Giovanni Alioto (1888 - 1972)

Born 9 Sep 1888 in Santa Flavia, Palermo, Sicily, Italy

Died 27 Aug 1972 at age 83 in Milwaukee, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States

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Biography

Giovanni "John" Alioto is a Milwaukee Mafia boss born in Santa Flavia, Palermo, Sicily. He consistently reports his date of birth as 25 August 1888 in Porticello^[1], which is in Santa Flavia, but his actual date of birth is 9 September 1888. He is the son of Giuseppe Alioto and Francesca Orlando.

On 13 September 1888 in Santa Flavia, Giuseppe Alioto, age 32 (b. 1856), fisherman, reports the birth on 9 September of a baby to Francesca Orlando, his wife. The baby is a boy and is named Giovanni.^[2]

On the Liguria, departing Napoli on 13 May 1903 and arriving 27 May 1903 in the port of New York:

21. Giovanni Alioto, age 14 (b. 1889), fisherman, last resided in S. Flavia, bound for Milwaukee, travels with others from the same town but none going to the same destination. His passage was paid by his uncle. He is joining his uncle Francesco Lalioto at 206 Detroit St., Milwaukee Wis.^[3]

In the 1907 Milwaukee city directory, there are many Alioto listings but only one Giovanni:

Giovanni Alioto, laborer, lives at 349 Beach^[4]

Giovanni returns to Italy from 1908 to 1910, possibly to fulfill his obligation to the Italian military.

In the 1909 Milwaukee, WI city directory, there is still only one Giovanni Alioto:

Giovanni Aliotto, laborer, lives at 336 Cass^[5]

On the SS Lazio, sailing from Palermo on 4 April 1910 and arriving in Boston, MA on 19 April:

13. Giovanni Alioto, age 21 (b. 1889), single, fisherman, born and last resided in Santa Flavia, Palermo, leaves his father Giuseppe Alioto in via Mercurio, Porticello. Was in Milwaukee 1902-1908. Joining his uncle Vito Guardalabene at 162 1/2 Detroit St., Milwaukee. 5’6” Chestnut hair/eyes.^[6] Vito Guardalabene is the first recorded Mafia boss of Milwaukee, from 1918-1921.

Giovanni marries Caterina Alioto. They have five known children: Frances (1917), Anna/Antonina Benedetta/Nina (1920), Joseph (1922), Angelo (1923), and Mary (c. 1930).

Giovanni Alioto registers for the draft for WWI on 5 June 1917 in the 1st precinct, 3rd ward of Milwaukee. He is 29 years old, born 25 August 1888 in St. Flavia, Palermo, Italy. He lives at 155 Detroit, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He is an alien resident, Italian national. He works as a garbage collector for the city of Milwaukee. He supports his father and wife. He is married and claims exemption to support his wife and father. He is of medium height and stout build with dark eyes and hair. He has 2 fingers missing from his left hand. At the bottom of the back of the card it is written “Alien (Married)” and then, possibly in a different hand: “Alien exempted papers filed” followed by a stamped date, “Nov 6 1917.”^[7]

Frances is born 21 December 1917 in Milwaukee.^[1]

In the 1920 federal census of Milwaukee, Ward 3, taken 9? January, John Alioto, 32 (b. 1887), heads a household at 348 Van Buren St. with his wife Catherine, 29 (b. 1890). They emigrated in 1901. At home are their daughter, Frances, two years (b. 1918), and Thomas Crice, brother in law, 35 (b. 1884), married, who emigrated in 1919. Neither John nor Thomas can read or write, but Catherine can. The adults were born in Italy and the baby in Wisconsin. John is a teamster working for the garbage department of the city. Thomas is a laborer for the railroad.^[8]

Anna, later called Antonina Benedetta, "Nina" for short, is born 11 January 1920 in Milwaukee.^[1]

Joseph is born 5 October 1922 in Milwaukee.^[1]

Angelo is born 5 October 1923 in Milwaukee.^[1]

John Alioto petitions for naturalization in the US District Court of the Eastern District of Wisconsin. He lives at 346 Van Buren St., Milwaukee, Wis. Occupation: Merchant. Born 25 August 1888 in Porticello, Sicily. Emigrated to the US from Palermo, Sicily, 5 March 1904. Arrived in NY 20 March 1904 on the Liguria. Declared his intention on 23 January 1924 in the same court.

His wife is Catherina, born 24 July 1891 in Sant Elia, Sicily, and lives at the same home address. John has four children: Francis [this is a daughter], born 21 December 1917; Anna, born 11 January 1920; Joseph, born 5 October 1922; Angelo, born 5 October 1923. They were all born in Milwaukee, WI and reside there.

John has lived in the US continuously since emigrating. When John previously petitioned for citizenship in this same court on 15 February 1926, it was denied because one of his witnesses, Frank Spicuzza, was not a citizen. Declaration of intention no. 8872 filed 16 April 1926.

Affidavits of petitioner and witnesses. Witnesses are John Busalacchi, manufacturer, living at 916 Oakland Av, Milwaukee and Nicola Romano, restaurant keeper, living at 187 Huron St, Milwaukee. They have known John Alioto since 1 January 1910. Both sign their names on 16 April 1926.^[1]

In the 1930 federal census of Milwaukee, Ward 3, taken 17 April:

At 340 Van Buren St., it said Frank Alioto but Frank was crossed out and replaced with Joe. Joe Alioto is 78 (b. 1852) and lives with his wife Antonina, 67 (b. 1863). Both born in Italy.

Two households down is Saverio Maglio, then John Alioto, then Joe Tocco, just as in the 1940 census.

John Alioto owns his home at 346 Van Buren St., worth $5,000. He is 41 (b. 1889), born in Italy, married at 24 to Catherine, 38 (b. 1892), who was 21 when they married (m. 1913). She was born in Italy. Their children were born in Wisconsin: Frances, 12 (b. 1918), Anna, 10 (b. 1920), Joe, 8 (b. 1922), Angelo, 6 (b. 1924), and Mary, whose age has been crossed out. John and Catherine emigrated in 1909 and are naturalized citizens. John is the proprietor of a dry goods store.^[9]

Nina marries Frank Balistrieri on 25 September 1938 in Saints Peter and Paul Church, in San Francisco, California. The society pages coverage of their wedding and 300-guest reception names some of Nina's immediate family, but their names do not match her family in Milwaukee census records. Her father is called Joseph instead of John, and her brothers Nunzio, Frank, Peter, and Joseph. The article does not mention that the families are from Milwaukee, but says the couple would settle down in San Francisco after their honeymoon.^[10]

More than a year after the newspaper reports their marriage in San Francisco, Frank Balistrieri and Antonina Alioto marry on 18 November 1939 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.^[11]

In the 1940 census, Nina lives with her new husband.

In the 1940 federal census of Milwaukee, WI, Ward 3, taken 1 May, John Alioto heads a household at 522 N. Van Buren. He is 51 (b. 1889), born in Italy. His wife, Katherine, is 47 (b. 1893), born in Italy. Their children were born in Wisconsin: Frances, 22 (b. 1918), Joseph, 18 (b. 1922), Angelo, 16 (b. 1914), and Mary, 10 (b. 1930). Their neighbors on either side are headed by Saverio Maglio and Joseph Tocco. Their households are all headed by Italian-born parents and have multiple children, all born in WI. John is an assistant foreman for the 3rd Ward. Katherine, Frances, and Joseph are grocery store clerks. Katherine works on her own account and employs their oldest children. The Maglio family have a fruit store and the Toccos own a bakery.^[12]

Catherine is naturalized on 24 April 1941.^[13]

John Alioto registers for the draft for WWII on 25 April 1942. He lives at 522 N. Van Buren, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He is 54 years old, born 25 August 1888 in Palermo, Italy. His contact is Tony Machi at 522 N. Jackson, Milwaukee. John stands 5’6” weighs 205#, brown eyes, gray hair, ruddy complexion, mark on right cheek.^[14]

John becomes the boss of the Milwaukee crime family in 1952, after Sam Ferrara is forced to step down. Federal law enforcement reports that Frank Balistrieri takes over leadership of the Milwaukee Mafia from his father-in-law, John Alioto, in December 1961.^[15]

Death of John

John dies 27 August 1972 at age 84 in Milwaukee.^[16][17][18] He is buried in Holy Cross Cemetery and Mausoleum in Milwaukee, WI. Profiles for his wife, Caterina Alioto Alioto (1891-1973) and children Antonina Benedetta Alioto Balistrieri (1920-1997), Joseph John Alioto (1921-1963), and Angelo J. Alioto (1923-2011) are attached to his Find a Grave profile.^[16]

Caterina dies at age 82 on 19 December 1973. She last resided in Milwaukee, WI 53222.^[19][20] Her obituary appears in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel on 20 December 1973. Names her son Angelo, daughters Mrs. Frances Dentice, Mrs. Frank Balistrieri, and Mrs. Joseph Caminiti. Also named: Joseph L. Alioto, Nina Balistrieri, Mary Caminiti Jr, John Alioto.^[21] She is buried in Holy Cross Cemetery and Mausoleum in Milwaukee, WI.^[22]

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5} "Wisconsin, Milwaukee Petitions for Naturalization, 1848-1991," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G9DF-PZ9S?cc=2174939&wc=36PQ-PTL%3A1018461801 : 25 July 2019), vol 23, no 5299-5548, 1925-1926 > image 543 of 960; citing Naturalization Petition and Record, 9/1/1848 - 5/9/1991, NAID 7267811. Records of District courts of the United States, 1685-2009, RG 21. National Archives at Chicago, Illinois.
2. ↑ Atto di nascita, Giovanni Alioto. (1888, September 13). Record no. 165. "Italia, Palermo, Palermo, Stato Civile (Tribunale), 1866-1910," images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G97B-FJZ2?cc=2051639&wc=MCTM-RWL%3A351055601%2C353429001%2C352218601 : 22 May 2014), Palermo > Santa Flavia > Nati, pubblicazioni, matrimoni, cittadinanze, morti 1885-1902 > image 589 of 2118; Tribunale di Cagliari (Cagliari Court, Cagliari).
3. ↑ https://heritage.statueofliberty.org/passenger-details/czoxMjoiMTAyNjUzMDYwMjAxIjs=/czo4OiJtYW5pZmVzdCI7
4. ↑ Milwaukee, Wisconsin, City Directory, 1907 Ancestry.com. U.S., City Directories, 1822-1995 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011.
5. ↑ Milwaukee, Wisconsin, City Directory, 1909 Ancestry.com. U.S., City Directories, 1822-1995 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011.
6. ↑ "Massachusetts, Boston Passenger Lists, 1891-1943," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33SQ-GYWZ-WZW?cc=1923995&wc=M6BW-B2S%3A219468001 : 6 June 2014), 147 - v. 257-258 Apr 16, 1910 - Apr 30, 1910 > image 227 of 1111; citing NARA microfilm publication T843 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).
7. ↑ "United States World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33S7-8189-DJJ?cc=1968530&wc=9FZS-SP6%3A928450001%2C928718901 : 18 October 2019), Wisconsin > Milwaukee City no 1; A-Media, Stefano > image 31 of 6099; citing NARA microfilm publication M1509 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).
8. ↑ "United States Census, 1920," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33SQ-GRJH-NV6?cc=1488411&wc=QZJY-PPS%3A1037438101%2C1037699301%2C1037921001%2C1589332423 : 14 September 2019), Wisconsin > Milwaukee > Milwaukee Ward 3 > ED 40 > image 45 of 68; citing NARA microfilm publication T625 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).
9. ↑ "United States Census, 1930," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33S7-9R8K-9P75?cc=1810731&wc=QZF4-LSC%3A648804601%2C649100701%2C649148001%2C1589282411 : 8 December 2015), Wisconsin > Milwaukee > Milwaukee (Districts 1-250) > ED 26 > image 11 of 42; citing NARA microfilm publication T626 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 2002).
10. ↑ Miss Alioto is married to F. Balistreri. (1938, October 30). The San Francisco Examiner. P. 46. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/84232541/the-san-francisco-examiner/
11. ↑ Wisconsin Historical Society; Madison, Wisconsin; WI Marriage Records 1907-1939 Ancestry.com. Wisconsin, U.S., Marriage Records, 1820-2004 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2022.
12. ↑ "United States Census, 1940," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-L9M1-ZX38?cc=2000219&wc=QZXB-FJS%3A795536601%2C799996401%2C800477201%2C800508601 : accessed 10 February 2022), Wisconsin > Milwaukee > Milwaukee City, Milwaukee, Ward 3 > 72-63 Milwaukee City Ward 3 (Tract 1 - part), Home for the Friendless, Y.W.C.A. (Industrial Center) > image 15 of 26; citing Sixteenth Census of the United States, 1940, NARA digital publication T627. Records of the Bureau of the Census, 1790 - 2007, RG 29. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 2012.
13. ↑ "Illinois, Northern District Naturalization Index, 1840-1950," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33S7-9PQQ-QRB2?cc=1838804&wc=M6TM-3NP%3A165130701 : 20 May 2014), A-352 Mary to A-436 Jonathon > image 5508 of 6515; citing NARA microfilm publication M1285 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).
14. ↑ The National Archives At St. Louis; St. Louis, Missouri; World War Ii Draft Cards (Fourth Registration) For the State of Wisconsin; Record Group Title: Records of the Selective Service System; Record Group Number: 147; Series Number: M2126; Box or Roll Number: 3 Name Range: Albert, Grant Simpson - Allen, Wyeth Ancestry.com. U.S., World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1942 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010.
15. ↑ CRIME FIGURE BALISTRIERI IS DEAD AT AGE 74. (1993, Feb 8). Capital Times, The (Madison, WI), p. 3A.. Retrieved from https://infoweb.newsbank.com/resources/doc/nb/obit/0FDC65148DF1A467-0FDC65148DF1A467?p=OBIT
16. ↑ ^{16.0 16.1} Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/134673353/john-alioto : accessed 10 February 2022), memorial page for John Alioto (25 Aug 1888–27 Aug 1972), Find a Grave Memorial ID 134673353, citing Holy Cross Cemetery and Mausoleum, Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin, USA ; Maintained by CindyS (contributor 18484625) .
17. ↑ "Wisconsin Death Index, 1959-1997", database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V89Y-R89 : 8 January 2022), John Alioto, 1972.
18. ↑ "United States Social Security Death Index," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:J167-G35 : 9 January 2021), John Alioto, Aug 1972; citing U.S. Social Security Administration, Death Master File, database (Alexandria, Virginia: National Technical Information Service, ongoing).
19. ↑ "United States Social Security Death Index," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V37H-JM4 : 9 January 2021), Caterina Alioto, Dec 1973; citing U.S. Social Security Administration, Death Master File, database (Alexandria, Virginia: National Technical Information Service, ongoing).
20. ↑ "Wisconsin Death Index, 1959-1997", database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V89Y-RZP : 8 January 2022), Catherine Alioto, 1973.
21. ↑ "United States, GenealogyBank Historical Newspaper Obituaries, 1815-2011", database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q5SF-WXCJ : 18 July 2020), Mrs Catherine Alioto, 1973.
22. ↑ Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/134669426/caterina-alioto : accessed 10 February 2022), memorial page for Caterina “Catherine” Alioto Alioto (24 Jul 1891–19 Dec 1973), Find a Grave Memorial ID 134669426, citing Holy Cross Cemetery and Mausoleum, Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin, USA ; Maintained by CindyS (contributor 18484625) .