The Valley of Heart's Delight
JOHN R. LOCURTO
Kissel, Maxwell and Liberty Auto Dealer
Consolidated Garage, San Jose
HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY 503
SURNAMES: GARNISE
In the path of an orderly progression, each step being made at the cost
of earnest labor and close application, John R. Locurto has reached an
enviable place in the business circles of San Jose, being now closely
associated with its commercial interests as proprietor of the
Consolidated Garage, one of the leading enterprises of this character
in the city. He also has other business interests here and in the
management of his affairs has displayed sound judgment, energy and
enterprise. He was born in New York City, November 22, 1888, a son of
G. B. and Lucille Locurto, the former a native of Palermo, Italy. When
a young man the father emigrated to the United States, establishing his
home in New York City, where he resided until 1901, when he responded
to the call of the West and came with his family to California. He
established his home in San Jose and soon afterward identified himself
with its business interests, opening a grocery store on West San Carlos
Avenue. He has now reached the age of seventy years but is still
actively at work. Mr. and Mrs. Locurto became the parents of three sons
and three daughters.
John R. Locurto acquired his education in the public schools of New
York City, which he attended to the age of thirteen years, and a year
later started out in life on his own account, going to San Francisco,
where for two years she was employed in the Union Iron Works. He then
returned to San Jose and for the next three years worked for the
California Fruit Canners' Association, afterward opening a butcher shop
on West San Carlos Street. This he continued to successfully conduct
until the spring of 1920, when he withdrew from its active management,
although he still retains the ownership of the shop. He then bought out
the Consolidated garage and took over the Santa Clara County territory
for the Kissel, Maxwell and Liberty cars. He carries at least one of
each of these machines in stock all of the time and his aggressive
business methods have resulted in a large volume of sales. He is now
conducting his interests in a fine modern garage, 50x250 feet, at 355
South First Street, which was especially erected for this purpose. He
carries a full line of automobile accessories and parts to the amount
of $11,000 and also maintains a well-equipped repair shop capable of
meeting all of the demands of the trade. Under his able management the
business has enjoyed a remarkably rapid growth and he now gives
constant employment to from eighteen to twenty men. He was formerly the
owner of a twenty- acre ranch on the Fox-Worthy Road, but sold the
property on May 22, 1920, and invested the proceeds in his automobile
business.
In October, 1914, at San Jose, Mr. Locurto was united in marriage to
Miss Lina Petrina Garnise, a native of Texas and a daughter of Antone
and Margaret Garnise. Her parents removed to San Jose during her
girlhood and her education was acquired in the schools of Texas and
this locality. Three sons have been born of this union; John Jr.,
Antone and Joseph.
Mr. Locurto is a valued member of the Italian-American Club of San
Jose, and his political allegiance is given to the Republican party.
His career has been marked by steady advancement, due to his close
application, industry and unquestioned reliability, and he deserves
classification with the successful and public-spirited citizens of San
Jose.
Transcribed by Marie Clayton, from Eugene T. Sawyers' History of Santa Clara County,California, published by Historic Record Co. , 1922.
page 503
SANTA CLARA PIONEER BIOGRAPHIES
SANTA CLARA VALLEY -The Valley of Heart's Delight