San
Joaquin County
Biographies
JOSEPH GIANELLI
Prominent in the business life of
Stockton for half a century, and an active participant in the upbuilding of the
city, Joseph Gianelli is an outstanding example of what can be accomplished by
a poor lad coming to a foreign country and achieving success through his own
unaided efforts. A native of Italy, he
was born near Genoa, March 23, 1853, the son of a farmer, and was reared in his
native place, early in life fitting himself for a business career, buying and
selling stock for an uncle, a merchant.
The newer world beckoned him, however, and in 1873 he made the long trip
across the ocean, landing in New York and coming direct across the continent to
California, and with characteristic energy he immediately secured employment in
a country store ten miles from Stockton, the neighborhood being sparsely
settled in comparison with its thickly populated country district of today.
On May 5, 1875, Mr. Gianelli entered
the employ of Basilio Laogier,
who kept a small grocery store at the corner of Hunter and Market streets. November 14, 1876, he embarked in the grocery
business for himself in partnership with his brother, the late Ben Gianelli,
and they conducted a grocery store at the corner of California and Fremont
streets. This partnership was later
dissolved, and in 1879 Joseph Gianelli established his store at Hunter and
Market streets and here the business has been continuously conducted since that
date. The volume of business was small
in those early days, as was his store, but he gave it his undivided attention,
and soon a steady growth began, his stock being enlarged from time to time
until now his store carries everything for the home and ranch. Groceries, light hardware, household goods,
agricultural and farming implements are among the merchandise carried, and the
establishment is headquarters for Delta ranch owners, sheep raisers and
cattlemen and others of this rich section, where opportunity welcomes new
homemakers and investors.
Mr. Gianelli’s
success was attributed largely to his capacity for detail and familiarity with
every feature of the grocery business.
It was said of him that he could walk through his big store where scores
of clerks were employed and at a glance tell just what was necessary at the
moment; he gave his directions in a quiet, friendly manner and every part of
the business responded to his knowing and steady management. An active man, he was often at the store
before his clerks arrived and he could be found in his office long after
business hours, studying the various angles of his big business.
Mr. Gianelli’s
marriage united him with Miss Louisa Sanguinetti, and
they were blessed with a family of seven children: Joseph, Jr.; Basilio
R.; Amerigo E., the well-known realtor of Stockton;
Reuben; Rudolph; Mrs. Edna Dooley and Mrs. Rachela
Schofield. Two of the sons were
associated in business with their father, Joseph being vice-president of the
corporation, and Basilio R., president of the
Stockton Merchants’ Association, is the secretary and treasurer, the store
being under his active management. Mr.
Gianelli was a member of Stockton Lodge No. 218, B. P. O. Elks; for years he
was a prominent figure in the Italian Benevolent Society and other Italian
organizations. In earlier years Mr.
Gianelli owned several ranches, but his inclinations were for business and he
sold them to give all his time to his store.
He was a self-made man and his prosperity was acquired solely through
his own efforts. He died February 20,
1923, at his home at San Joaquin and Flora streets, mourned by a wide circle of
friends and by his numerous relatives.
Transcribed by Gerald Iaquinta.
Source: Tinkham, George
H., History of San Joaquin County, California , Pages
927-928. Los Angeles, Calif.: Historic
Record Co., 1923.
© 2011 Gerald Iaquinta.
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