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Omero Sonio |
Piombino, Italy |
Ellis Island- 1911 |
Historian - Bryttany Curran |
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Omero Sonio 1888-1960
Omero learned to bargain prices, and get
what he wanted. But Omero was not a mean man, quit the opposite. He
was very loving towards his family, like most Italians are. He would
go with his family to the Catholic Church down the road, donate money,
talk with the people, and enjoy himself. Omero, like many
Italians, were very religious. He would make his family prey before
meals and before bed. He would also attend church every Sunday, and
religious holiday. In fact that’s where he meet his wife Clementia
Assagio. |
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Clementia and Omero married in 1907 and moved to another town, about
30minutes from the old farm. Omero still worked there everyday, but
instead of coming home to his mom and brothers and sisters, he was
greeted by his wife, and two daughters, Donielle and Roza. The
farm soon started to fall though, and money was getting very thin.
Fortunately, on Omeros way back from work, he saw a flyer “Come to
America! Go to the dock and ask about tickets today!”. Omero went
home to ask his wife about sailing to America, and she agreed (with a
little convincing) that it was for the best. So on August 12, 1911
Omero, Clementia, Donielle, and Roza Sonio left for America.
After landing on Ellis Island, and passing all the tests, the Sonio’s traveled to Connecticut. Settling in an Italian village, Omero found a job in a clothing factory. Money was still an issue, but defiantly not as bad as it was in Piombino, Italy. For a little extra money, the girls made beaded jewelry (since Clementia was not allowed out of the house, and the two girls could not go to school, there was not enough money) and Omero painted pictures of the new land and jobs he saw. They would sell them on the street outside their apartment. Becoming a very good artist, Omero’s pictures helped make enough money to send the girls to school. He soon became a very famous artist and died in Hartford, Connecticut, on August 12, 1960, ironically 59 years to the day when he sailed to America. |
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One of seven children, Omero Sonio grew up as the eldest son of Luigi
Sonio. Born on September 30, 1888, Omero worked on a farm for most of
his life. Their family owned and worked a farm in Piombino, Italy, Omero’s
birthplace. Because of this,
the children did not have much time for schooling. Not even finishing
middle school, Omero had to quit school because his father
grew very
sick, and died when Omero was only 14. But Omero’s sadness did not
last long. He knew he had to work the farm, and become the man of the
house. So Omero Sonio lived his life as a farmer, working long days
and long nights, supplying the money and the food for the family.
Through this Omero learned a lot about how to be independent, and how
to provide for his family.