Nickolas Colaianni

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Nickolas Colaianni was born about 1865 in the province of Abruzzi in central Italy. He was the son of the village (St. Peters) school teacher. When he was about 15, he left his village and went to America, (1879).

At this time, he went to work for the railroad. He was a water boy and carried water for the crews that were laying track to California. He was still a citizen of Italy, so when he came of military age he felt it was his duty to return to Italy and serve in the army. Then (about 1885) the army used to guard maximum-security prisons. He was sent to Sicily to guard the prison there. He really did not like this duty.

After his military service, he married a lady from the north of Italy. Her name was Christina La Bate. They had a son (Tony) born in Italy.

Because Nickolas had been to America, he knew he could build a better life for his family there. He left his wife and son in Italy and went back to America. This time he worked his way to Portland, Oregon. As soon as he had the money, he sent for his wife and son (1892).

Christina and Tony crossed the ocean and arrived in New York (Ellis Island). They could not speak a word of English, so the customs people pinned a tag on Christina which said "Portland, Oregon". they then put her and Tony on a train. She often told stories about how afraid she was crossing the United States. The Indians would stop the train and not let it move until they got food and the things they wanted.

The family lived in Portland for a few years and another son was born in 1894. His names was James.

Around 1898 the family moved to the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania area where Nickolas went into business. He was very good at his job and soon owned a small hotel, a cigar factory, a soft drink factory and a macaroni factory. He was also involved in real estate (owned 15 homes) and very involved in the stock market. In 1929 the stock market crashed and he was forced to sell everything he owned. He lost much of his money.

After the stock crash, he never talked about what he lost. Nickolas and Christina had a very exciting life, good life. They knew what it was to be poor, work together to build a good life and also to be well-to-do. They did in fact live the American Dream.

[edit] References

1. The United States Social Security Death Index 1937-1996 which lists James Colaianni as being born on 12 April 1894 and his death in April 1966.

2. Article yet unpublished by Paul V. Colaianni, son of James C. Colaianni.