Back to ArchivesMattei Family Photo Album Collection
Collection Number: 2007H.1
Pasqual Sonognini (1846-1904) was born in Sonogno, Ticino, Switzerland. He married Theresa (Teresina) Davico (1873-1941) in Santa Cruz, in 1890. She was born in Gordola, Ticino, Switzerland. They lived in Laurel Grove, California, which was later renamed Swanton. Pasqual was the first postmaster of Laurel Grove. Pasqual and Theresa owned and operated the Laurel Grove Inn. They had three children, Sylvester (1891-1962), Angelina “Lena” (1893-1985), and Elvezia (1896-1966). In 1904 a forest fire swept through Swanton, Bonny Doon, and Boulder Creek. Pasqual died while attempting to fight the fire, he drowned in a Big Creek Lighting and Power Company water flume possibly trying to escape the flames. His widow, Theresa, became the new postmaster for Laurel Grove. She married Riccardo “Richard” Mattei (1878-1932) in 1906. He was an immigrant from Cevio, Ticino, Switzerland. They had three children, Lillie Amelia (1908-1995) and Marguarita “Rita” (1908-1987) who were twins, and Constance (1912-1986). Lillie Mattei married John Lewis “Jack” Chiorini. The photo albums contain approximately 200 images of the Mattei family, friends, neighbors in the Swanton, Scotts Creek, and Mill Creek area.