Our Family's Ancestors: Vincent Catalano

Vincenzo Catalano was born 28 Feb 1856 in Termini Imerese, Palermo, Sicily, the fourth child on Cosimo Catalano and Maria Concetta Palmisano.

Older brother Mariano had left Sicily for Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1884 and sent for his brothers to join him. Vincenzo was here by 1888 but that passenger manifest has yet to be found.

Milwaukee City Directory - 1888 Vincenzo, fruit dealer, rear 148 Detroit

On 27 Dec 1888 in Termini Imerese, Vincent married Biagia Gaurdalabene, the daughter of Salvatore Guardalabene and Girolama Cammarata.

Vincent arrived in New York on 23 May 1889 aboard the ship Letimbro. Line #183 states he is age 33 and a fisherman.

Milwaukee City Directory 1889 Vincenzo, rear 246 Milwaukee

Son Cosimo Francis was born 29 Aug 1889 in Termini Imerese.

Biagia and Cosimo followed Vincent to America, arriving in New York on 4 Nov 1890.

Son Salvatore was born 2 Dec 1891 in Milwaukee. (film #1012882 #727)

Milwaukee City Directory 1892 Vincent, peddler, home 246 Milwaukee

Daughter Maria Concetta was born 6 Oct 1893, (film #1012892 v189 page 397). She died before 1895 when another daughter is given the same name.

Daughter Angie was born in 1894. Sadly she died 4 Jan 1895 and is buried in Calvary Cemetery. (death - film #1310324)

Milwaukee City Directory 1895 Vincenz, fruits, home rear 244 Milwaukee

Daughter Maria Concetta was born 26 Oct 1895, (film #1012914 v227 page 37).

Daughter Gilanno was born 20 Dec 1897, (film #1012927 v265 page 13).

Daughter Gilanno died 2 Jun 1898 and Maria Concetta died 6 Jun 1898. They are buried at Calvary Cemetery.

Daughter Maria Concetta is born 1 Apr 1899, (film #1013683 ref 396).

Milwaukee City Directory - 1899 Vincenzo, pedler, rear 244 Milwaukee

Milwaukee City Directory - 1900 Vincent, fruit dlr., 244 Milwaukee rear

1900 Federal Census 244 Milwaukee Street R1 (behind brother Antonio)
Vincenso, born May 1860, 40, married 12 years, born Italy, to US 1887, filed petition for naturalization, fruit peddler; Biagia, born Sep 1865, 34, married 12 years, 6 children born, 3 children living, to US 1890; Cosimo, born Oct 1888, 11, born Italy; Salvatore, born Sep 1891, 8, born Wisconsin; Maria, born 1899, 1, born Wisconsin.

Sanborn Fire Map - Milwaukee Street between Buffalo and Chicago.

Milwaukee City Directory - 1902 Vincent commission, house rear 244 Milwaukee

Daughter Angela was born 13 Mar 1904, (film #1013711 page 255 #2843).

1905 Wisconsin State Census - Milwaukee. Vincenzio, 48, born Italy, fruit peddler; Biagia, wife, 44, born Italy; Samuel, son, 16; Ludie, son, 13; Josie, daughter, 6; Giloma, daughter, 4; Angie, daughter, 1. It lists all the children as born in Wisconsin.

Salvatore, Cosmio, Mamie, Infant (Angela), Biagia and Concetta, about 1905.

Salvatore is said to be the second from the left in this picture, also taken around 1905.

Sadly baby Angela died 30 May 1906 (film #1310333) and is buried at Calvary.

1906 Vincenzo, fruit dealer, home rear 244 Milwaukee

Milwaukee City Directory 1907 Vincenzo, fruit dealer, 244 Milwaukee, home same

1909 Vincent, home rear 244 Milwaukee

Milwaukee City Directory - 1910 Vincent, fruit, rear 244 Milwaukee

1910 Federal Census - 244 Milwaukee Street, Milwaukee. Vincent, 54, to US in 1884, commission merchant - fruits; Bessie, 49, 9 children born, 4 children living, to US 1890; Cosimo F., 20, to US 1890; Salvatore, 18; Consetta, 11; Mamie, 8.

Commission Row c1910

On 13 Dec 1910 Vincent became a naturalized citizen.

Milwaukee City Directory - 1913 Vincent, home 229 Milwaukee

Son Cosimo was married to Anna Mascari on 11 Oct 1915 in Memphis, Tennessee.

The 1920 Federal Census finds the family at 220 Milwaukee Street. Vincent is 44, says he is the owner of the mortgaged home, came to the US in 1895, became a naturalized citizen in 1910, no occupation; Betsy, 59, to US in 1891; Salvatore, 28, wholesale merchant - fruits; Concetta, 20; Mamie, 18.

Milwaukee City Directory - 1921 Vincent (Bessie) home 220 Milwaukee

1922 Vincent (Bessie) home 220 Milwaukee

Daughter Mamie married Joseph Gagliano c1923.

Son Cosimo became a naturalized citizen on 13 Jun 1924.

Son Salvatore married Margaret Sansone c1924.

Daughter Maria Concetta married Nicholas Russo on 4 Oct 1924.

Top from left, Mamie, Vincenza, Joseph Gagliano, Margaret (nee Sansone) and husband Salvatore Catalano; Anna (nee Mascari) and husband Cosimo Catalano and their sonVincent Catalano seated.

Front row from left: Bessie Catalano (daughter of Cosimo and Anna), Vincenzo Catalano, bride Maria Concetta Catalano, groom Nicholas Russo, Biagia (nee Guardalabene) Catalano.

Anna Mascari Catalano, the wife of son Cosimo, found it necessary to apply for US citizenship even though she was born in Tennessee, because of her marriage to an alien. She was naturalized on 11 Dec 1924.

1930 Federal Census finds the family still living at 220 Milwaukee Street. Vincent, owns the home valued at $4,000, he is 74, was married at 34; Biagia, 69 married at 26. In the same house are Salvatore, 38, married at 32, peddler - fruit; his wife Margaret, 32, married at 26; and children Vincent, 4, Bessie, 2 and Cosmio, 10 months. Also in the same house are Cosmo, 39, married at 26, proprietor - grocery store; his wife Anna, 31, married at 18, born in Tennessee; and their children Bessie, 13 and Vincent, 10.