The history of Salvatore M. Vella is unique in that he is the only representative of the Italian race connected with the professional life of Rochester. He has had a hard struggle to gain a foothold because of his lack of early opportunities, but a resolute spirit and firm determination have enabled him to mount steadily upward and he is honored by reason of what he has accomplished and respected because of his recognized ability. As counselor at law he has made a creditable name and his record may well prove an example that others might profitably follow. He was born in Valledolmo, Sicily, in the province of Palermo, January 6, 1880, his parents being Salvatore and Mary N. (Mancuso) Vella, who were also natives of the same town. The father, coming to this country, died in Buffalo, New York, in 1888, and was buried there, while the mother's death occurred in Rochester in March, 1904.
Salvatore M. Vella is one of thirteen children and the youngest of seven sons. His education was limited, although he attended school to some extent in his native city. Being left to shift for himself, however, at an early age, he worked at odd jobs as an errand boy in the old country for some years. His father had come to this country several years previous, however, and young Vella had an irresistable desire to also cross the Atlantic to the new world. In 1892, in company with his mother and a sister, he sailed for America. After a stay of several months, however, he was sent back to Italy with his mother, although much against his will. In 1896, however, he and his mother again came to the United States and Salvatore Vella resolutely set to work to earn his living. He was employed in various ways, working for some time at the salt works at Warsaw and at the stone quarries at Portageville, New York. He afterward went to Cleveland, Ohio, possessing an unconquerable desire to improve himself and secure the best opportunities toward this end. His brother tried very hard to get him to sell fruit, but this he refused to do, having higher ambitions. He at first learned the barber's trade, using this as a means to other ends. He availed himself of every opportunity for reading and self-culture and he obtained a position in a barber shop where he could have his evenings free. He then entered night school and subsequently sought admission to the day schools. He feels that he owes an everlasting gratitude to his employer, John Glaser, for the privilege afforded him of attending school, and to Miss Bessie L. Dutton, principal of the school, who treated him with great kindness and assissted him in every possible way in his studies. He entered the school in December, 1897, and the following June successfully passed all the examinations required for admission to the high school, providing for his own support during all the time. He completed the high school course and took another forward step in entering upon the study of law.
Mr. Vella came to Rochester as an interpreter in a murder case without pay, and, being pleased with the city, he decided to remain here. He was admitted to the bar in 1904 and has since been in active practice, having secured a good clientage in the three years which have since come and gone. He owes his legal education principally to Ernest D. Millard of this city. Although his earlier years were fraught with earnest toil, constituting an unremitting struggle, he has at length gained a foothold on the professional ladder and has advanced many rounds toward the heights of success. He spent one term in the Boston College of Physicians and Surgeons before taking up the law, thinking to enter upon the practice of medicine, but he abandoned this for the legal profession and the clientage which he has now gained seems proof that the change was a very wise one.
On the 11th of August, 1902, Mr. Vella was married to Miss Anna Wells, one of his former school teachers, who had been extremely successful as a high school teacher and as a teacher in Rochester Academy. He is a member and was one of the founders of Regina Elena Society and is connected with several other Italian societies. His life history constitutes a splendid record of struggle and accomplishment, of ambition crowned with advancement, and as counselor at low he has gained a reputation which many a native born American citizen might very well envy.
From: History of Rochester and Monroe County, New York : from the earliest historic times to the beginning of 1907, by Peck, William F. Published 1907.
