Nicola Antonacci was born in Rocca Calascio, right below the old castle, in 1885. He came to Riverton, Illinois, in 1901 aboard the SS Lahn, arriving at the port of New York and Ellis Island, settling in the home of his brother Luca and his wife and family. He worked in the mines at Toluca until 1906, when he obtained his American citizenship. 

At that time he went back to Italy, and married Angela Matarelli in 1907. The couple and their first child Ersilia then came to America in 1908, settling once again in Toluca. About 1910 his family was joined by Angela’s parents, Nicola Matarelli and Carmela Antonacci Matarelli. Nicola worked in the mines until 1921, when the family moved to the south side of Chicago. The family kept a victory garden in the empty lot next to their home on South Wood St., and his three sons served in the US Navy during World War II. Nicola worked for the City of Chicago in the Sanitation Department until he retired in 1951.

Submitted by Paul Zelus, in honor his mother Olga Antonacci Zelus, daughter of Nicola Antonacci.

If you would like to share information about this family, contact Paul Zelus at zelus@gemstate.net