Victor Piezzi was a most notable figure among professional stockmen, farmers, dairymen, winemakers and the local leaders of his day. His impeccable reputation was earned by backbreaking hard work, innovation, strength of character and his close family bonds.

Born in 1853, Victor Piezzi left Ticino, Switzerland in 1869 for San Francisco as a sixteen-year-old with 200 dollars in his pocket and a gleam in his eye. His unpretentious demeanor bespoke his strength of character, tact, dignity, loyalty, sterling honesty and keen intellect.

Victor Piezzi was already well versed in successful livestock and dairy operations at a young age, and showed a natural, inspiring leadership style and industrious habits. Upon arriving in the North Bay, he worked in the Russian River area on the Winfield Wright ranch for Mr. Ben Sartori, eventually becoming business partners.

Through that and other key partnerships, Mr. Piezzi parlayed his hard work into ownership of over 600 acres of prime farmland in modern-day Western Sonoma County on which he grew grapes, fruit, hay, sheep, cattle and horses and developed the first premium dairy in the region. His milk, cream and cheese took blue ribbons at both state and local fairs and competitions and commanded top commercial prices. Livestock raised under his exacting direction was some of the finest to be seen in Northern California at the time. The Piezzi vineyards yielded 25,000 gallons of fine wine annually.

Victor Piezzi married native-born lifelong Green Valley resident Miss Louella Wiley in 1877. Louella's father, John Wiley, had come west to California from Ohio in 1850. Victor and Louella were blessed with three children, Lucy (1879), Julius (1881) and Benjamin Victor (1886.) The Piezzi ranch and farmhouse doors were always open to assist other immigrants and local townpeople whenever they were in need of support and advice.

Mr. Piezzi was very active in politics, being nominated to the fourteenth district assembly in 1902. He was also very active in community organizations and lodges including Evergreen and Rebekah Degree lodges, Independent Order of Odd Fellows (IOOF), the Dairyman's Union, and as a school board trustee.

He was deeply beloved by many and gained the respect and admiration of a large circle of friends and acquaintances.

Excerpted from The Story of Sonoma County, 1937.