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


JOHN GATTIE. � A Californian of Italian birth, who has made his own 
way ever since he came to the Golden State as a lad of fifteen, and who now 
owns a good ranch, is John Gattie, who was born in the province of Naples 
in 1866. the son of Antonio Gattie, a well-to-do farmer of that locality. He 
thus learned farming as a lad, meanwhile attending the excellent Italian pub- 
lic schools. 

John Gattie had a brother, Carmino, in California, and in 1881 he crossed 
the ocean and then came to the coast to join him, settling first in Stockton 
and immediately going to work on a ranch. He drove the big teams and other- 
wise made himself useful in work requiring hardihood and daring. Seven 
years later he came to Fresno County, and found no difficulty in getting em- 
ployment at good wages in the vineyards. He commenced with the St. George 
vineyard, and there continued six years. Then he bought twenty acres in the 
Scandinavian Colony, the land being now the site of the Rossler winery. This 
he at' once set out as a vineyard, but after a few years he sold it and bought 
a residence in Fresno. He continued viticulture, however, realizing its great 
possibilities for the years to come. 

In 1897, Mr. Gattie bought his present place of twenty acres, which he 
set out as a vineyard ; and having built a fine residence on the property, he 
has made his home there ever since. Later he bought an adjoining twenty 
acres, so that he now has forty acres there given up to the raising of grapes 
and alfalfa. 

But in 1911 he made still another investment, purchasing eighty acres five 
miles north of his place. He set out forty acres as a vineyard, improved the 
land generally, and in three years sold it at a profit. Thereupon he bought 
twenty acres in the Helm tract, where he is making a great success raising 
table and raisin grapes. He belongs to the California Associated Raisin Com- 
pany and has encouraged all the raisin-growing associations started since the 
original one was proposed. 

On November 1, 1888, in Fresno, Mr. Gattie was married to Miss Carmilla 
Perfetto, also a native of Naples, who came to Fresno in September, 1888. 
Eleven children have been born to this worthy couple : Antonio, the eldest, 
who resides in Fresno; Rosina, Mrs. Perrino, of Fresno; Elizabeth, Mrs. 
Nichol, also of Fresno; and Louis, Theresa, Jennie, Emil, Laura. Elvira, 
Viola, and Elsie Agnes, all of whom reside with their parents. Like many 
another Californian of foreign birth, Mr. Gattie is one of the most loyal and 
patriotic of our citizens. A Republican in matters of national politics, in local 
affairs he seeks to support the best man and the fairest measure, regardless 
of party affiliations ; and he is always ready to advance the permanent interest 
of Fresno and vicinity.