Agostino Solari was born on December 23, 1830, in Zoagli, Liguria, Genoa, Italy, the child of Juan Solari and Maria Catalina Zolezzi. Agostino came to California in the early 1850's, working his way across the ocean as a cook on a ship. Soon after arriving in San Buenaventura in August 22, 1855, Agostino opened a restaurant in the Camarillo House on Main Street, running it with a man named Victor Ustusaustegni. Agostino sold out after 6 months and opened another restaurant in an old adobe also on Main Street. This site later housed the Palace Hotel. In 1857 Agostino sailed to San Francisco to meet his father Juan Solari, who was visiting from Italy. During their stay, they met Frederico Schiappapietra, who was purchasing supplies for his general merchandise store located in Santa Barbara. Agostino and Frederico became good friends and they decided to open a business together, in Buenaventura, Santa Barbara County. In 1858 Frederico Schiappapietra, brother Antonio, and Agostino Solari opened a grocery and general store, located on West Main Street in the quadangle of the Mission San Buenaventura. Agostino married Maria del Refugio de los Merced de Cota on October 18, 1858, at Mission San Buenaventura, Santa Barbara County, California. Agostino died on March 18, 1888, in San Buenaventura, Ventura County, California. Agostino was buried at St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery, San Buenaventura, Ventura County, California. In February of 1923 Agostino was re-interred to Ivy Lawn Solari Mausoleum, San Buenaventura, Ventura County, California.

Per 1860 census of Santa Barbara County , San Buenaventura Township, Agostino Solari, age 28 male Merchant real property 1000 personal property 3000 birthplace Italy [there is a child in the family, Gracia Solari, age 1 1/2 but very probably died early as there is no more mention of her]

Per 1870 U.S. Federal census Agostino Solari is living in Township 1, Santa Barbara, CA, born abt 1831 Italy White Male [no mention of rest of family on 1870 census, either in Santa Barbara or Ventura, (business "partners" Leopoldo and Antonio Schiappapietra are living in Santa Barbara) [they bought the Rancho Santa Clara del Norte in 1864 NOTE: The ranch was part of the Rancho Del Norte, land which had been claimed by Spain (abt 18,000 acres) and given out to an individual living in the area, Juan Sanchez, a retired soldier of the Presidio of Santa Barbara. From there the Sanchez family lost the land due to a debt and the Schiappapietra family (Italy) received the land because they had taken over the debt from Henry Dubbers. Because of their friendship (Augustin Solari a silent partner) with each other, the Solari's from Italy/ Santa Barbara/ Ventura ended up with part of the parcel, due to the probate hearing regarding the death of Augustin, Antonio Shiappapietra went into court and made open declaration that one-third of every dollar and every piece of realty that the brothers (Schiappapietra) owned belonged to Augustin Solari. Grant Chaffee Sr.'s mother, Eva C. Solari Chaffee, was left about 280 acres, from her father, Agostino Solari, after his death. Grant L. Chaffee Sr. worked on the Chaffee Ranch for many years with his two sons, Arthur W. and Grant L. Jr., until his death in 1960. This is where I was raised with my two cousins, Scott and Sharon Chaffee]

Per Ventura GenWeb Ventura Directory 1875: A. Solari- Merchant, West Main St. S. Buenaventura [residence]

Per 1880 U.S. Federal census Agostino Solari is living in San Buena Ventura, Ventura, CA, born abt 1830 ITALY Married Self Ranchero, both parents born Italy

Per Ventura GenWeb Obit Records, Agostino Solari, born 12-22-1830, died 03-18-1888 in Ventura, Ventura Co., CA

In the Thomas Workman Temple records there is a post-1850 entry for a Mission San Buenaventura death and it states:
(#1742) 1888 Mar 20- AGUSTIN SOLARI, 57, natural de Italia, casado [married] con Merced Cota, h.l. de Juan Solari y de Catalina Zelezzi; murio el dia 18 haviendole dado absolucion sub conditione y administradole la Extrema Uncion hallandose al parecer privado de sentido.

Surname Meaning: Solari
Northern Italian: habitational name from any of various places called Solaro or Solara, from solaro 'site', 'plot', 'meadow', literally 'land exposed to the sun'.