San Francisco County
Biographies
JOSEPH CALEGARIS
JOSEPH CALEGARIS stands pre-eminent among the Italian
citizens of San Francisco. He was
born in the city of Genoa, in 1855,
and after a thorough preparatory training, entered the university where he soon
made a name for himself as a diligent and capable student. He made a specialty
of pharmacy, and had the advantage of four years of actual experience in
chemistry before his graduation, which occurred in 1876. He then occupied a
responsible position with an eminent pharmacist of Genoa
until 1881, when he was induced through Dr. Pescia to
come to America and settle in San
Francisco. Being complete master of the English
language, and rapidly adapting himself to America
customs, he quickly won a position in the city of his adoption. Politically he
holds the most liberal ideas, which he freely expressed in his writings for the
daily press of Genoa and in his correspondence with La Voce del Popole of San
Francisco. After coming to this city he purchased an
interest in the drug store of Charles Roturier, which
was established in 1854; four years later he bought his partner’s share, and
became sole proprietor of the business; he has a wholesale department, in which
he handles medicines imported from Italy
and France, and mineral salts and
waters from Germany.
Mr.
Calegaris’ familiarity with five different languages
has been of the greatest benefit to him in carrying on business with foreign
countries. He is now serving his second term as president of the Italian
Chamber of Commerce, which was organized in 1884; this chamber has been an
important medium in building up the business relations between the merchants of
San Francisco and Italy,
and has been of mutual benefit; it is supported by the members, aided by the
Italian government.
He
is also an author of a book on botany, entitled “Gli Amori delle Piante”
( Les Amours des Plantes: The Charms of the Plants),
which has been accepted with thanks by the Literary Academy of Florence, Italy,
an honor which is conferred on but a few. He has also been a correspondent for
many years of the Annals on Chemistry, edited by Professor Polli,
of Milan, which was and is considered the best publication
of the kind in Italy.
Before
leaving his native land our subject was married, and he and his wife are the
parents of five children: Emile and Arnold, both born in Italy;
Mario, Anita and Ines, natives of San
Francisco. The family reside
at 814 Lombard street,
where Mr. Calegaris owns property. He also owns other
dwellings and business houses. For several years he was president of the
Italian Mutual Aid Society (Bersaglieri ). He is a member of the Masonic order of Italy
and belongs to the Knights of Pythias of San
Francisco. He is a stanch supporter of the Collage of Pharmacy, and is
considered a very able chemist.
Transcribed by
Kim Buck.
Source: "The Bay of San
Francisco," Vol. 2, Pages
497-498, Lewis Publishing
Co, 1892.
© 2006 Kim Buck.
California Biography Project
San Francisco County
California Statewide
Golden Nugget Library