Pietra Brothers

Schiappa Pietra Bros., upright and capable business men of San Buenaventura, came here as pioneers in 1857, when there were scarcely any Americans in the whole county. They are natives of Italy. Sr. A. Schiappa Pietra was born February 2, 1832, and in 1853 came to California, and after spending six months in San Francisco he came to San Luis Obispo and opened a general merchandise store, which was conducted successfuly for fourteen months. He then sold out and went to San Francisco in search of a locality for business, but, failing, he visited San Diego, San Bernardino and other places in Southern California and located in Santa Barbara, engaged in general merchandise; and while there, in 1857, he started a store in San Buenaventura, and in 1878 sold out his business there. In 1864 he bought the Santa Clara del Norte ranch of 13,900 acres and stocked it with sheep; 30,000 or 40,000 are now kept upon it. Also there are planted on the ranch trees of various kinds, including olives and oranges, and they are doing well. Formerly about 4,000 acres were devoted to barley, but this year it is the intention to plant 5,000 acres to beans.

   The younger brother, Sr. Leopold Schiappa Pietra, was born February 3, 1842, and came to California in 1866, since which time his business was united with that of his brother. He married Miss Ampara Arenas, a native of California, and they have a son and a daughter, both of whom are deceased.

   In 1877 the brothers built their present fine residence, and have made it a place of unusual beauty. The grounds are planted and decorated with artistic skill, and are extremely well cared for. They are also the owners of the St. Charles Hotel at Santa Barbara and the Palace Hotel in San Buenaventura. They are zealous members of the Holy Catholic Church, and are exemplary citizens.

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