Sonoma County Biography

Arnold F. Garzoli



In Arnold F. Garzoli we find a native son of California whose ability and versatility as a rancher reflect credit upon the section of country of which he is a native, as well as the country from which his forefathers have sprung for generations, namely Switzerland. During young manhood his father, William Garzoli, came to the new worked, at the time when the finding of gold in California brought the attention of the world to this section of country. He was among the immigrants who rounded Cape Horn and landed in the harbor of San Francisco in the early ‘50s, when that metropolis was a small hamlet. From there he went to the mines. It is presumable that no special success followed his mining efforts, as the records make no mention of it, but it is known that he finally located in Marin county and followed agriculture throughout his active years. His marriage united him with Miss Rose Pefferini, who was born in Switzerland. Five children were comprised in the parental household, three sons and two daughters, William V., Arnold F., Belardo L., Elvezia R. and Corenia. Elvezia R. became the wife of Elvezio Bolla and they reside at Lakeville, Sonoma county, with their two children.

It was on the homestead ranch in Marin county that Arnold F. Garzoli first saw the light of day, July 25, 1880. With his brothers and sisters he was reared and educated in that locality, in the meantime becoming familiar with agriculture through performing his share of the ranch duties. Though still a young man he has undertaken responsibilities in the lease of a large tract of eight hundred acres on Rural Route No. 2 from Petaluma. Here he has a dairy of over one hundred fine milch cows, besides twenty head of young stock which will ultimately be added to his herd. Ten head of horses and fifty hogs also form a part of the livestock on the ranch. In the above enumeration only a part of Mr. Garzoli’s undertakings have been mentioned, for his poultry industry is undoubtedly the largest under the control of one man within a large radius. Four thousand laying hens contribute to the immense success of this thriving enterprise.

Before her marriage Mrs.Garzoli was Miss Erminia B. Pellascio, who was born in Bodega, Sonoma county, in 1882, the daughter of Peter Pellascio, who was born in Switzerland in 1846. His wife was formerly Lucy Manetti, and was born in Switzerland also, in 1843. Eight children were born to this couple, five sons and three daughters, Oliver, Joseph, Charles, Atelio, Henry, Jennie, Lucy and Erminia. Mr. and Mrs. Garzoli have been blessed with two children, Jesta R. and Carrie L., and they and their children are communicants of the Roman Catholic Church at Petaluma. Politically Mr. Garzoli is a Republican, but has never sought or held public office. He is one of the reliable and substantial citizens of Petaluma, and exerts in influence for progress in both agricultural and social circles.

History of Sonoma County, California
History by Tom Gregory : Historic Record Company, 1891
Los Angeles, Ca. 1911
Transcribed by Roberta Hester Leatherwood
October 2009 Pages 626-629


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