Encyclopedia of Connecticut biography, genealogical-memorial ...

list as well as the rare and beautiful ornamental
trees and shrubbery which have
become a part of so many beautiful es-
tates in the vicinity, and supplied their
more distant trade. They took charge of
the landscape work on many estates,
keeping a large working force busy. This
partnership continued until January I,
1917, when Mr. Bertolf's sons bought out
the business. Starting in a small way, the
business has developed and grown until
there are now forty-five acres under the
most scientific intensive cultivation, and
an average of fifty men are employed.
August Bertolf married, before coming
to America, Elsbeth Bernhard, a native
of Mainfield, Switzerland, and they were
the parents of three children, of whom
two grew to maturity: Emil, receiving
most of his education in the public
schools of this country, grew up in the
business with his father, his love for the
work and his eagerness to win a place
for himself in this line making him an
able assistant. He married Florence Ir-
win, daughter of Thomas Irwin, of Greenwich,
and they are the parents of two
children : Emil Robert, and Elsbeth, now
deceased. The other son, August Carl,
born December 18, 1888, was educated
principally in the public schools of Green-
wich, and has also grown up in the busi-
ness.
As business men, as public-spirited citizens,
as genial friends to those who know
them in private life, the brothers Bertolf,
of Greenwich, measure up to that stand-
ard which is the pride and dependence of
America to-day.
VUONO, Joseph J.,
General Contractor.
Old Stamford was a village of quaint
and picturesque charm, the fine Colonial
architecture of its residences and the sim-
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
407
plicity of its public buildings breathing
the spirit of a by-gone age, like a daguer-
reotype of some sweet, motherly old face,
crowned with primly parted hair. New
Stamford is a city of throbbing, pulsing
life. Many of the old buildings still re-
main, like treasured memories, but the
spirit of progress has developed the once
quiet community into a busy city whose
outward, physical characteristics are daily
changing, progressing, improving, in harmony
with the mental and spiritual advancement
of the present day. With the
Stamford of to-day. which is as well the
Stamford of a broad and brilliant future,
the name of Vuono is closely identified.
Joseph J. Vuono, treasurer and one of the
active members of The Vuono Construction
Company, is a noteworthy example
of the new blood that is vitalizing this
community.
Mr. Vuono's father, Dominco Vuono,
was born in Acri, Province of Calabria,
Italy. This had been the home of the
family for many generations, and the
name was one of prominence. While still
in Italy, Dominco Vuono was interested
in the lumber business. He was married
there, and there his oldest child was born.
But with the same eager outward look
of thousands of other ambitious young
men, he turned his face westward, across
the seas. He came to America with his
young wife and little child, locating in
New York City. He looked about for the
opportunities open to him, and finding
the constant activity of the building
trades a safe guarantee of a prosperous
future, he took up the trade of stone mason.
He was quick to learn the language
and customs of the new country, and as
time passed he felt that he had chosen
wisely in the matter of his line of work.
About 1889 he came to Greenwich, Con-
necticut, and continued to follow the
same trade as long as he lived. He mar-