BIO-Sawyers
SURNMES: BRADLEY, RODERICK, McCARTHY,
A native of the Golden State, Fred Biaggi was born in Santa Clara
County, Cal., on a ranch known as the Pala Olive Grove, May 31, 1888,
his father being the foreman of this ranch. The later, Alfred F.
Biaggi, was a native of Lucca, Italy, born April 27m, 1862; while his
mother, Mary (Bradley) Biaggi, was a native of Scotland, but early in
life migrated to California and was, at the time of her marriage,
employed on the Pala Olive Grove Ranch. Fred Biaggi's
grandparent, Bartholomew and Venizani Biaggi, were both natives of
Italy, the grandfather being a successful gardener in his native
land. He brought his family to this county when Alfred F. was but
eleven years old. His opportunity for attending school in his
native land had been very limited, but upon his arrival in California,
while he was employed by George Miller on his ranch in the Santa Cruz
Mountains, he there improved his opportunities and attended the public
school. For ten years, the lad labored for Mr. Miller on
his ranch "Skyland."
After Mr. Biaggi's marriage to Miss Mary Bradley in the summer of 1883,
they removed to San Jose where he worked and accumulated sufficient
money to purchase about ten acres some seven miles east of San
Jose. He successfully farmed this for a period of five years,
then selling out, he removed to San Jose and resided there for a number
of years. During the year 1911 he purchased nine and one-half
acres on South Twenth-fourth Street and planted this to cherries and
prunes. About 1913 a brother arrived from Italy brining with him
a quantity of Italian cherry cuttings from the vicinity of
Lucca, Italy, These he budded, but only succeeded in growing one,
but from this, he was able to propagate a great many trees. They
are a superior cherry and Mr. Biaggi possesses the only trees of this
variety in the Valley. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs.
Biaggi, four of whom are living, Frank having died in infancy; William
is an attorney-at-law living in San Jose; Fred, the subject of this
sketch, is a mechanic and operates an auto repair shop at 19
Twenty-fifth Street, San Jose; Mamie married Mr. Roderick, who is
employed with the Standard Oil Company; George, the youngest son, makes
his home in San Jose. During the World War he served in the
aviation department at the field near Sacramento. While thus
engaged he contracted the "flu", which developed into double
pneumonia. He was critically ill for a long period of time; was
taken to a sanitarium near Saratoga; then removed to the Government
Hospital at Palo Alto, later taken to the Presedio and when he began to
improve , was sent to Tucson, Ariz., and later to San Diego. Five
grandchildren have come to gladden the lives of Mr. and Mrs.
Alfred F. Biaggi. Their son William has one daughter; Mrs.
Roderick two sons, William and Lester; Fred has two children, Frances
and Fred, Jr.
Fred Biaggi was educated in the public schools of Santa Clara County,
but at the early age of nine he started out to earn his own
living. He worked as a mechanic for a number of years; spent one
year with Standard Oil Company; was driver for the Associated Oil
Company for a short time; was employed by the Norman Camping Company of
San Jose of a year; the with the Osen Mc-Farland Company, working as a
mechanic on the Dodge cars. About this time he invested his
savings on the garage business, having three establishments, one on
Santa Clara Street, one on South First Street, and another one on West
Santa Clara Street, near the bridge. The opportunity came to
dispose of his garage business and he then entered the employ of
Scripps-Booth and Cole as head mechanic until he again engaged in the
repair business. For a short time Mr. Biaggi was engaged in the
plumbing business, in the employ of Mr. Ferguson as a journey man
plumber in Bakersfield, and doing the plumbing work for the Greek
Theater and the City Hall.
During the year 1924, Mr. Biaggi married Miss Myrtle McCarthy, a native
of California, and the daughter of William McCarthy. Mr. Biaggi is a
member of the Mechanic Association No. 1095, and in national politics
he is a stanch Republican.
from Eugene T.
Sawyers' History
of Santa Clara
County, California, published by Historic Record Co. , 1922.
page 1628
WILLIAM R BIAGGI - 1666
BIO- Sawyers
SURNAMES: BRADLEY, JOHNSON
The family to which William R Biaggi belongs has been identified in a
substantial way with California's early history, his parents being
Anibale F. and Mary (Bradley) Biaggi. Mrs. Biaggi was a member of the
Bradley family of Mendocino County while the father was a passenger on
the first train over the Union Pacific Railroad, and has the
distinction of helping to lay the last rail, on the memorable occasion
when East and West were linked. He planted the famous olive
orchard known as the Palo Alto Grove on Julian Street and built the
first modern olive oil mill on that property. He is now a
well-to-do orchardist of Santa Clara County, and with his wife is now
enjoying the fruits of their early toil.
William R. Biaggi was born at San Jose and attended the public schools
of his native county. Upon leaving school he accepted a position
as third steward at the Palace Hotel in San Francisco. remaining there
but one years, however, as he ahd always been anxious to engage in the
practice of law. With this goal in view he went into the office
of William A Bowden, a prominent attorney of San Jose, and on October
28, 1910, he was admitted to the practice of law, in which profession
he has since continued. His practice has grown to such
proportions that he is considered one of the most successful lawyers of
San Jose; he is an authority on tax title laws, and has prepared a book
on this subject.
His marriage in March 1919, united him with Miss Rebecca J. Johnson, a
native daughter residing at Gilroy, Cal., and they have one child,
Nyla Jane.
In political views Mr. Biaggi is independent and believes in the
fitness of the man for the office rather than party affiliation. At the
beginning of the recent war, he entered the service of his county, but
on account of physical disability, was discharged. He is a
trustee of the Italo-American Club of Santa Clara County and is an
active member of the County Bar Association, taking an active part in
all civic reforms, and is ever ready with plans for the advancement of
his community. An up-to-date and enterprising lawyer, Mr.
Biaggi is to be congratulated upon the success he has made of his life.
from Eugene T.
Sawyers' History
of Santa Clara
County,California, published by Historic Record Co. , 1922.
page 1666