The first representative of this branch of the Dolci family of whom we have any authentic information was Jacob Dolci. He was born in the town of Polizzi, in the province of Palermo, Kingdom of Italy. He was educated in the schools of his native town, and upon attaining to years of manhood became engaged in the stone-quarrying and lime burning business, in connection with the manufacture of plaster-paris, in which line of enterprise he had established a successful business as the direct result of his energetic and perservering efforts along with his straightforward and honest methods in dealing with all his patrons. Jacob Dolci died at the family home in Polizzi during the prime years of his manhood. His widow, Marie Santa (Taranella) Dolci, whom he married in his native town, survived him, and in the course of time married secondly.
Jacob (2) Dolci, son of Jacob (1) and Marie Santa (Taranella) Dolci, was born at the family home in the town of Polizzi, September 16, 1871. His educational training was acquired in the schools of his native town, and he was there confirmed in La Matrice Catholic Church. He was left an orphan during the early years of his boyhood, his father having died and many of the lighter cares and responsibilities of the family interests devolved upon him, and he was required to perform and attend to the business affairs of the quarry and lime burning and the plaster-paris mill, which his father had operated. He faithfully performed these duties up to his eighteenth year, at which period he decided to cast his lot in the New World, and accordingly he embarked from the seaport city of Palermo bound for the port of New York City, arriving in 1889. He there met his cousin, Anthony Dolci, and with him engaged in the wholesale and retail fruit trade on Washington street, under the firm name of Dolci & Company. In this undertaking the firm met with a marked degree of success, and during the following four years the firm of Dolci & Company had established a successful trade among the leading distributors and fruit dealers in that part of the city. In 1894, soon after his union in marriage, Jacob Dolci settled in the fourth ward district of the city of Passaic, where he engaged in the trucking and hauling business, in which line of work he has been successfully engaged for a number of years. Soon after establishing himself in business in Passaic, Jacob Dolci settled with his family in the city of Garfield, where both he and the members of his family are faithful communicants of St. Virgene's Catholic Church. He has taken an active interest in the social and civic affairs of the neighborhood wherein he resides, and has become a full-fledge citizen of his adopted country. Jacob Dolci married, in New York City, in 1894, Josephine Messineo, daughter of Joseph and Maria Messineo. His bride was likewise a native of the town of Polizzi, province of Palermo, in the Kingdom of Italy. They are the parents of the following children: Charles J., born in New York City, August 5, 1896. He attended the schools of Passaic and Garfield, New Jersey; Mary, Catherine, Lena and James.
From: History of Passaic and its environs: historical, biographical. By Scott, William W. Published 1922.
