Michael Montanaro
Michael’s parents had seven of their children born in Italy before they came to Philadelphia for a better life. He was the last of three who were born when they…
Read MoreDaniel Impriano
“Danny the Imp” was what he was called, according to a newspaper account. He may have been called that as a teenager, not only slurring his last name but because…
Read MoreAnthony Salvatore Zanghi
Anthony’s parents married in 1894 and sailed from Italy to New York that same year. He was the firstborn of 13 children in the Zanghi home. Nine of them lived…
Read MoreJohn Windfield Rodgers
John’s early years are not documented but his first marriage probably took place in 1909. He and Florence had a son in 1910 and fraternal twins, Florence and John Jr.,…
Read MoreJohn J. Bricker
John’s parents, John and Emma, met and married when they were both in their mid-30s and she gave birth to John Jr., Eva, and Annie. They lived in the Grays…
Read MoreJohn “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 MoreMichael Cusick aka “Mickey Duffy”
“Mickey Duffy” was born in the Gray’s Ferry area of Philadelphia to Polish immigrant parents John and Elizabeth Cusick. His given name was either Michael Joseph or William Michael, although…
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