Giuseppe Torregrossa (1867 - 1943)

Died 24 Jun 1943 at about age 76 in Mount Vernon, Jefferson, Illinois, United States

Biography

Guiseppe Torregrossa was born ca 1867/68 in Italy, region of Palermo. On his grave stone the year of birth is given as 1865, jet in all the census records he is said to be only 6 years older than his wife, who was born in Jun 1874.

Emigration to America

Year as given in the census records seems to be 1893 or maybe 1892.

He married ca 1895 Giuseppa (Josephine "Josie") Arena.

The family lived in St. Louis, Missouri till at least 1901 and moved then to Cairo, Illinois.

In the 1910 census Joe (age 41), Fruit Dealer, was the married head of household in Cairo Ward 2, Alexander, Illinois, United States.^[1] Adress is given as 339 Seventh Street. It is said that he is married for 15 years and his wife bore 8 children of which 5 are still alive.

After some years the family moved again, this time to Mount Vernon, Illinois, where he opened up his own fruit shop.

In the 1920 census Joe (age 50), fruit dealer, was the married head of household in Mount Vernon Ward 4, Jefferson, Illinois.^[2] The record gives his year of immigration and naturalization as 1893, same as his wife's.

In the 1930 census Geuseppe (age 63), Merchant (Retail Fruit), was the married head of household at 511 South Seventh Street, Mount Vernon, Jefferson, Illinois, United States.^[3] His son Mike and his Son-in-Law John Privitera lived in the house next door.

In the 1940 census Joe (age 73) was the married head of household in MT Vernon, Jefferson, Illinois.^[4]

Death and Burial: Joseph Torregrossa died (age 78) on 24 June 1943 in MT Vernon, Jefferson, Illinois.^[5] In the records his birth place is mentioned as Palermo, Italy and his parents are given as Mike Torregrossa & "Josie Arena"?, the later beeing most likely a mixup with his wife. He is said to be buried on 28 Jun 1943 on St. Mary's Cemetery in Shiloh Township, Jefferson, Illinois.^[6]

Sources

1. ↑ 1910 Census: "1910 United States Federal Census"
   Year: 1910; Census Place: Cairo Ward 2, Alexander, Illinois; Roll: T624_230; Page: 6b; Enumeration District: 0005; FHL microfilm: 1374243
   Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 7884 #4248702 (accessed 8 June 2023)
   Joe Torregrossa (41), married, Fruit Dealer, head of household in Cairo Ward 2, Alexander, Illinois, USA. Born in Italy.
2. ↑ 1920 Census: "1920 United States Federal Census"
   Year: 1920; Census Place: Mount Vernon Ward 4, Jefferson, Illinois; Roll: T625_376; Page: 4B; Enumeration District: 133
   Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 6061 #67647482 (accessed 8 June 2023)
   Joe Torregrossa (50), married, Fruit Dealer, head of household in Mount Vernon Ward 4, Jefferson, Illinois. Born in Italy.
3. ↑ 1930 Census: "1930 United States Federal Census"
   Year: 1930; Census Place: Mount Vernon, Jefferson, Illinois; Page: 18A; Enumeration District: 0021; FHL microfilm: 2340256
   Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 6224 #26539445 (accessed 8 June 2023)
   Geuseppe Torregossa (63), married, Merchant, head of household at 511 South Seventh Street, Mount Vernon, Jefferson, Illinois, USA. Born in Italy.
4. ↑ 1940 Census: "1940 United States Federal Census"
   Year: 1940; Census Place: MT Vernon, Jefferson, Illinois; Roll: m-t0627-00816; Page: 5A; Enumeration District: 41-24
   Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 2442 #142412964 (accessed 8 June 2023)
   Joe Torregrossa Sr (73), married head of household in MT Vernon, Jefferson, Illinois. Born in Italy.
5. ↑ Death: "Illinois, U.S., Deaths and Stillbirths Index, 1916-1947"
   FHL Film Number: 1983455
   Ancestry Record 2542 #115657 (accessed 8 June 2023)
   Joseph Torregrossa death 24 Jun 1943 (age 78), son of Mike Torregrossa & Josie Arena, in MT Vernon, Jefferson, Illinois.
6. ↑ Burial: "U.S., Find a Grave® Index, 1600s-Current"
   Find a Grave. Find a Grave®. URL: Find A Grave: Memorial #142687420
   Ancestry Record 60525 #117053627 (accessed 8 June 2023)
   Joseph Torregrossa Sr burial (died on 24 Jun 1943) in Saint Marys Cemetery, Mount Vernon, Jefferson County, Illinois, United States of America.