California Biographies

Source: History of Fresno County, California, with biographical sketches of 
the leading men and women of the county who have been identified with 
its growth and development from the early days to the present (1919)

History By Paul E. Vandor 
Illustrated, Complete In Two Volumes 
Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, California, 1919
 
Notes: Missing+page1185-1186

Transcribed by Peggy Hooper

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


FRESNO DAIRY. � Fresno is notable for the number of its well-estab- 
lished and well-managed business enterprises, among which especial men- 
tion is made of the "Fresno Dairy," brought into existence in February, 1916, 
by L. Patti and R. Stolberg, and now owned by Mr. Patti and C. Pagani. 

Lawrence Patti, the founder of the dairy, was born on a dairy farm in 
the vicinity of Milan, Italy, on September 26, 1889. He attended the public 
schools and later worked for his father, thereby getting a thorough knowl- 
edge of the dairy, and the dairy business, including the making of butter. 
Such are the proverbial methods with respect to thoroughness of the Italians 
that when he had finished his apprenticeship, he had mastered every detail 
of the field. 

Attracted by the stories of opportunity in California, Mr. Patti, in 1912, 
came to America and located at Stockton, in San Joaquin County, where he 
went to work for the Valley Creamery Company. He was first put into the 
testing department, and then he was made foreman of the plant. So success- 
ful was he that in February, 1916, he came to Fresno and opened a branch 
of the Valley Creamery Company, calling it the Fresno Dairy. He took 
into partnership with him R. Stolberg ; but in September, 1917, he bought 
the latter out and made C. Pagani his partner. 

When Mr. Patti married, he selected Cesina Pagani of Italy as his wife. 

Mr. Pagani, the other member of the firm was also born on a farm, but 
near Piacenza, Italy, on July 6, 1881. He attended the country schools, and as 
his family were grape growers and wine-makers, he followed that line, and 
later conducted a wholesale and retail wine store in Milan. 

Selling out, however, he came to America in 1913, making straight for 
San Joaquin County, and there he worked on ranches, and later entered the 
employ of the Valley Creamery Company. From there he came to Fresno, 
in September, 1917, to become a partner in the Fresno Dairy, and since that 
period he has had a very creditable share in maintaining one of the most 
representative and important concerns in Central California.