Sutter-Yuba County Biographies

JOHN BAPTIST CASSANO

Transcribed by: Kathy Sedler

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

 
            The name of Cassano does not need any introduction to the settlers 
at Oak Valley, Cal., as it has been identified with this community since 1884, 
and John Baptist Cassano has borne his share in the growth and development of 
this region.  He was born in the Province of Genoa, Italy, August 2, 1858, the 
eldest of eight children of Charles and Mary (Poveto) Cassano, natives of the 
same place.  John Baptist Cassano attended public school in his native province, 
and from an early age was depended upon to help in the support of the large 
family; his earnings from farm labor were small, but were given devotedly for 
the family.  He remained at home until he was twenty-three years old, when he 
joined a countryman by the name of J. Pontta and together they went to Havre, 
France, boarded a steamer for Aspinwall, and then crossed the Isthmus of Panama, 
whence he took a steamer to San Francisco.  He arrived in that city in July, 
1881, and engaged in market gardening in the Mission district of San Francisco 
from the time of his arrival until the spring of 1882, when he came by rail to 
Reno, and then by stage to Johnstown, where he found so much snow that stages 
were not running into the mountains.  So he walked to Sierra City; and two weeks 
later he came to Oak Valley.  There he worked at ranching until 1885, when he 
purchased his present ranch.  Since that time he has been a resident of Yuba 
County.
            Mr. Cassano�s marriage united him with Miss Frances Rose Percivale, 
also a native of Genoa, Italy, the second of five children born to Antonio and 
Mary (Semino) Percivale.  Antonio Percivale served in the national army of Italy 
during the war of 1846-1847, as did his son Andrew; they were well-to-do farmers 
in Italy.  Mrs. Cassano�s brother, John, came to California in 1880, and another 
brother, Andrew, arrived two years later; both returned to Italy later on.  Mr. 
and Mrs. Cassano took up their residence at Oak Valley in 1885.  There he 
engaged in market-gardening and there they have reared their family of eight 
children.  Mary is an efficient and popular clerk at the Camptonville store.  
Elizabeth and Aurelia are both registered nurses, graduates of St. Mary�s 
Hospital, San Francisco.  Charles entered the United States Army on December 13, 
1917; his death on March 7, 1918, was a severe loss to his family.  Victoria is 
the widow of Thomas A. Devine; she has two children, Thomas A. and Patricia, and 
they reside in San Francisco.  Julius A. entered the World War in 1918 and 
received his discharge in November, 1919; he is married and resides at Gridley.  
Katherine is a graduate of San Francisco Teachers� College, and is now teaching 
in Alameda County; and Hazel is a graduate of the Girls� High School in San 
Francisco, and is now a stenographer in that city.
 
History of Yuba and Sutter Counties, Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, 1924
p. 1292-1293