Person Sheet
NameJohn J. CASTAGNETTO 
Birth7 May 1886, Bear Valley, Mariposa Co., California
Death18 Nov 1943, North Fork, Madera Co., California5
Burial22 Nov 1943, I.O.O.F. Cemetery, Mariposa, Mariposa Co., CA
OccupationSheriff
FatherFrancis “Frank” CASTAGNETTO (>1860-1891)
MotherAdelida BARATTA (1864-1891)
Spouses
Birth1 Mar 1887, California
BurialI.O.O.F. Cemetery, Mariposa, Mariposa Co., CA
FatherRobert Augustus PROUTY (1846-1930)
MotherCharlotte Lenore DAVIS
Marriage3 Apr 1907, Mariposa Co., California79
ChildrenRobert Daniel (1907-1991)
Alta Bernice (1908-2003)
Notes for John J. CASTAGNETTO
Mariposa Census 1910 Township #4 Mariposa District, enumerated May 2, 1910
CASTANETTO, John J. /Head /male /white /age 24 /married 3 years /pob California /pob father California /pob mother California /speaks English /millerman quartz miner /wages /can read and write English /rents house
____, Alla P. /wife /female /white /age 23 /married 3 years /# of children of mother 2- 2 living /pob California /pob father Massachusetts /pob mother California /speaks English /occupation none /can read and write English
____, Robert D. /son /male /white /age 2 /single /pob California /pob father California /pob mother California /can speak English
____, Bernice A. /daughter /female /white /age 1 /single /pob California /pob father California /pob mother California
1920 CENSUS: California, Mariposa, page 264a, Township No. 4 Mariposa Precinct; dwelling 148, family 148
CASTAGNETTO, John J. /head /rents /male /white /33 /married /can read and write English /pob California /pob father California /pob mother California /Amalgamator Gold mine /works for wages
____, Alta P /wife /female /white /32 /married /can read and write English /pob California /pob father Massachusetts /pob mother California
____, Robert D. /son /male /white /12 /single /attended school within year /can read and write English / pob California /pob father California /pob mother California
____, Bernice P. /daughter /female /white /11 /single /attended school within year /can read and write English /pob California /pob father California /pob mother California
Mariposa Gazette, 23 Nov 1943: JOHN CASTAGNETTO
A colorful character slipped out of life’s picture when Sheriff John Castagnetto of Mariposa died suddenly while attending the Justice Court trial at North Fork, Madera county. Those who knew him well will count the characteristics of Castagnetto not only among the homely virtues that built his splendid career, but will remember those touches that stamped him as a typical old time western sheriff.
Sheriff Castagnetto wore the broad brim western hat of the plains, and conspicuous with his ever present smile was his watch charm made of Mariposa gold. Our readers in Merced will remember this picture of John as they have seen him frequently riding at the head of a county fair or rodeo parade accompanied by Sheriff Lucius Cornell.
The people of Mariposa will tell you of many acts of kindness that go to the credit of their past sheriff - acts which didn’t get into print but will mount high between him and his Maker. He was connected with a distinguished line of sheriffs of Mariposa. His father-in-law, for 22 years covering the ‘90’s and 1900’s, was the famous Robert Prouty.
Castagnetto was born at Bear Valley, Mariposa county, May 6, 1886. His ancestry runs deep in the roots of the butterfly county. His grandmother and the grandmother of District Attorney Milburn were sisters.
As a youth he was employed in the mines near Hornitos and worked at the Organita mine in the Elkhorn mining district near Hornitos in the Stockton-Buffum property. He worked at the Princeton mine and as millman at Bagby for the Mariposa Commercial and Mining company, under the late Frank T. Maguire 16 years. He was also the foreman at the Princeton mine from 1922 to 1927 for Kelso and Holmes.
The election of Castagnetto as sheriff of Mariposa county came in 1927 and he retained that office until his death. He was an outstanding sheriff, honest, trustworthy, fearless, and had the respect of his fellow law enforcement officers. He was a member of the Sheriff’s Association of California and of the Peace Officer’s Association, and served as a member of the executive committee of both. He was past noble grand of Mariposa lodge No. 39 I.O.O.F. While sheriff he gathered a historic collect of relics, which he kept in the sheriff’s office.
Castagnetto married Alta Prouty, who survives him, also the children, Robert Castagnetto and Mrs. Bernice Turner. The grandchildren are Alta Castagnetto and John J. Turner. Aunts are Mrs. Dave Lord of Merced and Mrs. Angie Dulcich of Stockton. Nieces are Mrs. Elizabeth Benimata and Mrs. Phyllis Acosta of San Francisco.
John Castagnetto’s funeral in the Ivers, Alcorn and Tiscornia chapel Monday afternoon was one of the largest ever held in Mariposa county. The community pastor, Paul Coleman, paid an eloquent tribute to the memory of the late sheriff, but more eloquent still was the presence of friends who gathered in multitudes from far and near. Burial was in the family plot in Mariposa’s Odd Fellow’s cemetery.
Sheriff Castagnetto’s house still stands on the corner of 8th and Jones streets in Mariposa. He was elected sheriff on 2 Nov 1926, 26 Aug 1930, and 28 Aug 1934.
CASTANETTO, John J. /Head /male /white /age 24 /married 3 years /pob California /pob father California /pob mother California /speaks English /millerman quartz miner /wages /can read and write English /rents house
____, Alla P. /wife /female /white /age 23 /married 3 years /# of children of mother 2- 2 living /pob California /pob father Massachusetts /pob mother California /speaks English /occupation none /can read and write English
____, Robert D. /son /male /white /age 2 /single /pob California /pob father California /pob mother California /can speak English
____, Bernice A. /daughter /female /white /age 1 /single /pob California /pob father California /pob mother California
1920 CENSUS: California, Mariposa, page 264a, Township No. 4 Mariposa Precinct; dwelling 148, family 148
CASTAGNETTO, John J. /head /rents /male /white /33 /married /can read and write English /pob California /pob father California /pob mother California /Amalgamator Gold mine /works for wages
____, Alta P /wife /female /white /32 /married /can read and write English /pob California /pob father Massachusetts /pob mother California
____, Robert D. /son /male /white /12 /single /attended school within year /can read and write English / pob California /pob father California /pob mother California
____, Bernice P. /daughter /female /white /11 /single /attended school within year /can read and write English /pob California /pob father California /pob mother California
Mariposa Gazette, 23 Nov 1943: JOHN CASTAGNETTO
A colorful character slipped out of life’s picture when Sheriff John Castagnetto of Mariposa died suddenly while attending the Justice Court trial at North Fork, Madera county. Those who knew him well will count the characteristics of Castagnetto not only among the homely virtues that built his splendid career, but will remember those touches that stamped him as a typical old time western sheriff.
Sheriff Castagnetto wore the broad brim western hat of the plains, and conspicuous with his ever present smile was his watch charm made of Mariposa gold. Our readers in Merced will remember this picture of John as they have seen him frequently riding at the head of a county fair or rodeo parade accompanied by Sheriff Lucius Cornell.
The people of Mariposa will tell you of many acts of kindness that go to the credit of their past sheriff - acts which didn’t get into print but will mount high between him and his Maker. He was connected with a distinguished line of sheriffs of Mariposa. His father-in-law, for 22 years covering the ‘90’s and 1900’s, was the famous Robert Prouty.
Castagnetto was born at Bear Valley, Mariposa county, May 6, 1886. His ancestry runs deep in the roots of the butterfly county. His grandmother and the grandmother of District Attorney Milburn were sisters.
As a youth he was employed in the mines near Hornitos and worked at the Organita mine in the Elkhorn mining district near Hornitos in the Stockton-Buffum property. He worked at the Princeton mine and as millman at Bagby for the Mariposa Commercial and Mining company, under the late Frank T. Maguire 16 years. He was also the foreman at the Princeton mine from 1922 to 1927 for Kelso and Holmes.
The election of Castagnetto as sheriff of Mariposa county came in 1927 and he retained that office until his death. He was an outstanding sheriff, honest, trustworthy, fearless, and had the respect of his fellow law enforcement officers. He was a member of the Sheriff’s Association of California and of the Peace Officer’s Association, and served as a member of the executive committee of both. He was past noble grand of Mariposa lodge No. 39 I.O.O.F. While sheriff he gathered a historic collect of relics, which he kept in the sheriff’s office.
Castagnetto married Alta Prouty, who survives him, also the children, Robert Castagnetto and Mrs. Bernice Turner. The grandchildren are Alta Castagnetto and John J. Turner. Aunts are Mrs. Dave Lord of Merced and Mrs. Angie Dulcich of Stockton. Nieces are Mrs. Elizabeth Benimata and Mrs. Phyllis Acosta of San Francisco.
John Castagnetto’s funeral in the Ivers, Alcorn and Tiscornia chapel Monday afternoon was one of the largest ever held in Mariposa county. The community pastor, Paul Coleman, paid an eloquent tribute to the memory of the late sheriff, but more eloquent still was the presence of friends who gathered in multitudes from far and near. Burial was in the family plot in Mariposa’s Odd Fellow’s cemetery.
Sheriff Castagnetto’s house still stands on the corner of 8th and Jones streets in Mariposa. He was elected sheriff on 2 Nov 1926, 26 Aug 1930, and 28 Aug 1934.
Notes for Alta Pearl (Spouse 1)
April 6, 1907, Mariposa Gazette: WEDDED -
Wednesday evening at about 7:30 o’clock John J. Castagnetto and Miss Alta P. Prouty were united in Marriage at Mariposa by Judge J. J. Trabucco. The bride is the youngest daughter of Sheriff and Mrs. R. A. Prouty, and is a charming and popular young lady. Mr. Castagnetto, the groom, is a native of Mariposa county and a son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Frank Castagnetto. He is temperate in his habits and an industrious young man. The best wishes of their many friends, including the Gazette, go with them for a blissful wedded life.
from the Mariposa Gazette, June 25, 1910:
Mrs John CASTAGNETTO left Thursday for Waterford on a visit with relatives.91
Wednesday evening at about 7:30 o’clock John J. Castagnetto and Miss Alta P. Prouty were united in Marriage at Mariposa by Judge J. J. Trabucco. The bride is the youngest daughter of Sheriff and Mrs. R. A. Prouty, and is a charming and popular young lady. Mr. Castagnetto, the groom, is a native of Mariposa county and a son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Frank Castagnetto. He is temperate in his habits and an industrious young man. The best wishes of their many friends, including the Gazette, go with them for a blissful wedded life.
from the Mariposa Gazette, June 25, 1910:
Mrs John CASTAGNETTO left Thursday for Waterford on a visit with relatives.91