriage united him with Miss May Long, like himself a native of West Vir- ginia, and three children, Ruth, Lucille and Harry, have been born to them.
TRANQUILLO RIANDA.
Probably no other state in the Union can claim a more cosmopolitan population than California, but of all of the nationalities who have con- tributed to her numbers none have made better citizens than those of Swiss origin. Among these may be mentioned Tranquillo Rianda, who was born in the Canton of Ticino, Switzerland, July 14, 1856, the son of parents and the descend- ant of ancestors who had known no other home than the picturesque country in which they were born. Mr. Rianda was reared in his home en- vironment until he was eighteen years of age, when, in 1874, he set out alone for the United States, where he had determined to make his future home. The voyage across the Atlantic was made in safety, and in due time the vessel cast anchor in the harbor of New York.
The Pacific coast country was the chief attrac- tion in bringing Mr. Rianda hither, so without loss of time in the east he made arrangements for his transportation across the continent. Going direct to Santa Cruz county, with Watsonville as his headquarters, he did not have long to wait be- fore finding employment, for ranchers in the vi- cinity were eager to employ the services of young men of his calibre, strong, energetic and eager
to learn the customs and language of their future home. Altogether he followed ranching in that vicinity for fourteen years, first in the employ of .others and later as proprietor of a rented prop- erty, and afterward he had charge of a ranch near Soledad for two years. From the latter place he came to San Ardo and has since been a resident of this vicinity, settling at that time on the ranch which has ever since been his home. That is what is known as the Brandenstein ranch, and is located three and one-half miles north of San Ardo and contains eleven hundred acres. Of this acreage eight hundred acres alone are de- voted to the raising of barley, while the remain- der. or three hundred acres, form pasturage for the cattle and horses which he raises.
It was some time after he had come to this country that Mr. Rianda formed domestic ties by his marriage with Miss Alice Carleton, a na- tive of California, and at the time of her marriage a resident of San Ardo. One child has been born to them, a daughter, to whom they have given the name of Agnes. When Mr. Rianda first made up his mind to come to the United States it was with the intention of remaining here permanently and identifying himself in a substantial way with her best interests. This resolution took material form in 1881, when he took out naturalization pa- pers and became a citizen of the United States. For a number of years he served as trustee of San Bernardo school district.
PAUL TAVERNETTI.
Through the accomplishments of father and sons the name of Tavernetti has become well and favorably known in Monterey county, where the father, Vincent Tavernetti, settled in 1869, upon immigrating to the New World from Switzer- land.
On a ranch in Monterey county, near Soledad, Paul Tavernetti was born, March 17, 1882. His entire life has been associated with the vicinity of his birthplace, and indeed he has never been outside the boundaries of his native county. As soon as he attained school age he became a pupil in the public school in Soledad, gaining a good common school education, and when his school days were over he became associated with his
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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
brothers, Walter R. and William, in a ranching enterprise. On eight hundred acres of land which they rented near Gonzales they carried on a very satisfactory business for about three years, when, the partnership being dissolved, Paul re- turned to the ranch leased by his father and was associated with the latter in its management for two years. At the end of this time the father relinquished all active work upon the ranch, re- signing the duties to younger hands. During the first year thereafter the ranch was conducted by three of the sons, Paul, Joseph and Eugene, but since 1907, Paul has had entire charge of the original property. He is making a specialty of raising barley, having six hundred and seventy- five acres in this grain alone, while he also raises other commodities usually grown upon well es- tablished ranches in the county.
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