San
Joaquin County
Biographies
GIUSEPPE BATTILANA
An influential citizen of San
Joaquin County is Giuseppe Battilana, who by
ceaseless toil and endeavor, has attained a marked success in business affairs,
has gained the respect and confidence of men, and is recognized as one of the
representative citizens of Stockton, where he has resided for the past
thirty-two years. He was born on a farm
in the Genoa district of Italy, November 11, 1863, his father being a farmer
and also a storekeeper in a small town in Italy. Giuseppe helped his father on the farm and in
the store until he was twenty-seven years of age, then started for America and
came direct to Stockton, California, arriving with very little money in his
pocket; however, he soon found work in a grocery store owned by August
Gianelli, located on the corner of Center and South streets, and after four
years of clerking, he and D. Gianelli, a brother of August Gianelli, purchased the
business, and the firm became known as Gianelli &
Battilana and they conducted the store for five
years, when Mr. Battilana sold his interest and with
the proceeds bought lots at the corner of South and San Joaquin streets, where
he built a store building and carried on a grocery business for eight years; he
then erected two business blocks at the corner of Church and San Joaquin
streets and conducted a grocery store for four years. Success attended every venture, for he was
persevering and industrious and was optimistic for the future of Stockton, so
invested his savings in real estate.
About twelve years ago he entered the real estate and insurance
business, paying particular attention to the insurance end of the business and
he has built up a very profitable clientele.
Mr. Battilana has bought and sold houses and
lots in Stockton and is the owner of considerable valuable real estate in the
city. He is a prominent member of the
Italian colony of Stockton and has been an influential factor in the upbuilding
of the city.
Mr. Battilana’s
marriage united him with Miss Lottie Gianelli, a daughter of G. Gianelli an
early resident of Stockton, now deceased.
Mr. and Mrs. Battilana are the parents of
eight children, five of whom are now living:
Zelda is the wife of Beverly Castle; Marsel
married Inez Scalati and they have one daughter;
Eugene, Beatrice and Joy. Mr. Battilana is a member of the Stockton Italian Club.
Transcribed by Gerald Iaquinta.
Source: Tinkham, George
H., History of San Joaquin County, California , Page
727. Los Angeles, Calif.: Historic
Record Co., 1923.
© 2011 Gerald Iaquinta.
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