USA > California > San Luis Obispo County > History of San Luis Obispo County and environs, California, with biographical sketches > Part 113
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 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114 | Part 115 | Part 116 | Part 117 | Part 118
A. BONDIETTI .- On January 21, 1851, there was born in Switzerland in the canton of Ticino, the well known and highly respected citi en of the Santa Maria valley, A. Bondietti. He went to school until he was about fourteen and then learned the trade of stone mason, which he followed until coming to the United States in 1879, when he was twenty-eight years old. As a boy, he had worked at the dairy business for his father and mother, who were farmers in their native canton, and who died when post seventy years of age.
On arriving in this country, Mr. Bendietti came direct to the Sinta Maria valley, abandoned his trade and took up datrying He worked for wages as a milker and general farm hand on rinches in the vicinity of Guada lupe, and when he had saved enough money, he went into business tor himself. Leasing three hundred acres of land in San Luis Obispo County. he
996
SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY AND ENVIRONS
stocked it with fifty head of dairy cows and began to build up a prosperous dairy. As he prospered, he bought the land he occupied, added needed improvements and made of it a very productive ranch, raising beans and grain in connection with his dairy.
In 1882, Mr. Bondietti was united in marriage with Dora La Franchi, a native of Switzerland, and they have three daughters, all of whom are married : Adeline, Mrs. Virgil Larnotti, who has four children; Mrs. Lillie Larnotti, who has three children ; and Mrs. Elvezia Rhigetti, who has four children. In 1906, Mr. Bondietti retired from active ranch work, having accumulated sufficient to permit him to enjoy the comforts of life; and the ranch is being conducted by his sons-in-law, who are successfully carrying out the plans made by Mr. Bondietti.
A Republican, active in party work, Mr. Bondietti is a firm believer in a high standard of education, and has served for years on the school board of his district. He is a member of Guadalupe Lodge, No. 224, I. O. O. F., and has held offices in the lodge. He is interested in real estate in Guadalupe, and has erected several houses on lots owned by him. He is public-spirited, and successful, a valued citizen of the county, who has made his own way to his present position in the community, where he is highly respected.
MANUEL M. MARTINEZ .- If California owes a particular debt to any class of its citizens, it is to those who, residing beyond the limits and con- veniences of the town, yet contribute their full share to the progress of the State. Such a worthy citizen is Manuel M. Martinez, the well-known rancher, and at present the clerk of the Bonita school district. His father, now deceased, was A. C. Martinez, a native of the Azores, who became a rich rancher in the Santa Maria valley, and was the owner of two ranches at Oso Flaco and two other ranches at Edna, six miles from San Luis Obispo. . A sister, Mary R., is Mrs. M. D. Martin, a resident of Santa Maria ; a brother, of the same place, is A\. Martinez, in charge of one of the Martinez ranches at Oso Flaco; while another brother is J. C. Martinez, unmarried and living with his mother at Santa Maria.
Manuel attended the public schools and graduated as a bookkeeper from the San Luis Obispo College, after which he worked for several companies until his impaired health compelled him to quit office work. He then ran one of the Martinez ranches at Edna for six years, and of late has been managing one hundred seven acres of the Red Tank Farm, three miles west of Santa Maria. Enjoying such prosperity, he married a native daughter, Miss Julia L. Heyd, now the mother of two children, Arthur L. and Julia M. Martinez. \ live citizen and a good neighbor, Mr. Martinez is popular as the executive secretary of the I. D. E. S., Council 105.
JOE J. SOUZA .- \ product of the great public school system of Cali- fornia, Joe J. Souza, by his services as trustee of the Bonita school district, is Julping to maintain for others the educational advantages he himself enjoyed. Mr. Souza is a well-known rancher, who rents a hundred fifty acres of his father's ranch, about four miles west of Santa Maria. Born in the Oso Ilaco, in San Luis Obispo. County, March 12, 1881, he is the son of Manuel 1. Souza, a sketch of whose active and useful life appears elsewhere in our volume. His mother, who is still living, and who came to Guadalupe when she was but a young lady, was Miss Mary Lawrence Bello, a native of the Azores. Mr. Souza finished the grammar school course provided by his
997
SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY AND ENVIRONS
neighborhood, and being the eldest son began to drive a team when only ten years of age.
At general farm work he continued on his father's ranch until the age of twenty-seven. when he married Miss Annie Bello, a daughter of Victor J. Bello of Pismo. Two children, Gladys and Albert, were born to the happy couple, who are among the faithful of the Catholic Church at Santa Maria.
A Republican in politics, an active member of the U. P. E. C., and the efficient vice-president of the I. D. E. S., Mr. Souza still finds time, as he has for the past two years, to attend to the duties of a school trustee, as a mem- ber of the board of trustees of the Bonita district, of which A. V. Bras is president and M. Martinez is secretary. Under their conscientious supervision the Bonita school is justly regarded as one of the best elementary institutions in the Santa Maria Valley.
ANTONIO P. SILVEIRA .= \ representative citizen and a well-to-do rancher residing in the vicinity of Guadalupe in the Santa Maria valley, Antonio P. Silveira was born on January 15. 1863. in the Azores, in one of the most beautiful parts of the Portuguese dependency. His father was Anton P. Silveira, who died in May, 1916, aged ninety years ; his mother, before her marriage to Mr. Silveira, was Annie Vieira, and she passed away in 1900. Neither of them ever left the Azores, but some of their children have found their way to America. Among the brothers and sisters of Mr. Silveira are: Mary, unmarried and living in the Azores; Anna, widow of Joe Mello, and Joe, both living in Providence, R. I. : Manuel, who died at the age of twenty- one ; Catherina, married and living in Oakland ; Mary Ann, wife of Joe Bento of Garey ; Mary Josephine, Mrs. Anton J. Bello, of the Oso Flaco: Isabel. who died at the age of twenty ; John, who died in Reno, Nev., leaving one child ; Frank, a resident of Idaho ; and Mary Rosalie, of Oakland.
Antonio P. Silveira attended school for a short time in his native land. and in 1880, at the age of seventeen, came to California, where he had an uncle living at Salinas, Monterey county. With him he worked for wages for three years, doing general farm work and learning farming details as carried on in this state. In 1883 he came to the Santa Maria valley and leased land; and for six years he farmed for himself. It was about this time that young Silveira thought that he was able to support a wife; and on November 25, 1889, he was united in marriage, in San Francisco, with Miss Francesca Medeiras, then of Petaluma, but a native of the Vores Her parents were Joaquin J. and Leo Poklina (Vieira) Medeiros, both of the Azores, from which place her father came to California, later sendme for his wife and children, who joined him in Petaluma in 1884, Mrs. Silveira then being fifteen years of age. Her three sisters are. Mary A. wilow of life time par, residing in Petaluma : Annic, wife of Caten becha, also hving fear that city ; and Marian, deceased wife of Anton Silusic, Jr Her pareig- any both deceased.
After their marriage, the young people came down to the v ties Jnil Mr. Silveira took up ranching and followed of will 45] all Spice - reihe beans and grain. So successful has he been that [ 10] to was gone to purchase his present ranch of one hundred ciglos three and one half sere .. situated about six and one-half miles west of Santa Maria, upon which le has made all the improvements. Some few years age the safered .0. of about $10,000 when their fine home and its contents were destroyed by
1
998
SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY AND ENVIRONS
fire : but with characteristic energy Mr. Silveira at once rebuilt his modern home on the bungalow style of architecture. In 1916 he harvested nineteen hundred sacks of beans, which brought him a good sum. Wherever you may travel in California you will not find a superior among sturdy farmer folk to A. P. Silveira. He is a member of the Santa Maria Lodge, I. D. E. S., and the Guadalupe Lodge of I. O. O. F., and Mrs. Silveira is a welcome member of the S. P. R. S. I.
To this worthy couple thirteen children have been born, three of them dying in infancy, while the remainder have been reared according to the tenets of the Catholic Church. They are: Mary Lucile, wife of Antonio Gomes, living at Orcutt, where he is employed by the Pinal-Dome Oil Co .; Manuel, who married Carrie Bras and lives in Betteravia; Anton, married to Mary Nunes and living in this valley, the father of one son, Edward : Joaquin. a young surveyor of promise living at home; Al, an engineer and machinist ; Frances, attending the Santa Maria high school ; Frank and Deolinda, attend- ing the grammar school; and David and Louis, also in the grammar schools. All the children are being given the best schooling obtainable in the public schools to fit them for their places in life. Both Mr. and Mrs. Silveira are estimable people, and have won their own way to places of esteem in the community where they have lived so many years.
In the spring of 1915, Mr. Silveira took a vacation of nearly four months, and went back to see his aged father in the Azores. He sailed from Boston on the White Star steamer "Canopio," and while in mid-ocean he learned by wireless of the sinking of the "Lusitania" half an hour after that ill-fated vessel sank. He made his visit and was more than pleased to return to California and its wonderful opportunities.
JOHN P. DOMINGUES .- Another enterprising native of the ocean- girdled Azores is John P. Domingues, the wide-awake rancher, who was born in the Island of Pico on November 10, 1882, and came to America in his nineteenth year .. His father was Frank P. Domingues, a worthy blacksmith, who lived and died in his native land. His mother, Mary, also born in that island, came to California, where she now resides. A brother, Manuel P. Domingues, preceded John to America by a year, and stopped for a while near Bedford, Mass., working on a farm, and then came to California. He sent for John, who came in the fall of 1899, and for fifteen months worked on the Jesus Maria Rancho, after which, in 1909, he made his way to the Santa Maria valley, where he worked out by the month.
After a while he began to rent part of the Catano J. Souza ranch, and today he farms one hundred seventy-five acres, planting the same to beans. Ile has ten horses and a full complement of machinery ; and having learned the blacksmith's trade in his father's shop, he has opened a good forge for himself on the ranch. Prior to engaging in farming, for several years he worked as a blacksmith and tool dresser in the Santa Maria oil fields. For the Pinal-Dome and Los Alamos Oil & Developing Co. he set up several fine blacksmith shops, and in the end secured from his employers many recom- mendations of the highest order.
After coming to the Santa Maria valley he married Miss Maria G. Souza, a daughter of Catano J. and Mary Dorothy Souza, the facts of whose lives will be found elsewhere. She is a most excellent lady, and is justly proud of the part played by her pioneer father in the development of this section. Three
999
SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY AND ENVIRONS
charming children, named respectively Catano, Albert and John P., Jr., have blessed the union. Frugal, industrious and inspired with the desire to get ahead, a self-made man, indeed, who may well lift up his head and look the whole world in the face, he manages with care and wisdom his well-kept ranch, a mile and a half to the northwest of Santa Maria. In 1916, Mr. Domingues, with his brother, Joseph, and Julius Garcia, bought a hundred sixty acres of the Sweeny ranch near Lompoc, one of the best places in that section. A conscientious Catholic, he is also a member of the U. P. E. C. at Santa Maria ; while as a naturalized American citizen, he acts in political matters with independent judgment and always votes for the best man.
GEORGE SARGENTI-An agriculturist to whom the marvelous fer- tility of the soil of the Santa Maria valley has brought more than a comfortable living, is George Sargenti, a native son born at Gilroy on September 29, 1889, who came to the valley in 1908. For five years he worked for the Union Sugar Co. at Betteravia, for monthly wages, and then he began to farm for himself.
He rented one hundred forty acres on a four-year lease ; and a hundred twenty acres, near Betteravia, have been added to this original parcel to be operated in 1917.
Once well established, he married Miss Annie Souza, a daughter of Antone J. Souza. the well-to-do teacher and large land-owner near Santa Maria, secur- ing thereby for a wife a splendid woman and a good housekeeper, who is particularly popular in the S. P. R. S. I. lodge of Santa Maria. Ile was also blessed through this marriage with one child, a daughter named Amy.
As a complement to his excellent farm, on which he has a dozen horses. the best obtainable caterpillar, 45 h. p., and every other necessary agricultural appliance, he has built for himself and his family a commodious bungalow reflecting Mrs. Sargenti's taste. The family are members of the Catholic Church in Santa Maria.
CLEMENT MUSCIO. If his success is measured by his progress finan- cially, as well as by his standing in the community where the scenes of his labors have been staged, Clement Muscio stands well towards the top round of the ladder. He started with nothing but a willing spirit, strong con- stitution and an aptitude to do whatever came to his hand, and to do it well His career should be an object lesson to those who have been less fortun to and who have often despaired of getting ahead. The opportunities are here and conditions equally as good, for the pioneering has already been done.
A native of Switzerland, Clement Muscio was born in canton Ticino. August 10, 1870, a son of Eustachio and ( atering (Giumin) Musen. small farmers in Ticino, though the father was hands with tools of all kinds le died at the age of seventy eight years in 1910. The mother, non crelty one. lives on the old home place in Someo. They had five boys and off Wirl. Seraphino, of Casmalia ; Joseph, of Gonzales Clement : (almeno yhe died in 1892: Victoria, Mrs. A. Franscioni of Gonzales; and Michele, who live in far-off Ticino.
When a lad of seven years Clement began working out for where and they were very small, but from that age he has been self supporting and ba made his own way in the world. The first pair of shoes he ever put on was bought with money he earned. Being ambitious, he could see no winy that he could accomplish his aims in life by remaining in his native land and lo looked to the United States for a future Accordingly, when he was sixteen
1000
SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY AND ENVIRONS
he borrowed money for his passage; and leaving home, sailed from Havre, September 1, 1886, on the steamer "Normandie," his destination being San Francisco.
On his arrival in the east he at once came to this state and reached Cayucos in October. He was unfamiliar with our language and customs, and took a job on a dairy ranch at twenty dollars per month. For ten years he worked for wages, saving his money, and later, from 1896 to 1911. engaged in the liquor business at Casmalia, and from July, 1898, to October. 1902, he served as postmaster there.
He bought his ranch of twenty-five hundred acres, part of the Arellanes ranch on the Punta de Laguna, incorporated the Soladino Land Company, was made vice-president and still holds that office. This company subdivided part of the holdings, four hundred acres of which was sold to Edward Doheny of Los Angeles, and five hundred twenty-five acres leased for oil development, the balance being farmed by the company. Of the balance retained by Mr. Muscio he sold to the Doheny Pacific Petroleum Company in 1916 four hundred acres at a handsome figure. He still owns three hundred sixty-four acres, upon which are located the farm buildings, and which is being successfully operated as a bean ranch by its owner, in addition to his interest in the land company.
Mr. Muscio was married when he was twenty-two, in 1892, to Miss Ma- tilda Righetti, who, like himself, was a native of Ticino-a friend of his youth. They have five children : Mabel; Nellie, who married C. Bassetti and lives on the home ranch ; and Julius, Elvira, and Wesley. Mr. Muscio erected a fine residence on his ranch, has good barns and outbuildings, and is ranching on a large scale.
In 1911 Mr. Muscio took his wife and family for an extended visit back to his old home in Switzerland, but was glad to get back to California. Mr. Muscio is liberal and enjoys thoroughly the good things of life. He has a wide circle of friends and by all who know him he is counted one of the suc- cessful business men of the county. He is a Republican in politics, though he never sought office.
JOSEPH C. SILVA, JR .- A native son of California, born of Portu- gnese parents, Joseph C. Silva is the oldest son of Joseph Silva, senior, a very successful rancher in the Santa Maria valley, now enjoying his sixty- fifth year. His mother was Evangeline M. Rodrigues, who is forty-three years of age. Young Joseph was born at Arroyo Grande on November 15, 1888, the first of six children : he attended the public schools and began, when twelve years of age, to work on his father's farm.
Arriving at maturity, he married Miss Mary G. Silva, a daughter of Vatene Silva of Casmalia, then one of the estimable Catholic belles of Santa Maria : and by her he has two children-a boy named Louis and a girl vymed Lucille.
Becoming thoroughly conversant with the raising of beans on a portion wwf the Bonita Ranch, northwest of Santa Maria, which he rents, he harvested in [OP alone 3,375 sacks of beans, an exceptional yield for one hundred fifty -two acres. In every sense a progressive rancher, and one of the most "necessful grain growers in the valley, Mr. Silva employs, in addition to twelve horses, a llolt Caterpillar Tractor of 75 h. p., costing $5.000 and doing the work of thirty-eight head of horses in ploughing.
1001
SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY AND ENVIRONS
Mr. Silva is a Republican who does his own thinking and votes intelli- gently. He is a member of the U. P. E. C. of Santa Maria : while Mrs. Silva is always welcomed at the gatherings of the S. P. R. S. I.
FRANK C. SOUZA .- A native son of California and a popular, prog- ressive and successful rancher of the Santa Maria valley, Frank Souza has been associated with the agricultural development of the county since boy- hood. He was born on the Oso Flaco, in San Luis Obispo County, Decem- ber 27, 1890, and was educated in the public schools until he was eleven. Then, on account of the illness of his father, Catano J. Souza, he had to go to work on the ranch, being the oklest son of the family, and attended to such duties as were possible for a lad of his age. Ile has grown up in the bean industry, and is an expert on the preparation of the soil, planting, cultivating, harvesting and marketing the crop. Ile farms one hundred sixty-five acres. one hundred twenty in beans and the balance in barley, gathering very satis- factory crops of each.
In 1910 Frank C. Souza and Miss Julia Lewis were united in marriage : they have two children, Isadore and Dorothy. Mr. Souza is a member of the Santa Maria lodge, U. P. E. C. : and both he and his wife are members of the Catholic Church. In 1915, Mr. Souza erected their bungalow on land belonging to his mother, where they enjoy all comforts possible in a country home. Mr. and Mrs. Souza are popular, and are kaders in their social set in the valley.
The children of Catano J. and Mary Dorothy Souza are all well known throughout the Santa Maria valley. They are Maria G., wife of John P. Do- mingues, Frank C., John P., Mamel C., and Blanche, all living ; while five girls and one boy are deceased. This family represents one of the leading families of the Azores Islands. The father, Catano J. Souza, was a successful rancher. who became the owner of several tracts of valuable land west of Santa Maria. Frank Souza is an energetic, self-made man, who has won the respect of his community.
WILLIAM L. ENOS. As engineer in charge of the gas-treating plant of the Union Oil Company on the Hartnell lease in the Santa Maria oil field. WV. L. Enos has made a record for himself in his chosen field ; and he is well- known also in athletic and musical circles, more especially, perhaps, 11 the field of athletics, as a runner and a foothill star. A native of the state, he was born in San Luis Obispo, September 14, 1883, 5 son 0 1 ms und Mary G. ( Lawrence) Enos, both of the Azbr > Islands. The father tol lowed the sea from the age of twelve and came ( (algorithm 1849 Viter his arrival here he mined from 1850 to 1853 in Sierra and Najcuentes, at1 also was in the silver mines in Mexico for seural voor He was married we San Luis Obispo, and became a rancher, headed in I' 13 at the age of cell seven, while his widow, now sixt Six, love mesan Lar Ohne Ther him children are Louis A., an attorney ; Areline ( . Waban L. od farge \. a Colusa county.
William I. Inos attended the public salons of Sap Falls the me and it was while attending the high scheel that he beende store tol Stoi He was prominent in the Southern California Inter Colle te Athletic \ - sociation, and for several years (1900 1903) hold the ce-mik running reg ; of five minutes flat. He also distinguished finnsili aca football playis win the San Luis Obispo high school eleven.
1
1002
SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY AND ENVIRONS
Mr. Inos started work as a locomotive fireman for the Southern Pacific, and later worked in the machine shops at San Luis Obispo. In 1911 he began with the Union Oil Company on the Producers Transportation Company's line as fireman, in 1912 was fireman at the Avila refinery, and in 1913 came to the oil fields, where he has since been employed at the gasoline plant, which has a capacity of 1,000 gallons per day of twenty-four hours, making gasoline from natural gas.
As an amateur in music, Mr. Enos has considerable talent, and finds in this a source of pleasure and profit. Himself a violinist, he organized the Enos orchestra of six pieces, in Santa Maria, which plays for dances and enter- tainments, and at many social functions.
Mr. Enos was united in marriage at San Luis Obispo on October 24, 1908, with Miss Flo B. Chapin, a native of Parsons, Kan. They have five bright children-Richard, Lucile, Marjorie, Elena and Miriam. Mr. Enos is a member of the Moose lodge in Santa Maria and is popular wherever he is known. Both he and his wife have a large circle of friends in San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties, where they are leaders in their social set.
JOSEPH C. PIMENTEL .- To succeed in face of severe discourage- ments, and that, too, when handicapped by not being able to speak or under- stand English, has been the lot of Joseph C. Pimentel of the vicinity of Guad- alupe. He was born on Pico island, in the Azores, January 10, 1877, a son of Manuel C. and Isabel C. (Bettencourt) Pimentel, both natives of the Azores. The father is a farmer and still lives at the age of eighty-seven, while the mother died aged seventy-four. They had eight children : Manuel, a baker, and Tony, a merchant, in Rio de Janeiro ; Maria, Mrs. Manuel Gudarte, living on the home place on Pico island ; Joseph C., of this review; John, a res- tauranteur, in Rio de Janeiro; August, ranching near Guadalupe ; Antonazi, deceased ; and Adelida, of Rio de Janeiro.
When seventeen years old, Joseph C. Pimentel bade goodbye to home and friends and came to the United States on the steamer Vega. arriving June 15, 1893, after a voyage of twelve days. His destination was San Francisco; and nine days later he arrived there, a stranger in a strange land. It was at a time when the stress of hard times was widespread over the country, and there were thousands out of work. This young man needed work in order to live, and he was willing to do anything. Hearing that many of his country- men were in Marin county, he journeyed there and was set to work milking cows for his board.
In the latter part of 1894 he arrived in Arroyo Grande, hunted several days for work and finally got a "job" at $15.00 a month as milker in a dairy; and for three years he worked for wages. In 1897 he thought he would strike out for himself and paid cash rent to Mrs. Kelley for part of her ranch ; but the drouth of 1897-8 made his venture disastrous and he lost everything. He then rented the William Adams ranch on shares, put in beans and beets, got a good crop and made up for what he had lost. The year 1900 was a dry sea- -on, but he made up for it in 1901 and in the main he has been very successful. He has farmed on his present place. one hundred and seventy acres of the Guadalupe ranch, for six years.
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.