USA > California > San Luis Obispo County > History of San Luis Obispo County and environs, California, with biographical sketches > Part 114
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On July 31, 1902, Mr. Pimentel was united in marriage with Maria Men- loso, daughter of Anton P. Mendoso, a resident of Providence, R. I., though both father and daughter are natives of the Azores. Of this union four chil-
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dren have been born : Carlos, who died, aged four years, Virginia, Adelaide, and Joseph M. Mr. Pimentel is a Republican in politics and a member of the I. O. O. F., the Independent Order Druids, U. P. E. C. and I. D. E. S.
In May, 1916, Mr. Pimentel was driving a team hitched to a 2250-pound land roller ; they became frightened and ran away, the roller passing over Mr. Pimentel, severely injuring him. His sturdy constitution and iron will soon had him on the road to recovery, and to the satisfaction of his many friends, he is almost wholly recovered. He is public-spirited and generous, a man of fine character, and has a host of well-wishers who rejoice at his success.
JOHN V. BRASS-A large bean grower and a successful rancher of the Santa Maria valley, and a son of Joseph. Sr., and Annie L. ( Bello) Brass, both natives of the Azores islands, where he was born November 16, 1878, John V. Brass obtained his education in the public schools until he was eleven, and then went with his mother, brothers and sisters to California, whither his father had preceded them about two and one-half years before to get a start in the New World.
Two winters in school in California completed the education of this wide- awake lad, and he set to work on a ranch and has been engaged in farm work ever since, meeting with decided success. He leases one hundred ninety-one acres of fine land which he farms to beans; his many years of experience as a bean raiser has made him an authority on the subject, and no man is more highly esteemed in the valley than is Mr. Brass.
In 1904. Mr. Brass and Miss Annie Oliveria were united in marriage. Mrs. Brass is a daughter of the late Manuel F. Oliveria and his wife, Mary Nunes Silva Oliveria, now a resident of Marysville, Of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Brass five children have been born : Peter T., Lucy A, John H., Richard J. and Edith E. In politics Mr. Brass is a Republican and takes an active and intelligent interest in the party work in the county. He is a friend of education and has served as a member of the school board of the Laguna district, also acting as clerk for three years.
He is very popular in fraternal circles. He is a member of the I. D. P. S. of Santa Maria, and in 1910 was Grand Master, in 1911-12 was Grand Rector, and in 1913 served as Grand Rector of the U. P. F. C. He is a member of San Luis Obispo Lodge No. 322, B. P. O. Ilks, and Santa Maria Lodge No. 302, I. (). (). F. Both Mr. and Mrs. Brass are members of the Cathohe Church, Mrs. Brass being a member of the Altar Society of same. They have spent many years in this section, and both are highly esteemed for their many good qualities and public spirit.
JOSEPH BRASS, SR. - \ wealthy rancher, now eighty years old. Fill active and mentally alert as a man of thirty. Joseph Brass, Sr. was born in the Azores islands on March 19, 1834. His early lite history, sounding Eke a romance, would occupy an entire volume it it could be written nf det ut He grew to young manhood on a farm, but early in life went to fea Ind (of- lowed it for twenty-five years, touching at almost all the important ports af the world. He sailed in the American barque "Ocem Rever" for veirs, and was on board that ship when it was overtaken by the " Malama," as a result of which he was taken to port a prisoner during the Civil War Returning to America, where he had first landed at Boston in 1861. Mr Brass resumed the life of a sailor and continued it until a short time before he came to California in 1887.
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When Mr. Brass was twenty years old, he was farming and had married Annie Freitas by whom he had one son. Both mother and child died. The second marriage of Mr. Brass was with Mary Dorothy Valeadao, while on one of his visits to his home port. Two children were born-Anton V. of Santa Maria and Mary Dorothy, widow of C. J. Souza, also of that place. llis third marriage united him with Annie L. Bello, and nine children were born. Five of these are now living : Pauline, wife of John Bello; Mary, who married Anton J. Souza; Concepcion, the wife of M. Azevedo; John, who married Annie Oliveria ; and Joseph, Jr., the husband of Emily Oliveria. Mr. Brass has fifty-four grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren.
After leaving the sea, Mr. Brass went home and found that his son, Anton V., had come to California and was located at Guadalupe, Santa Barbara county ; so he decided that he would visit him and see the country, and ac- cordingly, in July of 1887, he arrived here and was so well pleased with the district that he planned to locate permanently. He bought land on the flats in the Santa Maria valley for eighty dollars per acre, where the Betteravia sugar factory is now located. He then went back home and disposed of his interests, and came to California to make his new home.
When the Union Sugar Company decided to build their factory, they ar- ranged a trade with Mr. Brass, giving him two hundred fifty-two acres, where he now lives, for his one hundred fifty he had bought first ; and Mr. Brass moved onto his new place, improved it and farmed for a time, but is now living retired in the enjoyment of a well-earned rest. He is a Republican and a member of the San Luis Obispo Lodge of Elks, in which he takes a great interest, as he does in all public enterprises and movements for the uplifting of humanity and betterment of the country.
ANTON SILVEIRA, JR .- To men of foreign birth California has of- fered opportunities such as were never enjoyed in their native lands. This is illustrated in the successful career of Anton Silveira, Jr., of the Santa Maria valley. He was born in the Azores islands, January 10, 1873, a son of Anton Silveira, also a native of the Azores, once a resident of California, but now living in Mexico. He came to California in 1875, worked his way from the foot of the ladder, and became a prosperous farmer in the Arroyo Grande valley.
Anton, Jr., received a grammar school education at home, his mother being a teacher, who never came to this country, but makes her home with a married daughter in the Azores. At the age of fifteen young Silveira came to California to join his father. He had no money to get to California after he landed from the ship, and succeeded in borrowing enough on board the ship. Hle left home on a sailing vessel, March 2, 1888, arriving in Boston April 1. The lad had worked his own way from a child; for after he had taken his school course he worked on lighters that loaded and unloaded the Vessels that touched the harbor of Fijol island, attending night school while -" employed. This added to his education, for he met English, French and Gurman sailors, and in this way was enabled to speak our language enough to be understood.
After he arrived in California, he had difficulty in locating his father, who was a rancher in the Arroyo Grande valley ; but when he did find him, he worked with him until his marriage, and since that time has been farming for himself, raising beans on a large scale in this valley.
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In 1893, Anton Silveira, Jr., was united in marriage with Mary Ann! Medeiros, and they have had nine children-Joaquin, Joseph, Anton, Jr .. Frank, Mary. Lena, Matilda, John and Henrietta. In 1909 the wife and mother passed away, since which time Mr. Silveira has kept his little family together and is rearing them with care and giving them an education that will fit them for responsible positions in life.
Mr. Silveira has served as trustee on the school board in Bonita district. He is a member of San Luis Obispo Lodge No. 322, B. P. O. Elks, Granada- lupe Lodge of Odd Fellows, Santa Maria Encampment, and the San luis Obispo Canton; and he is also a Moose and a member of the Eagles. He takes an active and intelligent interest in everything for the good of the com- munity, and has a host of friends. In politics he is a Republican.
JOSEPH C. SOARES .- That success is gained by concerte H effort, as well as by hard work and good management, is demonstrated in the career of Joseph C. Soares, a rising young rancher of the Santa Maria valley, where. with his father-in-law. Anton V. Bras, he is carrying on a four hundred acre ranch eight miles northwest of Santa Maria. Mr. Soares was born in the Azores islands, February 16, 1882, a son of Joseph Soares, a farmer. Ilis father died and was buried at sea. llis mother, Isabel Jeffa. is still living in the Azores.
The sixth child in order of birth of a family of seven children, Joseph C. Soares received his schooling in his native land, began working on the farm when a mere lad, and remained at home until 1902, when he came to America and settled in the Santa Maria valley in California. Ile began work- ing for wages, and when he had saved enough he leased land, ranched for himself and raised beans with success. An older brother, Manuel Soares, is also a rancher in the valley.
The land operated by Mr. Soares and his partner comprises four hundre 1 acres of the Bonita ranch and is owned by the LeRoy brothers of San Fran cisco. The tract is one of the most fertile ranches in the valley, and undler the management of Messrs. Bras and Soares yields handsome returns. Mr Soares has a four-year lease on his property with two years vet (19]ort > run
In 1911 occurred the marriage of J. C. Soares with Miss Maris Bras, a daughter of Anton \. Bras ; and they have one child. a laughter. Len . Mr Soares is a Republican in politics and belongs to the 1. D. F. S and The U. P. E. C. He is a Catholic.
ANTON V. BRAS. \ prosperous rancher of the Santa Maria vadley and owner of one hundred sixty-eight acres of valuable lend. Anton \ Bras Is one of the highly respected and intelligent Portuguese contens of this state He was born on May 6, 1867, in the Azores islands, where he received a green mar school education, and lived ther mdil eighteen years ofage Ao mele John Bello, a brother to Anton's Stepmother, then owner of . Lim Luis Obispo County on the the HI co, wrote back for his replies to come to California, saying that there were very good chances here int hian to be am independent.
On May 28, 1885, the young man took passage in Jesus small tam- vessel and landed in Boston July 1 of that var Tys destination tome CHE fornia and Santa Maria, he lost no time and arrived af the leane ol hos bis on July 17. The first ten months in this country he worked tor 2 .2000 different dairy ranches; then he leased land and began inmoins for lopat,
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starting with one span of horses. Today he is the owner of a fine ranch, a beautiful home, and fourteen head of horses, besides a two hundred acre ranch in Colusa county. For ten years Mr. Bras farmed on the Oso Flaco be- fore he settled on his present home place.
At Arroyo Grande, in 1889, Mr. Bras and Miss Maryanna Gloria Silveira were united in marriage and they have become the parents of ten children. eight of whom are living: Mary, the wife of Joseph Soares; Maryanna ; Louisa, who married H. G. Silveira: Carrie, the wife of Manuel Silveira ; Anton V., Jr. ; and Joseph, Ada, and Arthur.
Since becoming a citizen of this country, Mr. Bras has been a Republican in politics, has taken an active interest in educational affairs and for years has served as one of the trustees of the Bonita district, in 1916 being president of the board. He is a member of the Catholic Church, and Mrs. Bras is a member of the Altar Society. Fraternally, he is an Elk, belonging to San Luis Obispo Lodge No. 322: has passed the chairs and served six years as secretary and two years as president of the I. D. E. S. ; and also belongs to the U. P. E. C. He is a self-made man, charitable and progressive ; and his integrity has never been questioned.
SEVERINO ZANETTI .- Not a few of the Swiss settlers in the United States have found their way into California and are numbered among the persevering and industrious citizens of our state. In this list may be included the name of Severino Zanetti, who was born in Bellinzona, canton of Ticino, Switzerland. February 12, 1863, and crossed the ocean to America in 1881, arriving in San Francisco, September 27, with just five dollars in his pocket. He immediately went to Sonoma county, where he got a job digging potatoes at ten cents a sack. Ile later found work in a dairy, which was more to his liking ; for after leaving school at the age of fourteen he had worked with his father on their farm and became familiar with dairying. In his native land he had also spent a couple of years as a warehouseman and shipping clerk for Charles Salvioni, a large dealer in general merchandise at Bellinzona, Switz- erland. He did not like the pay received, which was only twenty-five cents a day, although he did like the kind of work ; and being ambitious, he wanted to go ahead and make a fortune, but he had no money to begin with or to take him to such a place as might afford an open field for his talent.
Having heard of America as a land of opportunity, California being especially mentioned by many who had located here as a Mecca for his coun- trymen he decided he would try his fortunes in the new country and asked his father for enough to pay his passage. His parent had only about two hundred dollars, and not looking favorably upon his proposition, turned a leaf car to his pleadings. The most natural thing then to do was to appeal to his good mother ; and when he asked her assistance, she let him have the money, and August 29, 1881, he left home and came direct to San Francisco. The first year in the state he repaid the loan, and often afterwards he sent money to his parents in the old country.
When Severino Zanetti secured his position with the dairyman, he kept it four years, and then spent another year with another Swiss dairyman, and one with an American to get more familiar with the language. Thus equipped with the methods of carrying on dairying and with our language, he came to Guadalupe and went to work for A. P. Tognazzini. Two years later, with
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John Tognazzini, he bought out his employer, paying $8,500 for the fairy of one hundred twenty cows, with horses, hogy, young stock and equipment. Each of the partners paid $1.100; and they gave their notes for the unpaid amount. So well did they prosper, that they wiped out their debt in four years. In 1892 Mr. Zanetti bought out his partner and conducted the busi- ness alone. In 1891 he had invested his surplus capital in four hundred acres of land four miles east of Guadalupe, which he farmed many years, but which is now leased to the Union Sugar Co. Mr. Zanetti leases 1,100 acres of the old Adobe ranch five miles from Orcutt, on which he runs a dairy of eighty cows, besides growing beans in large quantities.
In 1889 Severino Zanetti was married to Miss Esterina Ferraris, a native of Italy. They are the parents of the following children : Olympia : Ancella. wife of John Paul Souza ; Tilden, a graduate of St. Mary's College of Oak- land, class of 1911 ; Alma, attending the convent at Watsonville; Daist, a graduate of Notre Dame of San Jose : and Sylvester, a student in the Santa Maria high school. Mr. Zanetti is a stanch supporter of the public school system. By his service on the school board of the Laguna district he has done much to advance the standard of education in his community.
In 1915 he bought four and one-half acres in Santa Maria, and erecte 1 a beautiful modern house at a cost of $10,000, where he installed his family. although he spends much of his time on the runch looking after his interests. He is a man of cheerful disposition, always busy with his own affairs, but is public-spirited and gives considerable of his time to the advancement ci interests that are for the betterment of the community at large. He is call sidered a "live wire" of the Santa Maria valley.
In 1900, Mr. Zanetti made a trip back to Switzerland and visited his aged parents, Peter and Louisa ( Deleo) Zanetti, both now deceased. The father died in 1913 aged seventy-seven, and the mother in 1914 at the age of seventy-six. They had eight children in their family, Severino, Joe, Maurice. Plino, Peter. Ferdinando, Fedelino, and Laura, deceased. Joe. Peter and Ferdinando are employed with the Swiss railway; bedding is a farmer m Switzerland; Plino, Maurice and Severino are residents of California Th family are of old Roman origin, and many generations ago were very wealthy residents of Milan, Italy.
FILIPPO PERTUSI .- A prosperous poultryhem and farmer of de Santa Maria valley. Filippo Pertusi was born in canton Ticino, Switzerland, January 10, 1865, a son of Bernardo and Angelina Per usi, both of whom were born, lived and died in his native land. The father was roadmaster ot bis district. The second of six children and the oldest son, Filippo was offerte in the public schools and brought up in the Catholic with Vter his school days were over, he was apprenticed and served tweeyear at the tradi ( suve- maker at Masogno, Italy ; then he et rted a hop of his own in that iflos Hle also learned the trade of mason and bruklaver
When twenty five years of age, he decided to cam the Ailleurs al bidding goodbye to friends and relatives, he miles from Barre, Fritte m May, 1890, landed in New York in due time and care direct to tilfentan arriving in San Francisco, June 8, 1890. He was without a cont in His Tor Bah just having enough to pay his fare He Then met one of los camillynten and was provided for, and jen days later he well to Sanft Colle 10and med worked for twenty dollars per month, buildmy House of med. my font
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but he only remained four months. Coming to Foxen canon, he found em- ployment on the dairy farm of G. Muscio, and worked steadily for six years.
In the meantime, in 1893. he was united in marriage with Miss Domitila Milani, a native of his home place in Switzerland, and they both continued in the employ of Mr. Muscio until 1896. Having saved their earnings, Mr. Pertusi then leased three hundred twenty acres of John Houk, ten miles southeast of Santa Maria, and they started in the poultry business and in general farming on their own account.
From boyhood Mr. Pertusi has had a struggle for existence, and it was not until he started on his own account, and with the aid of his wife,. that prosperity began to smile upon them. His place is arranged for raising poul- try and he keeps from nine hundred to two thousand White Leghorns. He hatches his own chickens by four incubators, and has four brooders and sepa- rate yards for the chickens of various ages. He has a blacksmith shop on the ranch and does general blacksmithing for his neighborhood. With the aid of his two sons, Mr. Pertusi carries on the ranch and is meeting with success.
The children of the family-James, Linda, Irma and George-have been given every advantage within the means of their parents, and are competent to fill various positions in life. James and George assist with the ranch work ; Linda, a graduate of the Los Angeles Normal school, is teaching school at Garey ; and Irma is a stenographer. The members of this worthy family are respected by all who know them, and have a wide circle of friends in Santa Barbara county.
MAURICE ZANETTI .- As an energetic and prosperous son of Switzer- land, Maurice Zanetti has made good in California, and in Santa Maria and vicinity has a host of friends. He was born in canton Ticino. November 1. 1867, a son of Peter and Louisa (Delco) Zanetti ; was educated in the native schools until thirteen years old ; and then went to work as a clerk in a large tourist hotel at St. Bernardino, Switzerland, remaining there two years. He desired to become an engineer and was apprenticed for one year in the rail- road shops in Switzerland. In the meantime he had been formulating plans to come to America; and in 1883 he sailed from Havre, for New York. California was his destination and he arrived in San Francisco in due time. Willing to engage in any honest work he went to Tomales, Marin county, where some of his countrymen were living, and hired ont to do farm work for a time ; and from there he moved to Duncan's Mill, Sonoma county, and later to Santa Barbara county, and in 1885 worked on a ranch near Guadalupe.
He next formed a partnership with his brother, S. Zanetti, leased eight hundred acres of land and carried on a general farming until he was taken ill in 1891 ; and in July of that year he returned to Switzerland to recuperate and to visit his old home. While in Switzerland, he was offered a position as loco- motive engineer under the government. if he would stay in his native land : but money matters necessitated his returning to America, and he arrived in California in 1894. Ilis business attended to, he went to Ventura and was in the employ of a wholesale liquor house for two years, when he pur- chased the business and ran it successfully until 1896. Then he sold out and went to Santa Paula and engaged in the same line from 1896 to 1897, coming then to Santa Maria, where he opened the Ilorseshoe Bar, a wholesale and retail liquor business, which he has continued ever since.
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Mr. Zanetti is also the senior member of the firm of M. Zanetti & Co .. which operates a ranch of 1,800 acres under lease, extending from the sugar factory to C'asmalia, and which is in charge of his brother, P. Zanetti. They raise grain and beans, and have a dairy and stock ranch on a large scale ; and they are meeting with very fair success in this venture. Mr. Zanetti owns twenty residence lots in Santa Maria, and resides at 509 West Main street.
In the year 1900. Mr. Zanetti married Anita C. Tonini, daughter of Michael and Elizabeth Tonini, large ranchers of San Luis Obispo County. Mr. and Mrs. Zanetti have four children: Edwina, Ellen. Wilhelmina, and Elizabeth. Mr. Zanetti is a progressive citizen and is respected by his many friends. He is greatly interested in the upbuilding of the town, and plans a beautiful residence for himself on his tract. He is a Republican in politics, and is a member of the Catholic Church.
JOHN PAUL SOUZA .- This native son, like his brother Frank, is very popular and broad-minded, and takes a great interest in the upbuilding of the Santa Maria valley, which has been his home since his birth on June 24, 1892, into the home of C. J. and Maria ( Bras) Sonza, who were both natives of Por tugal, and came to this country and were married in San Luis Obispo County. The father was a large bean grower, and improved a three hundred acre ranch in San Luis Obispo County, which he traded for his present estate of five hundred acres. Ile passed away at the old home in 1915, aged fifty-two years. His widow lives in a comfortable home in Santa Maria.
John Paul Souza attended the public school in the Agricola district, sup- plementing his grammar course with a term in the San Luis Obispo business college, after which he took up ranching on two hundred acres of the estate of his father. This is very fertile land, two miles west of Santa Maria : and here, in partnership with his brother, Manuel C. Souza, he is successfully raising beans. The brothers are up-to-date ranchers, are supplied with all modern machinery, and with their knowledge of the bean industry are well qualified to make it pay. The industry yields handsome returns after all expenses are paid, netting them a good revenne each year.
In July, 1915 John Paul Souza and Miss Ancella Zanetti were umted in marriage, and they reside in a modern bungalow erected by Mr. Souza on part of the Souza estate, located two and one half miles west of Santa Maria They are members of the Catholic Church and have a wide circle of friends through out this part of the county.
FAUSTINO J. SILVA .- Faustino J. Silvi wis born on the blind of Pico, in the Azores, February 6, 1862, and there grew to manhood on the farm, meanwhile attending the local schools. Having heard of the Good opportunities that awaited young men who were willing to worl, and to be steadily employed, in California, he determined to cast in his lot on the Pa- cific Coast. In October, 1883; he arrived in San Luis Obispo, and entered the employ of the California Central Co., where he continued for a period of eleven years. Having saved some money, be determined to engage in farm- ing, and for that purpose came to Santa Margarita m 1801. Lewis a part of the Santa Margarita ranch, then owned by Polk Murphy, he bought tomms and implements, and engaged in riising grain on a tract of four hundred acres. Six years later he gave up his lease and rented the bestrida rindi it Templeton, which he ran successfully for six years It . then return'd to the Santa Margarita ranch, and leased the old place he had previously farmed.
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