San Joaquin County Biographies
Ref: Page 1460
Transcribed by: Linda Diane Jackson 12/31/2009
O.J. GALASSI
An important branch of interior decorating is that of mosaic and terazzo work in marble and stone and the work along this line done by O.J. Galassi is worthy of creditable mention. He was born in Boston, Mass., February 20, 1880, a son of Francis and Emma (Ferretti) Galassi, born in Rome, Italy. When he was four years old his parents made a trip to their native city on a visit; returning to Boston the father worked at his trade of coppersmith until his death in 1911, aged sixty-three; the mother of our subject resides in Rome, Italy. O.J. Galassi attended school in Italy until he was twelve years old, then accompanied an uncle to Brazil; when he was thirteen years old he worked on a large coffee plantation for his board and lodging, driving an ox-cart about the plantation; later he became a jockey, riding the races. He spent six years in Brazil and then returned to Boston where he learned his trade, working for the Charles E. Old Company for five years; in 1901 he did the mosaic work in the Museum of Natural History in New York, which occupied fourteen months. After completing this work he came to San Francisco and did contract work for the U.S. Government, doing the work in the postoffice building in San Francisco and Portland, Ore. He established headquarters at 1121 Fell Street, San Francisco, and among his outstanding work was the mosaic and terazzo work in the Palace Hotel, Standard Oil Building and the Sub-Treasury Building. In 1915 he permanently located in Stockton and opened his shop at 138 East Sonora Street, modernly equipped to do all kinds of stone and marble work; he has also invented and has received United States and Canadian patents on the Everlasting Sanitary Sink top, perfected after many years of work. It is now being used in most of the modern homes.
The marriage of Mr. Galassi occurred in Stockton November 10, 1907, which united him with Miss Mary Ann Riba, a daughter of Battista Riba. Three children have blessed their union: Francis, O.J., Jr., deceased; and Victor A. Mr. Galassi is a charter member of the Loyal Order of Moose, Stockton, and in politics is a Republican, and is a member of the Stockton Builders' Exchange.
History of
SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY
CALIFORNIA
With A
Biographical Review
of
The Leading Men and Women of the County Who Have Been
Identified with Its Growth and Development
from the Early Days to the Present
HISTORY BY
George H. Tinkham
HISTORIC RECORD COMPANY
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA
1923
San Joaquin County Biographies ~ Archive Biography Index ~ Archive Index
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