USA > California > Sonoma County > History of Sonoma County, California, with biographical sketches of the leading men and women of the county, who have been identified with its growth and development from the early days to the present time > Part 113
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REMIGIO MANDARINI.
Italy has furnished one of her representative sons to California in Remigio Mandarini, a rancher near Duncans Mills, Sonoma county, where he has been located since 1890, or ever since he came to this country, twenty years ago. He was one of a family of fourteen children born to his parents, Frank and Alena (Reighini) Mandarini, the former born in Italy in 1829 and the latter also a native of that country. There, in Beceno the son Remigio was born in 1862, and with his brothers and sisters he received and made the most of the meagre oppor- tunities that the home land offered. Even as a child Mr. Mandarini deplored the lack of opportunity which his ambitious nature craved and demanded, but never- theless he endeavored to overlook the lack by making everything possible count in his favor, and after attaining mature years he still continued in the home land in the hope of making a satisfactory livelihood. His efforts were not without their compensation, but nevertheless he was satisfied that the new world held forth greater chances for advancement and he determined to come hither and take ad- vantage of them.
Among the immigrants who landed on these shores in 1890 was Remigio Mandarini, the vessel on which he made the voyage casting anchor in the harbor of New York after an uneventful voyage, and from that port he secured trans- portation to California, Sonoma county being his destination. Here he found a number of his countrymen had preceded him, and he found their sympathy and their aid of inestimable value in helping him to get a foothold in his new sur- roundings. For a time, until he became more familiar with the language and customs of his adopted country he worked at the first employment that offered, principally as a farm hand, and finally he ventured to assume the management of land on his own account. At the present writing he has a five-year lease of one hundred acres, valued at $10,000, upon which he is engaged in raising stock
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principally, owning fifty head of fine young stock and eight head of horses of fine breed.
In his marriage Mr. Mandarini chose one of his countrywomen in Miss Mary Vesci, who was born in Italy in 1863. their marriage being celebrated in their native country in 1885. She came to the United States with her husband in 1890, five years after their marriage, and whatever of success or failure has come to him she has shared, proving herself under all circumstances a true helpmate. Seven children, two sons and five daughters, have been born of their marriage, as follows: Ernest, Secondo, Josephine (Mrs. Charles Berttosi, of Santa Rosa), Mary, Helena, Julia and Stella. One of Mrs. Mandarini's brothers, John Vesci, also came to the United States and died in Santa Rosa.
MIKE BABBINO.
An illustration of the prosperity which has rewarded the efforts of our for- eign-born citizens is found in the life of M. Babbino, who for over forty years has been identified with the interests of Sonoma county and has won recogni- tion as an expert in the growing of the grape and its manufacture into wine. Without energy and resolute determination he could not have risen to his pres- ent station in the community. Nature endowed him with the faculties neces- sary to the struggle for a livelihood in a new country, and it is hy a proper use of these faculties, combined with other characteristics, that his activities have resulted so satisfactorily.
Italy was the birthplace and early home of Mr. Babbino, his birth occurring near Naples, in 1852. He was reared and educated in that locality and when he was old enough he assisted his father in the care of the grocery business of which he was the proprietor. When the son was about fifteen years of age the parents immigrated to the United States with their family, the vessel on which they made the voyage landing them in the harbor of New York. They remained in the east about two years thereafter, during which time the son found employ- ment on a railroad. Later the family came to the far west and located in San Francisco, and it was in this metropolis that the death of the parents occurred. For a time the younger Mr. Babbino was handicapped by the strangeness of his new surroundings and unfamiliarity with conditions generally, but finally, going to Santa Clara county, he found employment as a laborer, and life for him took on a brighter aspect. After working as ranch hand for a time he gained confi- dence in his ability to manage a ranch of his own, and after purchasing a place in that county cultivated it with more or less success for the following nine years He then disposed of the property, and returning to San Francisco, con- tinued in the metropolis for ten years thereafter, or until coming to Santa Rosa in 1900. His original purchase of land at that time consisted of one hundred and forty acres, but from time to time he has sold off portions of the land until he now has fifteen acres. At the time of purchasing the ranch he had well- formed plans as to his future course, and as soon as the land could be put in proper condition he set out vines with the idea of making a specialty of the raising of grapes and their ultimate manufacture into wine. He has lived to see
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the consummation of his early hopes in this respect, and today there are few finer vineyards to be seen in this part of Sonoma county than is owned and maintained by Mr. Babbino. What he has accomplished since locating here is best told in the statement that during the year 1909 the sale of wine netted him $40,000, San Francisco being his principal market.
In San Francisco, Cal., Mr. Babbino was married in 1882 to Miss Ann Lanochi, who, like himself, was born in sunny Italy. A large family of children resulted from this marriage, but of the number all are deceased with the excep- tion of one daughter. She is now the wife of J. Poelito and the mother of three daughters, all residents of San Francisco. Mr. Babbino has not identified himself with any fraternal orders, nor is he active in political matters, although he does his duty as a good citizen of his adopted country and casts his ballot for the man that in his opinion is best fitted for the office.
ANGELO PIAZZA.
A goodly number of Italians have been attracted to Sonoma county by reason of the opportunities it has offered to men of limited means but great energy and tireless perseverance. Here they have found conditions widely dif- ferent from those existing in their own native land; here, with a broad outlook on country still undeveloped; there, with an overcrowded population earning a meagre livelihood, with little hope for a change for the better. It is not strange that many ambitious young men have left Italy in search of the broader opportunities offered in the newer, less crowded countries.
A humble home in Italy sheltered the Piazza family, and it was into this simple home life that Angelo Piazza was born in 1866. The father supported his family by his efforts as a farmer, and it was on the home farm that Angelo became familiar with the rudiments of agricultural life and thus laid the foun- dlation for the business which he was to follow in the years to come. In the meantime, however, he was otherwise preparing himself for the duties of life by attending the public schools of his native country, and when he arrived at the age when his services were required in the army, he conformed with the regulations and gave his services as a cavalryman for four years.
Among the immigrants who landed on our shores in the year 1891, was Angelo Piazza, then a young man of twenty-five years. The vessel on which he made the voyage landed at New Orleans, where he found himself without funds and a stranger in a strange land indeed. The first work that offered he accepted gratefully, and for a year he worked as a laborer in that vicinity. With the means that he was enabled to save from his meagre earnings he came to California at the end of this time, going direct to San Francisco, where he continued to work as a laborer for five years, and also as a ranch hand on ranches in the country round about. It was with all of this varied experience as an incentive that in 1903 he purchased and undertook the management of a ranch of his own in Sonoma county, at that time becoming the owner of the ranch on which he resides today, one mile from Fulton, on Rural Route No. I. The entire acreage is in vineyard, Mr. Piazza finding the raising of grapes a congenial employment, one with which he was familiar in his native country.
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Not only is the work congenial, but it is remunerative as well, twelve tons of grapes being gathered from his vineyard during the season of 1909, and the prospects for the coming year are for twice that amount. Seven years ago he paid $3,000 for his property, comprising ten acres, and in the meantime it has almost doubled in value, but even at this advance he could not be induced to part with his ranch.
In 1896 Mr. Piazza was married to one of his countrywomen in Miss Gaet- tana Panto, who was born in 1869, their marriage being celebrated in San Francisco. Her father is deceased, but her mother is still living in Italy, as is also Mr. Piazza's mother. No children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Piazza. Fraternally he is a member of but one order, the Foresters of America.
RAFAEL FORESTI.
Undoubtedly in a far less degree than many other nationalities of Europe has the empire of Austria contributed to the citizenship of the United States and this accession of population has come principally from the outlying provinces. Not- withstanding the devotion of the Austrian to his native land and his disposition to remain there contentedly rather than take up existence amid strangers in an alien country, there has been a considerable representation of the people in the new world and among them may be mentioned the name of the late Rafael Foresti, of Sonoma county, who was born in Austria in 1852, but spent the greater part of his active maturity within the limits of California. Trained to a thorough knowledge of the dairy industry, it was characteristic of him, in coming to the new world, that he should seek residence in a region adapted to the occupation and affording him an excellent opportunity for earning a live- lihood at familiar tasks. In connection with dairying he followed general ranch pursuits, but throughout all of his residence here he made a specialty of dairy- ing and was regarded as a local authority in the selection and care of milch COWS.
Little is known concerning the ancestral history of Rafael Foresti aside from the fact that he was a son of Amando and Madeline (Filosi) Foresti, natives of Austria and lifelong residents of that empire. There were five sons and daughters in the parental family, those besides Rafael being named as fol- lows: Peter, who married and became the father of two children; August, who chose as his wife Buchulina Filosi, their union resulting in the birth of four children, Joseph, Peter, Madeline and Caroline; Rose, Mrs. Boman, who had two children, Virgil and Catharina; and Catharina, who married Angela Filosi and had two children. As far back as the records extend the family has been loyal to the Roman Catholic Church and each successive generation has been carefully trained in the faith.
Surviving Rafael Foresti and since his death residing at the old homestead is his widow, Jaciomina (Jiovanetti) Foresti, who was born in Switzerland in 1860 and was married in 1877. Eight children comprise her family, namely : James, Victor, Elvetzie, August, Reuben, Mollie, Dora and Elsie. The ranch occupied and owned by the family lies near Duncans Mills and was occupied by
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the father not long after his immigration to America and his settlement in Sonoma county during the year 1880. The tract consists of about twelve hundred and sixty acres, all of which is in timber and pasture with the exception of twenty-five acres that has been brought under cultivation. No branch of agri- culture suits the ranch so well as dairying and we find that this industry has been the chief source of income for the family, who keep a herd of sixty-five head of milch cows and sell about one thousand pounds of butter per month. Twenty hogs also are kept on the ranch and the total aggregate of stock numbers about one hundred head, so that with the original stock and the annual increase the pastures are well filled during season. The timber on the ranch is quite valuable, forming indeed one of the principal attractions from a financial standpoint. By intelligent management the ranch brings a satisfactory income to the family each year and at the same time provides them with a pleasant country home.
As previously mentioned Mrs. Foresti is of Swiss birth. Her parents, James and Mattie Jiovanetti, were born in Switzerland in 1819 and the mother died in 1902. Four children formed the family, namely: Joseph, Angelo, Victor and Mrs. Foresti. The first-named son married Louisa Vanoni and has three children, Mark, Sylvia and Joseph. Angelo is married and the father of four children, Frank, John, Albert and May. The youngest son is married and his family consists of two children, Victor and Rose. Mrs. Foresti had few ad- vantages in girlhood, but from a very early age toiled to aid in the maintenance of the family. However, she is a bright, well-informed woman, thoroughly cap- able of managing the dairying business and affectionately devoted to the welfare of her sons and daughters. During his lifetime Mr. Foresti maintained a warm interest in the welfare of his adopted country and always voted the Republican ticket, but he took no part in public affairs, his entire attention being concentrated upon the support of his family and the development of his ranch.
LAWRENCE Q. CUMMINGS.
The densely populated countries of the old world have given of their sons to aid in the agricultural development of the western continent. A considerable proportion of these immigrants have come from Ireland, bringing with them those traits which are indispensable to the development of an ideal citizenship. Among the representatives of this nationality who have established themselves on the Pacific coast and have been factors in the changes wrought here during the past thirteen years, mention belongs to Mr. Cummings, who has been a resident of the agricultural community of Santa Rosa since the year 1898.
Mr. Cummings was born in county Cork, Ireland, March 4, 1860, his par- ents also being natives and life-time residents of the Emerald Isle. He was little more than child when, at the age of fourteen years, he set sail from his native land and came to the United States. The vessel landed at Boston, Mass., and there and in Lowell, that state, he found employment in the boot and shoe manufactories. Later he went to Georgetown, Mass., where he was employed for three years, and from there he started for the Pacific coast country, having remained in the east altogether for three years. San Francisco was his des-
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tination on coming to the west and for a time he drove horses in the employ of the government. Subsequently, in 1898, he came to Sonoma county and settled down to agricultural life on the ranch which he owns today, comprising twenty- three acres of rich land not far from Santa Rosa. Twelve acres are in grapes, seven acres in prunes and apples, while the remainder of the land is in corn and pasture land. The last crop gathered netted the owner as follows: grapes $300, prunes $400, and from his chickens, the raising of which is an industry not previously mentioned, he cleared about $300.
In July, 1896, Mr. Cummings was united in marriage with Miss Winnifred Leary, a native of this state, the daughter of Daniel and Mary (Connell) Leary, the former deceased and the latter now a resident of Oakland. Three children were born of this marriage, but only two are living, Josephine Frances, born in May, 1902, and now a student in the Monroe district school, and Sylvester John, born December II, 1907. Politically Mr. Cummings is a Democrat.
WILLIAM DANNHAUSEN.
The thrifty, sturdy, dependable qualities which come to mind when men- tion is made of a native of the Fatherland, are not lacking in this well-known rancher of Sonoma county. For many generations the name had been associated with that land, and there both the father and mother of Mr. Dannhausen were born and passed their entire lives. Five children, four sons and one daughter, were born to the parents, and of the number one besides our subject became a citizen of the United States.
William Dannhausen was born in Germany in 1872. While the parents were not well-to-do, still they were able to give their children some advantages, and in common with other German youths they were given good common- school educations. As soon as William Dannhausen was old enough he began to contribute to his own support by working as a farm hand in his native country, continuing to do this as long as he remained there. In the hope of finding a larger outlook than he thought was possible in his own country, in 1897, at the age of twenty-five, he set out for the United States with a brother, first, however, going to the Hawaiian Islands, and after continuing there a vear, completed the journey to the United States. The end of their voyage landed them in San Francisco, and from there Mr. Dannhausen came to So- noma county and worked as a ranch hand, in the meantime looking about for a suitable location in which to settle. This he found in the vicinity of Santa Rosa, and in the purchase of the ranch on which he now resides he has realized all that he hoped for. Here he has forty acres of rich, productive land, in vineyard and orchard. At the time the property came into his possession the vineyard alone yielded on income of $900, but in the meantime he has more than doubled the output, the season of 1909 producing $2,000 worth of grapes. To some extent he also raises horses and cattle, but these are for his own use on the ranch and not for market.
In 1905 Mr. Dannhausen was married to his brother's widow, who in maidenhood was Meta Pregge, a native of the Fatherland also. ' By her first
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marriage she became the mother of ten children, all of whom are attending the schools of Santa Rosa. The only child of her present marriage is Walter E., born in 1907. To Mrs. Dannhausen's parents (both of whom are living in Santa Rosa) ten children were born, six daughters and four sons, all of whom are living.
F. C. CAMPIGLI.
A good example of the self-made man is found in Mr. Campigli, the pro- prietor of a fine dairy business, with office at No. 17 Fourth street, Petaluma. He is a native son of the state, his birth having occurred in 1871 in Marin county, where his father, Charles Campigli, had settled on a ranch in pioneer days. Father and son were associated in the maintenance of the home ranch until the latter was twenty-four years of age, when he started out in the world on his own account, with little to his credit except the knowledge of agriculture which he had learned from his father on the home ranch.
Moving in to Petaluma at this time, in 1895, F. C. Campigli became in- terested in the chicken business, and after investigating it in all of its phases, purchased chickens of a good breed and began in the business in a modest way, also farming on a small scale. Business increased from year to year, and was continued until 1901, when he sold out. The reason for disposing of it was to enable him to devote his whole time and attention to the position which he had accepted with the Golden State Creamery, of San Francisco, as local manager in Petaluma. This has since that time been merged with the Western Creamery Company, but the change has made no alteration in his position as local man- ager. The headquarters of the Western Creamery Company are located at Benicia, where they manufacture and put up the famous Isleton butter, known throughout this part of the state as the best brand of butter obtainable. The Petaluma branch of the company's business is located at No. 17 Fourth street, in charge of Mr. Campigli, who has built up a large trade in the sale of cream, but- ter and milk throughout the town and surrounding country.
The marriage of Mr. Campigli occurred in 1897, and united him with Miss Annie Koster, who like himself is a native of California. Two children, Isabel and Vivian, have been born of their marriage. Fraternally Mr. Campigli belongs to the Knights of Pythias, Modern Woodmen and the Elks.
ANGELO DINUCCI.
Still another of the sons of Italy who are exercising their knowledge of agriculture in Sonoma county is Angelo Dinucci, who owns a ranch of forty-five acres in close proximity to the thriving town of Guerneville, and as one of the earlier settlers of this nationality in this immediate section, he has given help and encouragement to many of his countrymen who, like himself, have come here to enjoy privileges which their own country as yet has no conception of.
Born in the town of Borgo Mozzano, Italy, in 1855, Angelo Dinucci is a son of parents who never knew any other home than Italy, but they reared their children to a right understanding of life and its responsibilities and as far as
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lay in their power fitted them to cope with the vicissitudes of life wherever they might choose to make their homes. One of them at least chose the United States as the scene of his future life and efforts, and the year 1876 witnessed the em- barkation of Angelo Dinucci for these free shores, he at the time being about twenty years of age. The same year witnessed his arrival in California, and the fact that he has remained here ever since is conclusive evidence that he has 110 desire to transfer his allegiance to his native land. Much of his life in the west has been passed in Sonoma county, where, near Guerneville, he owns a ranch of forty-five acres, a portion of which is in vineyard, and the balance in valuable timber land.
Mr. Dinucci's marriage occurred in 1889 and united him with Madelena Rossi, who was born in Italy in 1871, the daughter of Angelo and Catherina (Paccini) Rossi. Mr. and Mrs. Dinucci became the parents of seven children, four sons and three daughters, as follows: Samuel, Hanson, Mary (the wife of Joseph Dappino, of Korbel), Katherine, Emma, Carrie and Lena. Mr. Dinucci was bereaved by the death of his wife March 11, 1911, her remains being interred in Guerneville cemetery. Politically he is a Republican, and although not af- filiated by membership with any religious organization, practices the Golden Rule in his dealings with his fellowmen and is liked and respected by all who are brought in contact with him.
DOMINICO MANCINI.
When one considers the difficulties attending the immigrant to American shores, their unfamiliarity with language, soil and environment, the success which many of them attain is little less than remarkable. Working with un- diminished ardor from day to day, and from year to year, Dominico Mancini has acquired a standing among the successful ranchers of Sonoma county, and as he is still a young man, he can still look forward to an ever widening future.
Italy was Mr. Mancini's native home, his birth occurring in December, 1867, the son of parents who were content to remain in their native country and make the most of the meagre livelihood that their surroundings afforded. Their son, however, as he grew to manhood years imbibed more and more of the western spirit of freedom and chafed under the narrow, circumscribed conditions that prevailed in his home land, and at the age of twenty-five, in 1892, he bade fare- well to family and home land and set out for the free shores of America. The same year found him in Sonoma county, Cal., where he contentedly worked as a ranch hand for a number of years. These were years of hard work, not un- mixed with discouragements from time to time, but he persevered and today is in the enjoyment of the results of his earlier efforts. For about thirteen years altogether he made his headquarters in Santa Rosa, working on ranches in that vicinity and later assuming the responsibilities of a ranch on his own account, but finally, in 1905, he came to his present ranch, on section 25, in Russian River township, where he has a fine ranch of forty acres, one which in point of productiveness and appearance takes high rank with surrounding ranches. The locality is especially favorable for the raising of grapes and this commodity forms his chief crop, twenty-seven acres being in vineyard, from
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which he gathers twenty tons annually. The grapes are readily disposed of at the nearby winery and bring $16 a ton. On the land not in vineyard the owner raises hay and gives ample pasture to three horses and one cow.
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