San Joaquin County
Biographies
ANGELO COSTA.
Another inspiring instance of a poor boy who came into San Joaquin County with the unknown world of struggle all before him, and a boy who has since become a successful, prosperous man, thanks in part to the favoring California environment under which he grew up, is Angelo Costa, the pioneer vineyardist of Lodi, now living in comfort at 605 West Lockeford Street. He was born about twelve miles from the ancient and beautiful maritime city, Genoa, and first saw the light on a farm on January 11, 1856. His father, Antonio Costa, owned a large fruit ranch, and raised olives, chestnuts, lemons, figs, grapes and a variety of fruits; and while Angelo attended the local schools he helped his father on the home ranch, and all the while was learning much of great value to him later. Like a good, patriotic Italian youth, also, he served for thirty-two months in the Italian Army, and so did his duty by his native land before he swung away to adopt another country, with its other life and ways.
He became particularly familiar with fruit and grape-growing while working under his experienced father's guidance, and when he came out to California he was in a position to carry on the same kind of special agricultural pursuits here. He left Italy on a ship sailing direct for San Francisco, and arrived in the Bay City in 1879; and as a young man of twenty-three years of age, he located in Lodi, where he first secured work. He did not begin to get rich from the start, for his wages for the first month or two were only twelve dollars per month, and his board. His first work was in a vegetable garden, and later his pay was raised to twenty dollars per month.
Angelo worked hard and what was quite as important, saved his money; and at the end of five long, busy years, he bought eight acres of grain land on West Lockeford Street, for which he paid $135 per acre in cash. He set out to improve the place at once, and soon built a two-story house, a barn and other outhouses; and there he has since made his home. He bought some 300 fruit trees, paying twenty-five cents for each of them, and then he planted some apples, pears and cherries; and later he set out alfalfa and wine grapes. He also installed a pumping plant on the property. He later bought land near Elliott on the Mokelumne River, in Section 17 of Elliott township, and from year to year he has bought more land, until he now owns some 455 acres.
His main ranch is improved not only with a fine irrigating system, but he has an orchard of 500 trees of the apple, pear, cherry variety, and fine pasture and grain land. He also has fifty acres of wine grape vineyard, the whole making a finely improved place which has become, as a first-class investment, a good producer. He also owns a ranch of forty acres near Woodbridge. Thirty-one years ago Mr. Costa cast his lot with the Americans by becoming an American citizen, and ever since, in developing his own material interests, he has also patriotically contributed toward the development of the country, thereby proving of service to others working side by side with and coming after him.
At Stockton Mr. Costa was married by the Rev. Father William O'Connor to Miss Tessie Peirano of Italy, and they had four children: Maria, Charles, Katherine and Angelo.
History of San Joaquin County, California – Los Angeles, Historic Record Co., 1923
p 1359
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler.
ADOLPH CARIGIET.
For the past twenty years Adolph Carigiet was prominently and successfully associated with the advancement of Stockton along the lines of building operations and his death on July 13, 1922, was a severe loss to his devoted family and the community. He was born August 7, 1871, in Canton Ticino, Switzerland, and in early boyhood learned the cabinet maker's trade, which he followed in his native land until he was eighteen years old. In 1889 he arrived in San Francisco and spent three years in that city following his trade, where he soon made a name for himself as an expert in his line; in 1902 he removed to Stockton and for twenty years was employed by such prominent builders as Messrs. Melvin, Daniels and Green; he also worked for the Union Mill Company for about eight years.
The marriage of Mr. Carigiet to Miss Albina Giannini was solemnized at St Mary's Church, Stockton, April 29, 1903. Mrs. Carigiet is the daughter of John and Candida (Bertazzi) Giannini, both natives of Canton Ticino, Switzerland. Her father is now deceased and her mother's sketch appears in this history. Mr. and Mrs. Carigiet were blessed with five children: Esther, a graduate of the Stockton high school, class of 1922; Ethel, Alice, Eda and Lois, the latter being deceased. Mr. Carigiet was prominently identified with the construction of most of the modern homes in the Sunnyside Addition to Stockton, which was opened up about ten years ago by Mrs. Candida Giannini and which has become one of Stockton's most favored residential sections. The death of Mr. Carigiet was keenly felt by his devoted family and large circle of friends and the community where he was so well and favorably known.
JOAQUIN COUNTY
History of San Joaquin County, California – Los Angeles, Historic Record Co., 1923
p 1360
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler.
LOUIS BACIGALUPI.
Stocktonians may well have confidence in the local financial institutions when they are in such good hands as those of Louis Bacigalupi, the popular assistant cashier of the Commercial & Savings Bank of Stockton, a prominent and influential member of the Italian Colony so appreciated here. He was born at Cicagna, near Genoa, Italy, July 30, 1867, the son of Stephen Bacigalupi, who was one of the famous Argonauts of '49, coming via the Isthmus of Panama to San Francisco. He followed mining for a while and then, during 1862-1863, he conducted a well-known coal and wood yard in San Francisco. The next year, however, he returned to Italy, and there he married Miss Maria Dondero who was also born near Genoa. Stephen Bacigalupi engaged in the clothing business in Cicagna and met with well-deserved success, for he attended closely to his business until he retired. He passed away in 1919 at the age of eighty-three, his wife having preceded him many years, passing on when only twenty-nine years of age, leaving a family of three children besides her husband to mourn her loss, Louis being the eldest.
It so happened, therefore, that Louis Bacigalupi completed his education in Italy, making a specialty of a commercial course, and in 1889, doubtless on account of his father's happy experiences here, he crossed the seas to America, and, pushing on west to the Golden State, located at Stockton. He clerked, first, in the store of Joe Gianelli, and later became proprietor of the Eagle Hotel, which he managed for ten years. In 1910, he opened the Taft Clothing Store, on South Center Street, and later he removed the same to its present location at 33 South Hunter Street and even after entering upon his duties at the Commercial and Savings Bank he continued to own the clothing business, which was managed by his son until it was sold in July, 1922. On February 1, 1912, Mr. Bacigalupi entered the employ of the Commercial and Savings Bank as teller, and he was soon advanced to assistant cashier and manager of the foreign department, which position he now holds. He was made an American citizen in 1890, receiving his papers immediately because he had no difficulty in establishing that his father was a naturalized American citizen. Mr. Bacigalupi, being public-spirited, with plenty of loyalty to Stockton and San Joaquin County, and thoroughly progressive in all his ideals and ways, has been able to render a real service, first to his fellow-countrymen coming here, and secondly to American society, of which he has become a part, and political circles, in which he is always active.
In San Francisco in October, 1893, occurred the marriage of Mr. Bacigalupi, which united him with Miss Rose Foppiano, a native of Amador, Cal., a woman of rare capability and personal charm. Her parents, Joseph and Elizabeth (Capalina) Foppiano, were also pioneer settlers of California, coming to the state at the time of the gold excitement, and following mining in Amador County, where Mr. Foppiano passed away; his widow died in San Francisco. The fortunate union of Mr. and Mrs. Bacigalupi has been blessed with the birth of one son, Howard S., who married Miss Amelia Gneco, and they have a little daughter, Liberty Rose. Mr. Bacigalupi is prominent fraternally. He was made a Mason in Delta Lodge No. 471, F. & A. M., and is also a member of Stockton Chapter No. 28, R. A. M., as well as Stockton Council No. 10, R. & S. M. He is a member of Stockton Commandery No. 8, K. T., and Ben Ali Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., in Sacramento. He is also a member of Stockton Lodge No. 218, B. P. O. E., and the Woodmen of the World, in all of which he is a live wire, and in which he enjoys an enviable popularity.
History of San Joaquin County, California – Los Angeles, Historic Record Co., 1923
p 1360
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler.