Chapter 13. Romano Ullian and Family

“John Ullian and Linda Ferraro:  Roots and Legacy   www.Ullian.org   March 2018”

                                                                                                                                              Summary
After service in the Italian Army and marriage to Teresa Soardi, John Ullian’s brother Romano came to the U.S. in 1906. John joined him two years later in the coal mines of Centerville IA. Like John, Romano became a landscape gardener. Romano and Teresa had 4 children, Anthony S., Pauline, Romano Jr. (always called Romey), and John R. The family moved from Iowa to Highland Park IL in about 1917. Anthony moved to California in the early 1930s, married Alma Gottschalk in about 1940, and then in 1947 moved to Grants Pass OR. Pauline married Samuel P. Gore in 1928, lived in Highland Park, and had 3 children. Romey married Bernice Allen in 1937 in Los Angeles CA and lived in that area until the mid-1940s, when they moved to Grants Pass OR. They had 3 children. John R. enlisted in the Army in 1942 and retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1968. He married Doris Slack and Florine Clark and had 2 children. He lived his last 35 years in Anniston AL.

Romano Ullian

Romano Ullian [also known as Valentino Ulian/Uliani, Valentino Romano Ullian, and Romano Valentino Ullian] was the fourth child of Antonio Francesco Ullian and Maria Mascarello. He was born in Mason Vicentino, Vicenza, Veneto, Italy on 23 Jun 1879. He was 11 years older than John.

As documented by his Italian Army discharge certificate [see Chapter 5], Romano was a soldier in the Italian Army, serial number 10232, in the 62nd Company, 6th Alpine Regiment, Vicenza. He was discharged at Verona on 14 Sep 1901. He married Teresa Soardi in about 1905 in Italy. Their first son, Antonio S., was born on 6 Jun 1906 in Lusiana, Vicenza, Veneto, Italy.

Romano Valentino Ullian sailed on the S.S. La Provence from Havre, France, on 15 Nov 1906 and arrived at the Port of New York on 24 Nov 1906, according to his Petition for Naturalization filed 8 Dec 1926. Romano left Italy when his first-born son was 5 months old. About eighteen months after Romano arrived, his wife Teresa [Theresa] Soardi sailed with their young son, Antonio [Anthony S.], on the S.S. La Savoie from Havre on 18 Apr 1908 and arrived in New York on 28 Apr 1908. The ship manifest indicated that Teresa was a 25-year-old married housekeeper living in Lusiana whose nearest relative in Italy was her mother, Angela Novello. She was going to join her husband Romano Ullian of RFD 5, Centerville, Iowa. She was 5’4" tall, of light complexion, with auburn hair/eyes, and had $16 with her. Their son Antonio also had a light complexion and auburn hair/eyes. Both were born in Lusiana.

Romano and Theresa had four children:

    Anthony Stuart - born 6 Jun 1906 in Lusiana; died 9 May 2003 in Grants Pass, Josephine, Oregon;
    Pauline – born about 1909 in Iowa;
    Romano Jr. [always called Romey] – born 18 Jan 1911 in Centerville, Appanoose, Iowa; died 24 Nov 1998 in Palmdale, Los Angeles, California;
    John Robert – born 18 Jun 1920 in Illinois; died 6 Apr 1999 in Anniston, Calhoun, Alabama.

The 1910 Federal Census (with the surname spelled Olyon) and the 1915 Iowa State Census (with the surname spelled Uline) show the family in Vermillion Township, Appanoose, Iowa. Vermillion township surrounds the city of Centerville. [For more information on Romano and his family until 1917, see Chapter 5.]

From Iowa, Romano moved his family to Highland Park, Lake, Illinois. On his Petition for Naturalization [below] Romano indicated that he had lived continuously in Illinois since 28 Jul 1917 – evidently when he and his family moved to Highland Park. Romano’s obituary indicated that at his death in 1939 he had lived 23 years in Highland Park. The 1929 obituary for Theresa, who entered the U.S. in April 1908, shows that she had been in the U.S. for 8 years before coming to Highland Park. These obituaries indicate that they came to Highland Park in 1916 – a minor discrepancy.

On 12 Sep 1918, according to Romano’s Draft Registration Card, he and Theresa (and we assume Anthony, Pauline, and Romey) lived at 319 Roger Williams Ave. in Highland Park. His occupation was gardener, and the address given as his own was also that of his employer, Noble Crandall. Crandall was listed in the 1920 U.S. Census as a bank president. After working in the Iowa coal mines, Romano worked as a gardener for the remainder of his life.

 

Romano Ullian’s Draft Registration Card – front and back [From Ancestry.com]

 

Before their last child John Robert was born in 1920, the family bought a home at 581 Laurel Ave. in Highland Park, where they raised their family.

When Romano [as Romano Valentino Ullian] completed his Petition for Naturalization on 8 Dec 1926 he was a landscape gardener living at 581 Laurel Ave. in Highland Park IL. He had previously declared his intention to become a U.S. citizen at the Circuit Court of Lake County in Waukegan IL on 7 Aug 1924. The petition provides the names, birthdates, and places of birth of himself, his wife, and their children.

Romano Ullian’s Petition for Naturalization [From Ancestry.com]

 

Theresa died on 12 Aug 1929. Her obituary said that she died at 2 a.m. of heart trouble at the age of 46. The funeral was on 14 Aug 1929 at St. James Catholic Church, Highwood, and burial in Memorial Park cemetery. [Highwood is in Lake County IL, between Highland Park and Fort Sheridan.] She was survived by her husband, 4 children, and 1 grandson.

 

Theresa Ullian’s Obituary. Highland Park Press 15 Aug 1929

With Theresa’s death, Romano became a widower 4 months after his youngest brother John did (with Linda’s death on 13 Apr 1929). Romano’s 4 children were from 9 to 23 years old at Theresa’s death; John’s 5 surviving children were from 3 to 8 years old at Linda’s death.

Romano lived another ten years, dying at the age of 60. His death certificate shows that he died at 8:30 p.m. on 26 Nov 1939 at Grant Hospital in Chicago. Death was caused by metastatic carcinoma of the neck (6 months) and metastatic carcinoma of the lungs (1 month) due to primary carcinoma of the tongue (4 years). His address was 581 Laurel Ave, Highland Park, Lake, Illinois. His late wife’s name was Theresa. He was born 23 June 1879 in Mazon [Mason] Vicentino, Italy. He was a gardener at private estates. His father Antonio Ullian and mother Maria Mascarello were born in Italy. No Social Security number was shown on his death certificate. Romano was buried in Memorial Park, Niles Center [which became Skokie in 1940], Cook, Illinois on 29 Nov 1939 – next to his wife.

His obituary noted that he was survived by his daughter, Pauline [the wife of Sam Gore], and sons Anthony S., John R., and Romey. Pauline, Anthony, and John lived in Highland Park at the time of their father’s death, and Romey lived in California.

 

Romano Ullian’s Death Certificate

 

Romano Ullian’s Obituary. Highland Park Press 30 Nov 1939

 

Romano and Theresa Ullian’s Tombstone –
Memorial Park Cemetery, Skokie IL.

Anthony S. Ullian

Romano and Theresa’s first son, Anthony Stuart Ullian, was born in Lusiana, Vicenza, Italy, on 6 Jun 1906, and sailed to New York with his mother. They traveled on to Centerville IA to be with Romano, who was working in the coal mines.

The 1915 Iowa State Census lists him as Tono Uline, a 9 year old in Centerville who had been in Iowa for 7 years and was in school.

In 1920 he was living with his parents and brother, Romey, and sister, Pauline, at 581 Laurel Ave., Highland Park, Lake, Illinois. His mother Theresa died in 1929. The 1930 Federal Census shows him as 23 years old living with his father and two brothers and sister at the home on Laurel Ave.; no occupation is listed for him.

Anthony moved to California and by 1934 was registered to vote while living at 11327 Orcas Ave. in Los Angeles. The 1939-40 City Directory for San Fernando CA lists the three brothers, Anthony S., Romey, and John R., as living at 11141 Orcas Ave. The 1940 Federal Census shows that on 13 Apr 1940 Anthony Ullian, age 33, landscape gardener for a private house, was living at 581 Laurel Ave., Highland Park, with his brother John R. Anthony married Alma Gottschalk around 1940. On 15 Nov 1940 his address was 12312 Van Nuys Blvd, Los Angeles County, according to an affidavit he completed concerning the date of birth of his brother Romey. Sometime between April and November 1940 he had returned to California from Illinois. By 1944, Anthony was registered to vote in the city of Los Angeles, residing at 11572 Tiernan Ave.; his occupation was listed in voting records as a "grinder." From 1947 until his life journey ended on 9 May 2003 Anthony lived in Grants Pass, Josephine, Oregon.

His obituary from the Grants Pass Daily Courier [Grants Pass OR] on 15 May 2003 is as follows: "Anthony Stuart Ullian, 96, of Grants Pass died Friday, May 9, 2003, at Laurel Hill Nursing Center. / Private family services will be held. Lundberg's L.B. Hall Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. / Ullian was born June 6, 1906, in Italy, and moved to the United States when he was a child. In 1947, he moved to Grants Pass from California. He owned and operated Grants Pass Sign Company. / He enjoyed fishing and was co-founder of the Rogue Rod & Gun Club. / In addition to his wife, Alma, survivors include two daughters, Karin Leson and Barbara Ullian, both of Grants Pass; and a son, James Ullian of Redwood City, Calif."

Pauline (Ullian) Gore

Pauline Ullian was the only daughter of Romano and Theresa (Soardi) Ullian. She was also the first child born to them in the U.S. – in Centerville IA on 17 Mar 1909.

The 1910 Federal Census shows Pauline living with her parents and her brother Anthony in Centerville IA. The 1915 Iowa State Census lists her as Arpalice Uline, a 5 year old in Centerville, born in Iowa, who had been in Iowa for 4 years [this probably should have been 5 years] and was in school. By 1920 she was living with her parents and her brothers Anthony and Romey at 581 Laurel Ave., Highland Park IL. The 1922 City Directory shows her living at the same residence.

On 3 Nov 1928 a license was issued in Lake County, Indiana, and returned by 1 Dec 1928 for the marriage of Pauline Ullian to Samuel P. Gore. A son, Robert S., was born to them around April 1929. On the 1930 Federal Census the Gore family was living with Pauline’s family at 581 Laurel Ave., Highland Park IL. On 26 Sep 1937, Donald Paul Gore was born. The 1940 Federal Census shows the family at 25 McGovern St., in Highland Park.

On 13 Aug 1962 Samuel P. Gore died in Chicago.

Per the obituary of Donald P. Gore who died on 2 May 2017, he was predeceased by his parents and a sister, Kathy Jeanne Gore.

According to notes titled "Farewell to Father" [written for the memorial or funeral service of her brother Romey in 1998], as well as Romey’s obituary, both Pauline and her daughter Kathy died before 1998. In the "Farewell to Father" Pauline is listed as "Polly Gore Elmore" indicating that she had married after her marriage to Sam Gore.

Romey Ullian

Romey was the second son of Romano and Theresa. On 14 Nov 1940, Romey’s brother Anthony filed an Affidavit with the Iowa State Department of Health, stating that Romano Ullian Jr. had been born on 18 Jan 1911 in Centerville IA.

 

Romey Ullian’s Delayed Birth Certificate [From Ancestry.com]

Romey was listed on the 1915 Iowa State Census as Romano Uline, a 4-year-old boy living in Centerville, born in Iowa, and had lived in Iowa for 4 years.

The 1930 Federal Census lists Romey as living at 581 Laurel Ave., Highland Park IL, with his parents and siblings.

In 1937, Romey married Bernice Lucille Allen in Los Angeles CA. In 1938, Romey registered to vote while living at 11141 Orcas Ave, Van Nuys, North Hollywood, California. He was shown at that address in the 1939 City Directory. The 1940 Federal Census shows him as a 28-year-old lodger with an occupation of machine oiler, at 12872 Filmore St., Los Angeles CA with his wife Bernice and daughters Bette, age 1, and Sandra, age 3 months. They lodged in the home of Jacob T. F. Koch. The 1944 Voters Registration Index shows Romey as living at 12312 Van Nuys Blvd., Los Angeles CA.

Sometime between 1944 and 1946, Romey moved to Grants Pass, Oregon. Among his activities in Grants Pass was golfing. The Club History of Grants Pass Golf Club (see http://www.gpgolfclub.com) states that "The original vision for Grants Pass Golf Club began in 1946 when eleven local businessmen and golfers" [Romey Ullian – Sheet Metal Company was listed as one of the 11.] "got together to discuss their desire for a golf course. In 1948, after considerable financial and physical support, they were able to play on their new 9-hole course. / Many of these founders remained committed to their dream and were instrumental in acquiring the land necessary for an additional nine holes and in 1972 Grants Pass Golf Club emerged as a full 18-hole course."

An article in the Medford [Oregon] Mail Tribune on 29 Jun 1950 mentioned that Romey was on the Girl Scout Camp Committee.

Romey’s obituary in The Daily Courier [Grants Pass OR] on 27 Nov 1998 [From web.thedailycourier.com] provides the following information.

"Romey Ullian / Former Grants Pass resident Romey Ullian, 87, of Palmdale, Calif., died Tuesday, Nov. 24, 1998 in Palmdale. / No services are planned. Halley Olsen Chapel of Palmdale was in charge of arrangements. / Contributions may be made to VNA Foundation, 101 S. First St., Suite 407, Burbank, CA 91502. / He was born Jan. 18, 1911, in Centerville, Iowa. He had been a well-known businessman in Grants Pass since 1946. / He was a life member of the International Union of Operating Engineers Local No. 701. / Survivors include two brothers, Anthony S. Ullian of Grants Pass and John R. Ullian of Anniston, Ala.; two daughters, Bette Cochran of Palmdale, Calif., and Sandra Burns of Prospect; a son, Richard Ullian of Pendleton; six grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren."

Romey died in the home of his daughter Bette in Palmdale CA on 24 Nov 1998. Family notes for his memorial service ["Farewell to Father"] indicated that Romey loved cars, heavy equipment, trains, vegetable gardens, fruit trees, classical music, goats, kittens and birds, friends and family gathering for a spaghetti feed – among other things.

"Farewell to Father" also provides the following information about Romey’s children at the time of his death: Bette Ann Cochran was a widow who lived in Palmdale CA and was a supervisor of bus drivers. Sandra Lee (Mrs. Robert Burns) lived in Prospect OR, had a goat farm, and was a swim instructor. Richard Anthony was a city planner in Pendleton OR.

Romey and Family’s Visit to Joliet IL – about 1952.
Back: John Ullian and Romey Ullian.
Middle: Romey’s Children – Sandra, Bette, and Richard.
Front: Linda (French) Wysocki.

John Robert Ullian

John Robert Ullian was born to Romano and Theresa Ullian on 20 Jun 1920 in Highland Park IL. On the 1930 Federal Census, the family lived at 581 Laurel Ave, Highland Park. In 1940, John R. and his brother Anthony were living at that same house. They were both listed as landscape gardeners at a private house. That Census also showed that 5 years previously, on 1 Apr 1935, John R. lived on a farm in California. The San Fernando Valley [California] City Directory information shows that in 1939 he lived at 11141 Orcas Ave. in Van Nuys, North Hollywood, San Fernando CA with his brothers Romey and Anthony. His Social Security card was issued before 1951 in California. The 1940 Federal Census showed that in 1939 he had worked 30 weeks as a landscape gardener and earned $660.

John Robert’s military career began in 1942, when he was single. He enlisted in the Army at Camp Grant, in Rockford IL. John was a career soldier, attaining the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He served during World War II and was released 12 Jun 1946. He then reenlisted on 5 Apr 1951 to serve in the Korean War, and retired on 8 Oct 1968.

At some point, he married Doris Clara Slack and later Florine E. Clark. John and Florine lived in Anniston, Calhoun, Alabama and they had a daughter, Lorna, and a son, John Channon.

Florine Clark Ullian died on 6 March 1994 in Anniston, Alabama and is buried with John R. at Anniston Memorial Gardens & Mausoleum, in North Anniston, Calhoun, Alabama.

Lt. Col. John Robert Ullian died on 6 Apr 1999 at the age of 78. His obituary as published in the The Anniston Star (Anniston, Alabama) on 9 Apr 1999 stated that: "Graveside services for retired Lt. Col. John Robert Ullian, 78, of Anniston will be Saturday at 10 a.m. at Anniston Memorial Gardens Cemetery with Chaplain White officiating. The family will receive friends 6-8 tonight at the Chapel Hill Funeral Home. / Mr. Ullian died Tuesday at Vencor Hospital in Atlanta. / Survivors include a daughter, Lorna Tetherow of Oregon; a son, John Channon Ullian of Germany; a brother Tony Ullian of Oregon; two grandchildren, Carrie Lynn Kincaid and Eric Allen Kincaid; and a great-grandchild, Tayler Kincaid. / Pallbearers will be military. / Mr. Ullian, a native of Chicago, had been a resident of Calhoun County for the past 35 years. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II and the Korean War. He was a Baptist." John Ullian and Linda Ferraro: Roots and Legacy Ullian.org March 2018 Chapter 13 - 14

John Robert Ullian was buried at Anniston Memorial Gardens in North Anniston, Alabama.

 

John R. and Florine (Clark) Ullian’s Tombstone at Anniston Memorial Gardens
 

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