San Francisco County
Biographies
THEODORE BACIGALUPI
THEODORE BACIGALUPI, one of San Francisco’s
well and favorably known citizens, was born in Genoa,
Italy, January 5,
1841. He 1858 he came to New York, and in 1860, when nineteen years of
age, he came to San Francisco to make his own way in the world, and after his
arrival he was comparatively penniless, and began to work at whatever he could
find to do. His first job was cutting wood in the basement of the
International Hotel for $12 per month and board, and his services there were
appreciated, as he could speak French, Spanish and English, and became valuable
as a runner and interpreter for the house. When he gave up his situation
there he was receiving $150 per month. He was then a liquor dealer, but
his health failing, he was advised by his physician to seek a warmer climate in
the interior of the State, and he consequently moved to Tulare
county. He took a preemption of 160 acres, and
afterward a homestead of 160 acres, and in this way
became interested and a dealer in real estate, and, in riding about the country
after his business, was restored to health. Mr. Bacigalupi
was engaged in the real-estate business for a time at Visalia,
the county seat, and from there went to Tulare
City, became a pioneer of that
place and built the first brick house in the city. He made it his home for
thirteen years, frequently returning to San Francisco
on business during that time. He was one of the
founders of the Bank of Tulare, and built their gas works, and is still a
stockholder in both these enterprises. He also has the honor of being the
pioneer in the sinking of artesian wells, having had the first well put down in
that county, and his enterprise in that direction proved of untold value to Tulare
county. After his return to San
Francisco he became a dealer in real estate on his own
account, and has met with success. He was one of the founders of the
People’s Home Savings Bank of San Francisco.
In the fall
of 1866 Mr. Bacigalupi was married to Miss Angeline Rapeto, a native of Genoa, Italy,
and they had four children, all of whom are now deceased. They are now
rearing two of his wife’s sister’s children. Mr. Bacigalupi
is a member of the Italian and Swiss Loan Association, a director in the
Italian Benevolent Society, and is a thirty-second-degree Mason. His
political views are Democratic, and in 1890 he was nominated by his party for
Supervisor of his ward, and, notwithstanding there were two other Democrats
running for the same office, he received the complimentary vote of
24,376. He has invested in both city and country real estate, and has
become fully identified with the county of his adoption, and takes a deep
interest in the growth and well-being both of San Francisco
and the State of California.
Transcribed7-1-06
Marilyn R. Pankey.
Source: "The Bay of San
Francisco," Vol. 2, Pages
418-419, Lewis Publishing
Co, 1892.
©
2006 Marilyn R. Pankey.
California Biography Project
San Francisco County
California Statewide
Golden Nugget Library