San Joaquin County
Biographies
MICHELE CICNATO
M. CICINATO, proprietor of
the Eagle Baths and Barber shop, is a native of Italy, born at Taranto, County
Lecce, State of Puglia, December 13, 1859, his parents being A. and Angel
Cicinato. His father died November 3, 1885, and mother January 22, 1890. He spent
his early boyhood days at his native place, and when quite young acquired the
barber’s trade. In his sixteenth year he entered the Italian naval service, and
was assigned to the warship “Castello Fidardo,” on which he traveled around the
world, visiting Gibraltar, and principal ports of Spain, France, England,
Greece, Turkey, Japan, China, South America, etc. He was in the navy
thirty-nine months, and on leaving the service he resumed his trade and
traveled through the principal cities of Europe. Finally he went to Liverpool,
England, where he worked a few weeks when opportunity presented. One day he
went down to the wharf, and meeting the captain of a barque asked him if he
could pass him to America. The captain replied that he would take him over if he
was willing to work his way. Mr. Cicinato accepted these terms, and when, on
Sunday afternoon, the vessel sailed out of the harbor of Liverpool, he was
among the crew. The sea voyage lasted ninety days, and a good opportunity was
thus afforded of observing the habits and abilities of all the men. Most of the
crew were strongly addicted to hard drinking, and during their drunken spells
were worse than useless. Mr. Cicinato, while being a sober man, had also the
benefit of his long experience in the Italian navy, and proved a useful man, and as he became accustomed to his
particular duties became better day by day. The captain observed this, and
treated him well accordingly. One day he came to Mr. Cicinato and told him he
would like to engage him as one of his crew for future voyages. Mr. Cicinato,
fearing he might not receive so good treatment if he refused the offer, and
knowing that he would be well used for the remainder of the voyage, if he
accepted, said he would agree to remain. The captain suggested that he sign
articles and produced an agreement for two years’ service, which Mr. Cicinato
signed. It was not his wish to continue in life on the sea, however, and when
the vessel landed at Philadelphia in March, 1881, he took the first opportunity
to decamp. He had to leave his clothes, however, and all his belongings on the
vessel. He remained out of the way until he learned that the barque had cleared
for Calais, after which he felt safe. He resumed his trade, and leaving
Philadelphia started on a tour of the eastern cities. He worked at New York,
Boston, Providence, on Staten Island, at Long Branch, etc., etc., and
eventually established a shop in New York city. Selling out there, he started
on the road again, and went to Roanoke, in the Carolinas, where he remained for
a time. Leaving the South, he came to California in 1883, and remained a couple
a couple of weeks in San Francisco. He then came to Stockton, where he has
since remained. He worked as a journeyman about two and a half years, then
started in business himself on Levee street. In November, 1888, he removed to
his present location on Hunter street square, between Main and Levee, where he
has kept improving until he now has the finest barber shop and bath rooms in
Stockton.
He was married in this city, in November,
1887, to Mary A. Smith, and they have one child, born December 13, 1889, and
named Michele.
Mr. Cicinato is a member of the A. O. U.
W. He is a man of wide experience, gained by travel, is courteous and genial in
his manners, and enjoys a wide business popularity.
Transcribed by: Jeanne Sturgis Taylor.
An Illustrated History of San Joaquin County,
California, Pages 638-639. Lewis Pub.
Co. Chicago, Illinois 1890.
© 2009 Jeanne Sturgis Taylor.
Golden Nugget Library's San Joaquin County
Biographies
Golden Nugget Library's San Joaquin County
Genealogy Databases