ALESSANDRO TOMASINI
was born in Switzerland, October 14, 1850, where he lived until sixteen years of age; was educated and trained to those habits of industry so characteristic of his countrymen, and which have so aided them to become a wealthy class in the State so many of them have selected for a home. In 1866 he left his native land for California, seeking a home in the dairy region of Marin County, where he obtained employment and remained nine years. At the end of that period he removed to San Luis Obispo County, and continued in his congenial work, at which long practice had rendered him skillful. From 1875 to 1881 he was engaged on a dairy farm near Cambria, but in the latter year he bought a ranch of 367 acres of fine grazing land, one-quarter of a mile from Cayucos, where he has since carried on the business of dairying, milking from fifty to seventy-five cows.
Mr. Tomasini was married, December 16, 1876, to Miss Dominica Parinoni, and three children have been born to them, two boys and one girl. The home of this family constitutes a subject of illustration in this book.
Source: History of San Luis Obispo County, California, p344. Transcribed for the CAGenWeb Project by Cathy Portz.
H. A. TEFFT
The Constitution adopted in 1849 provided for the division of the State into Judicial Districts, and that at its first session the Legislature should elect one District Judge for each, who should hold office for two years after the 1st of January succeeding his election, after which the Judges should be elected at the general election and hold office for six years. The District Court was given original jurisdiction in law and equity; in all civil cases where the amount in dispute exceeded $200, exclusive of interest; in all criminal cases not otherwise provided for, and in all issues of fact joined in Probate Court.
The counties of San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara constituted the Second Judicial District, and Henry Amos Tefft was elected by the Legislature as its District Judge. This gentleman was a lawyer by profession, born in the State of New York in 1824, and came to California early in 1849. He was elected to the Constitutional Convention from San Luis Obispo, and was an active member in forming the first Constitution of the State. At the election adopting the Constitution and for officers under it, he was elected to represent San Luis Obispo County in the Assembly, and chosen by the Legislature as District Judge. He married Doña Maria Josefa Dana, eldest daughter of Capt. Wm. G. Dana. The lady, as a widow, subsequently married S. A. Pollard, and died in 1878. Judge Tefft, in returning from holding court at Santa Barbara, was drowned while attempting to land from the steamer Senator in the harbor of San Luis Obispo, February 6, 1852, and his body was never recovered. He was held in high esteem as a gentleman of education and high promise, and his loss was sincerely mourned by all.
Source: History of San Luis Obispo County, California, p284. Transcribed for the CAGenWeb Project by Cathy Portz.