Please note that as I learn more about Vincenzo, I will update this page along with other pages as appropriate. I have already changed a few things below that were either typos or incorrect data. I am piecing this together using actual documents in my possession. If anyone has additional or corrected information please send me an email. Some of this is coming from an interview in 2008 with Uncle Sam. Some is trying to make sense of mortgages and such.
Grandpa's father Vincenzo was 25 years old at his sons birth. He was born at 9:00 am in the residence on Costello Street in Marsala Italy. Witnesses were Antonino Licari and Andrea Mari. He was baptized at the Church San Mattuaei on March 30, 1881.
Growing up in Marsala, Grandpa was a sheepherder and never learned to read or write. His job everyday was to manage the sheep until he was able to come to America.
He served in the Italian Army from March 12, 1902 to September 14, 1904. His occupation was farmer, serial number was 9935-32 and served in Trapani approximately 30 miles from Marsala in the 25th Regiment. He was physically described as being 1.55 meters tall, straight nose, brown hair, brown eyes, brown eyebrows, good teeth, dark skin and small face.
A friend of Grandpa paid to secure passage to the U.S and this was the first debt Grandpa paid back. He came to New York on the vessel Italia on June 9, 1907 and was processed through Ellis Island. He came to St. Louis in June 1907 by following another person onto the train. He was married in the Italian Church of St. Louis by Father Cesare Spigardi at 2913 Locust St. on July 2, 1911. The best man was Steven Cusamano. They moved to Wood River sometime after April in 1912 by horse and wagon with son Jim riding in the back. The trip took around 8 hours. The horse and wagon was owned by Steven Cusamano who also was Jim's Godfather.
When Grandpa arrived in St. Louis, he began work at the candy factory.
Grandpa started working at Standard Oil Company in 1912 and retired in 1946
Grandpa applied for naturalization on March 5, 1920 and was naturalized on May 28, 1923. Grandma was naturalized on March 20, 1943.
Grandpa bought Lots 6 and 7 in Wood River Heights (on Korreck Ave.) on May 17, 1917 and carried a mortgage of $1,100.00 to get the house built. The interest rate was 6% per year with payments of $5.50 per month. The mortgage was paid off on December 23, 1918. On December 23, 1918 he took another note for $350.00 to complete the upstairs. NOTE: Look at the Lots 6 and 7 Loan Document Page 1 and if you can interpret if the $5.50 was the total payment or the interest, please let me know via email.
I have a document (copy on the Documents link) called Facts For Petition For Naturalization that gives the address of 449 Korreck Ave. This is the house just east of 451 Korreck Ave that I remember growing up. The date of this document is March 5, 1920. So I don't know when 451 was built and the family moved. I believe it may have been built between 1917 and 1920. More research is going on. Any assistance figuring this out by reading and time-lining the documents would be greatly appreciated.
Uncle Frank Pellegrino purchased Lot 5 from Henry and Luosi Prinzivalle on November 17, 1916 for $100.00. Grandpa purchased Lot 5 from Uncle Frank Pellegrino on November 27, 1920 for $100.00.
Uncle Frank Pellegrino purchased Lots 8 and 9 from Adolph Korreck for $220.00 on December 2, 1916.
Lots 5, 6 and 7 were Conveyed and Warrant To Grandma for $1.00 on January 14, 1924. (Does anyone know why)
NOTE: Uncle Frank Pellegrino is listed as being from the Borough of Greensburg, County of Westmoreland and State of Pennsylvania.
The family resided at 451 Korreck Avenue in Wood River, Illinois. Grandpa had his house built in 1917. (There is a document that shows he purchased Lots 6 and 7 at this time) The basement was added in 1938 by hand excavation. The family used an outhouse until 1938 when the house was remodeled. The property was sold to Phyllis (Pellegrino) and Ron Shaver in 1979. Phyllis and Ron sold the property in 1984.
The brothers and brothers-in-law helped to build the following homes: Joe's first house in 1946-1948. Sam's house in 1948-1949. Jim's house in 1950-1951. Paul's house in 1952-1953. Joe's second house in 1955-1956.
- Vincenzo (Our Grandpa)
Born March 4, 1881, Marsala, Italy
Married Caterina Signorino on July 2, 1911, St. Louis, MO by Father Caesar Spigardi in the Italian Church of St. Louis
Deceased April 26, 1971, Roselawn Memorial Gardens, Bethalto, IL
Caterina and Vincenzo Pellegrino
4th Of July Reunion