Scipio G. Ratto was born in San Francisco, April 14, 1869, the only son of Mary Cuneo and pioneer Bartholomew Ratto who migrated to the United States from Italy in 1849. Bartholomew Ratto settled in California in 1852, arriving in San Francisco on S.S. GOLDEN GATE after traveling across Isthmus of Panama via muleback. He had a general store in Mother Lode country, Calaveras County. Later he owned and managed two bakeries in San Francisco, one located in the downtown area on Post Street (present site of Olympic Club), another on Dupont Street (now Grant Ave.) Subsequently lived with son, Scipio, in historical old Montgomery Block in San Francisco and managed building in late 1890s.

As a boy and young man, Scipio Ratto came to Sausalito on family picnics and club gatherings (south end of Sausalito). He grew to love the town, its quiet atmosphere, its scenery, and the blue waters of San Francisco Bay.

Ratto journeyed to Alaska and Yukon Territory with his cousin Ernest Ratto, during the gold rush of 1897. They left San Francisco on S.S. UMATILLA on Sunday, July 25, 1897. While in Alaska and the Yukon, they prospected for gold. He also worked in stores of J. Timmins and George Bieber [Biber] in Dawson City.

Upon his return from Alaska, he became accountant for J. Sbarboro and Co., (Washington Street, San Francisco), a grocery establishment owned by a pioneer San Francisco family.

On June 7, 1904, he married Angelina L. Antoni of Washington, D.C. and San Francisco. Their two daughters, Pauline and Vivian, were born in Sausalito. Both are school teachers and live in the family residence built in 1912 in Sausalito.

In 1905 Ratto became a partner with J. Mecchi in a food store on Water Street, (later renamed Bridgeway, main business street in center of Sausalito.) In 1911+, after purchasing land and having blueprints drawn, the partners moved the business into their newly constructed brick building at 667 669 Bridgeway, also in the heart of business district. He remained in business in this location until his retirement in 1935. He died in San Francisco December 22, 1951.

His community activities included:

Member, Old Town Social Club, 1910 Assistant Fire Chief, Sausalito Volunteer Fire Dept., 1912 Member Sausalito School Board, 1922 42 (during his term of office, the new Central School was built. Now known as Sausalito Civic Center) Secretary Treasurer, South Sausalito Improvement Club, 1925. Charter member, Sausalito Lions Club Charter member, Sausalito Chamber of Commerce Member, Native Sons of Golden West, Seapoint Parlor for more than 40 years; held all offices. Member, Fraternal Order of Eagles Member, San Rafael Elks Club Member, Marin County Grand Jury, 1944.

This biographical information was provided by Vivian and Pauline Ratto, daughters of Scipio G. Ratto.