John “Big Nose” Avena
John Avena was once known as “the biggest numbers man in South Philadelphia.” Born in Sicily around 1893, John succeeded Salvatore Sabella as Philadelphia’s mob boss in the early 1930s.…
Read MoreAugustus C. Buell
Augustus Caesar Buell and his two younger sisters were born to Simon and Julia Buell, residents of King’s Settlement, near Norwich in central New York. Beyond this piece of personal…
Read MoreWilliam Cusick aka “Micky Duffy”
“Mickey Duffy” was born in the Gray’s Ferry area of Philadelphia to Polish immigrant parents. His given name was either Michael Joseph Cusick or William Michael Cusick. In an attempt…
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