Vito Ippolito and Domenica Santarelli were married in Calascio in 1895.  In 1896 Vito came to Riverton, Illinois, to work in the coal mines.  All of their children were in Riverton.  As each of their sons grew of age, they joined their father in the mines.  Vito worked in the mines until his death.  As better jobs became available, his sons left the coal mines for law enforcement, factory work, and civil service.  One son served in World War I, while three other sons served in World War II.  One son lost an arm due to injuries he received during a kamikaze attack on his ship.

Vito and Domenica lived in Riverton all of their lives.   Vito's brother, Carlo, lived right next door to him and his family, and Domenica's brother Nicola Santarelli lived just a few houses from them.  Vito had spsonsored the immigration of Domenica's brother John Santarelli, and John, in turn, sponsored other Santarelli brothers who came to America.  One brother, Ralph, returned to Italy.   His descendants now live in Canada.  Both Vito and Domenica died relatively young -- he at age 64 and she at age 50.

 daughter of James Vincent Ippolito and granddaughter of Vito Ippolito and Domenica Santarelli.

If you would like to share information about this family, contact Ann Fitzgerald  at annifitz@aol.com