Filippo Louis Demma (abt. 1880 - 1963)

Born about 12 Mar 1880 in Termini Imerese, Palermo, Sicily, Italy

Ancestors

Husband of Rosa lo Bello — married 4 Dec 1911 (to 22 Oct 1963) in Termini Imerese, Palermo, Sicily, Italy

Died 22 Oct 1963 at about age 83 in Lincoln, Nebraska, United States

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Biography

Filippo Demma is born in March 1880 or 1881, based on self-report. His birth announcement in Termini Imerese has not been found. He is the son of Luigi Demma and Giuseppa Balsamo. Filippo is named after his paternal grandfather.

Note: Filippo has a first cousin with the same name, the son of his uncle Lorenzo, who is around the same age and also emigrates to the United States.

Filippo emigrates for the first time in 1907, joining his younger brothers in Lincoln, Nebraska, where Agostino has lived since 1901, Giuseppe has lived since 1904.

On the Romanic sailing from Palermo on 8 October 1907 and arriving in Boston on 21 October:

12. Filippo Demma, 27 (b. 1880), single, merchant, Italian, leaves his father Luigi Demma at #7 Piazza San Carlo. He is going to Staunton, VA. He has $50. He has not been in the US before. He is joining his uncle Agostino Matacia. Born in Termini, 5’6”, fair, dark hair/eyes, scar on the forehead.^[1]

Filippo Demma files a declaration of intention in the Circuit Court of the US Northern District of Illinois. He is 28, a wholesale grocer, white, fair complexion, 5’7”, 154#, brown hair and eyes, scar on forehead. Born in Termini Imerese on 14 March 1881. Lives at 23 East Chicago Ave. Emigrated from Palermo on the Romanic, arriving in Boston, MA 21 October 1907. Last foreign residence in Termini Imerese. Sworn 13 April 1909.^[2]

In the 1910 census, Filippo's brothers, Giuseppe and Agostino, live with Antonino Quattrocchi in Lincoln, Nebraska. Giuseppe is Antonino's partner in a fruit distributorship.

Filippo marries Rosa lo Bello in Termini Imerese on 4 December 1911, according to the margin note on her birth announcement.^[3] They have three known children: Josephine Mary (1915), Mary Antoinette (c. 1918), and Louis F. (c. 1924).

Note: Louis F. has a cousin, Louis P., born in 1913.

On the SS Saxonia, sailing from Palermo on 23 March 1912, these passengers are going to Lincoln, NE. All born in Termini:

4. Filippo Demma, 32 (b. 1880), married, merchant, non-immigrant alien, of Italian nationality, last resided in Lincoln, NE. Leaves his father Luigi Demma in Piazza San Carlo, in Termini Imerese. Connected to line 5 with a bracket. Lived in the US for 3 years in Lincoln, NE, 1908-1911. Joining cousin Antonino Quattrocchi at 1621 P. St. He has a scar on his forehead.

5. Rosa, wife of Filippo Demma, 31 (b. 1881)

6. Giuseppe Demma, 27 (b. 1885), married, merchant, connected to line 7 with a bracket. Leaves his father Luigi Demma in Piazza San Carlo, in Termini Imerese. In the US 7 years in Lincoln, NE, 1904-1911. Joining the same cousin as #4. He has a scar on his forehead.

7. Elvira, wife of Giuseppe Demma, age 23 (b. 1889)

8. Agostino Demma, 25 (b. 1887), married, connected to line 9 with a bracket. Leaves his father Luigi Demma in Piazza San Carlo, in Termini Imerese. Was in the US for 10 years in Lincoln, NE from 1901-1911. joining cousin Giuseppe Quattrocchi, at 1424 O St.

9. Saveria, wife of Agostino Demma, age 17 (b. 1895)^[4]

In the 1916 census of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Philip Demma, 36 (b. 1880), heads a household at 240 Isabell St. with his wife Rose, 35 (b. 1881), and daughter Josephine, an infant (b. 1916), born in Manitoba. Philip and Rose emigrated in 1915. They are Italian nationals. He is a bookkeeper for a wholesale grocery.^[5]

In 1916, Philip Demma, 36 (b. 1880), married, fruit merchant, Italian national, last resided in Winnipeg, Manitoba, crosses the border into the US at Pembina, ND. He has no relatives in the country from whence he came. His destination is Minneapolis, MN.^[6]

This probably records the same crossing:

Philip Demma, at the port of Pembina, ND, 5 July 1916. Born in Termini Imerese, Italy. Age 36. married. Fruit merchant. Last resided in Winnipeg. Italian national. No relations in country from whence he came. In the US from 1912 to 1 July 1915, in Lincoln Nebraska. He is going to Minneapolis, MN. He has $400. He intends to permanently reside there. He is 5’7”, medium complexion, brown hair and eyes. Vertical scar in the center of his forehead. His seaport landing was in New York on 4 April 1912 on the Saxonia.^[7]

Philip Demma registers for the draft for WWI on 12 September 1918. He lives at 1809 P St., Lincoln, NE. He is 38 years old, born 12 March 1880 in Italy. He is a clerk in a grocery store, employed in Central Market, 135 South 11th, Lincoln. His nearest relative is Rosina Lo Bello Demma at the same home address. He is of medium height and build with dark brown eyes and hair.^[8]

Salvadore Coniglio and his neighbor, Phillip Demma, are both listed in the 1920 census of Lincoln, NE, taken 11 January, as proprietors of fruit stores working on their own account.

Salvadore Coniglio, 57 (b. 1863), heads a household at 1446 8th St. with his wife Mary, 41 (b. 1879), and children Antonine (a daughter), 15 (b. 1905), and Joseph, 13 (b. 1907). Salvadore emigrated in 1885 and Mary’s emigration year is unknown. He owns his home and he and his wife are naturalized citizens. Salvatore and Mary were born in Italy and their children in Nebraska. He is the proprietor of a fruit store, working on his own account.

Phillip Demma, 40 (b. 1880), also owns his home, at 1535 8th St. He emigrated in 1912 and the dates of his wife and older daughter’s emigration are not known. He lives with his wife, Rose, 38 (b. 1882), children Josephine, 4 (b. 1916), and Mary, 2 (b. 1918), and a cousin, Joe Demma, 39 (b. 1881), who emigrated in 1900. Philip and his wife were born in Italy, Josephine in Canada, and Mary in Wisconsin. Cousin Joe was born in Italy. Phillip is listed as the proprietor of a fruit store, and Joe as the proprietor of a wholesale fruit business, both working on their own account.^[9]

Phillip's neighbor and likely business partner, Salvadore, suffers a debilitating stroke in March 1920. He dies at age 59, on 28 June 1921.^[10] Antonino Quattrocchi, who may have been a partner in the same enterprise, dies in 1930.

In the 1930 federal census of Lincoln, NE, taken 3 April, Phillip Demma, 50 (b. 1880), heads a household at 2323 South 40. He owns his home, worth $6,000. With him are his wife Rose, 49 (b. 1881), and children Josephine, 14 (b. 1916), Mary, 12 (b. 1918), and Louis, 6 (b. 1924). Philip and Rose were born in Sicily. Josephine was born in Canada. They all emigrated in 1917 and are naturalized citizens. Mary was born in Wisconsin and Louis in Nebraska. Phillip is a fruit dealer, wholesale and retail.^[11]

On 24 October 1939, Josephine marries Anthony Messineo.^[12]

In the 1940 federal census of Lincoln, NE, Ward 10, Phillip Demma, 60 (b. 1880), heads a household at 2323 South 40 with his wife Rose, 58 (b. 1882), and children Mary, 22 (b. 1918), and Louis, 17 (b. 1923). Phillip and Rose were born in Italy. Mary was born in Wisconsin. Louis was born in Nebraska. Phillip is a fruit dealer with his own business. Mary works for the liquor commission in contaminates. Mary is a gardener. Louis is a building laborer.^[13]

Phillip Louis Demma registers for the draft for WWII on 25 April 1942. He lives at 2323 South 40 St. Lincoln, NE. He is 62, born 12 March 1880 in Italy. His contact is Mrs. Rose Demma. He is self-employed at 209 South 9th St., Lincoln, NE. Phillip is 5’7” and 187# with brown eyes, gray hair, and a light complexion. He has a scar on his forehead.^[14]

Phillip owns and operates a produce store before his retirement. His obituary names his surviving daughters by their married names. Mary marries Anthony Alesio.^[15]

Death of Phillip

Phillip L. Demma dies on 22 October 1963 in Lancaster, NE. He is 84.^[16][17] He is buried in Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Lincoln, NE.^[18]

Rosina dies on 9 September 1960 at age 78. She is buried with Phillip.^[19]

Sources

1. ↑ The National Archives at Washington, D.C.; Washington, D.C.; Series Title: Passenger Lists of Vessels Arriving at Boston, Massachusetts, 1891-1943; NAI Number: 4319742; Record Group Title: Records of the Immigration and Naturalization Service, 1787-2004; Record Group Number: 85; Series Number: T843; NARA Roll Number: 116 Ancestry.com. Massachusetts, U.S., Arriving Passenger and Crew Lists, 1820-1963 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2006.
2. ↑ National Archives at Chicago; Chicago, Illinois; ARC Title: Declarations of Intention for Citizenship, 1906-1911; Record Group Title: Records of District Courts of the United States, 1685-2009; Record Group Number: RG 21 Description: Declarations V· 1-6 (P 29) 1906-1909 Ancestry.com. Illinois, U.S., Federal Naturalization Records, 1856-1991 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2016.
3. ↑ Atto di nascita, Rosa Lo Bello di Giuseppe. (1880, December 27). Record no. 765. "Italia, Palermo, Termini Imerese, Stato Civile (Tribunale), 1862-1910," images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-89MZ-58GW?cc=1947613&wc=MDBD-XM9%3A245876501%2C246785902 : 20 May 2014), Villaurea > Nati 1877-1886 > image 1219 of 3204; Tribunale di Termini Imerese (Termini Imerese Court, Termini Imerese).
4. ↑ https://heritage.statueofliberty.org/passenger-details/czoxMjoiMTAwODc4MTAwMDU4Ijs=/czo4OiJtYW5pZmVzdCI7
5. ↑ Year: 1916; Census Place: Manitoba, Winnipeg Centre, 13; Roll: T-21932; Page: 10; Family No: 91 Sub-district: 13; Description: That portion of the city of Winnipeg constituting the electoral district of Winnipeg Centre, as defined by the Representation Act, 1914 Ancestry.com and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 1916 Canada Census of Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2009.
6. ↑ "Vermont, St. Albans Canadian Border Crossings, 1895-1954," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G9D4-B44R?cc=2185163&wc=3KMZ-YWP%3A1018492201%2C1018618601 : 9 October 2015), (M1464) Manifests of Passengers Arriving in the St. Albans, VT, District through Canadian Pacific and Atlantic Ports, 1895-1954 > Roll 312, vol 393-394, Jul 1916 > image 1018 of 1071; citing NARA microfilm publications M1461, M1463, M1464, and M1465 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).
7. ↑ "Vermont, St. Albans Canadian Border Crossings, 1895-1954," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-99D3-R372-D?cc=2185163&wc=3KM4-82D%3A1018494101%2C1018623501 : 9 October 2015), (M1461) Soundex Index to Canadian Border Entries through the St. Albans, Vermont, District, 1895-1924 > Roll 123, D500 James-D514 Zmis > image 2404 of 5069; citing NARA microfilm publications M1461, M1463, M1464, and M1465 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).
8. ↑ Registration State: Nebraska; Registration County: Knox Ancestry.com. U.S., World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2005.
9. ↑ "United States Census, 1920," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33S7-9RX6-WJT?cc=1488411&wc=QZJR-MBZ%3A1036473301%2C1037815201%2C1038505101%2C1589332559 : 12 September 2019), Nebraska > Lancaster > Lincoln Ward 3 > ED 61 > image 23 of 32; citing NARA microfilm publication T625 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).
10. ↑ Lincoln fruit merchant dies. (1921, June 29). The Nebraska State Journal (Lincoln, NE). P. 7. Retrieved 17 October 2021 from https://www.newspapers.com/clip/84864156/death-of-salvador-coniglio/
11. ↑ "United States Census, 1930," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33SQ-GRZV-W98?cc=1810731&wc=QZFW-F2N%3A648805601%2C649971101%2C648823401%2C1589282341 : 8 December 2015), Nebraska > Lancaster > Lincoln > ED 43 > image 4 of 38; citing NARA microfilm publication T626 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 2002).
12. ↑ People you know. (1939, October 24). Lincoln Journal Star (Lincoln, NE). P. 5. Retrieved from https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/82139361/
13. ↑ "United States Census, 1940," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G9M1-SJ5H?cc=2000219&wc=QZXY-JJ1%3A790104401%2C794459601%2C794685501%2C794701501 : accessed 3 November 2021), Nebraska > Lancaster > Lincoln City, Lincoln, Ward 10 > 55-59B Lincoln City Ward 10 (Area D - part) > image 4 of 34; citing Sixteenth Census of the United States, 1940, NARA digital publication T627. Records of the Bureau of the Census, 1790 - 2007, RG 29. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 2012.
14. ↑ The National Archives at St. Louis; St. Louis, Missouri; World War II Draft Cards (Fourth Registration) for the State of Nebraska; Record Group Title: Records of the Selective Service System; Record Group Number: 147; Box or Roll Number: 1197 Ancestry.com. U.S., World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1942 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010.
15. ↑ Phillip L. Demma, 50-year resident of Lincoln, dies. (1963, October 23). The Lincoln Star (Lincoln, NE). P. 3. Retrieved from https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/72339635/
16. ↑ Cert no. 1963011688. Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services; Lincoln, Nebraska; Nebraska Death Index, 1956-1968 Ancestry.com. Nebraska, U.S., Index to Deaths, 1904-1968 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2020.
17. ↑ Social Security Administration; Washington D.C., USA; Social Security Death Index, Master File Ancestry.com. U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2014.
18. ↑ Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/91602142/phillip-l-demma : accessed 03 November 2021), memorial page for Phillip L. Demma (12 Mar 1879–22 Oct 1963), Find a Grave Memorial ID 91602142, citing Calvary Catholic Cemetery and Mausoleum, Lincoln, Lancaster County, Nebraska, USA ; Maintained by Gina (contributor 47188067) .
19. ↑ Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/91602131/rosina-demma : accessed 03 November 2021), memorial page for Rosina Demma (24 Dec 1881–9 Sep 1960), Find a Grave Memorial ID 91602131, citing Calvary Catholic Cemetery and Mausoleum, Lincoln, Lancaster County, Nebraska, USA ; Maintained by Gina (contributor 47188067) .