USA > California > San Luis Obispo County > History of San Luis Obispo County and environs, California, with biographical sketches > Part 115
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
1010
SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY AND ENVIRONS
where, with his stepson, John M. Costa, as partner, he is farming five hun- dred acres a year to grain, making a specialty of raising barley. In the sea- son of 1916 they obtained about 9,000 sacks. Mr. Silva believes in using the latest and most modern implements and machinery, and is now doing his plowing, sowing. harrowing, and gathering of the grain by the use of a Yuba caterpillar engine of forty-horse power.
In San Luis Obispo, Mr. Silva was married to Mrs. Maria Costa, also born in Pico. She died in 1899, leaving a son by her former marriage, John M. Costa, then four years of age, whom Mr. Silva raised and educated and who is now associated with him as a partner.
In politics Mr. Silva is independent, preferring to vote for the man rather than for the party.
TILDEN E. ZANETTI .- The son of a well known and successful Swiss rancher in the Santa Maria valley and himself one of the representative young men who are ranching with success, principally raising beans, from which in- dustry he has cleared many thousands of dollars, Tilden E. Zanetti was born on a ranch near Guadalupe, January 13, 1893, a son of Severino Zanetti, of whom an extended mention is made elsewhere in this volume. Young Zanetti attended the public schools of Santa Maria valley, John H. Haydon being his first teacher. He attended the Santa Maria high school two years and one year was spent in the high school of San Jose. Then he took the literary, com- mercial and mechanical courses at St. Mary's College of Oakland, graduating in 1911, after which he returned to Santa Barbara county to assist his father on the ranch. He now farms independently, leasing two hundred and forty acres of the old Kemp place, and one hundred acres from his father, and is raising beans on an extensive scale with success.
In 1916 Mr. Zanetti was united in marriage with Miss Maimie Schneider, a daughter of E. G. Schneider of Santa Maria. Both Mr. and Mrs. Zanetti are popular in their social set in the valley, and have a host of friends.
MANUEL J. SANTOS .- A highly respected citizen and rancher in the Santa Maria valley is Manuel J. Santos, a prosperous Portuguese who came from the Azores islands, where he was born on the island of Pike, April 28, 1870. Ile was the only son of Manuel Joaquin and Egnacia (Josepha) San- tos, both natives of Portugal and now deceased, and went to the common schools in early boyhood. The father migrated to Brazil and engaged in business for a time, but he returned to his native island and passed his last years there. Five girls of the family are still living in the Azores.
At the age of seventeen, young Santos decided to come to California. and on April 8, 1887, he left his native island port and sailed for the United States. Arriving in Boston, he at once set out for California, reaching here on May 26 of that year. He worked in San Francisco a few months, then came to Arroyo Grande, and for two and one-half years was working for wages. With his savings, he went to the Oso Flaco, leased land and began ranching.
Is he succeeded, he bought land in 1898 and made all the necessary im- provements, and in 1910 he moved onto it. In 1911 he erected a fine home of the bungalow style of architecture, and with his wife and daughter is living in the enjoyment of his means, leasing the land for raising beans. The prop- erty consists of eighty acres of valuable land located one and one-half miles west of Santa Maria. In 1904 he purchased nine hundred twenty-three acres
1011
SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY AND ENVIRONS
on the Los Osos road, which also is leased : and in 1909 he bought two hundred acres on the Suey ranch. In early days the beans were pulled by hand and threshed by the tramping of horses. The prices ranged from fifty cents to ninety cents a cental.
April 26, 1911, Mr. Santos was united in marriage with Miss Laura Soares, a native of the Azores, who came to California when she was eighteen years of age. They have one daughter, Cecelia. Mr. Santos is a Republican and he and his wife are members of the Catholic Church.
LORENZO NERELLI. Lorenzo Nerelli, who is engaged in farming in the Ascension district, was born in Foggia, Puglia, Italy, January 23, 1883, the son of a farmer. Thomas Nerelli. Lorenzo was brought up on the farm. and attended the public schools. Deciding to cast in his lot in America, he came to New York City in 1906, and gradually made his way westward, arriving in California in 1907. Coming almost immediately to San Luis Obispo County, he found employment at charcoal-burning. Afterwards he engaged in burning charcoal on his own account in the vicinity of Paso Robles and Templeton, shipping the product to Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Oakland.
Mr. Nerelli was united in marriage, in Idaho, with Mrs. Cerrina Branca. who was also born in Italy ; and after their marriage, he returned to San Luis Obispo County with his wife, and she purchased the ranch of one hun- dred four acres where he is engaged in farming. Mr. Verelli still continues. also, in the burning of charcoal, by this means clearing the balance of the land and putting it under the plow. He is meeting with deserved success. and is rapidly making of his place a garden spot, the soil being very rich and fertile.
By her first marriage, Mrs. Nerelli had two children, Raymond and Alice Branca ; and the present union has been blessed with one child. Aldo. The family are members of the Catholic Church.
MANUEL J. TRIGUEIRO. The motto, "Nothing succeeds like suc- cess," is aptly illustrated in the life story of Manuel J. Trigueiro of the Santi Maria valley, who began at the bottom of the ladder of success and has grad- ually worked his way towards the top. He is a naturalized citizen of the United States, is interested in all good movements to build up the county. and by attending strictly to his business affairs has "made good." He was born in the Island of Flores, of the Azores group, June 20, 1863, a son Of John J. and Anna (Harmens) Frigueiro, the former of whom hoved or be sixty-four, and the latter seventy years old. They never lett their nato e island, where for generations the families have been farmers and stock raisers. The paternal grandmother lived to be over one hundred years old Four children were born to John J. and Anna Trigueiro Manuel Man Armas, single, living on the old home farm; Frank J. a stickmin of Ilbo Nev. ; and Joe F., in the Island of Flores
Attending school and working on the home farm until he was eisEteco is the story of the early life of Muunel 1. Trigueiro Then he e une to tin United States, landing in Boston, and worked on farms m Rhode Island for three and one half years, beginning at ten dollars i month He came to California after he had made enough money in the case to dotus the evenings. worked one season on the Oso Flaco, and then spent cchieen niontlou Tulare county. With his savings he went to Furcka, Nov. Having then
1012
SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY AND ENVIRONS
five years, and then went to Elko and started in the sheep business, in time becoming owner of 8,000 head.
In 1907, Mr. Trigueiro returned to the Azores and married Anna Freitas Martinez, a native of Flores and a daughter of Joseph F. Martinez, who later came to California. After their marriage, the young couple came to Mr. Trigueiro's sheep ranch in Nevada, that had been cared for while he was away, and began with renewed energy. In 1909 he sold out and came to the Santa Maria valley and engaged in raising hay, grain and beans; and in 1916 he harvested 1,500 sacks of beans. He owns two hundred acres that he purchased of the Union Sugar Co. in 1909. They have a modest but comfortable home, which radiates good cheer and plenty, and is presided over by his estimable wife, who, by her frugality in domestic affairs, has contributed largely to the material success of her husband.
Mr. and Mrs. Trigueiro are members of the Catholic Church, and have many friends in their community. In 1912 they made a trip back to their native land and spent about a year, but were glad to get back once more to California, where they had laid the foundation of their success.
THOMAS MINETTI .- Thomas Minetti is a native of California, born at Cayucos, San Luis Obispo County, June 18, 1894, the son of Secondo and Camilla (Tonini) Minetti, both natives of canton Ticino, Switzerland, and early settlers of Cayucos. They raised a family of six children, all of whom are living, Thomas being the second youngest.
Mr. Minetti was educated in the public schools. After completing the Cayucos grammar school, he entered the employ of the Diamond Creamery, ten miles north of Cayucos, where he spent two years learning the creamery business. Then, in 1910, he entered the employ of the Central Creameries Co. at Cayucos, and continued with them and their successors, the California Central Creameries, until 1912, when he became manager of the Cayucos creamery. In this capacity he has continued ever since, having charge of the plant and engaging in the manufacture of butter, which is shipped to Los Angeles, San Francisco, and New York City. They also manufacture caseine. Mr. Minetti was married in San Luis Obispo on October 17, 1916, to Miss Rose Tartaglia, who was born in Cayucos. He and his wife are members of St. Joseph's Church at Cayucos. His political views favor the principles of the Republican party.
ELISCO B. RUIZ .- No better instance and illustration of the self-made and substantial business men of the Santa Maria valley exists than E. B. Ruiz, proprietor of a general merchandise store at Garey. His success is founded upon an untiring capacity for work and genius for detail. . \ native son of California, Mr. Ruiz was born on the Ruiz ranch in the Santa Maria valley, August 23, 1876, and was educated in the public schools and in St. Mary's College in Oakland, where he was graduated from a commercial course. Ile grew to manhood on the Ruiz and Tepesquet ranches, engaged m ranching, and in 1908 was united in marriage with Miss Esperanza Onti- vernis, daughter of Alexander and Biviana (Ruiz) Ontiveros. They have Time son, Bartholomew E.
In the spring of 1916, Mr. Ruiz bought an acre and a half in the center uni the town site of Garey and erected a fine bungalow home and also a store Building, which he stocked with an entire new stock of staple and fancy groceries, confections, dry goods, clothing and furnishings, giving his per-
1013
SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY AND ENVIRONS
sonal attention to the business and the building up of a successful trade and Mrs. Ruiz are members of the Catholic Church, Mrs. Ruiz being a member of the Altar Society of the same.
Mr. Ruiz is a descendant of one of the oklest Spanish families in Southern California, his grandfather being Nicholas Ruiz, a respected rancher of Los Angeles county as it originally was platted. His father, John Baptiste Ruiz, was born in Los Angeles, and at one time the family owned the Placentia ranch, now situated in Orange county, then a part of Los Angeles county. He was a large stock man, and married Miss Rita Ontiveros, a sister of Abraham Ontiveros, of whom extended mention is made elsewhere in this work. They had several children: Adolph, of Fresno: Michael, of Car- pinteria ; Joseph, in the Santa Maria valley : Elisco B., of this review : Estan- islao N., on the home ranch ; Mary, Mrs. Permassee, of Cuyama valley, and Hobie, a blacksmith, on the home ranch near Garey.
JOSE G. ROSA .- A native of the Azores group, born on the island of Pico, May 8, 1877, Joe G. Rosa attended the public school and worked on the home farm until he was fourteen. Ile then came to the United States, land- ing at Newport, R. I., where a cousin was located; and there he went to work on a farm, being paid ten dollars per month in summer and five dollars in winter. lle remained two years, until he had saved enough money to bring him farther west. for he had his mind set on California.
In 1893 he arrived in San Luis Obispo, got employment at once on a dairy ranch and worked by the month until he was married; then, with his helpmate, he felt encouraged to strike out for himself and leased some land. adding to his equipment each year and doing successful farming until he had saved enough to buy a farm of his own. This he did in 1912, when he pur- chased seventy-seven acres from the Union Sugar Co.
After buying land, Mr. Rosa commenced making improvements: he erected a bungalow, built barns and fenced the land, and began raising beans as a specialty. In 1916 he produced three hundred sixty sacks of beans, which netted him a fancy price.
On March 12. 1903, Mr. Rosa married Miss 1 delina Martin at Nipomo and they have two children, Laura, born January 25, 1904, and Mabel Gene- vieve, born March 15, 1910. Mrs. Rosa is a daughter of Manuel Martin, a prominent rancher of San Luis Obispo County, Mr. Rost's parents, Frank and Mary Rosa, were landowners, who had three sons, Manuel, Frank and Jose G. The mother and her other two sons are Fying En Pie . Island . tius father is dead.
JOSE S. CALDERON. \ son of a pioneer Spanish family. pre Calderon is a much respected citizen of Garey, where he owns aplicesi es acres. Ilere he built a fine bungalow. where he an thus farmily reside In also owns a quarter section in the Tepesquet range.
Mr. Calderon was born March 20, 1884, par Sisque, amely offre secured living member of a family of seven children born to los parents, Jose Ind Maria (Ruiz) Calderon, of whom mention i made chewhere the salame He secured his education in the public schools, and les in werking se warm hand for H. S. Kelly in 1898, at fifty cents a dbs For fourteod Noirs h continued working for wages on ranches and in the Gares black mul Lera where he learned the blacksmith's Trade He now has a shot of The arch. in which he does his own work. He is an extensive bean raiser. His croft & 1916
1014
SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY AND ENVIRONS
having brought him $11,000. He owns about twenty-two head of horses and mules, twenty-five head of cattle, and a full complement of farming machinery.
In 1898, when twenty-two years of age, Mr. Calderon was united in mar- riage with Miss Bessie Elliott, a granddaughter of the late Charles W. Brad- ley, a banker and large property owner, and a leading citizen of the county. Of this union one child has been born, Francis J.
Mr. Calderon is a member of the board of trustees of Garey school dis- triet, and is serving as clerk of the board. He is road master of the East Garey road district, and in every way has aided in the development of the resources of the county in which he lives. He is progressive and prosperous, and of the Spanish lads who resided in the valley he is the only one now there who, starting on his own resources, has made good. Ile is justly popular with all classes ; and he and his wife enjoy the confidence and esteem of a wide circle of friends in the valley, where they are leaders in their social set.
JOSEPH V. LOPEZ .- The term self-made applies in its truest sense to Joseph V. Lopez, who has traveled a long and hard road to reach his present position among the successful ranchers of the Santa Maria valley. He was born in St. George island, the Azores, on August 22, 1872, attended the Portuguese public schools and began when only eleven years old to work as a tender with his father, who was a stone mason. Ile learned to dress stones and to build walls, and later became a full-fledged stone mason, even build- ing some stone houses in his native land. His father. George V. Lopez, born in St. George island, eighty years ago, after a useful life is now living retired in his home. Ile was married twice.
Among the children of his first wife we mention Manuel, now residing in the Azores, though formerly a dairyman in San Mateo county ; John, who is also following his trade at home ; Joseph V., the subject of this review ; Mary, Mrs. J. S. Luis of Edna, San Luis Obispo County ; Tony, who owns a ranch near Edna ; and Edna, the youngest daughter, who was but a few days old when her mother died about thirty years ago, and is now the wife of Manuel Silva, a rancher in San Luis Obispo County. The children of the second marriage of the father were two sons and three daughters.
Joseph V. Lopez decided that he would come to America to better his condition, for his older brother had written him from Pescadero that money was to be made in California by anyone who would be willing to do hard work, so that at the age of sixteen he struck out from his home on a three- masted sailing vessel for Providence, R. I., and with very favorable winds the trip across the Atlantic was made in fifteen days. Stopping a few days in Boston, the young lad then set out for California and after his arrival here joined his brother in San Mateo county and went to work on a dairy ranch. He soon quit his job and was employed in building the reservoir for the Spring Valley Water Co. of San Francisco, and three months later he resumed work on a ranch. He took any work that came along, chopping wood and working on a threshing machine, and always kept busy.
In 1895 M. Lopez came to Santa Maria and threshed for a season, when he rented land on the Suey ranch. Ever since he has followed farming with very good results. He has always been something of a mechanical genius, handy with tools and machinery, and in company with Mark H. Whitney for a partner in a threshing outfit, he has usually kept busy during the sea- son and has added to his income. Santa Barbara county has been the scene
1015
SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY AND ENVIRONS
of Mr. Lopez's activities since 1895, with the exception of two years spent in the vicinity of Stockton, where he suffered a loss of about $30,000 on account of water flooding Boulding island. At another time he lost his barn and con- tents by fire, but even with these losses and discouragements he has kept a smiling face and has kept hard at work, and now owns eighty acres of land. besides renting other tracts.
Mr. Lopez was united in marriage August 13. 1898, with Miss Isabelle Cordeiro, daughter of V. J. and Mariana (Teixeira) Cordeiro, the former living near Oceano and the latter deceased. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Lopez are : Mary and Rosa, twins ; and Barbara and Ernest. Mr. Lopez has looked well to the future, having invested somewhat in oil stocks and insurance, as well as profiting by his ranching and threshing operations. He bought his ranch of eighty acres in 1902 and moved onto it, and has leased land on the Suey almost every year he has been in the valley, farming as high as eight hundred twenty-five acres. He is a Mason, having been a member of Hesperian Lodge No. 264 for the past twelve years, and lives up to the precepts of the order. He is a member of the U. P. E. C. and the I. D. E. S., while his wife belongs to the ladies' auxiliary of the U. P. F. C. They are members of the Catholic church. Politically he aims to vote for the men best suited for the offices, regardless of party lines. Mr. Lopez is broad minded, progressive, upright and honest a man who makes and retains friends wherever he goes.
ANGIOLINO BASSI-\ well-known and highly-esteemed citizen and business man of Santa Margarita and Atascadero, Angiolino Bassi was born in Cerentino, canton Ticino, Switzerland, September 20, 1868, a son of Cesare and Candida ( Padovani) Bassi, natives of the same canton. The father was an educated man, and a teacher and educator of prominence until his death. The mother resides in San Luis Obispo County with her children. Of her twelve children. Angiolino is the oldest.
Angiolino Bassi was educated in the schools of Switzerland, where he pursued his studies till fourteen years of age. Thereafter he was employed on farms until he was able to save up enough money to come to California, the goal of many ambitious young Swiss boys, who, on account of reports of good wages and steady employment here, and the prospect of success. are eager to reach our shores. When sixteen years of age, he left home and kindred and went to Havre, where he took passage on the steamer "Canada for New York City. After landing there, he crossed the continent to San Francisco, arriving on November 4. 1884, and reached Caviens, San Li- Obispo County, a few days later. It was necessary for him to seek employ ment : and this he immediately found on the laury ranch of \ logna i. where he remained for three years. He then took a trip into other counties. but returned to San Luis Obispo County in about 1 year al located In Paso Robles, where he followed forming.
Later, in partnership with his brother, Mr Bassi engaged in the coal business. They bought stumpage and cut wood, shipping it by the carlead out of Paso Robles. They also bought land, from which ther of the pool The brothers dissolved partnership, and in 198 Mr Bassi related to Sala Margarita and engaged in the wood business tor himself Spice When he bo been shipping to Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Jose, and Sauyt uge Cho He has men cutting wood all the while, at times as nithy ality or IN Of late he is cutting and clearing around both Santa Margaritaand Atmung
1016
SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY AND ENVIRONS
dero, shipping from Eaglet, Ascencion, and Atascadero. Meanwhile, he is also engaged in farming on the Santa Margarita ranch.
He has just completed a fine residence in Santa Margarita, where he lives with his family. Mr. Bassi was married at San Luis Obispo, on Novem- ber 9, 1910, to Miss Marie Bertazzi. She was born in Leventina, canton Ticino, the daughter of Genesio and Julia ( Rosselli) Bertazzi, dairy folks and farmers. She came to California in April. 1907. They have one child, Inez.
In politics, Mr. Bassi is a staunch Republican, believing the policies of that party best suited to the general welfare of the country. He has never had reason to regret his decision to come to America, where he believes a poor young man may best make a living, and by energy and economy obtain a competency.
PAUL SILACCI .- Paul Silacei, a resident of California for thirty-nine years, was born in Intragna, canton Ticino, Switzerland, May 17, 1860. His father, Dominico Silacei, was a farmer, who came to Cambria, Cal., in 1891, but returned to Switzerland in 1896, and died there five years ago, aged eighty years. His mother was Caroline (Cavalli) Silacci, and she died at her old home thirty years ago. Of their eight children, five are living, three being in California : Antone and Peter, both living at Cambria, and Paul, the subject of this sketch.
Paul Silacei was brought up as a farmer boy, and was educated in the public schools. When seventeen years of age, he came to California, arriving in San Francisco, and for three and a half years thereafter he worked on a dairy. In November, 1880, he came to Cayucos, where he worked out for two years, and then started in for himself. He leased the David Morro place of 1,800 acres near Cambria, and engaged in dairying. He was on one place for twenty-nine years, and ran a dairy of one hundred fifty cows or more, mant- facturing butter in the old way, by panning and skimming, until his separator was installed. In 1911 he gave up the lease, and bought a ranch of 1.000 acres in Villa creek cañon. After running this ranch one year, he decided to return, and leased the place. His ranch is a splendid dairy ranch, about nine miles from Cayucos, where he now resides.
In 1905, at San Francisco, Panl Silacci was married to Miss Giacomina Pellandra, who was also born in Intragna. They have five children : Theodore, Caroline, Mary Enas, Peter, and Henry.
In 1884 Mr. Silacei became a citizen of the United States, and ever since has been a Republican. He is a progressive citizen, and believes in aiding any cause that has for its end the upbuilding of the community and the uplifting of its citizens.
ACHILLE STORNI .- Achille Storni came to California in 1871, and since that time has been closely associated with the dairy business. He was born in Solduno, canton Ticino, Switzerland, on January 2, 1851, the son of Nicola and Geronimi Storni, farmers of that canton, both now dead. Of their five children, four are living, our subject being the youngest. A brother, Nicola, now resides in San Luis Obispo ; and the other two are in Ticino.
When a lad, Achille Storni attended the local schools until fourteen years of age, working at home till 1871, when he came to California. He was the first of the family to emigrate to the Golden West, and was induced to come on account of the glowing reports from the Coast. The trip took a month. He arrived in Petaluma in December, 1871, and went to work on a dairy ranch at twenty dollars a month, where they used to pan and skim the milk,
1017
SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY AND ENVIRONS
and also churn, by hand. He had borrowed two hundred dollars from his mother to pay his way here ; and as soon as he had saved that amount, he sent it back to her with interest. He continued to work, and saved enough money to engage in business for himself.
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.