The life history of Antonio Victor Lazzari indicates clearly what can be accomplished in a land of opportunity where individual effort is unhampered and where labor finds its just reward. Here the individual is allowed free scope and if he possesses diligence, determination and keen judgment the results are certain.

  Liberally endowed with those qualities Antonio Victor Lazzari is today one of the prominent and successful residents of Stony Creek, where he has made extensive and judicious investment in real estate and now owns and occupies one of the most beautiful homes of that place. He was born in Milan, Italy, March 1, 1852, a son of Frank and Carolina (Macki) Lazzari, who were also natives of Milan, where they spent their entire lives, the father there engaging in merchandising. The son, Antonio V., was the second in order of birth in a family of three children.

  He acquired his education in the city of his birth and there learned the trade of watch-making. He was married in his native country and after the birth of one of his children he left sunny Italy for America in 1880, leaving his wife and child in Milan while he was preparing a home for them. He made his way to Bayview, Massachusetts, where he found employment in the stone quarry of Colonel Frank Butler, and being convinced that he wanted to make America his place of permanent abode he sent for his wife and child after six months. In 1882 he removed to Boston, where he conducted a fruit store for a year and then went to Milford, Massachusetts, where he was employed for eight years in the Norcross quarries. On the expiration of that period he settled in the village of Stony Creek, in the town of Branford, New Haven county, where he has now made his home since 1890. For twenty-four years he was here employed in the Norcross quarries, advancing step by step to a position of responsibility and importance. As his wages were correspondingly increased, making him in time the possessor of a substantial annual income, he invested in real estate and has become the owner of considerable property in Stony Creek. He remained an active factor in business until 1914, when he retired to private life and is now enjoying a rest which he has truly earned and richly deserves.

  It was on the 14th of January, 1876, that Mr. Lazzari was married to Miss Carolina Ambrosoli, of Milan, Italy, where her birth occurred. She passed away August 6, 1916. In their family were twelve children, seven of whom have departed this life, while five are living. Amelia, who was born in Milan, Italy, is the wife of Alexander Banca, of Stony Creek, and they have three children: Marie, Attilio and Anita. Lena Antoinette, born in Bayview, Massachusetts, is the wife of Joseph Colombo, a quarry man of Stony Creek and they have three children: Albert, Agnes and Carolina. Annie, born in Braggville, Massachusetts, is the wife of Louis Magnette, a salesman of imported Italian silk and other goods in New York city, and they have two children, Gerald and Mary. Adelina Antoinette, born at Stony Creek, is at home. Victor, born at Stony Creek, is a machinist of his native city. The family are communicants of the Roman Catholic church.

  Mr. Lazzari is a republican in his political views and for more than fifteen years he served as constable of Stony Creek. His two daughters, Annie and Adelina, after completing their education in Connecticut, studied in a convent in Milan, the former specializing in singing and piano and the latter in piano and drawing, while both pursued courses in French and Italian. Mr. Lazzari has given his children excellent educational advantages, realizing the value and worth of intellectual training as a preparation for life’s practical and responsible duties. His military record covers three years’ service, from 1872 until 1875, with the First Regiment of Italian Grenadiers, which is the king’s guard, on duty at the royal castle at Rome. Mr. Lazzari is the possessor of a very large and interesting collection of antique guns, coins, stamps and swords, which he has gathered from all parts of the world. He is one of the highly respected and valued residents of Branford and in the new world he found the business opportunities which he sought and in their utilization has won a handsome competence that has enabled him to provide liberally for his family and make himself a most attractive home.