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 118
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 | Part 119
Born in the canton of Ticino, Switzerland, in 1854, A. Maestretti is a son of Peter and Angelina Maestretti, the former of whom was born in that same country in 1803, the latter also being a native and life-time resident of Switzer- land. Eight children, four sons and four daughters, were born of this marriage, Angelo, James, Amily, Antonio, Catherine, Francesca, Josephine and Angeline. Leaving his wife and children in Switzerland, in 1854, the same year in which our subject was born, the father came to the United States on a tour of inspection, attracted hither on account of the gold excitement of that period. After landing at the eastern port he re-embarked in a vessel bound for the Isthmus of Panama, and after crossing that body of land, re-embarked on another vessel that brought him to the coast of California. The records do not state further details of his experiences in this country, but it is safe to presume that he returned to his native land and rounded out his career in the country in which he was born and in which he had passed fifty years before coming to this country. Next to the oldest son in the parental family, James married Miss Sarah Merchand, by whom he has four children, one son and three daughters. Amily chose as his wife Meda Orr, and they and their eight children are residents of Sacramento, Cal.
Antonio Maestretti was a youth of nineteen years when he set sail for the United States in 1873. He, too, was attracted to California, for a different
1097
HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY
reason, however, than the one which had attracted his father here nearly twenty years previously. The gold excitement was no longer the attraction to this sec- tion of country, but the more enduring possibilities of agriculture were attract- ing a class of citizens that was destined to be permanent and enduring. After a residence of thirty-seven years in this section of the country Mr. Maestretti has nothing but praise to say of it, for here he has been enabled to progress in a way which would not have been possible in his native country. He leases a ranch of one hundred acres near Petaluma, on Rural Route No. 5, where he maintains a dairy ranch of fifteen cows, besides considerable young stock, and he also raises chickens, having two thousand at the present time. Three head of work horses and other stock find ample pasturage on the land not in hay or not occupied by the dairy or chicken industries. This business does not represent all of Mr. Maestretti's interests, for he is the owner of two valuable business properties in Petaluma, one at the corner of Bodega and Baker streets, and the other at Baker and Stanley streets.
Before her marriage Mrs. Maestretti was Miss Lidia Maestretti, and was born in Switzerland in 1878. Three children have been born to Mr. Maestretti and his wife, Peter M., John B. and Mary Rose. The family are communicants of the Roman Catholic Church of Petaluma, and politically Mr. Maestretti is a Republican. Since 1883 he has held membership in the Odd Fellows order, and is an active and interested member of his lodge.
CARLOS NICOLETTI.
Yet another of the sons of Italy who are contentedly settled in California is Carlos Nicoletti, a rancher in Mendocino township, Sonoma county, where he is reaping the benefit of his labors and enjoying comforts which are unknown to his countrymen across the water. Born in Italy in 1863, he was a young man of ahout eighteen years when he began to put into execution, plans which he had laid for his future, the beginning of which was his immigration to the new world at that time. Stories of the opportunities awaiting his countrymen in California had reached his ears, and with this section of country as the goal of his ambition he at once secured transportation from the seaport town at which the ocean vessel landed him.
The year 1892 marks the date of Mr. Nicoletti's arrival in Sonoma county, where he now owns a ranch of one hundred and fifty acres, as fine and pro- ductive a tract of land as may be found in the township. Fifteen acres are in vineyard, from which he gathered ten tons of grapes during the season of 1909, four acres are in hay and pasture, while the remainder of the land is in standing timber. With the aid of two horses and the necessary farm implements he keeps the land in splendid condition and in so doing keeps his ranch up to a high stan- dard of production.
Mr. Nicoletti's marriage united him with one of Italy's daughters in Miss Zeffira Puccioni, who was born in 1867. Six children, equally divided as to sons and daughters, were born to them, as follows: Eugeno, Virgie, Joseph, Mary,
1098
HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY
Nello and Eva. All of the family are devout members of the Roman Catholic Church, attending the church of that faith at Healdsburg. Mr. Nicoletti has not attached himself to either of the political parties, being independent in his views, and casting his vote as his conscience dictates.
REV. JEREMIAH LEAHY.
The pastor of St. Vincent's Church, Petaluma, Rev. Jeremiah Leahy, came to California in 1888 and has been an active worker in the church ever since. St. Vincent's was visited in the early days by priests of St. Vincent's Orphan Asylum; later it was established as a parish, in 1857, with Rev. L. A. Auges, as parish priest. The first church building was erected on Keokuk and Prospect streets, and for some time the congregation worshipped there. In 1859 Rev. Father Leotens succeeded to the incumbency and afterwards he became Bishop of Vancouver, B. C. Next came the Rev. Peter Birmingham, then Father J. F. Harrington, and next Rev. F. L. Scanlon (later Bishop of Salt Lake), who nine months later was succeeded by Rev. Father J. F. Cleary, who continued as pastor during the erection of the building. He came in 1873. and soon afterwards the present site comprising about three-quarters of a block between Western avenue and Bassett street and Liberty and Howard streets, was purchased. He erected the present church building about 1876, and a large parochial residence about 1881. Two blocks away on Union, between Keokuk and Howard streets, this enterprising priest purchased the site and built St. Vincent's Academy, and in 1887 the Convent of the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The Academy is for boys and girls, and aside from the grammar department they have a commercial and high school course which is in charge of the above-mentioned Sisters. Rev. Father J. F. Cleary contin- ued as pastor until 1908, when he became incapacitated and retired. He is now residing at the old home in which he was born in County Wexford, Ireland. He was a graduate of All Hallows College, Dublin, completing the course in June, 1871, and coming immediately to San Francisco, Cal., where for two years he was assistant to Father King, of the Immaculate Conception Parish at Oakland, remaining there until his appointment to St. Vincent's in 1873 by Archbishop Alemeny. On his retirement, Father E. J. Doran was appointed administrator of St. Vincent's, and he was succeeded by Rev. Jeremiah Leahy in January, 1911.
Rev. Jeremiah Leahy was born in County Kerry, Ireland, and was gradu- . ated from All Hallow's College, Dublin, and ordained June 24, 1888, by Bishop Moore, of St. Ballarat, Australia, for the San Francisco diocese. Coming to California in the summer of 1888, Father Leahy immediately became assistant to Father Cleary at St. Vincent's Church, Petaluma, with whom he worked in harmony for eleven years, leaving to accept the pastorate of St. Francis de Solano at Sonoma. While there, he built the church at Glen Ellen, and aided in the restoration of the old mission at Sonoma, now the property of the state. After nine years of service at St. Francis, during which period he endeared himself to the hearts of his parishioners by the faithful discharge of his duties, he was sent to Stockton, Cal., as administrator to Father O'Connor, of St.
1099
HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY
Mary's Church, serving there until January, 1911, when he was appointed to St. Vincent's. In June, 1911, Father Cleary's resignation was accepted by Archbishop Riordan, who thereupon appointed Rev. Jeremiah Leahy pastor of St. Vincent's Church in Petaluma. Father Leahy now devotes all his time and energy to this parish, and is ably assisted in his work by Rev. M. M. O'Shea and Rev. Alfred M. deSousa.
St. Vincent's congregation numbers about two thousand, and is one of the must successful churches in the county. In addition to the arduous duties of St. Vincent's Parish, Father Leahy has charge of the Mission of St. Joseph at Cotati between Petaluma and Santa Rosa. He also has charge of the Church of the Holy Ghost in the Wilson district, five miles west of the city of Peta- luma, the three places making a grand total of two thousand, five hundred par- ishioners. Father Leahy is a saintly man of splendid character, well qualified for the discharge of the important pastorate that is his. His practical teachings. as well as his own private life, having done much to influence for good the com- munity in which he resides.
MICHAEL KEOUGH.
An honored position among the farmers of Sonoma county is held by the well-known Irish-American citizen whose name introduces this article and whose personality is familiar to many of the pioneers of the region. As his name indicates, he is of Irish nativity and extraction and belongs to a family for many generations associated with the Emerald Isle, whence emigration was made to Canada in 1847 when Michael was a child of four years. The memories of his native land are therefore misty in outline, having left no permanent impress upon his mind, but he recalls vividly the sojourn of four years near Montreal, Canada, and the migration from there across the St. Lawrence river to New York, from which state a return to Canada was made in three years. Hence his education was obtained principally in Canadian schools. The further advantage was his of inheritance of a cheerful, optimistic temperament from Irish progenitors. In addition an early contact with Americans developed qualities of energy and determination inseparable from permanent progress.
Coming via the isthmus to California during the year 1869 Mr. Keough secured employment as a stage-driver on the old overland route and for a con- siderable period he continued in this hazardous work, but eventually he turned to agriculture as a more congenial occupation and for many years he has been engaged in general farming in Sonoma county. After coming here he was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Green, who was born in Pennsylvania in 1860. Two daughters blessed their union. The elder. Christie, is the wife of C. H. Danger, and the younger, Minnic, married J. J. Pennery. Mrs. Keough is a daughter of Carl Green, a German who came to the United States in 1850 and settled in Pennsylvania. In the Green family there were five children, William, Mary, Barbara Louie and Elizabeth. William married Eliza Hulp and has one child. Mary, Mrs. William Little, has four children, Carlton, Ivan, Gladys and Christina. Barbara is married and has four daughters, and Louie also is the mother of four children.
1100
HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY
Tracing the genealogy of the Keough family it is ascertained that previous generations lived in Ireland as far back as the record can be traced. George Keough, who was born in Ireland in 1807, married Mary Devereaux, who was born there in 1818. Their family comprised eight children, namely: Michael, John, George, Philip, Susan, Josephine, Minnie and Mary Ann. John is married and has a son, George. George married Mary Bowler and has two children, Charles and Inez. Philip, who makes his home at Bishop, Inyo county, married Nora Hall and has four children, Chester, Carl, Merle and Edna. Susan, Mrs. Richard Fulfurd, has six children, four of them being named George, John, Richard and Elizabeth. Josephine is married and the mother of four children. Minnie, Mrs. George Robinson, has a daughter, Mollie. Mary Ann, Mrs. John Waysort, has a family of four children.
Since establishing his home in Sonoma county and taking up agricultural activities Mr. Keough has been interested in other movements besides such as are identified with his own occupation. It is said that he always gives his support to progressive projects for the general welfare. Whenever any move- ment is brought forward for the ultimate good of the community he is ready to promote its success and contribute to its assistance. When a few progressive men first broached the subject of a telephone line he took up the movement with enthusiasm and contributed to the establishment of the system, since which time he has served as president of the local telephone line. Educational work also receives his stanch support. A firm believer in the inestimable value of the public-school system, he aids all enterprises for the advancement of its standard of education and the increasing of its usefulness. As school trustee he has rendered valuable service gratuitously to his district and by all means in his power has endeavored to advance the welfare of the school. At his home he is to be found busily engaged in caring for his tract of one hundred and fifteen acres, much of which is under cultivation to grain or in meadow, while five acres are planted to fruits of the choicest varieties. To some extent he also specializes in chickens and at this writing has on his farm a drove of six hundred hens, the income from which adds materially to his annual receipts.
GILO QUANCHI.
When the final history of California shall have been written it will be found to contain worthy mention of the natives of Switzerland who have found within her borders opportunities for becoming landowners and the development of latent possibilities within themselves to which it was impossible to give ex- pression in their own country, owing to her narrow confines. In giving vent to their capabilities these immigrants have not only reaped an incalculable benefit themselves, but they have conferred an equal benefit upon the locality in which they have settled, their qualities of thrift and perseverance being the foundation stone of their character and therefore of their success.
Gilo Quanchi, Sr., was born in Switzerland in 1829, and it was not until he was well advanced in years that he came to the United States with his wife in 1896. Before her marriage the mother was Albini Janezzi, and the chil- dren consisted of two sons and one daughter, Joseph, Gilo and Josie. Joseph
IIOI
HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY
married Filomena Riccoli, by which he has one child; Josie is the wife of Spiro Magistocchi and the mother of one child, Violet.
Gilo Quanchi, Jr., chose as his wife Edah Bolla, who was born in Sonoma county in 1888, the daughter of Peter Bolla, who was born in Switzerland in 1845. Four children were born of his marriage with Olivia Filippini, as fol- lows : Olympio, Elvetzio, Olivia and Edah. In close proximity to Petaluma Mr. Quanchi leased a fine ranch property consisting of eighty acres, of which thirty acres were in orchard, a specialty being made of raising apples, cherries and quinces, all of which fruits flourish in this section. On a portion of the remaining land pasturage was given to twelve cows, besides which Mr. Quanchi raised chickens on a large scale, at one time having one thousand fine Leghorns in his flock. Mr. Quanchi was successfully engaged in the management of his ranch until the death of his wife, December 13, 1910, when he gave up the ranch and has since been employed at farming. He is a communicant of the Roman Catholic Church, as was also his wife, and in his political belief he is a Re- publican.
ROMILDO LOUIS MAZZA.
A few miles from Petaluma may be seen the fine ranch property belonging to Luigi Mazza, and leased to his son R. L. Mazza, who is one of the younger generation of ranchers in this section of Sonoma county. Although he is a na- tive of this part of California, his birth occurring in Tocaloma, Marin county, in 1875, he is the descendant of a long line of Swiss ancestors and possesses all of the admirable traits that have made the citizens of that little republic so heartily welcomed wherever they have chanced to locate.
Luigi Mazza was the establisher of the name on this side of the Atlantic. He was born in Switzerland in 1836, and upon reaching years of maturity had endeavored to make himself content with the advantages and opportunities for progress which his native country offered, but these paled into insignificance before the unlimited chances for advancement which he had been told would be his for the seeking on this continent. He was thirty-four years of age when, in 1870, he set sail for the United States, and after landing from the vessel at the eastern port of New York, he re-embarked on a vessel bound for the Isthmus of Panama, and on the Pacific side of the Isthmus, took passage on another vessel which finally landed him in the Golden Gate. Going from there to Marin county, he established a home in Tocaloma, and it was there that his son R. L. was born five years later. In his wife, who before her marriage was Lucia Giacomini, and who was born in Switzerland in 1846, Mr. Mazza had a true helpmate and sym- pathetic companion. Eight children enlivened this household, three sons and five daughters, Romildo, William, Samuel, Nellie, Olympia, Alma, Kate and Dina. The latter is a half-sister, being the daughter of the mother's first mar- riage, to Mr. Mazza's older brother. The eldest of the daughters, Nellie. be- came the wife of Louis Henrioulle; Dina became the wife of Peter Silacci, and the mother of three children, Wilford, George and Edwina; Alma is the wife of Clorindo Bloom.
With his brothers and sisters R. L. Mazza attended the schools of Toca- loma, Marin county, and when not in school he was performing duties about the
1102
HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY
home ranch. It was in this way that he became familiar with ranching and was enabled to undertake the responsibilities of a ranch of his own at so early an age and with such splendid success. Near Petaluma he leases a tract of eight hundred and forty-four acres of his father's land, of which forty-five acres are under cultivation, while the remainder of the land gives ample pasturage to one hundred cows, twenty-five head of young stock and heavy horses, besides which he engages to some extent in the poultry business.
At Liberty Station, Cal., Mr. Mazza was united in marriage with Miss Jennie Soldati, in 1906, and one son, Francis, has been born to them. Mrs. Mazza is the daughter of Alexander Soldati, a native of Switzerland, born November 14, 1854, and his wife, formerly Louisa Bianchini. Eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Soldati, as follows: Flevio, Marino, Corina, Jennie, Vina, Alice, Palma and Effie. Corina is the wife of Louis Pomi and the mother of one son; Vina is the wife of William Nonella and the mother of a daughter, Mabel; and Jennie is Mrs. Mazza. Both Mr. Mazza and his wife were reared in the faith of the Roman Catholic Church, and their child's training has been along the same line of faith. Politically Mr. Mazza is not attached to either of the great political parties, but reserves the right to vote for the man who, in his opinion, is best suited for the political office in question.
GIOVANI COMBI.
One of the native-born sons of Italy who has benefited by transferring his efforts to the United States, and who by indefatigable labors is reaping a degree of success impossible in the country of his birth, is Giovani Combi, who was born in Italy in 1870, the son of Climaco and Domenico Combi. The year 1890 found him enroute to California, whither he had been preceded by an elder brother, Peter Combi, born in 1868, and who is now in the employ of the Napa City winery.
Giovani Combi came direct to Petaluma, where he was fortunate in finding employment with the well-known rancher, Charles Martin, and during the time he was associated with the latter lie learned the chicken business in all of its details. It was this knowledge and practical experience that enabled him to establish the business of his own that he now conducts near Petaluma, his flock averaging one thousand chickens of the best breeds.
Politically Mr. Combi is a believer in Republican principles, and in attend- ing and worshipping in the Roman Catholic Church he is following the train- ing of his ancestors for many generations.
ANGELO PUCCIONI.
One of the youngest representatives of the Italian-American citizens in Sonoma county, Cal., is Angelo Puccioni, the owner of a thriving ranch in Mendocino township. Born near the town of Lucca, Italy, in 1870, he remained there long enough to realize by contrast with other countries that his own was deficient in opportunity, and as soon as the wherewithal for his passage to the United States could be secured he made the voyage that brought him to his present comfortable surroundings. Here, in Mendocino township, he is the
1103
HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY
owner of a splendid tract of one hundred and sixty-eight acres, which at the time of purchase was covered with a heavy growth of timber, but much of this has by his energetic efforts been cleared and placed under cultivation, and no one could take greater pride in his accomplishments than does Mr. Puccioni. He has forty acres in vineyard and four acres in hay, and the remainder of the land is still rich in fine timber.
In all of his laborious efforts to make a home for his family Mr. Puccioni has had the help and co-operation of his wife, who was born in Italy in 1880 as Dalia Buchingani. She was the daughter of John and Nancy (Rossa) Buchingani, who were born in Italy, and who came to the United States with their family of four children in 1887. Named in the order of their birth they were as follows: Lester, Richard, Isabell and Dalia, the latter the wife of Mr. Puccioni. Lester was married in Italy, but no children were born of the union. Isabell married Joe Nanie, and became the mother of two children, Joe and Ida. Six children, two sons and four daughters, have been born of the marriage of Mr. Puccioni and his wife, as follows: John. Louis, Julia, Lena, Rosie and Marie. Those who have watched Mr. Puccioni's efforts since his location on his present ranch have been amazed at the transformation which he has wrought and con- fidently predict even greater things at his hands.
ANTONIO BETTINELLI.
One of the flourishing ranch enterprises in Chelino valley is that maintained by Antonio Bettinelli and Augustus Tunzini, partners in the maintenance of seven hundred and twelve acres of fine ranch land adjacent to Petaluma, on Rural Route No. 2. Both men are Swiss by birth and training, which is equivalent to saying they are expert dairymen, and this indeed is true in their case. At the present time one hundred cows of the best breed contribute to the maintenance of their dairy, besides which there are fifteen head of young stock that will add to the size of the herd as soon as they are grown. The poultry industry is also a feature of the ranch enterprisc, eight hundred chickens of the White Leghorn variety being an average flock. Four head of horses are also being raised on the ranch, which taken altogether is one of the most flourishing in this part of California.
Antonio Bettinelli was born in Canton Ticino, Switzerland, in the year 1871, one of the three sons (besides whom there were two daughters) born to his parents, Lawrence and Giovannina Bettinelli. One of these sons, Fillipo, had come to the United States in 1884, and two years later, in 1886, Antonio joined his brother in Marin county, the two working in the employ of ranchers in that county for some time. Subsequently they came to Chelino valley, Marin county, and both are now maintaining ranches on their own account not far from Peta- luma.
Antonio Bettinelli chose for his wife a native daughter of California. She was formerly Miss Corinna Dado, born in Chelino valley, Marin county, in 1879. Ten children, six sons and four daughters, have been born to them, as follows : Paul, Lawrence, Alvino, Olympio, Everest, Alfred, Genevieve, Caroline, Irene and Elma. All of the children are robust and hearty and as they advance in
IIO4
HISTORY OF SONOMA COUNTY
years will be fitted to take their place creditably in the world, if the faithful training of their parents is adhered to. Mrs. Bettinelli is the daughter of Paul Dado, who was born in Switzerland in 1840, his wife, formerly Caroline Togni, having been born in the same country in 1853. Their marriage resulted in the birth of eleven children, three of whom were sons, Attilio, Silvio and Leo. The daughters were Belinda, Corinna, Delfina, Evelina, Florinda, Julia, Valeria and Irene. Attilio married Claudina L. Bloom, the daughter of James B. Bloom, and they had one daughter, Genevieve; after the death of his first wife he married Olivia Gambonini, and one son, Vernon, has been born of that marriage. Belinda became the wife of Philip Casarotti, and they have five children, Charles, Walter, Ernest. Irene and Eveline. Delfina became the wife of Alfonso Garzoli, and one child has been born to them, Marion. Evelina is the wife of Silvio Gam- bonini, and the mother of one son, Raymond. Florinda married Joseph Garzoli and has three children, Leo, Clayton and Matilda. Politically Mr. Bettinelli is a Republican, and with his family he finds religious consolation in the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church, being communicants of the Church of the As- sumption at Tomales.
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.