San Joaquin County
Biographies
ERNEST P. CAMPBELL.
Among the progressive and far-seeing business men of Stockton is Ernest P. Campbell, a mechanical inventor and the owner and proprietor of the Campbell Auto Works, 238 North El Dorado Street. He has built up a business that extends among auto and truck and tractor owners in all sections of the country.
He was born in Jewell County, Kan., on December 13, 1886, and was reared and educated in his native county. When he reached the age of nineteen he spent four years learning the machinist's trade in the railroad shops of the St. Louis and San Francisco Railroad at Neodesha, Kan.; then he was employed in the shops of the Standard Oil Company of the same place; he then went to Kansas City, Mo., and was in the shops of the Missouri Pacific Railroad. Early in the year of 1908 he arrived in Stockton and entered the employ of Charles F. Holman as head of the machine shop; later Mr. Holman sold his business and Mr. Campbell purchased the mechanical equipment and in 1910 opened his own automobile repair business on Main Street in the building now occupied by the Colonial Theater. Starting in a small way with but one lathe, his business has steadily grown and in 1912 he moved to his present commodious quarters at 238 North El Dorado Street, where he has an up-to-date machine shop, fully equipped for all kinds of repair work.
Mr. Campbell is an inventor of established fame who has created implements highly useful to the auto world, the Campbell combination bearing puller and race extractor being especially valuable in the pulling of magnetos and electrical generator bearings, one of the most timely productions of the age. It is in general use among automobile and tractor owners. All wide-awake mechanics and shop owners who have seen the Campbell bearing puller work, speak highly of it. He has also put on the market the Campbell expansion cylinder reamer for the successful re-boring of automobile engine cylinders; these tools are being sent to all parts of the United States, the fame of the products having spread everywhere, and shipments are made daily. The Campbell Works make a specialty of auto-repairing and rebuilding and make over all kinds of machinery, the work being personally supervised by Mr. Campbell. He employs skilled mechanics and the well-equipped factory is properly provided for handling repairs expeditiously. A specialty is made of complete overhauling of all makes of automobiles, trucks and tractor engines. Mr. Campbell has built up a trade and a patronage that extend among auto, truck and tractor owners in all sections of the country. He is an alert business man who believes in results, and his friends and patrons are legion throughout the Stockton and Delta sections.
History of San Joaquin County, California – Los Angeles, Historic Record Co., 1923
p 1432
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler.
MARCELLS G. BATTILANA.
An interesting business that flourishes more and more is that of Marcells G. Battilana, who styles his enterprise the California Floral Company, located on North California Street, Stockton, in which city he was born on the 25th of February, 1900. He is the son of Joseph and Lottie (Gianelli) Battilana, the former a native of the Genoa district in Italy, and the latter a native daughter of Stockton, her father being G. Gianelli, a pioneer grocer of the city. Joseph Battilana is now a prominent real estate dealer in Stockton, recognized as one of the progressive and influential leaders in his field. It is no wonder, then, that our subject is well-known as one of the rising young merchants of the city.
He attended the Lafayette, Jackson and South schools, and was graduated from the Washington school, after which he went to San Francisco in 1916 and was with the Bank of Italy. Leaving that institution, he took a position with the Pacific Coast Shipbuilding Company of San Francisco, and worked in the shipyards during the World War. Returning to Stockton, he became associated with his father in real estate ventures, and later he was connected with the Commercial & Savings Bank of Stockton.
A. Serventi, an uncle, had established the California Floral Company, in Stockton, and his health failing, on April 6, 1921, Mr. Battilana and I. L. Randolph bought the established business continuing the same under its original name. Mr. Serventi is now deceased. "Say it with flowers" is the slogan challenging the attention of the public to their business, which has fairly doubled itself since these hustling young men took it over. They have everything in the line of flowers and ornamental plants, and their place is always among the most attractive in the city. They deal direct with the leading wholesalers of San Francisco, and are therefore always sure of commanding the market.
At San Francisco on January 15, 1921, Mr. Battilana was married to Miss Inez Squellati, a native of Jackson, Amador County, the daughter of Virgil Squellati, a pioneer of Amador and Calaveras counties and a graduate of the Stockton high school. She also taught school for a year at Palermo School in Valley Springs. One daughter blessed their union, Marcelyn Jean, born on June 14, 1922. Mr. Battilana is a member of the American Institute of Banking in San Francisco, having taken a course with the Bank of Italy; and he also belongs to the Fraternal Order of Eagles, Stockton Parlor No. 7, N. S. G. W., and the Druids. Being among the best-liked of the younger set, his social connections spell prosperity in his business; and the prosperity of his floral undertaking is a matter of concern and congratulation to the community, since the California Floral Company renders an exceptional service to many.
History of San Joaquin County, California – Los Angeles, Historic Record Co., 1923
p 1432
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler.