Hon. Charles Anzalone, Cefala Diana, Italy, then Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana
Submitted to the USGenWeb Archives by Mike Miller, Aug. 2001

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Hon. Charles Anzalone.  A prominent figure in the business life of Independence, Hon. Charles 
Anzalone has also made his mark in public affairs, and in the capacity of mayor has done much 
to assist his city in the way of permanent progress.  As president of the independence Bank 
and local manager of the Strawberry Growers' Selling Company, he wields a distinct influence 
in his community, and this force be has exerted in the furtherance of movements which have 
won the approval at all men of enlightened views.

Mr. Anzalone was born at Cefala Diana, Italy. January 31, 1888, a son of Gaetone and Francesca
(Trentacosta) Anzalone.  His father was born at the same place in 1855, and in his youth 
served the regular period in the army to secure the prescribed military training.  He was 
married in his native land, where he was engaged its farming until 1897, in November of 
which year he immigrated to the United States and first settled in St. Bernard Parish, 
Louisiana, and resumed his farming activities.  However, he remained in that community only 
one year, going thence to St. Charles Parish, whence he came to Tangipahoa Parish in 1902.  
Here he made his home until his death, October 20, 1923. Mr. Anzalone was a democrat in 
politics, and belonged to the Roman Catholic Church and to St. Joseph s Society.  He married 
Francesca Trentacosta, born at Cefala Diana Italy and who survives him as a resident at 
Independence.  They became the parents of six children: Charles; Louis, a veteran of the World 
war, who saw six months of active service in France as a member of a machine gun corps, now 
engaged in farming at Independence; Dora, the wife of Costanza, a merchant of Chicago; Annie, 
the wife of Joseph Magillo, a merchant of Beaumont, Texas; Frank, a farmer, who resides with 
his mother; and Josephine, a senior in the Independence High School, residing with her mother.

Charles Anzalone received his early education in the public schools of his native land, and was 
nine years of age when he accompanied his father to the United States.  Here he completed his 
education and mastered the English language, and for a the assisted his father its farming in 
St. Bernard and St. Charles parishes. Jim 1902 he came to Independence and engaged in 
strawberry farming until 1910, in that year turning his attention to the management of a 
macaroni factory, which he operated for one year.  Mr. Anzalone was then elected president of 
the Tickfaw Farmers Association of Tickfaw, Louisiana, a position which he filled from 1911
to 1916, and from the latter year until 1920 was a partner of J. Cusimano, a firm of 
strawberry, fruit and vegetable brokers.  In 1920 he was made local manager of the 
Strawberry Growers' Selling Company at Independence, a position which he still retains.  The 
offices and warehouse of this company are situated on West Railroad Avenue, the business of 
the company being the shipping of use farm products of the Tangipahoa district, which are 
sent to all parts of the United States and Canada.  The company has profited greatly by the 
ability and energy of Mr. Anzalone, who is president of the Independence Bank and has a 
number of other interests.

In politics a democrat, Mr. Anzalone has been interested in public affairs and the success of 
his party for some years, and from 1912 until 1920 served as a member of the City Council.  
In the latter year he was elected mayor of Independence, and at the end of his first term, in 
1922, was reelected for another term of two years.  During his adminstrations he has been 
able to accomplish much for his adopted community, as all the main streets of Independence 
have been graveled, sidewalks have been laid and pavements on the main streets have been 
installed.  He is a member of the Mater Dolorosis Roman Catholic Church and of the board of 
trustees thereof.  Fraternally he is affiliated with Hammond Council No, 2063, K. of C., being a 
fourth degree knight.  He is the owner of a pleasant residence situated at the corner of Third 
Street and Park Avenue.  During the World war Mr. Anzalone acted as chairman of the 
Committees of the Red Cross, Liberty Loans, Y. M. C  A., K. of C., etc., and it is significant that 
all of these "went over the top."

On September 1, 1912, Mr. Anzalone married at Independence Miss Josephine Mary Genovese, 
the first girl child born at Independence of Italian parentage, her parents being John and 
Philippa (Orfanello) Genovese.  The mother died at New Orleans, but is buried at Independence, 
where Mr. Genovese is a leading merchant.  Three children have come to Mr. and Mrs. Anzalone: 
Frances Philippa, who attends the Independence public school; Felicia, a student at the 
parochial school; and Gaetano Charles.

A History of Louisiana, (vol. 2), pp. 386-387, by Henry E. Chambers.  Published by The 
American Historical Society, Inc., Chicago and New York, 1925.