Santa Barbara County Biographies

R. J. ARATA 

Submitted by Peggy Hooper

This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm

ARATA BROTHERS.� The brothers. F. L. and R. J. Arata, composing the firm of 
Arata Brothers, were born in Santa Barbara. Their father, Juan Arata, was 
formerly an extensive stock-raiser, keeping as many as 3,000 head of cattle. He 
was also a prominent merchant about 1857, continuing for several years. The 
brothers were educated in the public schools, and F. L., the senior member of 
the firm, obtained his education at the Franciscan College, then located at the 
old mission building in Santa Barbara city. In 1877 he began his mercantile life 
as clerk with L. M. Kaiser & Co., of Guadaloupe, remaining with them until 1882, 
when he came to Los Alamos, with a member of the same firm; the firm name 
being A. Weill & Co. Mr. Arata also bought an interest in the drug store, in 1882, 
continuing under the name of Walker & Arata. Mr. Walker conducted the business 
until February, 1886, when Mr. Arata bought his interest and has since conducted 
the business, aided by a druggist's assistant. Mr. Arata clerked for Weill & Co. until 
January, 1887, and in September, 1887, the firm of Arata Bros. & Co. was established, 
F. L. being associated with his brother R. J. Arata and W. F. Wickenden. In October, 
1888, the brothers bought the interest of Mr. Wickenden, and have since continued 
alone. 

R. J. Arata began his clerkship with O. I. Weil of Lompoc, in 1880, continuing until 
1884, when he came to Los Alamos. He carried on a grocery, cigar and fruit business 
until the establishing of the above firm. They carry a general merchandise stock, 
keeping all supplies necessary to the family or ranch, in hardware and other 
requirements. They also own ranch property aggregating 500 acres, four miles from 
town, where they do general farming, and breed horses, cattle and hogs; they also 
own town property. 

Source:
History of Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo and Ventura Counties, California  - by 
C.M. Gidney, Benjamin Brooks, Edwin M. Sheridan, Vol I, II.  -Lewis Publ. Co., 
Chicago, 1917.