San Joaquin County
Biographies
GIANELLI BROS.
JOSEPH, GIUSEPPI & BERNARDO
GIANELLI BROS., grocers, with
stores at the corner of Fremont and California, and corner of Market and
Hunter, have built themselves up from small beginnings to their present
position in the business world. The last-named store is managed by Giuseppi
Gianelli, and the first-named by Joseph Gianelli, who together constitute the
firm of Gianelli Bros. They started first in a little place on California
street, next to their present location, in 1876, with a combined capital of
about $1,400, and in 1878 removed into their present building on the corner. In
1880 they commenced at their store on Hunter street, succeeding L. Basilio
there. Their business has increased with steady and rapid strides, and in their
two houses they now carry stock to the amount of some $15,000, selected goods.
Their trade, at first confined to a few customers, now extends throughout the
entire city, while they also supply many ranches, large and small, with their
groceries and provisions for the entire year. Their success has been due to
their watchful care and prudent business management, combined with their
practice of always catering to the wants of their patrons at as low rates as
practicable. Since they have built themselves up in this city, a sketch of the
members of the firm will not be out of place in this connection.
Giuseppi Gianelli, the senior member of
the firm, is a native of the Province of Genoa, Italy, born in 1853, and is a
son of Antoine Gianelli, a farmer. He was reared at his native place, and on
arriving at suitable age, engaged in buying and selling stock for an uncle, a
merchant. In 1873 he emigrated to America, landing at New York, and coming to
California located in Stockton. He first obtained employment with G. Beiso, and
a year and a half later entered the employ of L. Basilio as a clerk in his
grocery store. On the 14th of November, 1876, in company with his
brother, B. Gianelli, he embarked in business for himself. The result of this
venture is given above. He remained at his post with Mr. Basilio, however, until
1880, when they bought out that gentleman.
Mr. Gianelli was married in 1877, to Miss
Louisa Sanguinetti. They have five children, viz: Antoine B. G., Basilio E. R.,
Amarie R. E., G. B., and Rachele G.
Mr. Gianelli is a charter member of the
first society of Bersaglieri organized in Stockton, known as Compagna Italiana
de Bersaglieri, No. 1; was six years its treasurer; has held the offices of
president, secretary and trustees, and is at this writing secretary and
treasurer of the society.
Mr. Gianelli was once the object of a plot
to take his life, which was laid and discovered during 1889, and the account of
which was written up in many columns of the local and San Francisco papers. It
was for a time generally supposed that he had been foully dealt with, but he
turned up when the chief conspirator had been arrested.
Mr. Gianelli is a careful business man,
and deserves the success he has met with.
B. Gianelli, the younger member of the
firm of Gianelli Bros., is also a native of Italy, born in 1856. He spent his
boyhood days at his native place, and in 1874 came to America, and locating at
Stockton went to work for G. Beiso, on the corner of Church and Center streets.
He was employed there until he commenced in business for himself, an account of
which has been given in a former portion of this article.
He was married in this city on the 1st
of December, 1884, to Miss Louisa Gianelli.
She
died on the 19th of September, 1888, leaving two children, viz: Etta
and Irene.
Mr. Gianelli is a member of Iroquois
Tribe, No. 35, Red Men and of Compagnia Italiana de Bersaglieri, No. 2, of
which he has been treasurer since its organization.
Mr. Gianelli is an enterprising business
man, of quick perception, and owes his success to his clear-headed business
methods.
Transcribed by: Jeanne Sturgis Taylor.
An Illustrated History of San Joaquin County,
California, Pages 600-601. Lewis Pub.
Co. Chicago, Illinois 1890.
© 2009 Jeanne Sturgis Taylor.
Golden Nugget Library's San Joaquin County
Biographies
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