Amador
County
Biographies
CARLO SORACCO
Under the blue skies of Italy Carlo Soracco first opened his eyes to the light of day, his
birthplace being near Genoa, on the 21st of December, 1840. He acquired his early education in his native
land and in 1855, when only fifteen years of age, crossed the Atlantic to New
York and then made his way to San Francisco.
He had a capital of only about one hundred dollars and was ignorant of
the language and customs of the people, but he readily adapted himself to his
new surroundings and soon mastered the English language. From the Pacific port he made his way to
Sierra County, where resided his brother Frank, who had come to California in
1850. There Mr. Soracco
engaged in placer mining, continuously following that pursuit for ten years
with the usual experiences of those who devote their energies to searching for
gold. Sometimes he made money rapidly
and again was very unsuccessful, but having acquired some capital he turned his
attention to merchandising, in 1869 establishing a store in Sutter Creek, where
he had a small stock of goods. By close
attention to business and honorable dealing he built up an excellent trade,
thus meeting with well earned success.
He now owns a large business block on Main Street, one hundred six feet
front, and in the building he carries a large, well assorted and complete stock
of general merchandise, the sale of which brings to him an excellent income. In addition to this property he owns dwelling
houses in the town of Sutter Creek, which stand as monuments to his thrift and
industry.
In 1871 Mr. Soracco
was married to Miss Johanna Binchieti, a native of
the Empire state but of Italian ancestry.
They now have five children:
Peter, who is studying medicine in San Francisco, in the medical
department of the University of California; Frank and Lawrence, who are in
business with their father; and Katie and Lena, who are still at their parental
home. The parents and children are all
members of the Catholic Church and are highly esteemed as worthy citizens of
the town in which Mr. Soracco has long been known as
a most reliable merchant. He exercises his
right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the Democratic Party,
though he has never sought political preferment. Dependent entirely upon his
own resources since the age of fifteen years, and with the additional obstacle
of having to learn a new language and business principles, he has steadily
worked his way upward, and his example should serve as a source of inspiration
and encouragement to men who, like himself, are forced to enter upon a business
career without capital or influential friends.
Transcribed by
Gerald Iaquinta.
Source:
“A Volume of Memoirs and Genealogy of Representative Citizens of Northern
California”, Pages 311-312. Chicago Standard Genealogical Publishing Co. 1901.
© 2010
Gerald Iaquinta.
Golden Nugget Library's Amador County Biographies