Tehama-Sacramento County CA Archives Biographies.....Delvecchio, Charles Henry 1829 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ca/cafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com February 4, 2007, 10:38 pm Author: Lewis Publishing Co. (1891) CHARLES HENRY DELVECCHIO is a native of the city of New York, born May 18, 1829. His parents, Aurelius and Amelia (Willson) Delvecchio, were also natives of New York, the ancestors of the former being Italians. Mr. Delvecchio received his education at Cherry Valley and at Utica, New York. He is the only survivor of a family of three children. After the death of his parents he was taken to be reared by Mr. Isaac Seeley, a lawyer of Cherry Valley, and remained with him five years, until he became large enough to work for a living. At that time, evincing a desire to learn the barber's trade, David H. Little, a son-in-law of Mr. Seeley's, took him to Utica and located him with George L. Brown, a prominent barber of that city. He was to be taught the trade and sent to school in the winter. The last part of the bargain was not fulfilled, and he consequently "took up his bed and walked." He went to Buffalo and was employed in several shops, and afterward sailed on the lakes as barber. Early in life he displayed a fine talent for music, and became so proficient as a violinist that he received the admiration and respect of the best people. He subsequently became a music teacher, and also taught dancing. Before leaving Buffalo he married Martha, daughter of Anthony Barrett, of Columbus, Ohio, and they had children, one a beautiful daughter, whom he lost at the age of fourteen years, together with the mother and all the rest of the family. In 1857 Mr. Delvecchio came to California and spent a winter at Sacramento, teaching music and playing for parties. The following year he came to Red Bluff, opened a barber shop, furnished music for parties and conducted a string band for many years. He gave his personal attention to his barber shop, sometimes employing an assistant and a part of the time doing the work himself. Among the many old-timers he used to barber he names Captain J. S. Johnson and Messrs. Miner, James, J. S. Cone, T. Boanman, Thomas Brown, Martin Corrigan, Dr. Brad way and others. Great and many are the changes which have come over Red Bluff since those days. Mr. Delvecchio saved his earnings, and in 1862 purchased twelve lots, half a block on Washington street, bounded on the north and south by Walnut and Hickory streets. Here he built his residence, and from time to time as he had means he built other dwellings, until now (1890), he has eleven houses, which he is leasing to parties for good rents. He has retired from the barber business and is quietly and respectably living on his rents and the interest of his money. He is one of the early settlers who have stood by the town, has helped to build it and is deeply interested in its continued prosperity. He is not without a companion to share in his prosperity and to be a comfort to him in the declining years of life. In 1870 he wedded Miss Henrietta G. Crazor, a native of Buffalo, New York, and a daughter of Randell and Harriet A. Crazor. Both Mr. Delvecchio and his wife, as also Mrs. Crazor, are members of the First Baptist Church, and he has served as one of the trustees of that organization. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and all his life has been a strong Republican. Additional Comments: Extracted from Memorial and Biographical History of Northern California. Illustrated, Containing a History of this Important Section of the Pacific Coast from the Earliest Period of its Occupancy to the Present Time, together with Glimpses of its Prospective Future; Full-Page Steel Portraits of its most Eminent Men, and Biographical Mention of many of its Pioneers and also of Prominent Citizens of To-day. "A people that takes no pride in the noble achievements of remote ancestors will never achieve anything worthy to be remembered with pride by remote descendents." – Macauley. CHICAGO THE LEWIS PUBLISHING COMPANY 1891. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ca/tehama/bios/delvecch1190nbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/cafiles/ File size: 4.4 Kb