USA > California > San Luis Obispo County > History of San Luis Obispo County and environs, California, with biographical sketches > Part 111
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In 1891 he left his home for California, having a brother, Paul, living near Cambria who was dairying on the MeFadden ranch, on Santa Rosa creek. Ile worked on this ranch three months and attended school two weeks, and at the end of that time he could speak some English. He learned to milk and then hired out to a Swiss on the Van Gordon ranch.
In 1902 he took a course in the dairy school at Berkeley, a department of the State University. He then went to Gilroy, where he accepted a position offered him by the J. P. Sargent Estate Co. as manager of their dairy and cheese factory. The dairy consisted of three hundred cows. He became proficient in making cheese and butter, retained the position two years and gave excellent service and satisfaction.
He later found employment in Orr's cheese factory at San Felippi, and managed it two years, when he made a visit to his home in Switzerland. In the fall of 1907 he came back to California and located in Harmony valley, San Luis Obispo County, where he began to make cheese for his brother's ranch on a small scale. The following year he conceived the rest of the Diamond Creamery and Cheese Factory, and built it on the coast road at the mouth of Harmony valley, and on November 30, 108, opened the place, of- rying on a successful business until 1913. In how he was the profi ter ci the Cayucos Creamery Company that erected the creamery at Cavu opened in 1910 with Mr. Salmina as manager. After s1 months it w sold to the Central Creamerics ( o., although he contouel . . man ter for six months, at the end of which time he returned to his ofif ere nger August, 1913, he organized the Harmony Valley Creamers leased the buildings to that concern, and has managed it efer smre
On June 12, 1910, occurred the marriage of WG. Salming with Ida M. Donati, who was born in Cayucos, June 4, 1892, andis now the mother of three children-Evelyn, Eleanor and Mirek Vr. Salming became American citizen on April 3, 1896, in San Luis Obispo He is a Republican
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m polibres, and has been a member and clerk for the past five years of the Harmony school board. Mr. Salmina has always, in fact, taken an active part in public affairs, and in 1915 worked for the movement to have a state highway feeder run into this section of the county. He has made a success of his operations in business and is highly respected by all with whom he has had business or social relations.
CHARLES FISCALINI .- It is particularly to the Swiss people that San Luis Obispo County is indebted for the progress that has been made in the dairy business. They have developed practically worthless land into very valuable tracts, and by devoting their entire time to that business have brought wealth to the county and a competency to themselves. Today they stand among the most highly respected citizens of the state. Of their num- ber is Charles Fiscalini, a resident of the Cambria section of San Luis Obispo County, who shows what perseverance and good management can accomplish. He was born in Borgnone, canton Ticino, Switzerland. January 28. 1867, a son of Battiste and Katherina ( Rizzoli) Fiscalini, both natives and lifelong residents of that place. The father was a sawyer by trade be- iure sawmills were operated, and when all the sawing of lumber was by hand. However, the greater part of his life was spent in farming and dairying in that country, as carried on in earlier years.
Charles Fiscalini attended the schools of his neighborhood until he was twelve years old, and then assisted his father on the home farm until he was nineteen. lle had a brother, Mathew, who had located in California and who wrote back glowing accounts of the opportunities that awaited his countrymen here in the land of the setting sun. Charles decided to try his fortunes, and accordingly left home : and in January, 1887, he arrived in San Simeon, San Luis Obispo County. He worked in a dairy one year at Cam- bria, and before the year was up he had saved money to pay his parents the $200 they had advanced him for expenses. In 1888, he went into the lumber camps of Mendocino county and for the following four months was employed in logging at Coffey's Cove by the L. E. White Lumber Co., when he returned to San Luis Obispo County and worked for various dairymen on. Santa Rosa creek until 1892.
fle had saved his money, and that year leased two thousand acres of the ranch on San Crapojo, milking about one hundred fifty cows and meeting with success. In 1899 he removed to Santa Rosa creek, where he had a tww-hundred-acre ranch. bought sixty cows and continued dairying with good results. In 1902 he branched out into other lines, purchased the old Swiss hotel at Cambria and carried on the hotel business in connection with his dairy for one year, when he sold out. In the meantime. Mr. Fiscalini bought two hundred acres of land he had been leasing, and continued dairying wid general farming. In 1915 he added by purchase another tract of one United sixty acres, to the development of which he has devoted his time, bringme it to a high state of cultivation. He is also raising alfalfa and beans, having about forty acres each year, which yield from three to four Huitdrel sacks. He has fifty cows in his dairy, and uses a power separator -File De Laval make, selling his cream to the Cambria creamery.
On January 20, 1894, in San Francisco, Mr. Fiscalini was united in mar- riage with Mary Manfrina, a native of Switzerland, who came to this country lone. They have seven children-Fred, Irene. Katie. Annie. Olymphia,
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Alexander and Charles-all natives of this county, who are being educated in the public schools. While giving his time to his affairs, Mr. Fiscalini has not neglected his duties as a citizen, but has always been alive to the needs of his community. For the past nine years he has been a school trustee of the Santa Rosa district and is clerk of the board. In politics he is a Republican, and he and his family are members of the Catholic Church in Cambria. Mr. and Mrs. Fiscalini have many friends throughout San Luis Obispo and environs, and they are widely esteemed for their sterling traits of character.
BENJAMIN TOMASINI .- The sons of Switzerland have added pres tige to California as a dairy country, and among them Benjamin Tomasini deserves mention. He was born in Someo, canton Ticino, on January 1, 1879, a son of Battista Tomasini, also a native of the same canton and a dairy farmer. The latter first came to this country in 1870, and located in Marin county, and later he returned to Switzerland and brought his family to California.
Benjamin was educated in the common schools of his native canton and attended high school one year. He lived on the home farm and assisted with the work, until he came to the United States in February, 1902. While a resident of Switzerland, he served two years in the army and was advanced to sergeant of the 95th Battalion, 3rd Company, Infantry. After arriving in this country, he came direct to California, and in San Luis Obispo county found work for two years on the San Bernardo ranch. He then rented his father's ranch of six hundred fifty acres in the Chorro district, about eight miles west of San Luis Obispo. For a time he milked seventy cous, but decided to give his attention to raising cattle ; and selling his dairy outfit. he embarked in the other line and has met with good results.
Ile was married in Someo, Switzerland, while back on a visit. on N nem- ber 30, 1907, to Miss Romilda Righetti, born and reared in the canton of Ticino; and they have one child. Warren. Since Mr. Tomasini became a citizen of this country, in 1908, he has voted the Republican ticket. He has been a trustee of the Hope school district for four years, and part of the time was clerk of the board. His interests are centered in his work, and in the welfare of the county and its citizens, and he supports all movements to further those ends.
ROBERT TONINI .-. \ self-made man in every sense of the world, and a man who holds the respect of all with whom he has ever had business dealings, Robert Tonini was born in canton Ticino, in the town of Brogho. Switzerland, March 17, 1857. His education was obtained in the sch of his home place, and when he was fourteen he had to stop attending school and assist with the work about the home farm. One year later he lary home and friends and started for California, where he had two br ther dairyme th San Luis Obispo County.
Ile landed at Port Harford on December 22. 1873, aday . 4 xe 1 (o work for his brother. George Temini, with whom he stayed ofte self In 1874 he was employed by George I recman on his dairy ranch and rerlatte there two years. This gave him an insight into the methods employed vi this country, and he thereafter worked for wiges until 1878, when he lettell acreage and began for himself on land owned by John J Schieferky ffen Pismo, having about sixty cows in his dairy there. In 1880 he was Hurrel
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and then moved to Villa creek, where for five years he leased part of the A. Tognazzini ranch. In 1886 he rented seven hundred ninety-four acres of the Quintana ranch and sixty acres adjoining, and remained until 1903, meet- ing with success in dairying and stock-raising. He then sold out, and, un- able to lease land at that time, worked for wages for three years.
In 1906 he found an opportunity to lease, and until 1915 ran a dairy. With the savings from these years of labor well invested, he retired, and is now living in Morro. On September 3, 1877, he became a citizen of the United States, at San Luis Obispo, and since then has been a factor in the forward movements that have brought wealth and prosperity to the county. He is serving as justice of the peace of Morro township, having been elected at the primary in 1914. He is a Republican in politics, and is a member of the U. A. O. D. lodge.
On September 20, 1880, he was married to Miss Annie Schiefferly, who was born near San Luis Obispo, May 22, 1862, and is a daughter of John J. Schiefferly, one of the first settlers in this county, who was a prominent rancher and served as county assessor. Mr. and Mrs. Tonini have had six children, Robert, Rosie, Benjamin, Fred, Howard and Jennie, all born and reared in San Luis Obispo County, and all educated in the public schools of their neighborhood. After having had many trials, and undergone many hardships, he is now able to live retired in the enjoyment of a well-earned rest, and among friends of many years' standing by whom he is highly respected.
PAUL MADONNA .- The late Paul Madonna was a native of Switzer- land, having been born in the town of Intragna, canton Ticino, February 10. 1856, and died on his home farm, near Cayucos. February 14, 1914, aged fifty- eight years. Between these dates he accumulated a competency and made his influence felt in the country of his adoption. His education was obtained in the public schools of Intragna until his fifteenth year, when he went to Italy, being employed with his father, who was a contractor, until he was nineteen years of age. Then he started for the United States, hoping to real- ize in California his ambition to make a place for himself in the world.
The first two years he worked for wages, and then commenced on a small scale for himself, renting land at San Simeon; and for the following three years he carried on a dairy business. He then came to a ranch near Cambria and for the next three years continued business with success, when he sold out his interests and went back to Switzerland to visit his family and friends. While there, he was married on August 13, 1881, to Miss Bar- bara Brunoni, who was born on March 25, 1860, in the town of Intragna.
The young married couple came back to the United States, and in San inis Obispo County they leased a ranch of eight hundred fifty acres. on Part of which now stands the Diamond Creamery. They lived on this place Li fifteen years and made a success of their dairy enterprise, milking one hundred twenty cows. Selling out, they moved to their present home place wwwwild creek, three miles from Cayncos, where Mr. Madonna had bought Non Hundred seventy six acres, besides leasing one hundred seventy more. Wait eighty cows, he carried on a dairy and engaged in stock-raising, and also out thirty five acres of the land into alfalfa, installing a pumping plant wor irrigating the same. He was a stockholder in the Cambria and the San Luis Obispo creameries, and was counted one of the successful men
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of the county at the time of his death. He became a citizen of this country, and thereafter took an active interest in its welfare, voting the Republican ticket in national elections. Hle served as a school trustee in Harmony Valley school district.
Seven children were born in the family: Clelia, Annie, Maggie, Paul, Esther, Mansuetto and Plinio. After the death of Mr. Madonna, his good helpmate took charge of the place, and she has since carried on the dairy and stock business with the assistance of her children, and has been meeting with success in her work, at the same time educating her children and enabling them to take their places in the world.
JOSEPH BARLOGIO .- A native of Switzerland, born in Lavertezzo, canton Ticino, on June 10, 1871, Joseph Barlogio has been a resident of Cali- fornia since he was eighteen years old. Ile attended the public schools in Lavertezzo until he was fourteen, and then helped with the farm work at home. Hoping to better his condition, he came alone to the United States and to Cambria, arriving on November 20, 1889; and soon afterwards found work. He worked for wages on various ranches for several years and learned the dairy business, meanwhile becoming familiar with the English language. In 1896, he leased the William Tell Hotel at Cambria, and con- ducted it for sixteen months, when he sold out at a good profit. His next venture was in the dairy business on Santa Rosa creek, where he leased nine hundred acres of land and some sixty cows, remaining there five years and making money. He moved to the Marks place in Green valley and, with his brother Martin as a partner, bought cows and carried on the dairy business in that locality until 1912, when they leased the Banning place of fifteen hundred acres. They now have a dairy of two hundred sixty cows.
When it is taken into consideration that Mr. Barlogio landed in Cali- fornia with thirty dollars in his pockets, and saved six hundred up to the time he embarked in business for himself, and that he now carries on an extensive enterprise, besides being half owner with his brother, Martin Barlogio, in eleven hundred acres of land in Green valley, ten miles from Cambria, stocked with one hundred seventy-five cattle, it will be seen what hard work and good management will accomplish in this land of great oppor- tunity. He became a citizen of the United States August 27, 1901, and since then has voted the Republican ticket, and for four years served as a trustee of the Olmstead school district in Green valley.
At San Luis Obispo, on September 27, 1896, Mr. Barlogio married Miss Rosie Guirra, who was born in Palanjnadra, Switzerland, in the canton of Ticino, and they have had six children: Charles, Carrie, Ilorefice. Herman. Irene and Lillian. All are being educated in the public schools of this county. in which Mr. Barlogio takes an especial interest. Mrs. Barlogio came to California with her mother when she was twelve years of age, joining the father, who had settled in Cambria some years before
FRANK E. TOMASINI .- As might be expected of one who has spent his entire life in San Luis Obispo County, Frank Fomosim is a patriotic som of the state and has made a success of his work thus far in the dairy and stock business. lle was born in Cambria, March 18, 1880, a son of Alesandro Tomasini. Alesandro Tomasini was born in Switzerland, October 14, 1850. and lived there until he was sixteen, and in 1866 left for America. Mony id his countrymen had come to California, and sent back such glowing accounts 51
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that lie was fired with ambition to try his fortunes in the golden West. He settled in Marin county and for nine years worked on dairy ranches. In 1875 he arrived in this county, and for six years thereafter engaged in dairying for himself near Cambria. Later he bought three hundred sixty- seven acres adjoining Cayucos, improved it and made a model dairy ranch, having from fifty to seventy-five cows, and succeeded in his labors. In 1882 he purchased about one hundred ten acres adjoining, and had four hundred eighty-six acres in one body. In 1889 he took his family back to his old home to educate his children in his mother tongue, remaining for five years. He became a citizen of the United States in 1871, and served as a trustee of the Cayucos school district for several years. He was killed by a bull, April 21. 1900. Alesandro Tomasini was married in Cambria, December 16, 1876, to Dominica Parinoni, and they became parents of two sons and two daughters. The two boys and one daughter are living, and the mother, with her son Joseph and daughter Celia, resides in San Jose.
Frank E. Tomasini, one of the sons, attended the public schools of Cayu- cos for a time, and in 1889 went back to his father's old home in Someo, Switzerland, and there attended school for a time. In 1894 he returned to California, and the following two years attended school; then he went into his father's service, and worked for him until the time of his death, in 1900. His mother then took charge of the ranch, and he worked for her one year. He then leased it on shares, and bought stock and implements, and has since been dairying and farming with success.
At Guadalupe, on May 11, 1903, occurred the marriage of Frank E. Tomasini with Miss Eliza S. Tognazzini, a native of Someo, of canton Ticino, where she was born on May 11, 1885. She came to California with her par- ents, Peter A. and Madalena (Morganti) Tognazzini. Both of her parents were born in Someo, and are engaged in farming in this county.
Mr. and Mrs. Tomasini have two children, Alex and Isabelle. Mr. Tom- asini is following in his father's footsteps and is a supporter of all public movements that are for the good of the people.
LORENZO ALBERTI .- It is to the Swiss that California has opened up an industry to which they are adapted by inheritance and early training, and from which many have reaped considerable wealth. Lorenzo Alberti is no exception, for he has made his own way in the world from boyhood, and is respected by all who know him. He was born in Robasacco, canton Ticino, Switzerland, February 16, 1862, and attended the public schools until his fourteenth year, after which, for the next five years, he assisted with the care of the home .farm, where his father was in the dairy business and raised cows, sheep and goats. He was satisfied that the State of California, of which he had heard so much, held better advantages for him ; and accordingly in 1882 he came to San Francisco and sought employment. He had but little money, and therefore any honest work that was offered he gladly accepted He went to Marin county and worked for two seasons, and in the latter part of 1883 he was employed by a laundry company in San Fran- cisco, working there about nine months. From that city he came to San Luis Obispo County in 1884 and found work in a dairy. He learned the watts of the country and to speak some English, and was soon employed by lohn Ile lister for two years on his ranch on Chorro creek. In 1886 he - started for himself and bought some cows and leased land near Guadalupe,
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and was successfully engaged in dairying for the following fifteen years. He sold out in 1902, at a good profit, and bought his present home place of six hundred twenty-four acres of land in Los Osos valley, two and one-half miles from San Luis Obispo. He added to his holdings in 1904 by purchasing three hundred twenty acres more, and in 1916 added ninety two acres. 1le now runs a dairy of one hundred cows and is meeting with success. Many changes have taken place since Mr. Alberti came to this county, and the dairy business has been revolutionized. When he came to this place, the milk was panned and skimmed by hand as well as churned by hand. Now he has a separator operated by water power, which is also used for cutting up feed ; and instead of having to haul cream to the creamery, it is called for at the ranch-house door.
Mr. Alberti married Miss Maria Delte, a native of canton Ticino, in 1890, and they have seven children : Sylvia J., Clelia G., Americo L., Plinio J., Lillie U., Este L. and Henry (). Mr. Alberti is interested in the cause of education and has served as a trustee of the Stowe district for a number of years, and was clerk of the board for a time. He is a Republican in politics and a member of the Catholic Church, and is a public spirited citizen who has the respect of a host of friends.
In 1907, Mr. Alberti made a trip back to Switzerland to see his parents, Leonardo and Antonia (Richina) Alberti. Ile had made a promise to his mother when leaving home that he would be back to visit the family in five or six years, but once in California, events arose that made it impossible to keep that promise ; he got into business, and necessarily in debt, and it took him twenty-six years before he could get back home. He had a delightful trip, but was glad to get back to his California home and friends. His father died in 1913 at the age of seventy-nine. His mother, though in poor health, is still living, aged seventy-eight years. In 1910 Mrs. Alberti and her daugh- ter Lillie took a trip back to her old home, as it was not possible for her to accompany her husband when he went, for the children were not old enough to be left alone, and the large interests of Mr. Alberti had to have a compe- tent overseer ; so she assumed charge and succeeded very well.
JOHN J. FRATIS .- Many Portuguese transplanted from the Kingdom of Portugal to the hospitable shores of the United States have found here a haven wherein they have won independence, and fortunes gained solely by their own efforts ; for nearly all of those who have been successful in this free country landed here with neither money nor knowledge of the English language. Many of them have taken an active part in the upbuilding of their adopted land, and of this number no resident of San Luis Obispo County is deserving of more credit than John J. Fratis. He was born in Flores, on Santa Cruz Island, in the Azores, December 8, 1867, and when he was eighteen years old came direct to this county, landing here, in 1885. with just eight dollars in his pocket ; since which time, by his own unaided efforts, he has succeeded in every undertaking.
For ten years he worked for wages on the Gilbert ranch at Morro; and then he rented thirty five acres there and for twoyears raised beans. Ile next went to Arroyo Grande valley and leased six hundred eighty three acres of the Biddle ranch, farmed there eight years, and then added one hundred sixty-five acres, devoting the tract to beans, barley, alfalfa, hoes. and a dairy.
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During the ensuing seven years, he saved enough to buy his present ranch in Kern county, where he and his partner, P. J. Antoni, have sixty acres in alfalfa, while the rest of the eighty is devoted to general farming. The dairy there consists of sixty cows and is conducted with profit. He also owns a small ranch near Morro. Mr. Fratis was made a citizen in 1907, is a member of the Catholic Church, and belongs to the I. D. E. S. and the U. P. E. C. societies.
lle married Rosa D. Diess, a native of Morro and daughter of Frank Diess, a pioneer of the coast section of this county. They have three children : Josephine, Mary and Juzunio. Interested in education, Mr. Fratis is giving his children every advantage obtainable in the public schools, and does his part to maintain a high standard of education in the community.
ANTONIO STORNETTA .- The sons of Switzerland who have made good in California are many, and among them Antonio Stornetta holds a prominent place. He was born at Santantonino, canton Ticino, September 6, 1873, attended the public schools of his native canton until he was fifteen years of age and then, alone, started for the Golden State to cast in his fortunes with the western world. He was unfamiliar with English and had but little money when he arrived in San Luis Obispo County, but he was ready and willing to busy himself at any employment that a boy could find.
He worked for Dalamaria in a dairy at Cayucos for two years, and while there learned considerable about the ways of this country. He worked for others for a while, and then found a good opening near Santa Maria, in Santa Barbara county, and the following fifteen years were spent in that locality.
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