History of Santa Clara County California with biographical sketches, Part 230

Author: Sawyer, Eugene T
Publication date: 1922
Publisher: Los Angeles : Historic Record Co.
Number of Pages: 1934

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EDWARD P. GIACOMAZZI .- Enviably promi- nent, popular and influential for great good, Edward P. Giacomazzi of Milpitas, may well feel that he is enjoying some definite reward for the years of labor and risk which have led up to the position he now occupies as one of the representative men of affairs in Santa Clara County. A native son, he was born at San Jose on March 22, 1879, the son of Peter and Poalina Giacomazzi, worthy folks who never failed to have the confidence and esteem of those who knew them. His father was a native of Canton Ticino, Switzerland, and when a young man, he came out to the United States and California, and settled in Santa Clara County. At first, he worked in the lumber mill on the Alameda, and later he engaged in the cattle business near Pescadero. Edward attended Santa Clara College, and also the old Garden City Business College on Market Street; and after a while his father discontinued stockraising and embarked in the handling of general merchandise, at Soledad, in Monterey County. From his father, he learned the ins and outs of the trade, and for ten years was his right-hand man. Then he became one of the book- keepers at the Spreckels Sugar Company, at Spreck- cls, Cal., and that responsibility he continued to discharge for a twelve-month.

Peter Giacomazzi then sold his business at Soledad and removed to San Jose, where he joined Felix Maggini in a partnership to conduct a general mer- chandise store on Thirteenth Street; and Edward remained with his father in this new venture for four years. In 1903 he came to Milpitas and, having bought out Mr. Muller, established for himself a general merchandise store. In 1905, he was appointed the postmaster at Milpitas, and he was also made deputy county clerk under Henry Pfister. In 1911, Mr. Giacomazzi cooperated in the founding of the Bank of Milpitas, and so well has this institution been conducted that the Bank of Milpitas has the record of being the first bank in Santa Clara County to pay dividends the second year of its existence. Mr. Giacomazzi has been a director of the bank since its establishment, and since 1917, when he was elected to succeed Michael Lynn, has been its president.

At San Jose, in 1899, Mr. Giacomazzi was married to Miss Amelia Ramelli, a native of Santa Clara Coun- ty, and the daughter of Joseph and Mary Ramelli. Her

father, a very early pioneer, was a dairyman when lie came to California, and he had a dairy farm of 120 acres on Coyote Creek, about twelve miles south of San Jose. One daughter, Elsie, a student at the high school, has blessed the union. Mr. Giacomazzi is a member of Lodge No. 522 of the B. P. O. E., and he is also a strong Republican.

JAMES HIATT .- One of the successful and pro- gressive horticulturists of the Santa Clara Valley is James Hiatt, whose twenty-acre prune orchard on Union Avenue is among the most productive and profitable in the county. He is a native of Wayne County, Ind., and was born on November 4, 1877, a son of Edward and Martha (Wellock) Hiatt. In 1891 the family removed to California and settled in the Santa Clara Valley, where the father passed away; previous to their removal to the coast, where James' two brothers, Archie and Lee, had preceded the rest of the family, they had lived in Kansas, and there our subject had received his education.

The marriage of Mr. Hiatt united him with Miss Effie Randall, a native of Colorado, and they are the parents of a son, Richard James. Besides intensively cultivating his twenty-acre prune orchard, he owns a ranch in the mountains, and when opportunity af- fords spends a time in the mountains hunting and fishing. In his political affiliation he is a strict ad- herent of the Republican party; fraternally he is a Yoeman. His interest in the progress and prosperity of Santa Clara County is manifested by his support of all measures of advancement. He enjoys the re- spect and esteem of his fellowmen and is one of the substantial citizens of his locality.

WILLIAM C. BARTLETT .- A progressive young man who is interested in developing additional facil- ities in the field of transportation is William C. Bart- lett, local agent at San Jose, for the Pickwick and the Star stage lines. He is a man of executive force and a pleasing personality and is doing his share in building up a good business for these companies, and thus providing a new means of travel, com- fortable and attractive, that has made California famous all over the country.

Mr. Bartlett was born at Pittsburgh, Pa., and there received his education in the public schools. When he reached his fourteenth year he went to work in the steel industry and was for a long time in the employ of Crucible Steel and later entered the em- ploy of the American Sheet and Tin Plate Company at Pittsburgh. He then enlisted in the Twenty-eighth Pennsylvania Regiment and went to France where he served for a period of eighteen months, receiving five wounds during this service overseas. He served in a number of the more important battles, the Bat- tle of Chateau Thierry, the second battle of the Marne and the Vesle River and having risen to the rank of sergeant, was honorably discharged, and after the armistice returned to the United States. He came to California in 1919, arriving in San Jose on June 27, bringing with him his family and im- mediately became engaged in his present business. The Pickwick Stage business is expanding, and now covers an immense territory along the Pacific Coast, with connections from Portland, Ore., to the Im- perial Valley, and covering 3,500 miles of California, Oregon and Old Mexico's scenic highways. About a year ago the Pickwick Stage Company took over the site of the Peerless Stage Depot and under the

60 Odward. P. Giacomazzi

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HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY

good management and the interest in which Mr. Bartlett attends to business, the trade has more than doubled. He is an able and active young man, with energy and perseverance, and is making good.

Mr. Bartlett's marriage, which occurred in Pitts- burgh, Pa., on October 16, 1911, united him with Miss Nellie Moore, and they are the parents of a child, Alice. Mr. Bartlett is a member of the American Legion. He is always interested in the welfare of the city of San Jose and joins in sanc- tioning any good movement which will help to up- build this attractive, thriving city.

OLE JORDHEIM .- Industry and perseverance have been leading traits in the career of Ole Jord- heim, junior member of the firm known as the Fault- less Bakery, conducting a wholesale and retail baking business in San Jose. Mr. Jordheim was born in Jordheim, Gol Parish, Hallingdale, Norway, August 15, 1891, the son of Ole and Barbara (Grothe) Brandwold, both natives of Norway. The father had fine educational advantages in his native country, and in 1900 he removed with his family to Edinburg, N. D., where he owns a large general merchandise store. The mother passed away when Ole was a child of seven. She was the daughter of Odd Grothe, better known as the "Larer og Kirkesanger," teacher and deacon in the parish of Hemsedal. Although eighty-eight years of age, he is still active and holds an important position, able to teach and lead the singing in the parish church. Mr. Brandwold was married a second time and lives in North Dakota.

After the death of his mother, Ole Jordheim went to live with his maternal grandfather. His educa- tion was obtained in the government schools of his native parish, later he took a course of two years in the Christiania high school, where he became well versed in the English and Norwegian languages. His first ambition after finishing school, was to be- come a teacher, but the glowing tales of oppor- tunity and wealth to be gained in America proved too alluring, and he sailed from Christiania, arriving at Hull, England, thence by rail to Liverpool, where he again took passage, arriving at Ellis Island, New York in April, 1908. From New York he went to Edinburg, N. D. for a visit to his father. In the fall of 1908 he arrived in San Francisco, where his uncle, Knudt Grothe, was engaged in manufacturing ice- cream cones. Mr. Jordheim was employed in this business for eleven years. At the end of this time, he removed to San Jose where he opened an ice- cream cone factory, but was only engaged in this line for six months. On October 31, 1920, he ac- quired an interest in the Faultless Bakery, purchas- ing Mr. Gold's interest. Since that time, the bakery has been removed to more commodious quarters and remodeled. The firm does a wholesale and retail business with a capacity of 4000 loaves a day.

The marriage of Mr. Jordheim in San Francisco in 1915, united him with Miss Signe Woldhagen, a native of Trondjhem, Norway. She came from Nor- way to America when but seventeen years of age. Mr. Jordheim is a great lover of music and was for six consecutive years secretary of the Nordmandene's Sangforenig of San Francisco; he is also a member of the Sons of Norway. He gives unstintingly of his time and means to promote measures of advancement of his adopted city. That which has won Mr. Jord-

heim the esteem and popularity so universally ac- corded him is the character which is his both by inheritance and training, his many sterling qualities establishing him firmly in the business and social circles of the city.

MARTIN RAGGETT .- Hailing from San Fran- cisco, Martin Raggett, a native son of California, having first seen the light of day in that city, is the proprietor of one of the leading hotels of San Jose, the St. James, located at 131 North First Street, a four-story structure of 185 rooms, which are all up- to-date in their modern equipment. Mr. Raggett is the son of Michael Raggett, who settled in San Francisco in the early fifties, where he was a dry goods merchant for many years, becoming well and favorably known. His business was located on the corner of Fourth and Market streets, on the site where the California Theater now stands.

Martin Raggett received his education at the St. Ignatius College and gained a splendid education, after which he entered the business world of San Francisco and here he was engaged for many years. He then went to San Jose, and engaged in the hotel business, purchasing the St. James Hotel October 1, 1920, and here he gives personal attention to the comforts and the wishes of each guest. All of the 185 rooms of this modern hostelry are kept filled, as he caters to the very best commercial and transient trade. The hotel faces the park and is centrally located, making it accessible to the business, manu- facturing and packing districts, also it is in the midst of the amusement and recreational centers of the city of San Jose. Scrupulous cleanliness is one of their best assets; and hot and cold water, steam heat, electricity, elevator service, and beautifully fur- nished rooms contribute to the comfort of the guests. The dining room, which is in connection with the hotel, but is under separate management, is strictly a first-class grill, having popular prices, adding much to the convenience and the advantage of the guests of the hotel.

JOHN A. MATHEWSON .- A cement contractor and builder who has made splendid progress in Santa Clara County is John A. Mathewson. He was born in San Jose, the son of Mr. and Mrs. A. C. Mathew- son, the father being a pioneer carpenter and builder of San Jose; the mother, who is now a widow, still lives in San Jose. Walter G. Mathewson, a brother of John, was secretary of the Builders' Trades Coun- cil of San Jose until his appointment as State Labor Commissioner.

John attended the Hester grammar school at San Jose, and then learned the blacksmith and carriage maker's trade, after which he specialized in carriage making. The growth of the automobile industry caused a change in conditions and he took up cement and concrete work and has become a large general contractor, specializing in cement and concrete work and excavating and grading. For some years he has been doing much bridge building, not only in this county but in the counties along the coast from San Francisco to Los Angeles, employing a large force of men for the purpose. He has completed some of the largest bridges in this county.

Mr. Mathewson is a member of the Builders' Association and San Jose Parlor No. 22, Native Sons

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HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY

of the Golden West, and San Jose Aerie No. 8, the Eagles. He has been very successful, but it has all come through hard work and good, practical judg- ment in the use of the money which he earned.

EDWARD CLEMENT YOCCO .- Among the en- terprising and successful business men of Los Gatos. Santa Clara County, Edward C. Yocco is well re- membered, for here he had made his home from 1883 to the time of his death, November 20, 1901. He was a native son, his birth having occurred on San Pedro Street, in San Jose, November 23, 1857. His father, Joaquin Yocco, born in the Alps of North Italy, came around the Horn to California in 1849, and upon his arrival in the state engaged in mining; he then located in San Jose and was suc- cessfully engaged in a general merchandise and com- mission business on Market Street. During this time he was a member of the old Volunteer Fire Company. In 1865 he returned to France and lo- cated in Paris in order that he might educate his children; he died in that city in 1889, when about eighty years of age. His wife, formerly Josephine Huet, a native of Pons, France, died March 4, 1901. at about the same age. Of their two children, Ed- ward C., the subject of this review, was the younger; Pauline married Emile Lebelle of Paris, France.

Edward C. went to the Gates school in San Jose until he was eight years old, after which he was taken to Paris and there attended private academies. He was desirous of returning to California, the place of his birth, and after completing his education he returned to San Jose, which place he had selected for his permanent home. He secured employment with an uncle who was in the commission business in San Jose, and remained with him for four years; then became a clerk for Auzerais & Pomeroy in the City Store on Market Street. He then went to Almaden and was engaged in the butcher business until 1883, when he removed to Los Gatos. For the next six years he worked in a meat market, which he afterwards purchased in 1889, and continued the business as the Los Gatos Market until his death. In the spring of 1898 he purchased a ranch of fifty- seven acres, the Henry B. Norton place at Skyland, having thirty-five acres in orchard and vineyard.

In 1879 Mr. Yocco married Miss Grace Garet, a native of Santa Clara County, who was born in Mayfield, and who passed away in 1889. They were the parents of three children, two sons and one daughter; one son, George H., is a civil engineer at Fall River Mill. Mr. Yocco's second marriage, in Los Gatos, February 18, 1892, united him with Miss Ella Knowles. She is a native of Rock Island County, Ill., born near Fort Byron on the Missis- sippi River, and is the daughter of Smith Shaler Knowles, a native of Ohio, who married Miss Mary Rand Crooks, born in Pittsburgh, Pa. Her maternal great-grandfather, John Cooey, served seven years in the Revolutionary War. Mr. Knowles was a pio- neer of Illinois and took up land near Port Byron, obtaining a deed from the Government, and resided there until his death. The mother spent her last days in Los Gatos and died in 1901. Mrs. Yocco is the youngest of eight children and was reared and educated in the grammar and high schools of Moline, Ill., and in 1883 came to Los Gatos with her mother, where she resided until her marriage to Mr. Yocco. They are the parents of two children; Edward Shaler

is a graduate of the department of agriculture of the University of California, and Mary is a graduate of the University of California and also of the Arm- strong Secretarial School of Berkeley, and she is now head of the commercial department at Pierce High School at College City. Edward Shaler en- listed in April, 1917, in the ambulance corps and was sent to Allentown, Pa., where he remained for eight months, then to the army medical school in Wash- ington, D. C., where he assisted in making serum for all kinds of inoculations. He was mustered out on January 8, 1919. He possesses a rare baritone voice and, aside from singing at the Presbyterian Church, is frequently in demand for entertainments. Mr. Edward C. Yocco was one of the organizers and a large stockholder of the Los Gatos Cemetery and was director and treasurer, and continued until his death, after which, in January, 1902, Mrs. Yocco be- came the secretary and superintendent of the asso- ciation, a position she has since held, and her un- ceasing work, coupled with much native business acumen, has brought it to a successful issue, until it is a credit to the community. Mr. Yocco's death was a loss to the community, for he was a man whose place it is hard to fill. For eleven years he acted as school trustee of Los Gatos. In fraternal circles he was an Odd Fellow, a past grand, and a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen. Mrs. Yocco has continued to reside in Los Gatos, in her mother's old home on Church Street, and looks after the prop- erty and business interests left by Mr. Yocco. She is an active member of the Presbyterian Church and of the Delphian Club.

PETER JOHN ZAKIS .- Although poor in purse, upon arriving at San Josc, Peter John Zakis pos- sessed those indispensable adjuncts of success, health, self-confidence and a determination to succeed, so that the goal of his ambition, a good business and a comfortable home, was soon realized. He was born in Greece, on September 14, 1885, and was the son of Mr. and Mrs. John S. Zaharakis, both natives of Greece. His father was a school teacher and Mr. Zakis' early training was carefully looked after. On coming to America Mr. Zaharakis changed his name to Zakis by a court decree. His mother's death oc- curing when he was only four years old, left him and his brother, William Zaharakis, without the loving care of a mother, but the father endeavored to take the place of hoth, giving them the best educational opportunities within his means. The brother, who is a lawyer, remained in his native country and is prominent in his profession, at Calames, Greece. His father is also still living in Greece.

Having heard much of America and its opportun- ities, he left his home in Greece in 1905, and sailing for the United States, landed in New York, coming immediately to Chicago, Il1. His first employment was in a stove factory where he worked for $7.50 per week and in a year he managed to save enough to come to San Francisco. Arriving here a year after the earthquake, he obtained work removing the debris, clearing the streets, building sites, etc., doing any kind of work that would make him an honest living. When he came to San Jose, in 1908, he only had twenty-five cents, but it was not long before he had a place working in a restaurant. It was here that he became associated with Chris Mihalakis, his

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HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY

present partner. Mr. Mihalakis was also trying to make the best of his opportunities, so the two young men began saving their money and in 1917 they be- came partners and opened the Del Monte Restaurant at 255 South First Street. Here, they have worked, early and late, giving constant and close attention to their business, making improvements from time to time, and now have one of the most up-to-date restaurants in San Jose, using the late sanitary equip- ment, making it a place where wholesome, appetizing food can always be obtained, together with the best of service.

Mr. Zakis' marriage, which occurred in San Jose in 1918, united him with Miss Consuello Westlake, who was born in San Jose; her father, Silas West- lake, a '49er, crossed the plains in an ox-team train. Mr. and Mrs. Zakis are the parents of two children, Constance and John Richards. Mr. Zakis is the owner of a comfortable and attractive home, located at 310 South Sixteenth Street. He is a member of Observatory Lodge I. O. O. F. in San Jose, the Redmen, and of the Merchants' Association and the Chamber of Commerce.

GENOVESI BROS., ZAPPELLI AND COM- PANY .- Among the prosperous business men of San Jose who have made good are Bruno and Gioacchino Genovesi and Dario Zappelli, who are the proprietors of the Central Grocery, which is located at 300 South Market Street, on the corner of San Carlos Street. Bruno Genovesi, the eldest, was born in Province Lucca, Italy, in 1884, and when nineteen years of age came to America, about eight years be- fore the other boys sailed. Gioacchino Genovesi and Dario Zappelli, who were also born in Province Lucca, Italy, were the same age, both having been born in 1895, coming to America when seventeen.

Bruno began working on a farm and later in a macaroni factory and here he continued for some time. In 1912 his brother, Gioacchino, and Dario Zappelli arrived in the United States. Gioacchino began working for O'Brien in the confectionery business and was employed here for two and a half years, while Mr. Zappelli worked at ranching and in various lines. In 1915 Gioacchino Genovesi, Dario Zappelli and Alberto Micheli embarked in the grocery business and soon established a prosperous trade. In 1917 Mr. Micheli sold his share to the first two named, and in the following year, 1918. Gioacchino Genovesi enlisted in the U. S. Army and trained at Camp Lewis and Camp Kearny, serving in the field hospital, where he was honorably dis- charged. While he was engaged in the interests of his adopted country, Dario Zappelli was in charge of the business, and after the war Bruno Genovesi bought out a third interest and has been a partner ever since. They now have an $18,000 stock and are doing a large business.

Bruno Genovesi's marriage united him with Miss Elena Demaggiora of San Jose, and they are the par- ents of two children, Lena and Berri. Mr. Zappelli chose for his wife Miss Viola Landucci, also of San Jose, and they are the parents of three children, Frank, Adolph and Gerald. Gioacchino Genovesi is still single. They are members of St. Joseph's Church and in national politics they cast their votes for the men that represent the best measures.

K. J. GRANANDER .- As a representative of the profession of masseur, K. J. Granander is steadily building up an extensive patronage, meeting with success not only in a financial way, but in relieving afflicted mankind. Many of the leading physicians of San Jose turn over cases to him that medicine has failed to relieve, and which he is able to over- come by massage. A native of Sweden, he was born December 16, 1873, in Westergothland, near Ulricehamn, his parents hoth natives of Sweden. His boyhood and early manhood were spent in his native land, his education being obtained in the pub- lie schools, and when he reached military age, he was pressed into service, doing his full duty to his native country. Filled with wonderment at the stories of wealth and advantages to be gained in America, he embarked for the United States in 1902, landing in Boston. A course in Swedish massage enabled him to engage in his chosen profession on landing in Boston, and for two years he successfully followed this line of work. He removed to Providence, R. I., and was employed there as masseur for one year. Later he migrated to Excelsior Springs, Mo., and for three years was with the Kilberg Sanatorium. He then removed to Blair, Nebr., and began private practice, and also successfully practiced in Colorado. While residing in Nebraska, he was united in mar- riage to Miss Hope Larson, a native of that state. Mrs. Granander is of Danish descent; her father, an early pioneer of Nebraska, was a thrifty and well- to-do farmer. She is well educated and has many accomplishments.

During the year of 1917, the family settled in San Jose. Offices were obtained and handsomely fitted up in the Twohy .Building, with accommodations for his fast-increasing clientele. While not a politician nor an officeseeker, he has always been interested in matters affecting the welfare of his county and state. The family residence is located at 384 Auzerais Ave- nue, San Jose, where hospitality and good-will is shared by a large circle of friends and acquaintances.

GREGORY GUGLIERI .- A man of decided energy and perseverance, Gregory Guglieri is num- bered among the most successful ranchers of the Madrone district. He was born at San Jose on February 14, 1895, the eldest child and only son of Dr. A. A. and Frances Carillo Guglieri, three daugh- ters also heing born to them: Mrs. Charles Haggans of San Francisco, Mrs. Marco Borello of Morgan Hill, and Mrs. Albert Pauls of Madrone. Doctor Guglieri was born at Genoa, Italy, December 13, 1859, the son of a wealthy merchant there, who also had a large fleet of vessels plying the seas, and it was while on a journey around the world that Mr. Guglieri first saw the land of Mexico when he was twenty-eight. While a resident of Colima, Mexico, he took up the study of a herbalist, he was married to Miss Frances Carillo, a native of that place, and in 1890 they removed to San Jose and later to San Francisco, where Mrs. Guglieri passed away Febru- ary 3, 1902. Later Doctor Guglieri was united in marriage with Miss Adela Rodrigues, also a native of Colima, and she now makes her home at Madrone. Gregory Guglieri was educated in the public schools of San Francisco, graduating later from a private school, and in 1918 he went to work on his

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History of Santa Clara County California with biographical sketches, Part 230

Author: Sawyer, Eugene T Publication date: 1922 Publisher: Los Angeles : Historic Record Co. Number of Pages: 1934

Author: Sawyer, Eugene T
Publication date: 1922
Publisher: Los Angeles : Historic Record Co.
Number of Pages: 1934