San
Joaquin County
Biographies
EMANUEL CAPURRO
When Emanuel Capurro passed away in
1885, San Joaquin County lost one of its oldest and most esteemed citizens, for
he spent thirty-seven years within the county, and they were busy and useful ones. He was an Italian by birth, and while still a
boy went to sea, which he followed until he settled in California. When he left his native land for the new
world he was the captain of the sailing vessel that came via Cape Horn, a year
being consumed in the voyage. Arriving
in the San Francisco harbor in 1848 he went direct to Stockton when that now
thriving city was a group of tents. He
established a general store on the waterfront and supplied the southern mines
with merchandise of every kind, transported by pack-mules to the mines, which
he followed for many years.
The marriage of Mr. Capurro occurred
after reaching California and united him with Miss Apolinia
Sopena, a native of Mazatlan, Mexico. They were the parents of three children: Emanuel, Mrs. Carmelitta
Gambetta, and Mrs. Rose Capurro, all natives of Stockton. Mrs. Gambetta, the oldest daughter, is the
oldest living native daughter in San Joaquin County. Mr. Capurro performed his part in the
establishment of the great commonwealth of California under conditions by no
means pleasant at all times, but his true western spirit was shown by his
courage and determination to accomplish what he set out to do. He led an industrious and useful life and was
held in high esteem in the city where he had resided so many years.
Transcribed by V. Gerald Iaquinta.
Source: Tinkham, George
H., History of San Joaquin County, California , Page
1508. Los Angeles, Calif.: Historic
Record Co., 1923.
© 2012 V. Gerald Iaquinta.
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