San Joaquin County
Biographies
JAMES EDWARD KELLEY.
As superintendent of gas manufacture for the Western States Gas and Electric Company of Stockton, James E. Kelley occupies a position of great importance and responsibility in connection with one of the largest public service corporations in California and a strong factor in promoting the industrial development of many cities and towns in the central portion of the state. He is one of California's native sons, his birth having occurred at Benicia, in Solano County, on August 15, 1878, and his parents, Timothy and Mary (Shortell) Kelley, were natives of Ireland. The former came to California when nineteen years of age in the fifties, and was married in San Francisco to Miss Shortell. She came to California when she was about fifteen years old. They were ranchers at Benicia until they retired to Stockton in 1885, and here they passed away, the mother on August 24, 1912, and the father on October 10, of the same year. In their family were three children: James E., our subject, Frank and William, all residents of Stockton. Timothy Kelley proved his loyalty to his adopted country by serving in the Civil War.
James E. Kelley acquired his education in the grammar schools of Stockton and while pursuing his studies he acted as lamp lighter for the Stockton Gas and Heating Company, performing the task faithfully each evening. At the age of sixteen he laid aside his textbooks and secured employment with the California Paper Company, with which he remained for a year, in 1895, and then became wagon driver and errand boy with the Stockton Gas, Light and Heating Company, now the Western States Gas and Electric Company. He conscientiously applied himself to his work and was gradually promoted through the various branches, being for a time in the electrical department, while later he was transferred to the gas department, working his way from the bottom, acting as fireman, oiler and also as engineer. He was next made foreman of the gas plant and in 1910 merit and ability won for him promotion to his present position, that of superintendent of gas manufacture, in which connection he has charge of from forty to fifty men, while he also acts as superintendent of the company's natural gas wells, having seventeen wells in Stockton. He does everything in his power to promote the efficiency of his department and his services are of great value to the corporation.
Mr. Kelley married Miss Nellie Brisco, a native of Stockton and a daughter of Michael Brisco, now living retired in Oakland, Cal. He became one of the pioneer settlers of Stockton and took an active part in public affairs, serving as city councilman and also as a member of the Volunteer Fire Department. Mr. and Mrs. Kelley have a son, Francis V., attending Stockton high school. Mr. Kelley owns his residence at 426 East Vine street, where he resides with his family. He is a member and officer of the Pacific Coast Gas Association and of Stockton Lodge No. 218, B. P. O. Elks.
History of San Joaquin County, California – Los Angeles, Historic Record Co., 1923
p 1476
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler.
JOSEPH ALEGRETTI.
GAETANO ALEGRETTI.
Among the representative men of the second generation in San Joaquin County we mention Joseph Alegretti of Stockton, who was born in this city on January 23, 1880, the son of Gaetano Alegretti, who came to California in 1859 and was one of the first Italians to settle in Stockton. He was born in Chiavari, Italy, June 22, 1841; his father was Joseph and his mother was Giovanni (Bisagno) Alegretti, the former a distinguished sculptor. Gaetano attended a private school until six years old, later a school kept by a priest, but his attendance was irregular for seven years; and he also went to an evening school to study drawing, as he early evinced an aptitude for art. He helped his father is his shop to carve and in 1856 began learning a trade in a shipyard. His uncle, Pio Bisagno, had been in California and had gone back to Italy in 1857, with glowing tales of the wonders of the Pacific Coast country. Gaetano was enthused and wanted to come to California, but he had no money for transportation. In 1858 arrangements had been made for his fare to New York and he prepared for the trip, but being under legal age he could not get a transport to leave Italy, and on June 13, 1858, he enrolled as a carpenter on a sailing vessel bound for Philadelphia. Before leaving he visited friends and relations, who, upon parting, gave him small sums of money as presents. His father went to Genoa to see him off and when bidding him goodbye, Gaetano put this money, some sixty francs, into his father's hand and told him to keep it. It took the ship three and one-half months to reach its destination and upon arriving in Philadelphia the lad was given to understand that at a certain hotel he would find more money from uncles in California for his passage to San Francisco. This had not arrived and he had to wait some little time; fortunately the next incoming ship from the coast brought the money and he bought a ticket via Aspinwall and the Isthmus to San Francisco, arriving twenty-two days later on the S. S. Golden Gate. He at once went to work for his uncles, Bisagno Brothers, in a crockery store, and six months later he was sent to Stockton to take charge of a branch store which was erected at the corner of Washington and El Dorado streets. He received $20 a month for the first two years, then $30. His studies and contact with people had made him a good French, Spanish and English scholar and he was thus well qualified to carry on a responsible business. When he left the employ of his uncles he opened a grocery store in partnership with a cousin, A. Daneri, at El Dorado and Lafayette streets; then eighteen months later bought his uncles' store and ran it for the same period at the old location, then moved to 430 South Center Street. Beginning with a small salary Mr. Alegretti saved his money and invested it intelligently in real estate in San Joaquin County, all of which has greatly increased in value so that his heirs enjoy a competency accrued from his labors. Mr. Alegretti related interesting experiences during his lifetime. During the flood of 1862, when the lower part of the city was covered with water, an old barge from the river floated down the street and went aground at the corner where he was employed in the store; he also told of the miners and Spaniards who would often come into his store and demand free drinks, flourishing guns to emphasize their demands, and how he drove them away with an old pickaxe he had hidden back of the counter for such occasions.
Gaetano Alegretti was united in marriage on August 19, 1864, to Miss Maria Macchiavello, born at Soti, Italy, and they had six children; one now deceased was named Giovanna; and the eldest, Mrs. Clotilda A. Macchiavello, died December 4, 1915, leaving a son Gaetano and a daughter, Maria, living in San Francisco. Those living are Miss Clorinda; Leonora A , Mrs. G. Ghiglieri; Miss Anna, all in San Francisco; Joseph, of Stockton, the only son. Gaetano Alegretti was one of the founders of the Italian Gardeners' Association and was president of the lodge many years; he gave his gun, belt and sash, which he wore when presiding over the lodge, to his son, Joseph. He was a member of the Odd Fellows; the Druids, serving as secretary and treasurer of the latter; and was treasurer of Court Cavalotti of the Foresters and a member of the Knights of Pythias, Lodge No. 20. He was one of the organizers of the Commercial & Savings Bank and was a member of the board of directors, and his name, with the names of the other founders, is inscribed on the wall in the new bank building at the corner of Sutter and Main streets; he also helped organize the Union Safe Deposit Bank. He accumulated several ranches in the county and valuable real estate in Stockton, and the old home is still standing at the corner of Commerce and Washington streets, a portion of which was brought around the Horn in pioneer days. The holdings of Mr. Alegretti have been incorporated under the name of G. Alegretti Company, of which Joseph is the president. Gaetano Alegretti died on February 5, 1910, and he was survived by his widow until January 21, 1916. Mr. Alegretti was a leader among his countrymen and they sought him for advice because they did not understand the ways of this country, and he often became their banker in the earlier days in Stockton.
Joseph Alegretti was educated in the schools of Stockton and worked with his father as long as he continued in business, and since the death of his parents he has had charge of the large estate as president of the corporation.
Of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Alegretti there are three talented daughters who are the pride of the Alegretti home: Georgia, Leonora M , and Margaret C. Fraternally, Mr. Alegretti is a member of the Stockton aerie of Eagles, being among the oldest members of the lodge at this time. Mr. and Mrs. Alegretti have a large circle of friends throughout San Joaquin County who appreciate their worth as citizens of this great state.
History of San Joaquin County, California – Los Angeles, Historic Record Co., 1923
p 1477
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler.