Dominic Cavelero immigrated with his family to the United States from Italy in 1883, landing in San Francisco. After a year in Montana, they settled in Snohomish County as one of its earliest pioneers.
A 1926 history by William Whitfield of Snohomish County’s prominent citizens called Cavelero “easily the peer of any of his fellows in the qualities that constitute correct manhood and good citizenship.”
Cavelero prospered as a shingle mill owner on what’s now Island County land west of Stanwood. He also was a noted vegetable farmer on land in east Everett, across the Snohomish River flats. In all, Cavelero amassed 2,150 acres of fertile land. He retired in a finely built home in north Everett.
Dominic and Katherine Cavelero had nine children.
One son, Charles, was killed in France during World War I as a member of the American Expeditionary Force.
John Cavelero, who also was featured in Whitfield’s history, took up farming life and in 1919 bought 12 acres in Snohomish. He built an eight-room house with hot water and “many other modern conveniences.” Some Cavelero descendents, including Kathy Barnes, still live on family land there.
Like his father, John Cavelero voted Republican and was respected by the community, according to Whitfield’s history.
John Cavelero was “one of the progressive agriculturists of northwestern Washington and a representative of a family whose members have made substantial contribution toward the development of Snohomish county and the utilization of its natural resources.”
– Melissa Slager
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