The Italians In North Olean

It was near the end of the 19th Century
when the Italians left Italy, many of them coming to
Olean, New York.

There was work to be had in Olean and the surrounding area, especially in laying tracks for the railroads, the trolley lines, working in the nearby lumber camps in Pennsylvania and digging ditches in Olean for the laying of the sewer and water lines, as well as paving streets. At this time the Pennsylvania Car Shops opened on Wayne Street and many obtained employment there and found residence along that section of Olean. Many brought their skills with them as shoemakers, the butcher and the baker, musicians, along with their love of their native Italian food to Olean.

As with most nationalities at that time, a place to gather and socialized was most important. The Christopher Columbus Italian Society was incorporated on April 7, 1911, with the Secretary of State. There were yearly celebrations of Columbus Day with parades, band concerts and fireworks.

In the year 1918, World War I was raging in Europe while back in Olean the Columbus Lodge was holding its annual election of officers. During the meeting it was reported that the lodge had subscribed liberally to Liberty Bonds, War Saving Stamps and the Red Cross. Members of the lodge were also in the service with the United State forces and nearly every month new stars were placed in their service flag.

The Christopher Columbus Lodge chose 540 N. Union Street for the site of their clubhouse. It was here that the Italian women organized the Order of St. Ann’s, Order of the Sons of Italy, commonly known as St. Anna Lodge in November of 1923. Their membership number nearly one hundred members by March 2, 1924. The Sons of Italy was formed on November of 1936 with approximately 150 members and Dr. Samuel Castilone as the new president.

Who can forget Mrs. Sabatino, a little Italian women, who walked to Mass at St. John’s Church every morning? She was a little women, dressed in black, walked with a cane that she used to swat your legs with, (if she thought you needed it) but a much loved neighbor that lived on Pine Street for years.

There was Mrs. Augostini, who was out in her garden as early as seven thirty in the morning, hoeing around her garlic plants, always with a big warm smile and a cordial “Hello”.

Mrs. Muccino, Mrs. Filjones, Rosie Russo, Carmella Anastasia, Mrs. Mary Belvees, all neighbors who raised large families. A large family was the norm back in the early years.

I must remember Mrs. Paul (Mary) Siclari, who was a marvelous dressmaker. She resided on W. Water Street. My Mom took me there many times to have her make me a spring coat and dress. I always marveled that she didn't need any pattern, she would get out her tape measure, take your measurements and in a week or less, you had a new outfit for Easter. In later years I would see her at 7 a.m Mass every morning at St. John's Church. A wonderful lady, always a smile for you. Her son Frank Siclari, was the owner of "The Camera Center" on N. Union Street.

Who can forget Mrs. Ruby’s store at the corner of Spruce and W. Elm Street. We always went there to buy our canned Italian tomatoes, tomato paste and spaghetti, as they were the best of ingredients when cooking your own spaghetti sauce. She and her husband had their living quarters in the back and when you entered the store, she came out with a big smile on her face to wait on you. The front side of the long counter to the right of the store contained many glass compartments each filled with the different kinds of pasta. That always fascinated me, I used to wonder what each different pasta was used for, I never did find out. Mrs. Ruby lived to a ripe old age.

Up the street on the next block was ‘Mrs. Brown’s’ store. Her name really was Carmella Mele DiCerbo and her husband was Luigi DiCerbo. They had a son John A. DiCerbo. I knew him as ‘Red Brown’, who was an attorney employed by the U. S. Department of Treasury Secret Service, assigned to the personal security of President Franklin D. Roosevelt. He was a friend of my two uncles, Bernard and Leo McCartan. One day he happened to be in town and visited at my Grandparent’s house. I can remember his being introduced to me as ‘Red Brown’ who guarded the President’. That was back in 1939 and I was just a young kid than, but I was impressed in meeting someone who guarded the President of the United States. The DiCerbo’s daughter Mary married Vincent Marra, the parents of Louie Marra, who founded the Old Library Restaurant. Their other son Leo DiCerbo and a daughter Mrs. Lena Presutti lived nearby in North Olean.

The Butchello family lived on W. Oak Street. Of course everyone knows the story of their son Guerino “Butch” Butchello, who had done so much good for the City of Olean that this story needs not to be repeated.

I must not leave out August Carapellatti the founder of A.C. Beverage in 1938. The business was started in his garage located at 304 E. Pine Street, at the rear of his home. His first deliveries were made in a sedan that had the rear seat removed. In 1950 the company was removed to a modern building on West State Street. His three sons Ed, Roland and Raymond operated the business. Ed also played the accordion along with Joe Prevesk, Harry Allen and Dick Jordon from the late 1940’s until the early 1950’s. They were known as the Band-O-Liers. Ed also operated the Holiday Inn. I remember the days in the 1940’s when they still made the pop in their garage. About the year 1945 the gang from North Olean would get together, climbed into the back of the delivery truck and headed out to Kent’s field just off of Blakeslee to hold our wiener roasts. We all chipped in for the food and the only thing we had to look out for was the fresh cow plops, as Kent let his cows wander through there during the day. There were no drinking parties back then, just good clean fun.

I can’t remember just what year it was but Tony “Tibo” Anastasia decided to have a Block Party on W. Elm Street. The street was blocked off between Maple and Spruce Streets. All the neighbors congregated, ate, drank whatever, and danced in the street. We all had a great time. That went on for a few years, then Tammy Filjones and Margie Russo put on the block parties with music and tables of food set up in the middle of the street. The food was donated by the Castle, Alcove, Billy Augostine and the Beef and Barrel Restaurants, free of charge. The block parties went on for a number of years, then they got too big to handle, so when Tammy saw Father O'Meara and Father Alaire standing by the telephone pole, she went up to them and made that suggestion that since they had $300 in the kitty why not put on the parties for the church. The following year Rev. Kelly came to St. Johns and Tammy approached him with the idea. Father wanted to know if it would cost the church any money. No, the profits from the block party, the $300 would be given to the church. Father Kelly OK'd the idea and it developed into the Italian Festival at St. John’s Church with Tammy as its first chairman. It was decided to dedicate the Italian Festival in honor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel as the Elm Street block parties always occurred during the week of her feast day.

The Anastasia family has lived on the block of W. Elm Street between Maple and Spruce Streets for years. Frank, Ralph, Dominick Anastasia, and daughter Rose Russo, children of Giuseppi and Carmella Anastasia, bought homes there after their marriages. Ralph Anastasia resided at the home of his parents until his death on June 2, 2007. There are also five of the grandchildren of Giuseppe and Carmella, who also have their homes on that block.

There was also the Marra Family, six brother’s, Anthony, Demetrio, Frank, Fred, Joseph and Vincent. They all lived in North Olean. Anthony and Joseph Marra opened the North End Sales Co. at 705 North Union Street. In 1926 the new sales and display room was relocated to 409 W. State Street. In June of 1927 they purchased the two-story building at 611-613 W. State Street for their new headquarters where they remained for many years. Albert Marra and his son Jim now run the business that is located on E. State Street in a much more convenient and larger show room.

The Christopher Columbus Lodge is still located on N. Union Street next to the Olean Fire Station. I have heard that the Societies no longer exist, but the building looks great and is an asset to the City of Olean for that reason. Bocce tournaments are held there, and social activities are still conducted there.

Site Map
Back | Top of Page | Home
Disclaimer | Contact | Guestbook
Copyright © 2005 - 2006
By: Eileen McCartan Smith, Olean, NY All rights reserved.

This page has been visited

times.