History of San Luis Obispo County and environs, California, with biographical sketches, Part 110

Author: Morrison, Annie L. Stringfellow, 1860-; Haydon, John H., 1837-
Publication date: 1917
Publisher: Los Angeles, Calif., Historic Record Company
Number of Pages: 1070

USA > California > San Luis Obispo County > History of San Luis Obispo County and environs, California, with biographical sketches > Part 110

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Mr. Miossi is a Mason and Odd Fellow, belonging to lodges in San Francisco. For years he was an active member of the San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce. He has shown his public spirit in supporting all worthy measures for bringing San Luis Obispo County to the notice of the world at large, is very charitable and unostentatious, and is, withal, a good citizen and honored by every one who knows him.

JOSEPH C. MARETTI .- Self-made men are much in evidence in Cali- fornia ; and none of them have better succeeded in making a name for them- selves than has Joseph C. Maretti of Guadalupe, Santa Barbara county. He was born at San Antonio, canton Ticino, Switzerland, March 19, 1864, a son of John and Mary Maretti, natives of Switzerland and farmer folks, both of whom are now dead.

Joseph C. Maretti was one in a family of seven children born to his parents. He attended the schools of his native land, grew to manhood on the home farm and became familiar with dairying. AAfter he had finished school at fourteen years of age, he went to Belgium, where his brother, Frank Maretti, had a glass factory, and there he learned the trade of a glazier, and for two years took contracts for putting in glass windows. In 1881, with another brother, he came to New York and hired out to learn cooking, after which he followed that line of work for nineteen months, at the Gilsey House on Twenty-seventh street, New York.

Having read a great deal about cheap land in California, and wishing to own a farm of his own, he quit his job of cooking and in 1883 landed in Cayucos, San Luis Obispo County. Having never learned to milk, the first thing Joseph C. Maretti did was to acquire that art, and for nine months he worked for Peter Tognazzini. Then he went to work for the Pacific Coast Coal Co. in their timber camp, but gave up that occupation to work tor a year in the dairy of Antone Righetti. On January 1, 1886, he arrived m Guadalupe. He worked for wages for three years, and then started in for laimselt, with John Tognazzini as a partner. They rented land and bought seventy cows, and later he sold his share to his partner. He cleared $1,900 the first year that he was in business, and this gave him a start for himself and enabled him to buy out Anton Tognazzini's dairy. He became an expert Wile handling of cows and for ten years was successful.

Mr. Maretti purchased property in Guadalupe in 1901 ; in 1910 he bought six hundred sixty acres in Lompoc valley, now devoted to dairying and

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farming. In 1898, having three hundred head of dairy cows, he was hard hit by the dry years, which almost ruined the dairy business. On account of no feed for the stock, Mr. Maretti drove his cattle over the mountains to the Bakersfield section and had to give half of his number of cows to save the balance. lle was in debt over five thousand dollars, but two successful years cleared off the debt, and he began to lay up money from his various investments. Since 1901 he has been leasing the Salisbury & Leroy place of about twenty-eight hundred acres, where he is engaged in farming and dairying, the ranch being operated by his two sons on shares. Mr. Maretti and his wife own three hundred fifteen acres of oil land at Casmalia.

On January 19, 1891. Mr. Maretti was united in marriage with Miss Anita l'asque, who was born in Casmalia. December 17, 1873, their wedding being celebrated in Santa Barbara. They have two children, Richard and Charles, who are farming and dairying on his place. In 1901, Mr. Maretti became a citizen of the United States. Mr. Maretti is a Republican and has served six years as a member of the County Central Committee. For nine years he was school trustee of the Guadalupe district, and for three terms was clerk of the board. He is a member of San Luis Obispo Lodge No. 322. B. P. O. Elks, and of Laguna Lodge, J. O. O. F., and is Vice Grand of the local order.

ANTONE SILACCI .- The possibilities afforded by California to those seeking a livelihood within its borders find illustration in the life of Antone Silacci, who left Europe a poor boy and by hard work has achieved success in San Luis Obispo County, where he now resides. Of Swiss birth, Antone Silacci was born in Intragna, canton Ticino, December 18, 1862. a son of Do- menico Silacci, who is still living in canton Ticino and busy with farming.

Antone Silacci grew to manhood on the home farm, attending public school for a short time as his services were not needed about the farm and dairy. At the age of fifteen he started to learn the trade of carpenter, follow- ing it for two years, when, having received letters from a brother who had been in California for some time and had prospered in the dairy business in the neighborhood of Cambria, San Luis Obispo County, he concluded that America and its extreme West held ont better inducements for young men. He left Switzerland for this country and arrived in October, 1880. ia New York and San Francisco, and came immediately to Cambria and found em- ployment on a dairy ranch near Cayucos. He worked for his brother milking cows and at times helped to build barns for the dairymen between Sim Simeon and Morro. In 1885 he entered the service of A. Muscio, and the following year was employed on another dairy.

Having a desire once more to see his parents, Mr. Silace went back to In native land. ten years after coming to California; and on his return to Cayucos, he began to make butter boxes for the dairymen (9) this victor's In 1892 he rented the Joe Muscio ranch of six hun Bred scotty @fe-, batelit stock and started in the dairy business himself, prospering until the dry year in 1898, when he lost all he had made.

Nothing daunted he continued dairying and retrieved what he had fost He ran the Joe Muscio place for twenty years, and save enough money to buy his present place of six hundred fifty acres on Villa creek, where he mol four years continued operating both places as dairies. Then he turned the Muscio lease over to his sons Louis and Donald, sold them the stock nul in

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plements, and they now carry on the business there. The home ranch of Mr. Silacci is improved with a residence, dairy house and barns. Water is piped from a spring to the house, and the separator is run by water power. The place yields enough feed for about eighty milch cows.

In 1902, Mr. Silacci became a naturalized citizen, and since then has taken an active interest in politics, serving as one of the trustees of Someo school district. In that position he has endeavored to bring the school to a high standard during the fourteen years he has been in office. Mr. Silacci was united in marriage, at Intragna, Switzerland, on December 10, 1890, with Miss Elvezia Cavalli, a native of Sornico, canton Ticino, and they have nine children : Louis, Nina, Donald, Romeo, Lucy, Emma, Elva, Mini and Milton, all born in San Luis Obispo County. The family are members of St. Joseph's Catholic Church at Cayucos. Mr. Silacci's word once given is as good as his bond : and by his honesty he has gained the esteem of all who know him.

JOHN GHIGLIOTTI .- Many a traveler to the old Mission town of San Luis Obispo owes the pleasant impression he has carried away from that com- fortable place to the kindly attentions of John Ghigliotti, a son of James Ghigliotti. who was born in the splendid old seaport town of Genoa, in Italy. about 1830, and Jolina Paggi, who was married in Genoa, where she also was bern. John's father was a mason in a country where one needed to be right smart to hold his own in that trade, and understanding that there was such a call for expert workmen in the United States that he would be likely to do better here than in Europe, he came to America, bringing his beautiful bride with him, and settled for a while in Baltimore.

Then he moved to Pittsburgh, and it was in that city, not yet clouded with smoke, that John Ghigliotti was born, in July, 1866. \ migration westward led James Ghigliotti and his young family to San Francisco in 1878, and one month later to San Luis Obispo County.

There he established his home, taking up the work of a carpenter, in which he was equally proficient ; and there on July 20, 1906, he died, his de- voted wife surviving him until November 23, 1914. Five children were the issue of James Ghigliotti's marriage.

For twenty-two years John Ghigliotti served as a steward at the French and Cosmopolitan hotels. He later became a partner with John Price in the sale of liquor at San Luis Obispo, where he continues business.

VICTOR RICIOLI .- Another worthy son of Switzerland who has dem- onstrated what can be done by hard work and good management is Victor Ricioli who was born in the town of Maggia, canton Ticino, Switzerland, No- vember 7. 1874. His father, James Ricioli, was also a native of that canton and came to California via Panama, to San Francisco, in 1859, seeking gold in the mines in the Sierras. He followed mining for some time, and was em- ployed at farming in Marin county.

In 1870 he returned to his old home in Switzerland and there married Miss Carmela de Bernardi, who was also born in Maggia. Mr. Ricioli then purchased land adjoining his father's, where he engaged in farming until about 1877, when he again came to California, leaving his family on his Swiss farm. Ile came to San Luis Obispo and followed dairying, locating on the coast. One year he ran a dairy in Harmony valley, and one year at Casmalia in Santa Barbara county. In 1899 he went back to Switzerland and once more took up farming there; and there he has since remained. Prior to

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coming to this country he had served in the Swiss army two years Of The five children, Victor is the second oldest.

Victor Ricioli attended the public school in his native town until he was fifteen, and then worked at farming. In 1891 he came to the United States. and on his arrival in California went to Cayucos. Here he found work on a dairy ranch on Toro creek. One year later he was in the employ of A. Muscio. remaining on his ranch for the following five years. In 1889, having saved enough out of his earnings to go into business for himself, he leased a small ranch in Harmony valley and for two years was successfully engaged in farm- ing. Mr. Ricioli then bought a herd of one hundred ten cows and leased nine hundred acres of land, part of the Murphy ranch in Harmony district; and there he followed dairying with success.

In 1916 he sold his stock and implements and has since devoted his entire attention to the development of his own property of three hundred sixty acres, bought in 1912, on which he has carried on a dairy of about sixty cows and made many improvements, converting the place into a very comfortable home. Mr. Ricioli's ranch is located in the Harmony district, six and one-half miles south of Cambria, and is well watered by springs and small creeks. Water is piped from a near-by spring to his farm buildings. He uses steam power to run his separator, and the cream is sent to Harmony Creamery.

Mr. Ricioli took out his citizenship papers in 1905, and since then he has been active in politics as a Republican. In all enterprises, too, that have had for their object the betterment of the community and the uplift of the citi- zens, he has taken an active interest and given his support. He was one of the prime movers and original organizers of the Harmony Valley Creamery Association and served as its first president. Ile is a member of the Cayucos lodge, U. A. O. D., and is past archer.

On October 30, 1907, at Cayucos, he was united in marriage with Miss Annie Sartori, who was born in Cambria, April 4, 1890. They have become the parents of four children, Ernest, Alfred. Mabel and Laura. Mrs. Ricioli is the daughter of James and Mary ( Ballestra) Sartori, natives of Gera, canton Ticino, who came to San Luis Obispo County and have resided in Chorro valley ever since their arrival here.

JOHN D. FISCALINI .- A native of Switzerland. J. D. Fiscalini was born October 17, 1876, in the town of Borgnone, canton Ticino. His father was Filippo Fiscalini, a native of the same place, who was born in February, 1842, and was by trade a sawyer when all such work was done by hand, as there were no sawmills in that country at the time. During 1870 and 1871 he served in the army and saw military service on the border during the Franco-German war. In 1881, hoping to better his condition, he eime alone to this country, with California as his stopping point. He went to St. Helena, Napa county, and was employed in a vineyard for a time; about 5 years later he was taken with a severe illness, and went to San Francisco. As soon as he had recovered he found work in a distillery, where he remamed for years. Ile had been very saving of his cirnings, and after a residence of almost twelve years in this state, returned to his native country, where he lived up to the time of his death. In Switzerland he served as a trustee of the school in the district in which he lived, and was likewise a trustee of the town. He married, in 1872, Josie Madonna, whoowas born in canton T'n me. in 1847, and died in 1880. There were five children born to them, two w

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whom are living, and the subject of our sketch was the third child of the family.

John D. Fiscalini was educated in the common schools of his native coun- try, and also took up the study of engineering there. His opportunities were a little better than those of many other children, and he took a three years' course in the high school. He went to work to support himself after his school days were over, and found employment on a dairy farm in the Alps.

In 1894 he came to California, and arriving in San Simeon, San Luis Obispo County, went to work on the dairy ranch conducted by his cousin, Charles Fiscalini. of whom mention is made elsewhere in this work. Ile saved his money and soon was able to embark in business for himself : for, having worked on a large ranch near the lighthouse, and having later had charge, for two years, of the A. Luchessa ranch, he had confidence in his ability to act independently in business.

In 1905 he purchased the interest held by Mr. Luchessa in the stock and farm implements, and leased the seven hundred fifty acres of land on San Simeon creek, for six years, where he engaged successfully in dairying and general farming. Ile became owner of one hundred fifty acres, with milch cours, and was considered successful by his friends.

In October, 1909, he formed a partnership with John Filipponi and Icased three thousand acres of the lower Hearst ranch at the mouth of Green valley. There they engaged in farming, dairying and stock-raising, and also raised beans. They had about four hundred head of cattle, and milked about two hundred fifty cows. They continued together four years, and then dis- solved partnership, dividing the stock and implements ; and each leased fifteen hundred acres, since which time Mr. Fiscalini has continued farming and dairying here. He now has about one hundred seventy-five milch cows, and is raising hay, grain and beans. The place is equipped with modern build- ings, and he has running water in the dairy house and operates his separator by water power.

In San Francisco, on November 9, 1903, Mr. Fiscalini was united in mar- riage with Miss Annie Pizzoni, a native of Intragna, canton Ticino, Switzer- land, and a daughter of Gothardo and Mary Pizzoni, farmers in their native country. Her father made two trips to California. Mr. and Mrs. Fiscalini are parents of four children: Josie, deceased, and Mary, Archie and Mabel. In 1913, when the Harmony Valley Creamery Association was organized, Mr. Fiscalini became a stockholder and a director, and he has devoted considerable attention to making it a successful enterprise.

Hle became a citizen of the United States in 1901 in San Luis Obispo, and in polities is a Republican. He is a self-made man in every sense of the word, and is highly respected by all who know him and have dealings with him.

JAMES LUCHESSA .- The qualities which bring success to a man, when in a strange country and among a people whose language is unfamiliar, are ontainly of no ordinary kind. In the life of James Luchessa there were many miracles to be overcome, hence the success he has attained merits special con- peration. Born of Swiss parents, in Lavertezzo, canton Ticino, Switzerland, Sagani S. 1863, he attended the common schools and worked with his father ontheir home dairy farm. He could see no advancement for himself under chatos conditions there, and therefore left his home for California, arriving in Deceniber. 1882, in Cambria. A brother, Antonio, had come to this

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country some years previously and was engaged in dairying : so James went to work for him, remaining six years in his employ. Having saved some money from his wages, he formed a partnership with his brother, rented nine hundred acres of land, bought one hundred fifty head of cows and followed dairying until 1893, when they divided up and dissolved partnership. Moving to Santa Rosa creek with his stock, he rented one thousand acres of land and followed the dairy business for three years independently.

In 1896 he sold out and moved to Cambria, and went to work in the quicksilver mines ; and there he remained until 1900, when he again took up dairying on a four hundred acre ranch, known as the Kaiser place. Two years later he rented the Leffingwell ranch and bought fifty cows, continuing until 1908, when he leased a part of the Hearst ranch known as Roller Cruz, run- ning it for six years. During this time he bought three hundred fourteen acres in Harmony valley, conducting both places, but residing on Roller Cruz ranch. In 1914 he sold the Harmony valley place at a good profit and bought four hundred acres, his present home place, on San Simeon creek, four miles from Cambria ; and there he has since carried on a successful dairy business. milking about fifty cows, and raising grain, hay and beans.

In San Luis Obispo, on September 14, 1892, Mr. Luchessa was united in marriage with Miss Victoria Antognazzi, who was born in Someo, canton Ticino, in 1867. Their children are Erminia and Erina. twin daughters, anl Aldo, Liva, Eddie and Linda.

Though devoting his attention mainly to his own business, Mr. Luche-sa has not neglected the duties of a citizen : he became naturalized in 1894; and he has served as school trustee for a number of years. In politics he is a Re- publican. While he is now rated one of the leading men and successful citi- zens of the county, his position has been won by hard work, and good man · agement. .

LOUIS BETTIGA .- Many of the sons of Italy have come to this country and settled in California, where they have found conditions more or less simi- lar to those in the mother country. Especially is this true of climate and topography, which favor the same vocations that were their means of livelihood in the Old World. Among these men we mention Louis Bettiga, a native of Como, Italy, born December 22. 1872. He attended school there for a time, remaining on the home farm and assisting his father until the age of twenty, when he enlisted as a private in an artillery regiment in the army and served two years.

In November. 1895, Mr. Bettiga left Italy for the United States, with Cal ifornia as his ultimate destination. He had a brother living in Santa Barbar .. county, and on arriving in San Francised, immediately joined him at tana lupe and there found work on a dairy ranch ; and For the following seven years he worked for wages. In 1902, with two partners, Mr. Bettiga lease I land near Guadalupe and for five years engaged in the forming and fury business. with satisfactory results. In 1907. he moved to Villa creek and rented eleven hundred acres from Ercole Biaggini, and here he is raising alfalfa and has a dairy herd of one hundred thirty five cows, and is meeting with decided sie cess in his enterprise.

On April 8. 1905, Mr. Bettiga was united in marriage, at San Luis Obispo with Miss Bessie Sartori, who was born in Cambria, January 1. 189 daughter of James Sartori, a pioneer of Cambria, now a ikuryman in Cheer .

SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY AND ENVIRONS

listrict. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Bettiga: Albert, Vicente. Mary, James and Francis. Mr. Bettiga is a Republican in politics, but not an office seeker. While serving as a member of the school board, he has endeavored to bring the school of Someo district to a higli standard.

LOUIS FERRASCI .- The worthy sons of the Swiss republic who have made homes for themselves in America and have devoted their energies to the upbuilding of their adopted communities find no more representative a man than Louis Ferrasci. He was born in Frasco, canton Ticino, June 30. 1862, a son of Agostino and Cecilia (Fratessa) Ferrasci, both natives of that canton, the former having been born on August 18, 1823, and the latter in 1822. They had four sons and four daughters. In the early days of mining, the father went to Australia in search of gold, remaining there three years, meeting with success and finally returning to his native land, where his wife died in 1874 and he is still living at the advanced age of ninety- three years. He was town sexton for many years, and active in all public affairs. The grandfather was also named Agostino and was born in 1760, dying at seventy-seven years of age in his native locality.

Louis Ferrasci attended the public schools until he was fifteen years of age, and the following four years assisted his father with the farm work. In 1881, he decided he could better his condition in new environments, and accordingly left for California, locating in the Chorro district in San Luis Obispo County. The first two years were spent in the employ of L. Lesnini ; after which, in partnership with his two brothers, Abbondio and Angelo Ferrasci, he rented two thousand acres of the Chorro ranch and engaged in farming and dairying, milking three hundred cows.

In 1890, on account of ill health, Mr. Ferrasci sold out to his brothers and went back to Switzerland. The change was beneficial, and one year later he returned to California and bought a half interest from his brothers in the Chorro ranch, six miles from San Luis Obispo, and continued dairying. giving all of his time to the occupation, and meeting with marked success for nine years Then he sold out and moved to Cambria. Ile bought four hundred fifty-six acres of the Santa Rosa ranch, about one mile east of Cambria, which is now the beautiful home place, and here he has a dairy of sixty cows. About two hundred acres is bottom land, some forty acres being devoted to bean-raising each year, while the balance is given to grain, ley and green feed for the dairy herd. He also owns seven hundred forty- two acres three miles south of Cambria, with two miles of ocean frontage, devoted to dairying. the place-now leased out-being able to sustain about eighty cows. His farming operations are carried on with modern machinery, including a Case tractor engine, 10-20 horse-power, and all other improved appliances.

In November, 1892, in San Francisco, occurred the marriage of Louis ferrasei with Miss Lucia Danini, who was born December 4, 1873, in Frasco, canton Ticino, Switzerland, a daughter of Peter and Mary ( Giottonini) Danini, Wrmer folks of that place. Mr. and Mrs. Ferrasci have three children : Ida, 10s Mrs. Badasci of Riverdale : Silva, and Ulysses.

On August 6, 1888, Mr. Ferrasei became an American citizen. lle is Republican in politics, has taken an active interest in the public school, and is serving as a trustee of the Santa Rosa school district. He was one of the organizers of the Bank of Cambria, in 1903, was elected

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a director and a member of the finance committee at the first meeting, and has ever since retained an interest in the welfare of the institution. He has been successful in his undertakings in this county, and is respected by all who know him.

MARIUS G. SALMINA .- Many men who have attained places of re- sponsibility in the business and agricultural life of San Luis Obispo County are of foreign birth. Of this number M. G. Salmina, one of the leading citi- zens of Cambria, was born in canton Ticino, Switzerland, on May 29, 1876. a son of Alex and Caterina Salmina, both natives of Switzerland. The father was a stone mason by trade, and when this son was born was crossing the Atlantic en route to America to seek his fortune. He came to California . and located in Napa county, and remained eleven years, becoming an Ameri can citizen in the meantime. He then returned to his native country and remained there until his death in 1915.

M. G. Salmina attended the public schools and lived at home until 1888. Then he was apprenticed to learn the trade of blacksmith, in a shop about seven miles from his home; but after working two years he was paid only fifteen cents per week for his services, and he left to go to another shop, where he received twenty-five cents per day and had to board himself, and this arrangement continued for a year. He was not satisfied with such small wages, and he began to learn the mason's trade, but did not finish it.

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History of San Luis Obispo County and environs, California, with biographical sketches, Part 110

Author: Morrison, Annie L. Stringfellow, 1860-; Haydon, John H., 1837- Publication date: 1917 Publisher: Los Angeles, Calif., Historic Record Company Number of Pages: 1070

Author: Morrison, Annie L. Stringfellow, 1860-; Haydon, John H., 1837-
Publication date: 1917
Publisher: Los Angeles, Calif., Historic Record Company
Number of Pages: 1070