Sacramento County
Biographies
EDWARD LEAL DaROZA
In all fields of labor the men who lead
are those who have been fitted by experience for their peculiar offices and it
is a refuted theory that chance plays a part in the progress of those who would
attain influence and prosperity among their fellows.
One of the most able leaders in industrial
circles of Sacramento county is E. L. DaRoza, who for the past four years has served as manager
of the Elk Grove Winery, which forms a portion of his father's estate. A
native of the Island of St. George, Portugal, Jose L. DaRoza
left his home country for America at the age of seventeen years, arriving in
New Bedford, Mass. Proceeding to Sacramento, Cal., in 1881 he became an employe in the service of the Southern Pacific Railroad
Company, but after five years decided to enter a more lucrative as well as a
more agreeable occupation and to that end investigated a business opportunity
in Elk Grove, with the result that he became associated with John Nevis, who
operated a winery in that section. For nine years he served his employer
faithfully, paying strict attention to his duties, at the same time learning
every detail of the business. In 1895, having concluded to remain
permanently in the field wherein he had become an expert, he purchased the
interest of Mr. Nevis, undertaking the control of the plant with immediate
success, and until his death, in December, 1909, actively conducted his affairs
with the assistance of his son. His wife, Amelia (Vierra)
DaRoza, is a woman of courageous nature and rare devotion, was a native of Portugal. She became the
mother of seven children, as follows: Mabel, Ida, Edward. John, Joseph, Frank and Clarence. The family suffered
a deep loss in the death of the wife and mother in 1894.
The third oldest of the children in the
parental family, Edward L. DaRoza, was born in Elk
Grove, Cal., October 27, 1891. After a preliminary course in the schools
of his home section he became a student in the schools of San Francisco, two
years later, however, returning to Elk Grove and completing his studies in the
high school of this place, from which he graduated in 1908. He then
accepted a position as bookkeeper in his father's office, and by patient
application and intense interest in all matters pertaining to the success of
the enterprise became an important factor in the business, and after his
father's death he was made manager, fulfilling his duties with ability and
tactful leadership. Fortunate indeed was the circumstance which led the
young man to become associated with the business, for a year later the
responsibility of his father's interests devolved upon him. Rising
to the occasion with quiet confidence in his own powers and a sincere
desire to control affairs to the best of his ability, however, his faithfulness
to his work continued worthy of the highest commendation. In his service
are eighteen men, all of whom bear hearty good will toward their employer, and
inasmuch as the capacity of the plant is a million gallons annually, it may be
readily understood that its management requires the utmost care and good
judgment. The winery is complete with a full line of machinery, including
two steam engines and boilers, two large stills, a crusher with a capacity of
thirty-five tons per hour, and is admirably located on an eleven hundred foot
spur from the Southern Pacific Railroad. In connection with the winery
there is a ranch of one hundred and eighty acres, one hundred acres being in
vineyard. In addition to the grapes supplied from their own vineyard they
buy about five thousand tons of grapes to supply the demand. It is
interesting to note that the elder Mr. DaRoza doubled
the business after he bought it, and since his death the business has been
doubled again. A branch house is maintained on Beach street,
New York City, and a large trade is supplied to the Hawaiian Islands.
Mr. DaRoza is a
member of Elk Grove Parlor No. 41, N. S. G. W., Sacramento Chapter No. 42, R.
A. M., and is also affiliated with Elk Grove Court No. 103, Foresters of America.
Progressive and public-spirited he maintains a deep interest in civic affairs
and is widely known as a man of generous principles and unswerving honor.
Transcribed by Sally Kaleta.
Source: Willis,
William L., History of Sacramento County,
California, Pages 732-733. Historic
Record Company,
© 2006 Sally Kaleta.