The story of our grandfather, Domenico Lorenzo, our “nonno”

Emigrated to the USA from Piantedo, Sondrio, Italy at age 20 on Jan 18, 1910 on the passenger ship Berlin, from the port at Genoa, Italy. Rumor has it that he left italy because his mother would not allow him to marry the women he loved.

Upon arrival went to Willits area of California to stay with cousins. Got o number of parttime jobs there, one with Northwestern railroaqd. . Payroll roster for my grandfather from Northwestern Railroad. At 26 he worked as a laborer for the railroad. He mad 17 1/2 cents per hour. He worked 84 hours and made $14.70. $.50 was taken out for healthcare.(3.5%) No taxes were taken out. His first check was $14.20

Dominic met Giovannina a short time after Martin’s death. they waited a yers to marry and were wed on August 8, 1918 in San Jose  CA. Married in Holy Family Church by the Rev John M. Boschi at 44 minutes past 9:ooam

WORK HISTORY:

• Worked as a dairyman in Willits, CA 1909-1915
• Worked as a laborer for Northwestern Railroad 1915-16
• Worked on Dairy in Van Nuys, CA  —White Rose Dairy
• Worked as a Dairyman f R. Acquistapace at Rock Ave. San Jose, CA 1917
• Worked as a laborer at Mare Island Naval Shipyard. until he retired on disability in September 13, 1940. His disability pay was $540 /month
• 

MILItARY HISTORY:

• Enlisted in US Army May 2, 1918 at age 29, with the grade of Private #525539
• Served with 12th Infantry Company G Development Battalion stationed at Camp Fremont, Ca.
• Honorarly Discharged on Dec. 9, 1918. On Par 28, 1919 he was paid $60 mustering out wages. He was awarded the Victory Medal June 8, 1927.
• Member of the 40 and 8.
• AFFILIATIONS:

Member of American Legion Post 104

• Solano Voiture N. 385
• The 40 & 8 Club
• The Last Man’s Club;
• Italian Catholic Federation
• Virgil Lodge N. 1586 Sons of Italy – Financial secretary for 14 years  beginning in 1937. (see citation issued 1951)