Emidio F. Balsamo, a partner in the firm of Verdi & Balsamo, coal merchants of New Haven, was born in Sorrento, Italy, on the 22d of November, 1867, a son of Gabriel and Rosina (Attanosio) Balsamo. The father was a seafaring man who became captain of a sailing vessel which made trips to all the large ports of the world. In 1890 he came to New Haven and remained a resident of the city for three years, after which he returned to Italy, where he passed away in 1896. His widow later again came to New Haven and made her home with her son Emidio to the time of her death which occurred in 1915.

  Emidio F. Balsamo was the eldest in a family of three sons and three daughters and in is [his] boyhood days he became a pupil in the schools of his native country, while after coming to the United States he continued his education as a night school pupil in New Haven -- a fact which indicates his laudable ambition to improve. He crossed the Atlantic alone in 1878, when but eleven years of age, and secured a humble position with the Candee Rubber Company. That he was faithful and capable, performing his daily tasks with ability, is shown by the fact that he was retained in the service of that company for twenty years and was holding the important position of cutter when he resigned in order to engage in business on his own account. In 1903 he became associated with Anthony J. Verdi in organizing the firm of Verdi & Balsamo, and the business which they started in a small way has now grown to extensive proportions. After a time their profits enabled them to purchase ground at 444 Grand avenue, on which they erected a model office building, also built a scale room and laid trackage for fuel cars. They have a modern delivery service, including several auto trucks, and are regarded as farsighted, energetic and progressive business men in every way, building up a trade that is most gratifying.

  In March, 1900, Mr. Balsamo was married to Miss Mary Nicolari, of New Haven, a daughter of Diego Nicolari, and they have become parents of five children: Rosina, who was born in January, 1901, and is now a student in St. Mary’s Academy; Gabriel, who was born May 8, 1904, and Henry, who was born July 8, 1907, both now students in the Sacred Heart Academy; Marie, who was born May 9, 1909, and is also attending the same school; and George, who was born January 31, 1913, and completes the family.

  In his political views Mr. Balsamo is a republican, giving stalwart support to the party since becoming a naturalized American citizen. He and his family are members of St. Anthony’s Catholic church and he is identified with the Holy Name Society. His life record illustrates what may be accomplished by determined effort when circumstances force one to begin business life without capital. With limited advantage in youth he started out to make his own way in the world and in the school of experience learned many practical and valuable lessons that have made him in the course of years a successful and progressive business man, now at the head of a profitable enterprise.