History of Humboldt County, California, with biographical sketches of the leading men and women of the county who have been identified with its growth and development from the early days to the present, Part 134

Author: Irvine, Leigh H. (Leigh Hadley), 1863-1942
Publication date: 1915
Publisher: Los Angeles, Historic Record Company
Number of Pages: 1328

USA > California > Humboldt County > History of Humboldt County, California, with biographical sketches of the leading men and women of the county who have been identified with its growth and development from the early days to the present > Part 134

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Faustino Maskini was born in Leverano, Italy, July 13, 1885, coming to California in April, 1906. In the fall of 1907 he came to Humboldt county and was employed at the Swcasey dairy until 1911, when he became a partner of Mr. Bettazza, and they have met with success in the dairy industry.

FRANCISCO RIBEIRO was born on the Isle of Tucer, one of the Azores, November 14, 1880. His father was Juse Ribeiro, a farmer, and Francisco was the oldest of his five children. He was educated in the public schools and remained at home until the fall of 1904, when he emigrated to California, coming directly to Arcata, Humboldt county, regarding which place he had received most excellent reports while at home. He found em- ployment in a dairy at Blue Lake, where he remained nearly three years and then worked on a dairy farm near Arcata until he started in business for himself. After the death of his father, his mother, brothers and sisters joined him at Arcata.

By November, 1910, Frank Ribeiro had saved enough money to begin the dairy business independently and so leased the Mel P. Roberts ranch adjoining Arcata, a place of two hundred and thirty acres of rich bottom land, where he raises large quantities of hay, corn and green feed and is quite extensively engaged in dairying, milking ninety cows and also raising cattle. He has made a success of the business and can be very proud of

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what he has accomplished in the industry. Fraternally he is a member of the Woodmen of the World at Arcata, as well as the I. D. E. S.

GEORGE AND ANTONIO SCALVINI .- Among the sons of Italy who are making a success of dairying in Humboldt county are George and Antonio Scalvini, who were born in Baglino, Province of Brescia, Italy, April 25, 1882, and August 17, 1883, respectively. They are the sons of John and Lucia Scalvini, who were farming people in Baglino, but who are now mak- ing their home with their children in Humboldt county. They were the parents of eleven children, as follows: John, George, Antonio, Rocco, Giutono, Catherina, Lucia, Dominica, Marie, Pietro, and Paul, all of whom now live in Humboldt county. The Scalvini boys were reared on the farm in Baglino and received a good education in the public schools. In 1908 Antonio came to Humboldt county, George coming in 1909, after which they worked on dairy farms in the vicinity of Ferndale until 1911, when four brothers, John, George, Antonio and Rocco, leased the Simon Smith ranch of one thousand acres three miles south of Centerville, and engaged in dairy- ing, milking seventy-five cows. In 1913 George and Antonio sold their interest to the other two brothers and the two as partners then leased the Mrs. Bragdon's place of one hundred and sixty acres, as well as two hundred acres for range adjoining the place. Here they have established themselves in dairying, milking forty cows. They are also engaged in raising cattle and are making a success of their undertaking. Both are energetic, hard working young men and cannot fail in the enterprise they have undertaken. Politically they believe in the principles of the Republican party.

ALBERT DUSI is a native of Ono Degna, Province of Brescia, Italy, born October 20, 1884. There he grew up on his father's farm and attended the public schools of the town. At the age of nineteen years he went to France, when he worked for a year. In 1905 he came to Allegheny, Pa., where for a time he was employed in the coal mines, but the work did not suit him, so in September of 1907 he came to Humboldt county, Cal., and found employment on a dairy near Ferndale. His accumulations of four years enabled him to begin dairying for himself. For two years he ran a dairy on the S. Smith place in the hills, then in November, 1913, he leased the present place of eighty acres, where he is milking sixty cows. The place is rich bottom land, which gives him an opportunity to raise ample hay and green feed for his herd. He is a stockholder in the Capital Creamery and is a liberal and enterprising man, always willing to aid any enterprise that has for its aim the betterment of the community and its citizens. Politically he is a Republican.

ANTONE RAVA .- Among the citizens who have come from sunny Italy and made a success of the dairy business in Humboldt county is Antone Rava, who was born near Cremona, Lombardy, Italy, January 17, 1874. Chent Rava, his father, was a farmer, so Antone was raised on the farm and he attended the local schools. From a lad he had listened to the tales from returning countrymen of the wonderful natural resources and opportunities in the United States, and he became anxious to try his luck. However, no oppor- tunity arose until he was nineteen years. In April, 1893, he came to Pitts- burg, Pa., but did not like it there, so in November of the same year he came on to Sonoma county, Cal. Near Forestville he went to work on a dairy

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farm, continuing to work there and near Bodega and in San Francisco for seven years. In the spring of 1900 he came to Ferndale, Humboldt county, where he became foreman for Joseph Russ on the Mazeppa ranch, a position he filled for seven years. Having determined to engage in the dairy business for himself, in 1908 he leased his present dairy ranch of one hundred and sixty acres from Mr. McCloskey three miles from Loleta, since which time he has made a specialty of the dairy business, milking eighty cows. The herd is made up of well selected, full-blooded and high-grade Jerseys. Years of experience have enabled him to become proficient in the business, and he personally looks after all the details of the dairy and farm.

Mr. Rava was married in Eureka, being united with Miss Auratia Ballati, also a native of Lombardo. To Mr. and Mrs. Rava two children have been born, Walter Antone and Donald. Fraternally Mr. Rava is a member of Loleta Lodge No. 56, I. O. O. F.

RAFAEL LANINI .- Switzerland has sent many of her sons to Cali- fornia, where they have been instrumental in building up different enterprises in the state. Among those who have made a success of the dairy business is Rafael Lanini, who was born at Frasco, near Lacarno, Canton Ticino, Sep- tember 13, 1859, the son of Fadale Lanini, a farmer at Frasco. There Rafael was reared, attending the public schools of the vicinity until he was nine years of age, when he found his way to Torino, Italy. There he began earn- ing his own livelihood, working his way and attending night school, also.

In December, 1879, Mr. Lanini came to San Francisco and a few days later to Ferndale, Humboldt county, where he soon found employment on Bear River ridge on Nat Hurlbutt's dairy ranch. After remaining there ten months, he worked two years for Jesse Walker at Petrolia, also two years for Charles Cook, three years for James Jacomini and two years for James H. Goff, all of Petrolia. He then went to Capetown, where he leased a ranch and ran a dairy for five years, and then came to Ferndale, where he leased the John Swain ranch and ran a dairy for three years. For four years he engaged in dairying on a ranch on Little Cock Robin island, which was washed away. In November, 1902, he leased the present place of one hun- dred thirty-one acres from James J. McCloskey, where he has a dairy of fifty cows. He took an active part in the management and work of the ranch himself and by his close application and perseverance has made a success and acquired a competency. He has followed the dairy business steadily since 1879. Mr. Lanini owns forty acres on Elk river about three miles from Eureka, where he is building a bungalow and improving the land for a dairy ranch. Here he will reside with his family, although he will still run the McCloskey place.

Mr. Lanini was married in Petrolia, October 13, 1885, being united with Miss Nancy May Eby, a native of Rohnerville, and the daughter of David D. and Mary (Harrow) Eby, born in Illinois and Missouri, respectively. Mr. Eby crossed the plains to California in pioneer days and in about 1861 came to Humboldt county and is now farming on Price creek.

To Mr. and Mrs. Lanini have been born seven daughters: Ada, Mrs. Athanasion in Eureka ; Ethel, Mrs. Aston, residing in San Francisco; Mamie, Mrs. McClelland, of Eureka; Hazel, Mrs. Speridiani, of Loleta ; Angie, Mrs. Delzompo, of San Francisco; Severena and Doloras. Mr. Lanini is school

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trustee of Eel River District and is much interested in the cause of educa- · tion. He is a Republican.

MARTIN PEDRAZZINI was born near Campo, Canton Ticino, Swit- zerland, October 8, 1875. His father, Charles Pedrazzini, was for some years a miner in Australia and then a painter in Paris, spending his winters in Campo, where his family resided. Martin, the youngest of four children, was reared in Campo, where he received his education in the public schools. Having heard such favorable reports of greater opportunities for young men in California, he resolved to migrate and try his fortune in the Golden West. At the age of fifteen he came alone to San Francisco, where he arrived a stranger in a strange land. From January, 1891, until July of the same year he was employed on a dairy ranch in Marin county and at the end of that period he came to Ferndale, Humboldt county, where for two years he worked on a dairy, then three years on Henry Van Dusen's place at Singleys. Having saved some money he determined to engage in dairying for himself. Although only twenty-one years of age he had had much experience, which had developed his powers of observation and self-reliance and enabled him to forge ahead on his own account. He launched out by renting a part of his present ranch, afterward purchasing cows from the owner, Mr. Davidson. Afterwards he rented the adjoining place from the same man and is now operating one hundred and eighty acres of good bottom land, his place being located three miles from Loleta. He has a herd of one hundred milch cows, the care of which takes all of his time.

In Ferndale occurred the marriage of Mr. Pedrazzini and Corinna Filippini, also a native of Ticino, and to them have been born four children, Anna, Charles, Albert, and Ruby. Politically he is a Republican.

JOHN EDWARD LIND, principal keeper of the Humboldt light sta- tion on Table Bluff, was born in Stockholm, Sweden, May 28, 1858. His father, Carl Lind, who was a warrant officer in the Swedish navy, died in 1871. John E. received his education in the public schools of Stockholm prior to the age of twelve years, for at that age he began work in the machine shop at the navy yard, and also went to school there. At the age of thirteen he went to sea, for the most part in the coasting trade. In 1876 he came to Chicago, Ill., remaining until 1877, when he went to New York City and there shipped on the sailer Carrolton around Cape Horn to San Francisco, arriving in April, 1878, after a voyage of about six months. As early as 1879 he came to Eureka. He then continued the coasting trade on the Pacific until 1887. In that year he entered the light house service as a rigger at the building of the St. George light station, helping to put in the engines and machinery until it was completed. In the year 1889 he made a trip to Sweden on a six months' visit to his old home. In 1892 he became third assistant keeper at St. George light house. Afterwards he was advanced to second assistant keeper, continuing there in the two capacities for eight and one-half years. He then became first assistant keeper at Arguella light station in Santa Barbara county for five months, then was appointed principal keeper at Pigeon Point, San Mateo county, where he remained for nine years. He was then transferred to Honolulu as principal keeper at Makkapuu light station, remaining about four months, then as principal keeper of Ano Nuevo (New Year's) light station, San Mateo county, remaining for three years. In

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October, 1913, he was appointed principal keeper of Humboldt light station on Table Bluff, where he has remained ever since, filling the duties with ability and fidelity.

Mr. Lind was married in Crescent City, Cal., March 11, 1899, being united with Miss Theresa MeNamara, a native of that place and the daughter of Nicholas McNamara, a pioneer of Del Norte county. Of this union there are three children, John Edward Jr., Theresa, and Adlade. Fraternally he was for some years a member of the Knights of Pythias and Independent Order of Foresters, but on account of his isolated position he withdrew. Both he and his wife are Catholics in religious belief.

NAPOLEON GONDOLA .- The sons of sunny Italy have contributed in no small degree to the upbuilding of the dairy industry in Humboldt county, and among them is Napoleon Gondola, who was born at Consilio Romo, Province of Como, Lombardi, Italy, April 26, 1882, and is the son of Francisco and Julia (Crancki) Gondola, also natives of Como. The father is a farmer, owning a farm about a half a mile from Lago di Como. The mother, who died many years ago, had fourteen children, of whom eight are living, Napoleon being the oldest. His boyhood was spent on the farm, during which time he attended the local schools, and after his school days were over he gave his whole time to assisting his father on the farm, con- tinuing this until he was twenty-four years of age. Having become inter- ested in California in the meantime, he came hither in 1907, locating in Hum- boldt county, where he found employment with Martin Pedrazzini, a dairy- man at Loleta, and where he was steadily employed for about eight years, only quitting his employ to engage in business for himself.

In April, 1915, Mr. Gondola purchased the dairy and lease of the Fraser place on Cannibal Island, comprising ninety-six acres of bottom land which yields an abundance of pasture, hay and green feed for his dairy of forty milch cows. He is a very industrious and energetic man and by his years of experience and perseverance is making a success of his chosen life work.

MARK CHARLES CRIVELLI was born near Lugarno, Ticino, Swit- zerland, January 1, 1886, the son of Giuseppe and Kate (Magistretti) Crivelli, farmers at Lugarno until they came to Humboldt county, Cal., where they are spending their last days with their children. Of their eight children Charles is the second youngest, and was brought up on the farm in Switzer- land, where he received a good education in the public schools. During his boyhood he learned dairying as it is done in Ticino. At the age of seventeen, in 1903, he concluded to come to California. For three years he worked on a dairy near Petaluma, Sonoma county, and in 1906 he came to Loleta, Hum- boldt county, finding employment on the dairy ranch of John Larsen at Beatrice. Afterwards he worked on other ranches until October 1, 1908, when he leased the present place of two hundred and twenty acres near Loleta and has since then made a specialty of the dairy business, milking eighty cows. He has made a success of the business by close application and diligent work and is recognized as a man well informed in his line. With five others he owns the Belmont Creamery, of which he is manager.

In Eureka occurred the marriage of Mr. Crivelli with Miss Dalide Ballati, born near Como, Italy, the daughter of Joseph Ballati, who spent some years in California and then returned to Italy, where he now resides.

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Mr. and Mrs. Crivelli have three children: Josephine, Curtis, and Catherine. Mr. Crivelli is a Republican in his political views.

HENRY GRANDY .- A young man who has traveled much over Cali- fornia and has had considerable experience in other parts of the state is Henry Grandy, a dairyman at Grizzly Bluff. He was born at Menzonio, Ticino, Switzerland, March 19, 1880. His father, Antone Grandy, was a merchant, postmaster and telegraph operator until he died in 1903. His mother, Mary Canepa, is still living. Of her nine children Henry is the sixth in order of birth, and received a good education in the public schools of his native place. His older brother, Albino, was living at Point Reyes, Sonoma county, so when Henry was fifteen years of age he came to Cali- fornia and joined his brother at Point Reyes. He also had a brother-in-law, Louis Grandy, who was a dairyman there and he worked for him for three years. Afterward he removed to Riverside, where he worked in a dairy for two years and during this time attended night school for over one year. The time and effort thus expended after the day's work have had their reward, for the knowledge thus gained has been of great assistance to him in later years. Subsequently Mr. Grandy engaged in business for himself, operating the Swiss-Jersey dairy with a retail milk route in Riverside for four years, then he ran a dairy at Arlington for eight years.

From Riverside Mr. Grandy went to Tulare county as foreman of a large dairy of one hundred twenty-five cows, a position he filled for three years, when he came to Humboldt county. In September, 1913, he leased the pres- ent place of thirty acres near Grizzly Bluff, which is devoted to a dairy of eighteen cows. He is very handy with tools and is a good carpenter and blacksmith as well as a farmer and dairyman.

Mr. Grandy was married at Santa Rosa, being united with Miss Diva H. Camasy, she too being a native of Menzonio, Switzerland. Mr. and Mrs. Grandy have three children as follows: Floyd, Olga, and baby. Fraternally Mr. Grandy is a member of the Woodmen of the World, the Odd Fellows, and the Independent Order of Foresters, all in Riverside. Mr. Grandy is a well read and well informed man, and speaks several languages, besides Swiss and English, speaking French and Spanish.

EDWARD ALEXANDER ZEHNDNER .- One of the most enterpris- ing young men of Humboldt county is Edward Alexander Zehndner, who was born in this county September 11, 1879, the scion of one of the most prominent pioneer families of the county. Young Zehndner received his early educational and business training in the public schools of Arcata and Eureka, graduating from Eureka Business College in 1901. Anxious to acquire more of an education, he decided to attend the University of Cali- fornia, where he accordingly took a year's course. But his father, who owned a large dairy ranch, found the duties of the place too much for him to attend to alone, so sent for his son, who therefore returned from college and entered into the dairying and farming business. Under his father's supervision he met with much success in this occupation, but in 1906 determined to engage in some other line of work. His brother had retired from the office of depot master at Arcata, and Edward Zehndner was offered the station, which he accepted, holding the position of manager of the depot for twenty months, after which he returned to the home place to assume active management of

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the ranch. The Zehndner ranch is one of the show places of Dows Prairie, being considered one of the finest of its kind in the district. Mr. Zehndner continued to live on the home place, which he endeavored to make a monu- ment to his ability as a farmer, clearing sixty acres of the land that he found peculiarly adapted to farming, and also going extensively into stock raising. When eucalyptus trees were first mentioned as being fine wood for furniture making, Mr. Zehndner was one of the first to become interested in the matter, setting out a grove of fifty acres, and along with other enterprising men who foresaw the possibilities of this industry has made a commendable success of his eucalyptus trees in the face of bitter opposition.

An ardent Progressive Republican, Mr. Zehndner enters actively into all matters pertaining to the advancement of the county. Fraternally he is a member of the Arcata Lodge, I. O. O. F., and in his religious associations is a stanch member of the Presbyterian Church. On October 10, 1910, he was married to Miss Grace Whittier, also a native of Humboldt county, she hav- ing been born in Ferndale, June 5, 1893. Of the union of these two pioneer families there is one daughter, Evelyn Adeline Zehndner, born August 29, 1913. The county may well be proud of Mr. Zehndner, for he has done much good work in the community. Always taking an active part in any matter for the advancement of the district where he resides, and being prominently identified with affairs of public interest in the locality, he is a worthy member of one of the pioneer families of Humboldt county.

THORWALD and WILLIAM H. FREDRICKSON .- Among the early settlers of Iaqua, Humboldt county, is the Fredrickson family. The elder Fredrickson, James P., was born on the Island of Bornholm, Den- mark, August 15, 1828. He went to sea when a lad and followed that occupa- tion for many years, from Denmark sailing into many foreign ports. Three years were spent in seal fishing in the Arctic ocean off the coast of Greenland and Spitzbergen. At the time of the excitement caused by the discovery of gold in California he came around Cape Horn on a sailer as man before the mast and on his arrival in San Francisco he left the ship and started for the mines, which he followed for some time, being reasonably successful, after which he returned to Denmark.

However, his taste for adventure and exploring was not satisfied, so he started on a journey to Australia, where after following prospecting and mining in that wilderness he went to New Zealand, and from there to Cali- fornia. In 1866 he arrived in Humboldt county, and for a few years he lived in Eureka, farming and lumbering.

In October, 1870, James P. Fredrickson located in the Iaqua district, purchasing three hundred twenty acres of school land, and began the nucleus of a large and successful ranching experience. He also homesteaded one hundred sixty acres. He built a house and made needed improvements. Ile also ran a dairy of twenty-five to thirty cows, panning, skimming and churn- ing by hand, the butter being hauled to Eureka and shipped to San Francisco. He purchased land adjoining until his ranch comprised seven hundred sixty acres at the time of his death in 1901.

James P. Fredrickson was married while living in Australia, in April, 1865, his wife being Amelia Negus, who was a native of Essex county, England. She died in Eureka, leaving five children, as follows: Mary, the

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wife of John Johnson, of Iaqua; Thorwald, of Iaqua; Victoria A., Mrs. M. F. Shook, who died at Iaqua; William H., a partner of Thorwald; and Henrietta A., who resides in Eureka.

Thorwald and William H. Fredrickson, who are engaged in farming and stock raising on their ranch at Iaqua, are both native sons of Humboldt county, Thorwald having been born in Eureka, June 13, 1868, and William H. at Iaqua May 27, 1877. They received their education in the local schools, Thorwald's education being supplemented with a course at the Eureka Business College, where he was graduated in 1890. Subsequently he followed clerking and also logging for a time. After the death of the father the brothers began stock raising in partnership and have continued together ever since, an arrangement that has been carried on in peace and harmony, the brothers having entire confidence in each other.

In 1903 they purchased their present ranch of one thousand acres on the Iaqua road, where they make their home, besides operating two hundred sixty acres of the old home ranch, the whole being devoted to raising hay, grain and cattle, in which they have been successful and are building up a splendid herd of beef cattle. They also engage in threshing, operating a power threshing machine during the season. The improvements have been made with an outlook to permanency, having substantial residence and barns, and the ranch is well watered, and taken as a whole is splendidly adapted for the purpose to which it is devoted.

Thorwald Fredrickson married Irene Erwin, a native of Petrolia, and they have two children, Lois and Ruth. For five years he was a member of the board of trustees of Iaqua district and was clerk of the board, while William H. is now serving his second term in the same position. Fraternally both brothers are members of Humboldt Lodge No. 77. I. O. O. F., as well as Thelma Lodge of Rebekahs, in Eureka, being active in the philanthropies of the order, besides being liberal and charitable in public movements for the upbuilding of the community and the betterment of its citizens. Politically they are stanch Republicans.

JOHN C. BRICELAND was born in Virginia about 1838 and died at Briceland, Cal., in 1901, aged sixty-three years. As a boy he came with his parents to Amsterdam, Ohio, where he remained until the age of seventeen, when he joined the rush to the gold fields of California, crossing the plains with ox teams. For a time he followed mining and then was employed on ranches in the Sacramento valley. At times his wages were very small, for conditions even in those days were not always good. On account of suffering from chills and fever he came to Humboldt county, where he was an early settler on Elk ridge and where he engaged in stock raising, making a specialty of raising horses, his herd at one time numbering five hundred head. These he drove into different parts of California and Oregon and sold. From Elk ridge he removed to Upper Mattole and later located at Ross' defeat, near what is now Ettersburg, where he owned a farm and raised cattle. This place he sold and about 1889 he purchased the old Collier place, the present site of Briceland. Before this a Hebrew by the name of Jim Filer had a little store here. Mr. Briceland bought him out and continued the mercantile business, enlarging the store and running it for three years, when he sold

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History of Humboldt County, California, with biographical sketches of the leading men and women of the county who have been identified with its growth and development from the early days to the present, Part 134

Author: Irvine, Leigh H. (Leigh Hadley), 1863-1942 Publication date: 1915 Publisher: Los Angeles, Historic Record Company Number of Pages: 1328

Author: Irvine, Leigh H. (Leigh Hadley), 1863-1942
Publication date: 1915
Publisher: Los Angeles, Historic Record Company
Number of Pages: 1328