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


JOSEPH MINGHETTI. A native of Switzerland, Mr. Minghetti was born in that country 
May 24, 1836, a son of Joseph and Lucy (Marzorini) Minghetti. The father was a shoe-maker 
by trade and also followed farming to some extent: His union with Miss Marzorini was blessed 
by the birth of six children. Both the parents are deceased. 

Joseph Minghetti was the oldest child and is now the only one living. His education was ob- 
tained in the common schools of his native country, where he later engaged in farming until 
1856, when he went to Australia. After remaining there five years he went to New Zealand, 
where for the same length of time he worked in the gold mines. In 1866 he returned to his na- 
tive country and three years later immigrated to the United States. For a time he lived in Iowa 
and Nebraska, working on the railroad for three years. At the expiration of this time he made an- 
other trip to his old home, but the following year, 1875, returned to this country and located 
in Fresno county, near Kingsburg. There he took up one hundred and sixty acres of land and 
engaged in the raising of cattle and general farming. In 1885 he sold that place and located on 
the ranch that has since been his home, which consists of five hundred acres, two miles south 
of Conejo. It is one of the best farms in the valley and here he conducts a very successful 
stock and dairy business, having about one hundred milk cows. 

Mr. Minghetti was united in marriage with Catherine Kelley, a native of Ireland. Both are 
members of the Catholic Church. Mr. Minghetti is a Republican in politics. He has never cared 
for political honors, preferring to devote his whole time to the building up of his business, a 
policy which has proven successful, as today he is one of the leading agriculturists of Fresno 
county and an influential citizen. Starting in life without a dollar, he has labored hard to 
accumulate a competency and that he has accomplished his aims reflects much credit upon his 
industry and ability. Both he and his estimable wife are popular with a large circle of friends 
and are welcome visitors in the homes of the leading people of the county.