The Solari Family Story
In the year 1904 Achille Solari left his home town of Carrara, Italy to seek employment in America. Leaving his family behind, he signed with an expedition that directed him to the Blue Ridge Marble Co. of Nelson, Georgia as a marble cutter.
In 1906, after having worked two years in the shops, Mr. Solari sent for his family to join him in Georgia. His wife Guglielma, sons Joseph 11, Floyd 9, Sherman 5, Archie 2, and daughter Clara 7 (Mrs. Renato Del Bianco)’ boarded an old English cargo ship named Princess Irene in Geneva. After twenty-one days the family landed in New York and on to Georgia by rail.
After two years of becoming adjusted to the new life and making friends, the Marble Co. was forced to close because of labor problems. Having a trade as a marble cutter and knowing of marble works in Vermont, the family moved to Center Rutland where work was found with the Vt. Marble Co. The home they first settled in was called The Boarding House and is presently occupied by the Hy-Way Furniture Co.
Joseph, the oldest son began work with the Marble Co. in 1911 and had continuous service with them until his retirement in 1964. His employment was interrupted in 1918 and 1919 when he served with the Red Arrow Division in France and Germany during World War 1. As a matter of interest, his Division returned to this country on the U.S. Destroyer Great Northern in seven days which was record time for ocean travel between Europe and United States.
*(Another daughter Mary was born after their arrival in this country).
The following is a list of marble workers (cutters, carvers, and sculptors) who came to this country during this era:
Giovanni Marconi
Achille Moriglioni
Carrara Ambrossini
Prime Salvioli
Pilade Lucarini
Aristide Piccini
Anselmo Ravellini
Alfeo Fergosi
Lando Bardi
Prime Ratti
Ruggero Canapa
Tamante Ambrossini
Maurizio Ravenna
Umberto Trinci
Ettore Canape
Bernardo Ravenna
Umberto Mutti
Lertola
Gari ba Id i Ravenna
Achille Tavarelli
A Imo Tenerani
Oreste Del Bianco
Achille lanni
Giovanni Molin
Casimiro Filie
Gaetano Manfredi
Antonio Lucciani
Lorenzo Bandelioni
Antonio Battani
Allesandro Boni
Dante Bartalena
Cesare Terenzini
EnricoSolari
Gene Pisanelli
Enis Fergosi
Buggiani
From Town Historical Book 1976