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 116
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AMERICO CASAROTTI.
The possibilities afforded by the west to men of untiring energy find an apt illustration in the lives of men who have come hither from lands across the seas and who have achieved competencies in spite of the handicaps of unfamiliarity with our language, our soil, our customs and our people. Such has been the experience of Americo Casarotti, who was born in the village of Maggia, Canton Ticino, Switzerland, March 18, 1882, and who immigrated to the United States in 1894, at the age of twelve years. The voyage was made in company with his parents, Martin and Carola (Guglialimoni) Casarotti, who were also natives of Switzerland, born in 1845 and 1850 respectively. Instead of following the usual course taken by the majority of his fellow-countrymen in setting out from their native land, the father first went to South America, remaining there eight years, after which he embarked on a vessel bound for the United States, California being his objective point, and he has ever since been a resident of Marin county. Besides the son whose name heads this sketch there were two sons and two daughters in the parental family, as follows : Peter, Marian, Americo, Victoria and Delphina. The eldest daughter, Vic- toria, is the wife of Goss Tinuzini and resides in Chileno valley.
Following closely in the steps of his ancestors in the choice of a life work Ainerico Casarotti is finding pleasure as well as satisfactory compensation in the tilling of the soil and in the dairy business, and his leased ranch of six hundred and twenty-six acres in the vicinity of Petaluma bears witness to the fact that he is in intimate touch with all departments of agriculture. Every acre of the ranch is utilized for one purpose or another, for the owner is method- ical and practical and keeps posted as to the best methods of maintaining a ranch enterprise. Fifty acres of the land are under cultivation, while the re- mainder furnishes pasturage for eighty-five cows that constitute his dairy. Be- sides the dairy stock just mentioned he also has young stock which will ulti- mately be added to his dairy herd, also five horses and a number of hogs. He is equally successful as a poultry raiser, his flock of high-grade chickens at the present time numbering two hundred. Mr. Casarotti is one of the youngest
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agriculturists in this section of Sonoma county and his accomplishments com- pare favorably with those who are twice his age, which is equal to saying that the future holds twice the success in store for him that he has had thus far.
In the year 1909 Mr. Casarotti married Miss Clara A. Garzoli, the daughter of Peter Garzoli, who was born in Switzerland in 1847 and has been a resident of the United States since 1870. It was not until after locating here that he formed domestic ties by his marriage with Miss Chalasta Quanchi, who was born in Switzerland in 1850, and who came to California in 1863. Eleven chil- dren were born to this couple, four sons and seven daughters, Jerry, Henry, Marina, Charles, Clalia, Belinda, Lena, Olymphia, Clara, Louisa and Emma. The eldest daughter, Clalia, became the wife of Leo Genozzi, and is the mother of two children. Politically Mr. Casarotti is a Republican, and with his wife he is a communicant of the Roman Catholic Church at Petaluma.
GIOVANNI CANEPA.
In sunny Italy, near the city of Genoa, November 1, 1843, the late Giovanni Canepa first saw the light of day and there, too, he was reared, a farmer's boy, having the advantages of the common schools. In 1863 he. came to Cali- fornia, where he followed mining at Volcano, then ranching at Vallicita, near Angel's Camp until 1879, when he located in Petaluma. Here 'he established himself in the mercantile business on the corner of Washington and Kentucky streets, doing a large and successful business until his death, February 14, 1898.
Mr. Canepa was married in 1880 at Douglas Flat, Calaveras county, Cal., to Miss Angela Lavagnini, who was also born near the city of Genoa, the daughter of Stephen Lavagnini, who was an expert gunsmith. Mrs. Canepa came to California in 1879 and after her marriage took an active part in her husband's business until six months after his death, when she sold out and has since been active in building up different business houses in Petaluma. She built the Canepa block, a three-story building on the corner of Washington and Kentucky streets, also the corner of Washington and Keller streets, owns eight residences on North Main street, six of which she built, and also owns valuable property on Main street and built her large residence on Kentucky street, opposite the Plaza, where she makes her home. One child was born of this union, Mary, who is Mrs. Kendrick, of San Francisco.
Mrs. Canepa is an active member of the Woman's Relief Corp, the Ladies Catholic Society and St. Vincent's Church and is prominent in business and social circles in Petaluma.
FATHER MAURICE J. BARRY.
The present pastor of St. John the Baptist Catholic church at Healdsburg is Father M. J. Barry. This church was established as a mission and presided over by the priests from Tomales. It was organized by Father William Slattery and the first services were held in a hall adjoining the present parochial residence. Following this pastor was Father J. M. Conway, who purchased the present site at the corner of Matheson and East streets, 136x163 feet. He also erected
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the first church which did duty until the present new edifice was built in 1910. The old building was moved to the rear and now does duty as a hall for society meetings.
Father Patrick O'Connell, the next pastor, built the parochial residence and remained for some time and is now at St. Theresa's church in the Potrero, San Francisco. The pastor for the following twenty-one and a-half years was Father John Meiler, now of St. John's church on Mission Road in San Fran- cisco. In 1905 the present priest was appointed pastor and it was through his efforts that the present fine building was erected. The building, which was begun in September, 1909, and completed in April, 1910, is Romanesque in style of architecture and cost $13,500.
Father Barry was born in County Kerry, Ireland, the son of a farmer. At the age of fifteen years he began his studies for the priesthood, making his classics at St. Michael's, Listowel, then graduating from St. Patrick's, Carlow, Ireland, and was ordained June 17. 1897, by Bishop Foley of Ireland. There- after he came immediately to San Francisco, where for two years he was assist- ant at All Hallows church and then for seven years at St. Patrick's mission. As has been stated, in 1905 he was appointed to his present pastorate. He also attends St. Peters church at Cloverdale, a mission established about the same time as the Healdsburg parish, but attended by the priests from Mendocino. He organized the congregation, built and named the church, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, at Asti. The first services at this place were held in a dining hall until the church was completed in 1907. That same year he made a trip to his old home and visited the places of interest on the continent, after which he returned to his duties in Healdsburg. It is due to the earnest endeavors and devotion to the cause that Rev. Father Barry has built up the parish to its present stand- ing and endeared himself to his parishioners.
PATRICK A. SLATTERY.
Among the native sons of California who have made a name and place for themselves as ranchers may be mentioned Patrick A. Slattery, a resident of Bloomfield district, Sonoma county, where he owns and maintains a ranch prop- erty that returns a good income for the efforts he expends upon it. Born in Bloomfield, Sonoma county, in 1862, he is a son of Michael and Katherine (Carroll) Slattery, both natives of Ireland, but who passed the greater part of their lives in California, whither they came in 1850. Michael Slattery's first location in Sonoma county was in Big valley, settling there in 1860 and con- tinuing there until he came to Blucher valley in 1865. Here he purchased twc hundred acres of land which was the scene of his efforts throughout the remain- der of his life, and after his death his widow courageously took up the burden: he laid down. Her strength and courage were equal to the task she thus as sumed, and for thirty-five years she carried on the work unweariedly and with remarkable success. Through her long and remarkable record as a business woman she became well known throughout the entire community, all recog- nizing her ability and worth to the community, and at her death in 1902 her loss was generally mourned.
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Patrick A. Slattery was reared and educated in Sonoma county, and as soon as he was old enough he performed his part of the ranch duties. Attentive and faithful to his tasks, he was able to be of great assistance to his mother as a boy, and each year found him taking more of the burden of responsibility upon his young shoulders. When the property was divided after the death of the mother he received as his share eighteen acres, and on this he now resides, making a specialty of the raising of potatoes, to which he devotes fifteen acres. His crop for the season of 1909 consisted of nine hundred sacks, a good yield and one that brought good financial returns. The remainder of the ranch is in hay, this crop yielding twenty-six and one-half tons, for which he received $11.50 a ton.
ALBERT AND FREDERICK ECKERT.
Among the most enterprising young men in Salt Point township who are making a success of the dairy business we find Albert and Frederick Eckert, the former born in Bolinas, Marin county, in 1869, the latter near Sea View, Sonoma county, in 1882. Their father, Peter Eckert, was of German extraction, coming to California in the early days, and after spending some time in San Francisco located in Bolinas, where he was engaged in the butcher business. Subsequently he purchased a ranch near Sea View, Salt Point township, Sonoma county, which he improved, and here he resided until his death, in 1888. The mother, whose maiden name was Lena Sichel, also of German extraction, reared her family on the old homestead, and here she still resides. Of the union of these worthy parents were born nine children, as follows: Julius; Albert; Edward; Dora, Mrs. George E. Park; Lillie, deceased ; Elvin; Frederick; John and Rosa, Mrs. George Call.
Albert and Frederick . Eckert were educated in the public schools and from boyhood they learned farming and the dairy business, so they naturally drifted into the business in which they are engaged. Having leased for a term of years the John Cooper ranch of eight hundred acres, the McCappen ranch of eight hundred and seventy-three acres and a ranch adjoining of two hundred acres, as well as the Josephine Walsh ranch of thirty-five hundred acres, they maintain two dairies of one hundred cows each, besides being engaged in the cattle business. They manufacture butter which is sold to the San Francisco trade, Salt Point Creamery butter being in demand on account of its fine quality.
The brothers are very public spirited and enterprising and there is no worthy enterprise but receives their support and both are well and favorably known in business and social affairs in their section.
JOHN LAFRANCHI.
While in perhaps smaller proportions than other European races have the Swiss identified themselves with the advancement of the United States, yet is their influence felt in an appreciable degree and the results of their pains- taking toil in every instance have proved the value of their citizenship. Occupy- ing a leading position among the Swiss-American residents of Sonoma county we mention the name of the Lafranchi family, whose former head, John, has
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entered into his eternal rest after a busy, useful existence, begun in the land of William Tell and completed near the shores of the Pacific ocean, remote from the environment familiar to his boyhood years. Genealogical records show that the ancestry was identified with Swiss history for many successive generations and John, Sr., with Mary, his wife, spent their entire lives within the shadow of the Alps in a quiet valley such as abound in that republic. Be- sides their only son, John, Jr., whose name introduces this article, they had three daughters, Celestina, Mary and Giovanna; the last-named is married and the mother of two children.
The scenes of homely toil in the land where he was born in 1847 remained familiar to John Lafranchi until his departure from his mountain home and the crossing of the ocean to the new world, where he proceeded direct to Cali- fornia. During the remainder of his life he had a home in Sonoma county and here for years he made a specialty of the dairy industry, in which he had served an apprenticeship in the old country and meanwhile had acquired a thorough knowledge of every detail connected therewith. Until his death, which occurred in June, 1906, he followed dairying and general ranching at the farm which he had purchased in an early day and which through his arduous application had been placed under cultivation to a large extent. Five hundred and fifty acres formed the homestead and the entire large tract remains in meadow and pasture, with thorough facilities for the care of the seventy cows comprising the dairy and for the care of the other stock kept on the place.
The marriage of John Lafranchi united him with Miss Virginia Pozzi, a native of Switzerland, but an early immigrant to the United States and for many years an occupant of the Sonoma county farm brought into profitable management by her husband. There are six children in her family, namely: Henry, Oterino, John, William, Edward and Ida. Henry, who married Nettie Scott and has two sons, is engaged in operating a first-class butcher shop in Duncans Mills. The only daughter in the Lafranchi family is now the wife of Harry Roberts, of Fresno. Oterino, John and William reside in Oakland, while Edward E. is engaged in the wholesale and retail meat and produce business on the home ranch. Mrs. Lafranchi is a daughter of Thomas and Carmilla (Conelli) Pozzi, natives of Canton Ticino, Switzerland, their family comprising seven children. In the death of Mr. Lafranchi the community lost not only a capable dairyman, but also a loyal citizen, a kind neighbor and an accommo- dating friend, a man who blessed and honored his adopted county in the high quality of his citizenship and who passed out of life's shadows into the sunlight of Paradise, serene in the consciousness of a life well lived and the tasks of earth faithfully completed.
WILLIAM H. ARNHART.
What is most appreciated in any calling is proficiency and it is rarely with- out compensation when the possessor brings his energy and ability before the public. Such a man is William H. Arnhart, one of the progressive contractors and builders of Petaluma. He was born in Barry county, Mo., August 26, 1869, the son of Wesley and Carrie Morris, who brought their family to Cal- ifornia in 1873, residing first at Woodland, and later in Nevada City, where
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they have followed ranching ever since. They were the parents of five chil- dren, the subject of this sketch being the fifth oldest. He received his educa- tion in the schools of Nevada City and later took a business course in the San Jose State Normal. Subsequently he was apprenticed at the brick-layer and plasterer's trade in Visalia, Tulare county, after which he worked at his trade in Fresno, San Francisco, San Jose and Palo Alto, in the last-mentioned place working on the Stanford University buildings for three years. He then began contracting and building in the following cities: Visalia, Nevada City, Reno (Nevada), Susanville, Lakeview (Oregon), and Eureka. This gave him a wide experience in the building line and made him a thorough master of his trade and his respective contracts were completed satisfactorily. In 1905 he located in Petaluma, where he immediately engaged in contracting and building. in which he has achieved success. Among some of the buildings he has com- pleted we find the following: Swiss-American Bank, Sweed Building. Realty Building, and Canepa building.
Mr. Arnhart's residence is located at No. 40 Sixth street, where he resides with his wife, who was Miss Lola Craig. the daughter of R. V. Craig, a pioneer mining man and general contractor of Reno, Nev. Mr. Arnhart is a member of the Odd Fellows, and Knights of Pythias, his membership being in Reno. He is interested in mining and holds some valuable claims in Nevada county. He loves the sport of hunting and each season finds him in the moun- tains adding to his trophies from year to year.
BENJAMIN J. PATOCCHI.
There is much in the California environment to win and hold the affection of the people of Switzerland, as is demonstrated by a large number of her citizens who have come here to make their permanent homes. Among this number is Benjamin J. Patocchi, who was born in Canton Ticino, Switzer- land, May 18, 1866, and has been a resident of California since his early youth. No fortuitous circumstances had made his life an easy one in his native land, for his parents, Dominico and Benedetta Patocchi, were farmers on a small tract of land from which they endeavored to make a living for their family. The conditions by which they were surrounded proved less irksome to thiem than they did to their son, Benjamin, who when a mere boy had resolved to go to the far-famed land of promise. Hearing the stories of the wonderful re- sourcefulness of California and success achieved by his countrymen in the land of the golden west, it appealed to him like the tales of the Arabian Nights and he was not satisfied until he had obtained his widowed mother's consent, his father having died when he was only seven years of age. He joined a party who, having made one successful trip to California, were returning at that time. Mr. Patocchi came to the vicinity of Petaluma, where he was em- ployed at farming for many years and by strict economy and close applica- tion, he was enabled to purchase the ranch upon which he now lives, consist- ing of one hundred and thirty acres of excellent land. His place is known as Live Oak Knob Ranch, and located in Chelino valley, six miles from Petaluma. Here he carries on the occupation for which his forefathers have been famous
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from time immemorial, dairying, which he conducts on an extensive scale, having a herd of thoroughbred Short Horn and Jersey cattle to maintain this branch of his ranch enterprise. The raising of chickens is an industry which is carried on with equal success. His horses are of the Norman strain, of which he has some very fine specimens and in which he takes great pride. A small family orchard in which are grown a variety of fruits common to this section of the country adds to the value of the ranch, which undoubtedly is one of the most productive and attractive in appearance in this immediate section of the country. Here Mr. Patocchi makes his home with his wife, no children having blessed their marriage. In maidenhood Mrs. Patocchi was Miss Delfina Martin, the daughter of Charles and Catherine (Traversi) Martin, both natives of Switzerland, but who have been residents of California for many years. They were married in Petaluma September 2, 1862, and here all of their seven children were born and reared. (For a fuller account of the Martin family, the reader is referred to the sketch of Leopold Martin, Mrs. Patocchi's brother.) Politically, Mr. Patocchi is a Republican and fraternally he is a member of Petaluma Lodge No. 901, B. P. O. E.
It is wonderful how this man has built up a competence, coming here a youth of nine years, since which time success seems to have attended him on every hand. True, all was not smooth sailing, for he had his ups and downs, but he labored steadily with optimistic ambition and high standards until he has reached his goal, while still in middle life. He has been ably assisted by his wife, who is a woman of great resource and rare ability, being very much of a helpmate to him in every way. His mother, too, is still living, although across the sea, and rejoices in the achievements of her industrious son, feeling now, although she opposed him at the start, that his accomplishments have proven his venture to have been a success.
VITALE DUFRANC.
To those born and reared in southern France grape culture and wine- making come .as second nature, blood transmission and environment both con- tributing to make it part and parcel of their being. One of those so endowed is V. Dufranc, the owner and proprietor of the famous Gers winery at Sebas- topol. Bordeaux, France, was the scene of the birth of Mr. Dufranc, and February 15, 1856, the date of that event. Boyhood, youth and young manhood were passed in that locality, in sight of the purple hills and valleys which had made that section of France renowned the world over for the cultivation of the vine. Being reared in these surroundings Mr. Dufranc would have absorbed a knowledge of grape-growing and wine-making even if he had not inherited a predilection for the business from his forefathers, who were all engaged in it. When he came to the United States at the age of twenty-seven years his chief asset was a knowledge of the grape business from beginning to end, but it was not until he came to Sonoma county in 1896 that he put this knowledge to practical account in this country.
The vessel which landed Mr. Dufranc on these shores cast anchor in the harbor of New York, and from there he made his way westward as far as
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Chicago, Ill. After working in the metropolis of the middle west for a time he again took up his westward way, his next stop being in Denver, Colo., and from there he soon set out for California, arriving in San Francisco in July, 1884. For a short time he was employed in a restaurant in that city, remain- ing there until a better opportunity offered. In the meantime he was quick to see a good opening in the laundry business, and although he had no practical knowledge of the business he ventured in the undertaking, and the fact that he continued in the business for twelve years is ample testimony that it was not a failure. On disposing of his business interests in San Francisco in 1896 he came to Sonoma county and turned his attention to his old-time business of wine-making. Near Sebastopol he purchased nineteen and one-half acres of land which he set out almost entirely to vineyard, reserving only a small portion upon which to plant a family orchard. As his vines came into bearing he estab- lislied a winery for the manufacture of the grape into wine, and the general opinion is that the product of the Gers winery has no equal anywhere. A spe- cialty is made of red wines, all of which is disposed of to wholesale dealers only, in casks and barrels. Eight thousand gallons of wine was the output of the winery for the season of 1909.
When Mr. Dufranc came to the United States in 1884 he brought with him his wife, who in maidenhood was Miss Jane Dentang, to whom he was married in France in 1882. The only child of this marriage is a son, Isidore, who was born in California in 1887. He has received a good education in the schools of Sebastopol, and is now assisting his father in the winery. Fraternally Mr. Dufranc is identified with two organizations, the French Lodge of Odd Fel- lows in San Francisco, and the Sebastopol Lodge, F. & A. M.
MARION HART.
Another of the captains of industry who had made a name and place for themselves in the states to the east before settling in this commonwealth may be mentioned in Marion Hart, now an extensive hop-grower in Sonoma county, in the vicinity of Fulton. He was born in Morgan county, Ill., in 1840, on the paternal farm, where he learned the rudiments of agricultural ·life under his father's training, the later being a life-time farmer and stock-raiser. Subse- quently he settled down to farm life on property of his own in that locality, but later disposed of it to try his luck further west, November of 1873 finding him established in the stock business in Clay county, Neb. The conservative business which he then undertook grew steadily from year to year, and in addition to buying and shipping cattle and hogs also carried on an extensive grain business. Some idea of the extent of the latter business may be gathered from the statement that during one month alone his shipment of grain to Chi- cago amounted to eighty-five carloads, besides other shipments of grain to other markets. All of the land which he owned in Clay county, comprising five hun- dred and sixty acres, was under a fine state of cultivation, a part of it, how- ever, being reserved as range for cattle, of which he had about one hundred head. One season's sale of stock amounted to $3,500.
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