Eugene Rianda is a native of Monterey county, having been born at Soledad on February 12, 1895. His parents, John and Rosa (Bianchini) Rianda, were both born in Switzerland and came to California in 1872. They first settled at Watsonville, where they resided for about twenty years, when they removed to Soledad. For many years after coming to California the father followed the business of grain farmer. He is now living at Soledad, retired from active labor.
Eugene Rianda received his elementary education in the common schools of Soledad, supplementing this by studying in the high schools of Soledad and Salinas. He began his business career as a clerk with the Soledad Mercantile Company, but on September 9, 1917, he gave up his position with this company to enlist in the United States navy. His first service in the navy was at San Diego, California, where he was attached to the crew of a submarine chaser. Subsequently he was transferred to a torpedo boat destroyer, which was assigned to the duty of patrolling the coast at the eastern terminal of the Panama Canal. His vessel was later ordered into the transport service and made several voyages to Brest, France, as convoy to troop ships. He was discharged at Norfolk, Virginia, February 27, 1919, and returned to California. He entered the naval service as ordinary seaman and was mustered out as gunner’s mate—a creditable record in only about eighteen months of service.
Upon returning home Mr. Rianda found employment as teller in the First National Bank of King City. When that institution was merged with the Bank of Italy, he was made assistant cashier and held this position until January, 1923, when he was promoted to manager, which important place he still occupies. Mr. Rianda is a member of the Roman Catholic church, the King City Chamber of Commerce, the Knights of Columbus and the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. On November 11, 1920, he was united in marriage to Miss Catherine Curran, of King City, and they have one daughter, Jeannette.
Source: History of Monterey and Santa Cruz Counties, California : cradle of California’s history and romance : dating from the planting of the cross of Christendom upon the shores of Monterey Bay by Fr. Junipero Serra, and those intrepid adventurers who accompanied him, down to the present day. Chicago: S.J. Clarke Pub. Co., 1925.