Siskiyou County
Biographies
E. ROSA
Among the substantial citizens of Italian birth who have adopted northern California as their home is numbered E. Rosa, who is controlling owner and manager of one of the largest stores in Weed, and who is recognized as a public-spirited citizen of the community. He was born in Italy, January 16, 1881, and is a son of Daniel and Catherine Rosa, who never came to the United States. The mother is deceased, and the father is now in South America.
E. Rosa attended the common schools of his native land, and later studied at a seminary. In 1897 he came to America going direct to Sacramento, California, where he remained for two years, working at various jobs, including mining and milling. He then went to Shasta county, where he worked intermittently for three or four years for the Iron Mountain Copper Company. Next he returned to Sacramento for a short time, alternating between there and McCloud, and also working for a lumber company. He tended bar for the Martzinni brothers for a short time, then went to San Francisco, where he worked at any available task for two years. These were years of hard labor for Mr. Rosa, and he frequently changed positions in his search for something profitable. He had courage and was not afraid of hard work, so his later success could not be denied. He went to Alma, Colorado, where he engaged in gold mining for one year, then returned to California, and tended bar at the Delmonte for three years. On November 12, 1912, he came to Weed, and tended bar for Martzinni brothers for five years. He then decided to go into business for himself, and accordingly, with a partner, built the Hotel Savoy, at Weed. This is an attractive hotel on the main highway to Canada from Los Angeles, and the owners still operate it, although the café is leased.
In 1920, Mr. Rosa established a general mercantile business, in partnership with George Mossman. The People Store, Incorporated, was organized, with Mr. Rosa holding the controlling shares and acting as manager of the business. This is now the largest store in Weed, with the exception of that conducted by the Long-Bell Lumber Company, and they have eight thousand feet of floor space was a basement of equal size. Everything is carried in stock, with the exception of groceries. Furnishings for men and women, hardware, furniture, shoes, and fishing tackle are among the commodities on the shelves of this modern store.
Mr. Rosa is interested in civic affairs of his home city, and supports all progressive local movements. He is a democrat in his political beliefs; a communicant of the Roman Catholic Church; and a member of the Knights of Columbus, and the Sons of Italy.
In 1921 Mr. Rosa was married to Mrs. Rosa Santucci, a widow and native of Italy. She is the mother of three children by a former marriage, namely: Anita, the wife of George Calhoun, who is employed in her stepfather’s store; Phoebe, who married William Philips, now of Oakland, and works in the Rosa store; and Antonio, who was in the United States Navy for six years, and is now a resident of Sacramento.
Transcribed
by Craig Hahn.
Source: Wooldridge, J.W. Major History of the Sacramento Valley
California, Vol. 2 pgs. 57-58. Pioneer Historical Publishing Co. Chicago
1931.
© 2005 Craig Hahn.
Golden Nugget Library's El Dorado County Biographies