California Biographies

Source:
History of Napa and Lake Counties
San Francisco, Slocum, Bowen & Co., Publishers. 1881

Transcribed by Peggy Hooper 2011

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


A. M. TONOLLA. Was born in Clinton County, Pennsylvania, June 8, 1835. When nine years of age he, 
with parents, moved to Philadelphia, where he received his education. He then served an 
apprenticeship to the piano- making trade, of four years. In 1859 he came via Panama to California, and 
arrived at San Francisco in December of the above year. He at once engaged with the firm of Jacob & 
Zech, to work at his trade, that of making pianos. In 1862 he was admitted as a partner in the business, 
which relationship lasted about two and a half years, when he sold out his interest, but still continued 
as journeyman for a short time, when the firm was closed out by creditors. After this Mr. Tonolla 
remained in the shop for about six months, finishing up some instruments and doing repairing. 
Afterwards he was employed at Trinity Church for about five months, then engaged at his former 
trade until 1871, when he came to Napa County and located in St. Helena, where he is engaged at 
hotel-keeping.