A worthy representative of the younger generation of the Italian-Americans, whose parents were early settlers of Santa Clara County, is Angelo Sturla, an esteemed citizen of Gilroy Township.  A native son of California, he was born at San Ysidro (Old Gilroy) on August 24, 1883, the son of John Sturla, Sr., a native of Genoa, Italy; his mother was Louisa Rolari, who came to America when she was fifteen years old.  John Sturla came to America when he was seventeen years old and went direct to San Francisco and joined his father and brother in the vegetable business.  The first investment in land was near Gilroy, and by good management and economy, John Sturla has become well-to-do and the interest he has taken in the development of the locality in which he resides has made him a prominent citizen of Gilroy.

     The eldest of a family of seven children Angelo attended the public schools until about sixteen years old; then for the next eleven years helped his father develop his ranches, and the intelligence and care exercised in the development of their land has added greatly to the prosperity of the community.  The marriage of Mr. Sturla united him with Miss Anna Schmitt, a daughter of Frank Schmitt, a pioneer of San Ysidro, where Mrs. Sturla was reared and schooled.  They are the parents of three children: Evelyn Barbara, Leland Frank, and Richard John.  In national politics Mr. Sturla is a Republican; fraternally he is a member of the Improved Order of Redmen and the Eagles.  For twelve consecutive years he has served on the San Ysidro school board and his activities have resulted in many improvement, such as new buildings and improved equipment.  He has also served as judge of the election board of the San Ysidro district.  He is a member of the California Prune and Apricot Growers’ Association and he owns a fine twenty-five acre orchard set to French prunes, located on the Holsclaw Road.

Transcribed by Susan Schooler