MRS. MADELINE STRALLA
American-French Bakery - Los Gatos
Bio-Sawyers
SURNAMES: PIRRA, ABONA, CORNERO, NORTH,
Born in the province of Cuneo, Italy, Mrs.
Madeline Stralla is the daughter of Judge Antonio Pirra, who was born
in Nissa, France, of an old French family. He was a prominent
attorney-at-law and served as judge at Lequio, Tonaro, for thirty-six
years until the time of his death. He was a splendid man and left a
most excellent record, his memory being still revered by the citizens
of his district. Mrs. Stralla's mother was Catherine Abona, who was
also born in the province of Cuneo and comes of an old and
distinguished Italian family who were wealthy land owners. Her uncle,
Capt. Carl Abona, was captain in the Italian army until his death. In
his youth he studied for the priesthood but went to war, serving in the
War with Austria in 1848, being twice wounded. Mrs. Stralla's mother
was a well educated and cultured woman, loved by all who knew her. She
died at the age of forty-two years leaving two children, Madeline and
her sister Marina who still resides in Italy.
Madeline Pirra received a good education in the schools of Lequio,
residing with her father, her mother having died when she was only
eleven years old. In 1894 she was married to Louis Cornero, a native of
Italy, but of Spanish descent. He was the owner of a good farm and
after their marriage they engaged in agriculture, horticulture and
viticulture. They were well situated but came to California the result
of a dare which was accepted and carried out. Leasing their lands and
residence they came to Santa Clara County. Mr. Cornero was employed at
Los Gatos when he was accidently killed by a live electric wire on
January 14, 1908. A year later his widow moved to San Francisco and
engaged in business. In San Jose, January, 1911, she was married a
second time, being united with Giacomo Stralla, who was born in the
same part of Italy. They were proprietors of the Monviso Restaurant,
2124 Polk Street, San Francisco, continuing for five years, when they
sold out. In 1901 she located in Los Gatos and soon afterwards she
bought out Ripkins Bakery and established the American-French Bakery.
It was a small affair, but she remodeled and enlarged it and installed
up-to-date machinery. By the use of two auto delivery wagons, bread and
pastry is delivered all over the adjoining country.
By her union with Mr. Cornero she was the mother of six children:
Catherine; Antoniette, Mrs. North of San Francisco; Frank; Antonio;
Louis, and Esther. Mrs. Stralla still owns her father's old farm and
residence in Lequio, Italy, where he held his court and where she was
born and spent her youth. She is a member of the Catholic Church in Los
Gatos and is an American citizen, enjoying her franchise as a
Republican.
From Eugene T. Sawyers' History of Santa Clara County,California, published by Historic Record Co. , 1922. page 1588
LOS GATOS
SANTA CLARA COUNTY BIOGRAPHY PROJECT
SANTA CLARA COUNTY The Valley of Heart's Delight