DONATI Giovanni and Carubina VIRGINIA, USA branch
Giovanni Donati 1826 and Carubina Donati 1833
It was 1872 when Giovanni Donati [born 24 June 1826] and Carubina Donati [born 24 July 1833] arrived in Richmond from Italy. They brought their two sons, Andrew who was 17 and Vittorio Carlo who was 15. Also arriving with them was their nephew David Donati who was 13. On their arrival their chosen occupation was one of Plaster of Paris Makers as is shown in the City directory 1872/73.
Their son ANDREW DONATI 1855-1922
Andrew Donati (b. 1855, d.1922) was the eldest son of Giovanni Donati and Carubina Donati. He, in turn, married Frances A. (Fannie) Howell (b.1861, d.1930), in Richmond, Virginia, USA, whose family had been in Richmond for some time, as she was born there.
Andrew was a confectioner by trade. His obituary states that he came to Richmond, VA shortly after the War Between the States, and with his brother Vittorio Carlo (Squire) Donati. They ran the oyster house and restaurant at Eighteenth and Franklin Streets. It also states that he was one of the oldest members of the Italian community in Richmond. He died of cardiovascular disease and is buried at Mt. Calvary cemetery. Andrew and Fannie had four children. Humbert 1883 , then twins who were born in 1885. One died in 1885, then the other in 1886. Lastly Charles V. 1887
Vittorio Carlo (Squire) Donati (b. November 20, 1857,d. August 3, 1915). Was known to the immediate family as “Big Daddyâ€. He married Mary Louise Ommenhauser (Molly) (b.Sept. 2, 1859, d.Aug. 20, 1895), who was German by descent. They had four children, John Anthony (b. Oct 1881-d. unk), Carrie (b. Oct, 1883, d.1992), James Andrew (b. Jun. 8, 1887, d. Oct 11, 1965) and Amelia Rosalie (b. Aug. 1889,d. unk).
“Big Daddy” was a mover and shaker in the Richmond Business Community. He owned the Richmond Distilling company and the Stony Creek Distillery in Henrico County. He was also a Restaurant and Saloon Owner and Operator. He was a semi-pro baseball investor, an instigator of a taxi cab company which was the first one in Richmond. As well as all this he owned a portion of the Chamberlin Hotel, was listed in Dun and Bradstreet and kept a large boat on the James River where he would entertain his guests. The Governor of Virginia at the time was one of his earliest Guests .
His wife Molly died of cancer at the tender age of 36. She is buried at Hollywood Cemetery. Later in life Vic married Mary S. Gallagher, who was a widow and who was born in Chicago in May 1867. She had two children from her first marriage, Mary Hazel and Patrick. She died on 29th June 1908 age 46. She is buried at Mt. Calvary next to Big Daddy.
1927–2019
BIRTH 6 JUNE 1927 • Richmond City, Virginia, United States of America
DEATH 30 AUGUST 2019 • Henrico, Henrico County, Virginia, United States of America.
John married in 1948 to Jean Stewart Brock
Victor Charles Donati 1857-1915 LINE
Victor was a most interesting character.
1859–1895
BIRTH 09 SEP 1859 • Black Forest, Germany
DEATH 20 AUG 1895 • Richmond, Wise, Virginia, United States“Big Daddy†was a mover and shaker in the Richmond business community. He owned Richmond Distilling Company and Stony Creek Distillery in Henrico County, was a restaurant and saloon owner and operator, a Semi-pro baseball investor, an instigator of a taxicab company concern (the first in Richmond), owned a part of the Chamberlin Hotel, was listed in Dun and Bradstreet, and kept a large boat on the James river for entertaining. The Governor of Virginia was one of the earliest guests.
Molly O. Donati died of cancer at @ 36 years of age. She is buried at Hollywood Cemetery.
Later in life, V.C. Donati married Mary S. Gallagher (a widow), who was born in Chicago in May of 1867. She had two children from a previous marriage, Mary Hazel and a son, Petric. Mary S. Donati died on June 29, 1908 at age 46. She is buried ay Mt. Calvary next to “Big Daddyâ€.
FOUNDED BASEBALL CLl”B
Was President of Old Richmond League and Promoter of Later Ventures
Interested in Several Distilleries in Henrico County.
Victor Charles Donati, a well-known business man of this city, and president of Richmond’s first professional baseball club, the old Richmond League club, died at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital at 11 o’clock last nicrht, following a short illnes
.Mr. Donatl was fifty-seven years of age, and had been a resident of this city during the last forty years.
He was a native of Lucca. Baigi, Italy, and came to this country at the age of seventeen.
He went into business here, and at the time of his death was the financial power behind the Richmond Distilling Company and the Stony Creek Distilling; Company.
He was also interested in a rectifying plant on the Nine Mile Road, as well as in several other enterprises.
Mr. Donati did not lose interest in baseball when the old Richmond club ceased to exist, but had followed the growth of the same in this city and harl always manifested the greatest interest in securing the best possible teams for Richmond.
He was a stockholder In the Richmond Virginia League team, and at the time of his death held stock in the Richmond International League team.
Not only was Mr. Donati well known in the business and sporting worlds, but he was a prominent fraternal and club man.
He was a member of each of the Italian clubs, as well as the Eagles, Elks. Odd Fellows, Red Men, Knights of Pythias and the Ancient Order of Druids organizations.
He was taken with an attack of appendicitis last Friday and was at once removed to St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, whero an operation was performed.
For a time it was thought he was doing well, but complications arose which caused him to lose ground.
Yesterday morning it was realized that his death was a matter of hut a few hours. Members of his family gathered at his bedside, and remained until he died last night at 11 o’clock.
. Mr. Donati is survived by one brother, Andrew Donati, and five children, James A., John A., Mrs. James A. Casci, Mrs. J. P. Smith and Mrs. Helen Gallaher.
I am the great granddaughter of Carrie Donati. I am so happy to have found this site and information! I just acquired a bottle from Donati’s Bottling Works in Richmond, VA. I wish I could share a photo of it! Those distilleries make money but later got the family into touble (prohibition). Good stories!
Hello there and thank you for your very interesting comment. If you send me the photo and also a wee bit about yourself I can share on your grandmother’s page. quilietti@icloud.com will be a private link.