California Genealogy and History Archives
Biographies
of
Sacramento County
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EDWARD
LEAL Da ROZA In
all fields of labor the men who lead are those who have been fitted by
experience for their peculiar offices and it is a refuted theory that
chance plays a part in the progress of those who would attain influence
and prosperity among their fellows. One
of the most able leaders in industrial circles of Sacramento county is
E. L. Da Roza, who for the past four years has served as manager of the
Elk Grove Winery, which forms a portion of his father's estate. A native
of the Island of St. George, Portugal, Jose L. Da Roza left his home
country for America at the age of seventeen years, arriving in New
Bedford, Mass. Proceeding to Sacramento, Cal., in 1881 he became an
employe in the service of the Southern Pacific Railroad Company, but
after five years decided to enter a more lucrative as well as a more
agreeable occupation and to that end investigated a business opportunity
in Elk Grove, with the result that he became associated with John Nevis,
who operated a winery in that section. For nine years he served his
employer faithfully, paying strict attention *to his duties, at the same
time learning every detail of the business. In 1895, having concluded to
remain permanently in the field wherein he had become an expert, he
purchased the interest of Mr. Nevis, undertaking the control of the
plant with immediate success, and until his death, in December, 1909,
actively conducted his affairs with the assistance of his son. His wife,
Amelia (Vierra) Da Roza, a woman of courageous nature and rare devotion,
was a native of Portugal. She became the mother of seven children, as
follows: Mabel, Ida, Edward, John, Joseph, Frank and Clarence. The
family suffered a deep loss in the death of the wife and mother in 1894.
The
third oldest of the children in the parental family, Edward L. Da Roza,
was born in Elk Grove, Cal., October 27, 1891. After a preliminary
course in the schools of his home section he became a student in the
schools of San Francisco, two years later, however, returning to Elk
Grove and completing his studies in the high school of this place, from
which he graduated in 1908. He then accepted a position as bookkeeper in
his father's office, and by patient application and intense interest in
all matters pertaining to the success of the enterprise became an
important factor in the business, and after his father's death he was
made manager, fulfilling his duties with ability and tactful leadership.
Fortunate indeed was the circumstance which led the young man to become
associated with the business, for a year later the responsibility of his
father's interests devolved upon him. Rising to the occasion with quiet
confidence in his own powers and a sincere desire to control affairs to
the best of his ability, however, his faithfulness to his work continued
worthy of the highest commendation. In his service are eighteen men, all
of whom bear hearty good will toward their employer, and inasmuch as the
capacity of the plant is a million gallons annually, it may be readily
understood that its management requires the utmost care and good
judgment. The winery is complete with a full line of machinery,
including two steam engines and boilers, two large stills, a crusher
with a capacity of thirty- five tons per hour, and is admirably located
on an eleven hundred foot spur from the Southern Pacific Railroad. In
connection with the winery there is a ranch of one hundred and eighty
acres, one hundred acres being in vineyard. In addition to the grapes
supplied from their own vineyard they buy about five thousand tons of
grapes to supply the demand. It is interesting to note that the elder
Mr. Da Roza doubled the business after he bought it, and since his death
the business has been doubled again. A branch house is maintained on
Beach street, New York City, and a large trade is supplied to the
Hawaiian Islands. Mr. Da Roza is a member of Elk Grove Parlor No. 41, N. S. G. W., Sacramento Chapter No. 42, R. A. M., and is also affiliated with Elk Grove Court No. 103, Foresters of America. Progressive and public spirited, he maintains a deep interest in civic affairs and is widely known as a man of generous principles and unswerving honor. |
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Source: Transcribed by Peggy Hooper 2011 |