James Arata
If heroism is meeting with unfaltering determination difficult situations and making the best of them, then there is much of the heroic in the life history of James Arata. Patiently preserving, he has worked his way steadily upward step by step from a most humble position, meeting at times difficulties and obstacles that would utterly have discouraged and disheartened many a person of less resolute spirit. While he today conducts a profitable business and certainly justly merits the success that has come to him, his life has never been self-centered. Remembering his own struggles, he has ever been ready to hold out a helping hand to fellow traveler on life’s journey, to speak a word of encouragement, or lend timely assistance. He was born in Orero, near Genoa, Italy, March 19, 1844, and is a son of Nicholas and Annie Arata. The mother came to America in 1882 and spent her last days in California, where her death occurred in February 1893. In the family were six sons, three of whom are living: Louis, a resident of California; J.B. Arata, also living in that state; and James of this review.
The last named pursued his education in his native country and was twenty-two years of age when, in 1866 he came to America, landing at New York, where he was variously employed during the nine months of his residence there. In April 1867, he arrived in Cincinnati and for one year was employed by the firm of J.B. Cavagna & Sons. For three years he conducted a peanut stand at the northeast corner of Fifth and Vine Streets, and carefully saving his earnings, was at length able to enter into partnership with John Leverone in the fruit business, in which they have since continued. They began on a small scale but gradually their trade increased until they have one of the finest establishments among the fruit houses of all the Middle West. In 1889 they removed to their present commodious quarters, at the northeast corner of front and Walnut Streets. As a reward for their close application to business, economy, promptness and fair dealing, they have won the confidence of their patrons, some of whom have given them continuos support since their initial movement in business.
The territory over which they now operate extends not only throughout the length and breadth of the United States but also to many European countries, from which they directly import nuts, figs, lemons, macaroni, olive oil and other European products which they furnish to the American trade. His name is indeed a prominent one in the business and financial circles of Cincinnati today, and on the 16th of September 1907, he honored by election to the presidency of the Pearl Street Market Bank, with which he has since been thus identified.
In August 1866, Mr. Arata was married to Miss. Rosa Nassena, a daughter of Anthony Nassens, of Orero, near Genoa, Italy. She died on the 6th of January, 1887, leaving three sons and three daughters: Louis and Joe, who are now associated with the firm of John Leverone & Company; Anna, the wife of John Murphy, of Cincinnati; Kate, the wife of C.C. Kuhfers, of this city; Charles, who is engaged in the real-estate business in California; and Lillie, at home. The family adheres to the Catholic faith and in his political views Mr. Arata is a democrat. He has been particularly active in connection with Italian affairs and since 1888 has served as treasurer of the Italian Sacred Heart Church. He has also been treasurer of the Italian Benevolent Brotherhood Society for twenty-nine years and for an extended period has been a prominent member of the Congress Club. No man’s word is more unassailable and in his business dealings he has the full confidence of his fellow merchants. His manner is quiet, simple and unostentatious; he is approachable by the humblest; and many a poor man or woman in distress has gone to him with his or her tale of woe and received advice and material aid. He is exceedingly generous to his church. With a kind, gentle, sympathetic nature, responsive to every appeal. His life is full of good deeds.
From Cincinnati, The Queen City, Volume III by Rev. Charles Frederic Goss, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1912