Eugene Bertagnolli, president and manager of the Union Mercantile & Supply Company, owning and conducting three stores, located at Rock Springs, at Kemmerer and at Superior, Wyoming, makes his home at Rock Springs and from that point directs his constantly increasing business interests, which have placed him with the leading merchants of the state. He is a young man who has not yet reached the zenith of his powers but already has attained a position in commercial circles that many a man twice his years might well envy.
    Mr. Bertagnolli is a native of Austria. He was born at Trient, Tyrol, May 4, 1889, a son of Fedel and Virginia (Bertagnolli) Bertagnolli, who, though of the same name, was not a relative of her husband. Both were born and reared in Austria, where the father engaged in farming throughout his entire life. He passed away in 1909, but the mother is still living and is yet a resident of Austria. In the family were six children: Joseph and Leopold, who are residents of Rock Springs: August, living in Austria ; Mary; Ade; and Eugene, who is the eldest.
    During his boyhood days Eugene Bertagnolli attended the schools of the Tyrol and also an Italian school. The year 1907 witnessed his arrival in Rock Springs, Wyoming, at which time he was a youth of eighteen years. He organized the Union Mercantile & Supply Company, beginning business in a small way but developing his interests as the years have gone by until his trade has now reached very extensive proportions. On the organization and incorporation of the company in 1907, Henry Bertagnolli, now deceased, became the president and treasurer, with Eugene Bertagnolli as the vice president. The undertaking prospered from the beginning, and seeing the possibility for the successful extension of his interests, Eugene Bertagnolli established in 1909 a second store at Superior, Wyoming, of which he remained manager until August 10, 1917, when upon the death of Henry Bertagnolli he was elected the president of the company and manager of the Rock Springs store. The company also owns a store at Kemmerer, which was opened in 1914 and which Eugene Bertagnolli also manages. At the various stores a general mercantile business is conducted and all three establishments are proving profitable investments. In addition to his commercial interests Mr. Bertagnolli is the owner of considerable ranch property, which is conducted under the name of the Superior Live Stock Company, the land being located on Green river. He is also the treasurer of the Superior school board, and while conducting important business interests, has found time to cooperate in measures and movements for the general good.
    On the 8^th of April, 1912. Mr. Bertagnolli was united in marriage to Miss Fannie Bertagnolli, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ignaz Bertagnolli. They have become the parents of two children: Otto, who died October 11, 1917, at the age of eleven months, and was buried in Rock Springs; and Olga, who was born in Superior, Wyoming, in 1913.
    Fraternally Mr. Bertagnolli is connected with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and is president of the Fraternal Order of Eagles at Superior. He is also identified with the Red Men, and is a Knights Templar Mason. He also has membership with the Knights of Pythias and at all times is loyal to the teachings of these various organizations, which are formed for the mutual benefit of the members. He is a supporter of the Red Cross and he gives his political allegiance to the republican party. In coming to the new world he found the business opportunities which he sought and in their utilization he has made steady progress until he has long since left the ranks of the many and now stands among the successful few.