San Francisco County
Biographies
PIETRO C. ROSSI
PIETRO
C. ROSSI, pharmacist, at 318 Montgomery avenue, is the
sole architect of his fortunes. He came to San Francisco with limited means and
unaided by influence; but, inspired by a worthy ambition, through diligence and
persevering effort he has brought about the success which he now enjoys. He was
born at Dogliani, near Turin, Italy, where he passed
his boyhood days. At the age of fifteen years he entered the University of
Turin from which he was graduated before he was twenty. He made a special study
of chemistry and pharmacy, and after college hours he was with a leading
druggist of Turin. After his graduation in 1875 he determined to begin his
business career in San Francisco, where his uncle, Mr. Sabaldano,
then resided. This gentleman was also a druggist, and the nephew was connected
with him three years, acquiring a knowledge of the
English language and learning the customs of the American people. In January,
1878, he entered into partnership with Mr. Steylaars,
who had been established in the drug business since 1870. This relationship
continued until 1882, when Mr. Rossi purchased the entire interest and has
since conducted the store alone. He is agent for Grimault
& Co., the leading drug house of Paris, and he makes a specialty of his
French, Italian and German importations. In 1881 he was one of the
incorporators of the Italian-Swiss Agricultural Colony, a well-known
organization at Asti, Sonoma county,
California, with a capital stock of $300,000. He was elected president of the
company in 1887, and is the present incumbent of the office. The colony has
erected one of the most complete wineries in the State, with a carrying
capacity of 1,500,000 gallons; two blending tanks have a capacity of 24,000
gallons each, and 100 men are employed on the place. Mr. Rossi is one of the
largest stockholders, and is deeply interested in the success of the
enterprise.
He
was united in marriage, in 1880, in the city of San Francisco, to Miss Emily Caire, a daughter of Justin Caire.
Seven children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Rossi, only four of whom are
living; Marie, Robert and Edmund (twins), and Albine.
Mr. Rossi has made some profitable investments in real estate, and owns his
residence at 716 Union street and other improved and
unimproved property. He is not a member of any secret orders, but belongs to
several benevolent societies; for five years he was president of the Bersaglieri and the Garibaldi Societies, is a director of
the Italian-Swiss Mutual Loan Society, and is treasurer of the Chamber of
Commerce. He has been a member of the Board of Pharmacy, a director of the
Pharmaceutical College, and a director of the French Savings Bank.
Transcribed
by Elaine Sturdevant.
Source: "The
© 2006 Elaine Sturdevant.