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 57
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 57
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63
The marriage of Paul Tavernetti united him with Miss Rose Vanoni, a native of San Benito county, but at the time of her marriage a res- ident of Monterey county. One son, Leroy, has been born of this marriage. Mr. Tavernetti is one of the rising young ranchers and business men of Monterey county, whose present pros- perity is due in large measure to young men of his calibre. Besides the interests already men- tioned Mr. Tavernetti is a stockholder in the Soledad Mercantile Company.
RASMUS N. MORTENSEN.
In Denmark Rasmus N. Mortensen was born in 1860, the son of farmers, and when not in school he gave them the benefit of his services, he in turn learning the best methods of farm- ing as conducted in his native land from his father. When the time came for Mr. Morten- sen to settle down to a life calling he foresaw small opportunity for getting ahead in his na- tive land, so came to the United States. He was little more than a lad in years when, in 1876, he bade farewell to parents and friends and set out for the unknown land across the ocean. The vessel on which he made the voyage landed him a stranger on these shores in the city of Portland, Me., but as California was his destination he lost no time in making his way at once to the Pacific coast.
Coming at once to Monterey county, Mr. Mortensen readily found work on the ranches in the vicinity of Salinas, following this con- tinuously for six or seven years, when he felt qualified to undertake an enterprise on his own account. His first venture was on the Jesse D. Carr ranch of two hundred acres near Salinas, which he rented for three years, and thereafter he came to Gonzales and rented six hundred acres on which he carried on farming success- fully for ten years. He next rented eight hun- dred acres of land directly south of this prop- erty, carrying this on with equally good results for six years, when he gave that up and came to the ranch on which he now resides. This is part of the David Jacks property and comprises four hundred acres of fine land, well suited to the commodities to which it is devoted, namely barley and the various other grains. Mr. Mor- tensen also has splendid success as a breeder and raiser of horses, in fact whatever he has undertaken has proven a profitable venture.
CAMILLE CHAPUES.
The experiences of the average foreigner in coming to a new country are discouraging, in- volving as they do, battling with an unknown language, ignorance of the customs of the people and lack of acquaintance with the many details of every-day life. All of this was greatly assuaged and moderated in the experiences of Camille Chapues, for upon coming to the New World in 1903 he was taken into the care and protection of his uncle, John Chapues, who had come to this country many years previously and was the owner of the vineyard in Monterey county which bears his name.
Camille Chapues was born in the town of Ardich, France, in July, 1880, and in the neigh- borhood of his birth he was reared and educated. Following his school days he entered the employ of his father, who was a farmer, and it was while performing his duties along that line that he made up his mind to come to the United States, and for fourteen months prior to coming to America he was employed as a coachman for a wealthy family. His father's brother having come here and settled in California many years
,
729
HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
previously no doubt had much to do with at- tracting him here and made the undertaking seem less arduous. The ship on which he sailed landed him in San Francisco, where he spent a few months, and from there he went to Mendo- cino county, and so pleased has he since been with the outlook before him that nothing could prevail upon him to return to his native land for a permanent residence, in spite of the fact that he has only the most kindly feelings toward the home of his parents and ancestors. For a time he was employed in a sawmill in Reno, Nev., after which he came to California, where, in Salinas, he was for two years in the employ of Berges & Garrissere, wholesale dealers in wines and liquors. Since the spring of 1909 he has been in the employ of A. H. Lauenstein, one of the well-known ranchers and orchardists in this section of country. Fraternally Mr. Chapues is a member of the Foresters of Amer- ica, of Salinas.
IVER MADSEN.
Numbered among the emigrants from Den- mark to California is Iver Madsen, who has made his home in our state since 1874, and is a native of Denmark, born October 21, 1850. During the years of boyhood he heard much concerning the fertile regions lying along the Pa- cific coast, and early in life he began to save his small earnings in order that he might accumulate the amount needed to defray his expenses to the new country.
Upon arriving in San Francisco, Mr. Madsen secured employment in that city, whence after a short sojourn he removed to Santa Cruz and during the summer of 1874 he arrived in Monte- rey county, where he worked in the harvest fields near Chualar. Later he secured employment in a warehouse at Gonzales and also worked in a similar capacity at Soledad and Chualar when those places were just starting. For ten years he continued an employe in warehouses, after which he rented three hundred and twenty acres from David Jacks and began to raise grain. Things were discouraging at the outset, for the first year was the one of the well-remembered and long-protracted drought. During the third year he added to his lease, so that he controlled
eight hundred acres. For ten years he raised wheat, but later began to raise barley and hay.
Removing from that ranch in 1901, Mr. Mad- sen went to the adobe land and sowed six hun- dred acres in barley. The crop was heavy and from the first he met with favorable returns. Meanwhile he gave considerable attention to the raising of heavy draft-horses, the sale of which formed an important addition to the farm reve- nues. During 1906 he purchased and removed to a farm of three hundred acres three miles from Salinas. For this he paid $85 an acre .. The crop of 1908 was barley, but other grains can be raised with equal success and the land seems adapted to crops of all kinds. The pos- session of this large and fine farm is indicative of the sterling sense and wise judgment of the owner, who came to this country penniless, and now has accumulated a competency. The respon- sibilities of a busy life have left him little leisure- for reading or for social intercourse, but he has kept posted concerning current events and has displayed a commendable public spirit in promot- ing noteworthy improvements. While living in the Chualar district he served as school trustee .. Politically he favors Democratic principles, but in local matters he supports the men whom he- considers best qualified for office.
The marriage of Mr. Madsen took place in. Monterey county and united him with Christina Boysen, a niece of John Boysen. They have one- son and one daughter; the latter, Carrie, was born in Chualar and now attends the Alisal' school. The son, Marus, also is a student in the local schools.
ATTLIO AGOSTINI.
The Canton of Ticino, Switzerland, is Mr. Agostini's native place and July 29, 1858, the- date of his birth. As a boy he had lived on a farm and had alternated attendance at the com- mon schools with arduous work at home, where. he was taught to be industrious and self-reliant. The plans of Mr. Agostini to settle in California brought him to San Jose, where, as he slowly- gained a knowledge of the English language, he worked for wages from day to day. In 1886 he came to Monterey county and secured em- ployment on the Wythe farm comprising what
730
HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
was known as the Los Vegas ranch. After having worked for eight years as a farm hand he felt justified in investing his savings in farm equipment and thereupon leased a ranch of five thousand acres, a part of which was in San Benito county. At the expiration of ten years he returned to his former leasehold and here he has since remained, having Mr. Boffa as a partner until 1907, when he purchased his in- terest and thus acquired the entire equipment. From the first he has been interested in dairy- ing and gradually built up a dairy of one hun- dred and fifty cows. To faciliate the work a "large separator is used, operated by steam, and the cream is sold in Salinas. Two hundred acres of the ranch are in grain, and hay also is raised.
After a long experience in Monterey county, working for others and later as an independent farmer. it is the conclusion of Mr. Agostini that this county has many advantages to offer men of industrious habits. Though not active in politics, he is a stanch Republican and has served as a delegate to county conventions of the party. Fraternally he is identified with the Druids of Salinas. Through his instrumentality, acting in conjunction with other progressive citizens, the Lagunita school was organized and ever since then he has served as a trustee. In San Francisco he married Amelia Tonelli, a native of Switzerland. They have six children, Camillo. Henry, Emile, Arthur. William and Elvira. all natives of Monterey county.
MRS. CATHERINE PIHL.
The first and therefore the oldest hotel in Chualar is that owned and conducted by Mrs. Catherine Pihl, who came to the state in 1873 and since then has been a continuous resident of this town. Many ups and downs have checkered her experience during this time, but notwith- standing the misfortunes which have fallen to her lot she has still retained her courage and hopeful spirit and has been an inspiration and helpful influence to those with whom she has come in contact from day to day. Her earliest recollections date back to her girlhood in the Emerald Isle, where her birth occurred in Coun-
ty Galway March 25, 1843, and until she reached her eighteenth year she continued a resident of her native land. The first great sorrow of her life was the loss of her parents a short time previous to this. Their loss, however, proved a turning point in her life, for soon thereafter she determined to come to the United States, the vessel on which she sailed, St. Patrick, landing her in New York harbor in 1861.
After remaining in the eastern metropolis for about one year Miss Catherine Haverty, as she was know in maidenhood, removed to Quincy, Ill., and there, on January 26, 1868, she was united in marriage with David O'Haran, who was employed on the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad. For a few months after their marriage they continued to reside there, later, however, going successively to Iowa, Wisconsin and Minnesota, finally returning to Iowa and settling in Dubuque. Their residence in the mid- dle west proved only temporary, however, for in 1873 they came to California and settled in Chualar, Monterey county, where until his death Mr. O'Haran was an employe of the Southern Pacific Railroad. He passed away December 24, 1876, and the three children born of this mar- riage, Catherine, William R. and Margaret, are also deceased.
The death of her husband placed responsibili- ties upon her shoulders, and Mrs. O'Haran found that occupation for both hands and brain was a necessity. Up to this time no public accommo- dations had been provided for the traveler in Chualar, and Mrs, O'Haran was wise in con- cluding that not only was a hotel a necessity in the town, but she also saw that a livelihood awaited her in its establishment and maintenance. Acting on this idea she opened a hotel in the town in 1876, and from that day to the present time she has had no cause to regret the step from a financial standpoint. In 1878 she was united in marriage with Chris Pihl, a resident of Chualar, their marriage resulting in the birth of two children, Anita Josephine and Louisa Ce- cilia, both of whom are now deceased. The eldest, Anita Josephine, became the wife of Her- man Danneberg, and the mother of four chil- dren; the two living are Catherine Cecilia and Louisa Josephine, who since the death of their mother have made their home with their grand-
731
HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
mother, Mrs. Pihl. The presence of these young lives in her household have indeed been a solace to Mrs. Pihl, especially since the death of her husband, which occurred October 7, 1903. In her religious belief Mrs. Pihl is a Catholic and is a communicant of the church of that denomina- tion at Salinas towards the building of which she contributed liberally and worked hard to raise funds.
D. BINSACCA.
More than forty years have brought their marvelous changes to California since Mr. Bin- sacca came hither from Switzerland, where he was born in Canton Ticino in 1850 and where he had received common school advantages. An ambitious youth of sixteen years, he was not deterred from making the long journey by lack of knowledge of the language and the customs of the people among whom he anticipated the casting of his lot. Nor has he had reason to regret the immigration to the new world, for here he has attained a degree of success that would have been impossible in the land of his birth; and, surrounded by his interesting family, he is enjoying life to its utmost at his improved home- stead near Soledad.
Upon coming to the west Mr. Binsacca se- cured employment in Santa Cruz county and for twenty years he remained there, during the latter part of the time being interested in large farming enterprises for himslf. During 1886 he came to Monterey county and rented eight hundred acres of the Zabala ranch, where for twenty years he engaged in raising grain. Meanwhile, during 1902, he acquired property of his own, purchasing four hundred acres of the San Jo Jo ranch near Soledad and immedi- ately beginning the task of improving the tract. At this writing he has sixty acres under irriga- tion and is making a specialty of raising stock and alfalfa, also conducts dairy enterprises with the energy and judgment characteristic of the Swiss the world over.
Fraternally Mr. Binsacca holds membership in Soledad Circle, Foresters of America, and is a stockholder in the building owned by that or- ganization in Soledad, also of the Foresters of America building in Salinas. In addition he is
a stockholder in the First National Bank of Salinas. Movements for the upbuilding of his neighborhood receive his stanch support. Of both time and influence he gives freely to pro- gressive projects. Particularly is he interested in educational work. For the past three years he has served as clerk of the board of trustees of the Mission school and meanwhile he has proved an efficient helper of this important work.
Mr. Binsacca's marriage united him with Miss Severina Pincini, who was born in Switzerland, but at the time of their union was making her home in Hollister, San Benito county. They are the parents of thirteen children, of whom the eldest, Alfred, assists his father on the home ranch. The second, James, is employed as a bookkeeper by Wahrlich-Cornett Co., of Soledad. The third, William, is a student in the University of California at Berkeley. The remaining children, all of whom are at home, are named as follows: Annie, Flora, Carrie, Sam- uel, David, Olympia, Dora, Victor, Lawrence and Edna. It is the ambition of the parents to give to each child the best advantages their means permit and thus prepare them for whatever re- sponsibilities the future years may bring to them.
AQUILINO C. FRANSCIONI.
An example of the degree of prosperity ob- tainable by foreign-born residents of California is offered in the activities of Aquilino and Silvio Franscioni, brothers, who were born in Switz- erland, the latter in 1869, the former in 1874. In 1888, when he was nineteen years of age, the elder brother came to the United States. The younger brother followed as soon afterward as he was able to be self-supporting, or in 1891. Going direct to Gonzales, like his brother, he se- cured employment at dairying and farming. The vear preceding his arrival the older brother had rented a part of the Gonzales ranch, and there he remained until 1907, when the two in part- nership bought nine hundred and eighty acres of the Soberanes ranch, and here they now have six hundred acres in barley. In addition they devote some attention to the raising of cattle.
Upon establishing a home of his own in 1906 Aquilino C. Franscioni was united in marriage
42
1
J
732
HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
with Miss Victoria Muscio, a native of Switzer- land. They have two children, Ada and an in- fant. The older brother has been twice mar- ried, his first wife, who died in 1902, having been Miss Amelia Rueiss, of Gonzales. At her death she left two daughters, Rosie and Inez. Later Silvio Franscioni married Miss Mary Giacomazzi, and they are now (1909) enjoying a visit in Switzerland, renewing the associations of childhood among such of the kindred and friends as still remain in the old home canton. The brothers are universally respected, and by industry and perseverance have worked their way forward to positions of influence among the ranchers in the vicinity of Gonzales.
LOUIS RIANDA.
It is a fact worthy of note that many natives of Switzerland have taken up their abode in Cal- ifornia, and especially in Monterey county, a rea- son for which may be that here they find a cli- mate which strongly resembles that with which they are familiar and which they have every rea- son to love, but here they find the added ad- vantage of many opportunities denied them in their own country. Prominent among this class of residents in Monterey county may be men- tioned Louis Rianda, who was born in the canton of Ticino, Switzerland, in 1871. From his earliest years he was made familiar with the dairy business through giving assistance to his father on the home farm in his native country, and he grew to a sturdy young manhood in the free out- door life which his duties involved. His keen foresight made it clear to him that his own coun- try did not hold forthi the bright outlook for ambitious young men that the New World had to offer, and thus it was that at the early age of seventeen years he carried out a well-laid plan to come to the United States and begin life for himself.
After an uneventful but interesting passage across the Atlantic ocean Louis Rianda debarked at the port of New York, and from there came direct to California. Monterey county was his destination, for here he had prospects of finding work with which he was familiar, and in this he was not disappointed. His experience on his fa-
ther's dairy farm had made him quite proficient in this line of agriculture and his services were found to be in ready demand as soon as he reached this part of the country. His first posi- tion was on a dairy ranch near Gonzales, which he filled acceptably for four years, in the mean- time familiarizing himself with the American method of farming and developing a desire to undertake the responsibilities of a ranch on his own account. As a result of this he gave up his position and leased six hundred acres of the Romie ranch near Gonzales, where in addition to carrying on general farming he also raised considerable stock. Seven years later he sold out his stock and other holdings on the ranch and assumed the superintendency of the Somavia dairy, an undertaking in which he met with better success than in previous years. He remained in the latter position for three years, and then leased the property on which he now resides, which is known as the Forsythe and Bidache ranch, near Gonzales. Here he makes a specialty of the dairy business, having seventy-five cows on the place, and in connection he also maintains a cheese factory. In all, the ranch includes nine hundred acres, of which about six hundred are used as pasturage for his cattle, while the re- mainder is in grain and barley. Besides the property just mentioned Mr. Rianda is interested in the ownership of one thousand acres of land in the Malarin district in partnership with his cousins, Henry and Angelo Giacometti. The lat- ter reside on the property, which is mainly given over to dairying, although they also carry on general ranching.
Louis Rianda was married in January, 1903, to Miss Eliza Ruize, a native of this state, and at the time of her marriage a resident of the Somavia district. Four children have been born of their marriage, Roselia, Adolph, James and Andretta. Politically Mr. Rianda is a Repub- lican in his sympathies, casting his vote and giving the weight of his influence in favor of that party's candidates. He is keenly interested in every measure or undertaking which has the good of his fellowmen at heart, and for many years has taken a special interest in educational affairs, having served on the board of trustees of the Somavia school district for eleven years, and has also served as clerk of the board. Fra-
733
HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
ternally he is a member of the Odd Fellows order, belonging to the lodge at Gonzales and the Compromise encampment at Salinas. Mr. Rianda has taken two trips to his old home in Switzer- land, one to visit his mother in 1903, the other trip being made in 1907.
CANDIDO FRANSCIONI.
Among those of foreign birth who have made a success of their undertakings in Monterey county mention belongs to Candido Franscioni, whose ranch and dairy enterprise in the vicinity of Soledad is one of the model ones of the county. A native of Switzerland, he was born on the parental homestead in the canton of Ticino in 1873. When he was only fifteen years old he came to the United States, landing at New York in 1888. His plan was to locate in the west, and as soon as arrangements could be made for his passage across the continent he began the journey to California.
Coming direct to Monterey county, for a time Mr. Franscioni found work at the carpenter's trade, into which he had gained some insight before leaving his native land. This, however, was but a stepping stone to the occupation for which he was adapted by Nature, but the time thus spent was well employed, for it gave him an opportunity to learn land values and locate wisely when the time came. His first venture as a tiller of the soil and as a dairyman was on three hundred acres of land, which he rented, near Soledad, which he stocked with his own cat- tle and maintained successfully for three years. At the end of this time he located upon the property which he now occupies, known as the Oak Grove ranch, where he carries on a similar business, only on a much larger scale. Here he has a pasture of one hundred acres, upon which he raises large numbers of cattle and hogs, this also furnishing pasture for sixteen cows which he milks. In addition to his dairy and cattle-raising interests he has one hundred acres under cultivation to grain, potatoes and onions, all of which yield abundantly, owing to the excellent irrigation facilities which are pro- vided on the ranch. Water for this purpose is distributed from a pumping plant located on the
ranch, one which he himself installed. This undertaking was looked upon by his neighbors as a daring venture, for as yet no one had in- stalled a private irrigating plant in this section of country. It proved a success, however, and many of those who were at first doubters have since followed his example and installed plants of their own.
Mr. Franscioni was united in marriage with Miss Fanstino Pincini, a resident and native of Soledad, and three children have been born of their marriage-Anita, Lino and Flora. Fra- ternally Mr. Franscioni is identified with the Foresters of America of Soledad.
ANGELO POZZI.
Comparatively speaking Mr. Pozzi may be called a recent settler in California, but never- theless his accomplishments have been of such a character as to entitle him to take rank witlı those whose residence here may be counted by decades. While his ranch near Gonzales is a modest one, it is still one of the best regulated and most productive in the vicinity, for Mr. Pozzi thoroughly understands the secret of making his land produce to the best advantage.
Switzerland was the native home of Angelo Pozzi, his birth occurring on the parental farm in Canton Ticino in 1884. The parents were hard-working people who found it none too easy to make a suitable living and otherwise provide for their children from the proceeds of their modest farm. It was this condition of affairs that led Angelo to consider coming to the New World to make his start in life. A robust con- stitution, and a determination to win success in spite of whatever obstacles might confront him, represented the chief assets with which he land- ed as a stranger on our shores in 1901, the ves- sel on which he made the voyage casting anchor in the harbor of New York. The west appealed to him as holding forth better prospects than the more crowded east, and hither he made his way as soon as arrangements for the journey could be made. He went direct to Santa Cruz county, where in the vicinity of Watsonville he worked as a ranch hand for about four years. Confidence born of experience finally led him to
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.