California Biographies, San Joaquin Valley

Transcribed by Peggy Hooper

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

Source:
History of the state of California and biographical record of the San Joaquin 
Valley, California. An historical story of the state's marvelous growth from 
its earliest settlement to the present time.
Prof. James Miller Guinn , A. M.
The Chapman Publishing Co., Chicago 1905
Notes: Missing Page: 865-866,983-984,1175-1176


 FREDERICK BONTADELLI. Conspicuous among the most intelligent, influential and progressive 
dairymen of the San Joaquin valley is Frederick Bontadelli, who has a thorough knowledge of 
agriculture in its various branches, and stands high among the practical and successful farmers 
of this locality. His ranch, which is situated two miles southeast of Newman, is finely improved, 
his residence, which he erected in 1901, being one of the most attractive in the dairy country, 
while his conveniently arranged barns and outbuildings, and all of his machinery and 
equipments, are such as are required by a first-class modern agriculturist. A son of Peter 
Bontadelli. he was born November 11, 1857, in Personico, Canton of Ticino, Switzerland, which 
was likewise the birthplace of his father, and of his grandfather. Joseph Bontadelli, a lumber 
manufacturer and dealer. 

A prominent and influential citizen of Personico, Peter Bontadelli spent his entire life in his 
native town, being actively engaged in business as a lumber and flour manufacturer, and as a 
general merchant. Of his union with Mary Filosi, the descendant of an old and honored family 
of the Canton of Ticino, fourteen children were born, eleven of whom grew to years of 
maturity, seven now living, five residing in California, namely: Emil, of Guadaloupe ; Peter, of 
Watsonville ; Philomena, of Salinas; Modesto, just now in Alaska; and Frederick, the subject of 
this sketch. 

After his graduation from the Personico High School, Frederick Bontadelli, at the age of 
nineteen years, served for four months in a military company. He subsequently learned the 
cabinetmaker's trade, which he followed for a few years in connection with the mercantile 
business, remaining in his native land until 1879. Emigrating in that year to America, he arrived in 
San Francisco with ninety-three dollars in his pockets, his entire assets. With a courageous heart 
and willing hands, he started out to make his living in a new country, a stranger in a strange 
land. Having previously worked with a veterinary in his old home, Mr. Bontadelli felt somewhat 
familiar with the care of cattle and horses, and was soon working on a ranch. Subsequently 
locating in Gilroy, he worked on a ranch, and as a butter and cheese maker for five years. 
Removing thence to Monterey county, he purchased one hundred and twenty acres of land 
near Salinas, and embarked in dairying, successfully managing not only his own dairy, but a dairy 
of one hundred and sixty cows belonging to a neighboring farmer. 

Visiting the west side of the San Joaquin valley in 1896, Mr. Bontadelli quickly perceived its 
advantages as a dairy region, and tried to interest the people in the subject of raising alfalfa, for 
which the land was especially adapted. During the dry season of 1898, when Monterey county, 
especially, suffered with the excessive drought, he returned to this valley, bringing his family 
with him. and settled on the west side. For two years thereafter he rented land from C. C. 
Eastin, and then, in 1900. purchased eighty-acres of unimproved land, and set about improving 
it. Fencing it, he subsequently dug a well seventy-one feet in depth, erected a windmill, and 
the following year built his attractive residence. He was very successful in the raising of alfalfa, 
and now rents fifty-six acres of adjoining land, on which he also raises the same crop, and is 
now carrying on dairying with marked success, keeping about one hundred cows, mostly 
Durhams. He likewise raises horses and cattle, having about one hundred and ninety head of 
stock, and keeps about three hundred hogs. 

In Switzerland. Mr. Bontadelli married Mary Borcine, a native of the Canton of Ticino, and they 
have one child, namely : Frederick F. Bontadelli, a graduate of the Newman High School and 
now a student at the Santa Clara College.. Politically Mr. Bontadelli is a Republican, and 
fraternally he belongs to the Druids, and is serving as treasurer of his lodge. He is recognized as 
an authority on all questions connected with dairying, and is one of the directors of the New Era 
Creamery.