Amador
County
Biographies
PETER L. CASSINELLI
Prominent among the successful and
influential businessmen of Jackson stands Peter L. Cassinelli, owner of the
largest general merchandise store in town.
He is deserving of special credit because of the fact that he started
this business with very limited capital and has achieved his present position
in the business world through persistent and well directed effort. Born in Italy on the 14th of May,
1873, he is a son of James and Isabelle (Solari) Cassinelli, both of whom died in Italy, where the father
was a blacksmith and wagon maker.
Peter L. Cassinelli attended the
public schools of his home neighborhood until ten years of age, when he came to
the United States, making his away direct to Volcano, Amador County, where
relatives of his brother were the owners of the largest store of its kind in
the county, conducted under the firm name of L. Cassinelli & Brother. In this store Peter Cassinelli received his
first business experience. He swept the
store and did other odd jobs, in addition to selling, for ten years, and during
this period also improved the opportunity of furthering his education by
attending the public school. He then
went to Stockton, this state, and engaged in business, running a small store
for three years. On selling out he went
to San Andreas and opened a general merchandise store, which he sold at the end
of two years. He then spent two years in
Volcano, and in August, 1899, with a cash capital of two hundred and fifty dollars,
came to Jackson and opened a small store.
After buying his equipment, he had but little money left for the
purchase of stock. However, he was a good manager, was economical and uniformly
courteous to his patrons, thereby winning their good will, and in the course of
time he found himself on the road to success.
The original small storeroom was soon inadequate and today he occupies
several storerooms fronting on the main business street of Jackson, and carries
practically all that is necessary for the home, including groceries, hardware,
furniture and household necessities. Mr.
Cassinelli is justifiably proud of the fact that he has been the architect of
his own fortune, though his early years here were characterized by much hard
work and lots of close figuring. He was
for awhile the sole clerk, bookkeeper and delivery boy, but he had a vision of
ultimate success and has had the satisfaction of seeing the fruition of his
dreams. He is also vice president of the Bank of Amador County at Placerville.
Mr. Cassinelli was united in
marriage to Miss Meda Giannini,
who was born and reared in Amador County, and they are the parents of four
children, Mrs. Norma Sketter, Ray, Enrico and Peter L.
There is also one grandchild, Clare Jaen Sketter. Mr. Cassinelli gives his support to the
Republican Party and takes a keen interest in everything relating to the
progress and welfare of his community.
He is president of the Amador County Union high school, and was one of
the group of persons who raised the money which
secured the location of the school at Jackson.
He is a member of the Benevolent Protected Order of Elks, the Fraternal
Order of Eagles and the Lions Club. A
lover of outdoor life, he is particularly fond of golf, hunting and fishing, is
a genial and agreeable companion, and is popular with all who come in contact
with him.
Transcribed by
Gerald Iaquinta.
Source:
Wooldridge, J.W.Major History of Sacramento Valley
California, Vol. 3, Pages 353-354. Pioneer Historical
Publishing Co. Chicago 1931.
© 2010
Gerald Iaquinta.
Golden Nugget Library's Amador County Biographies