Joseph John Castellini (Cincinnati, OH)
Joseph John Castellini (March 14, 1876 – May 7, 1949) was a prominent produce vendor in Cincinnati, OH. He was also president of the Brotherhood of Railway Clerks National Bank from 1925-1929. He resigned from the bank due to improper activities that led to the bank's closure and a brief imprisonment for Mr. Castellini. Aside from this brief incident, Castellini was a pillar of Cincinnati society, serving on numerous boards and active in civic activities.
Biography
Early life and family
Castellini was born in the Bethlehem neighborhood in Cincinnati in 1876 as the son of Italian immigrant parents. His earliest job was that of a newsboy, where he sold four different Cincinnati newspapers. As a teen, he studied bookkeeping in night school while working for M. Fugazzi and Co. as a clerk and fruit handler. [1]
Banking career
Mr. Castellini served as president of the Brotherhood of Railway Clerks National Bank and was also a director for the Fifth Third National Bank.[2]
The Castellini Co.
In 1896, the Castellini Co. was founded on the original Cincinnati produce terminal market. [3] The organization leveraged advanced technology at the time and was the first produce company to use adding machines and typewriters. Castellini himself even invented and patented an automated celery washer.[4]
In 1927, control of the Castellini Co. was handed down to J. J. Castellini's son, Robert. [5]
As of 2019, the Castellini Co. still exists as a national food vendor. [6]
Other career highlights
In 1907, Castellini was the co-founder of the Federated Improvement Association and member of the Evanston Welfare Association. [7]
In 1919, Castellini was listed as the contact for Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce & Merchants' Exchange. [8]
On March 17, 1924, Castellini delivered an address entitled “America's debt to Ireland” to combined councils of the American association for the recognition of the Irish republic. [9]
On October 26, 1930, shortly after the closing of the Brotherhood of Railway Clerks National Bank 45,000 Irish Americans backed a resolution expressing confidence in Castellini's honesty and integrity. , Ohio
Later life and death
On January 19, 1948, Castellini and his wife received a Papal Benediction. [10]
Castellini died on May 7, 1949 at Christ Hospital, where he had lain ill for several months.[11]
In 2017, The home of Joseph and Eleanor Castellini was purchased by the conductor of the Cincinnati Pops orchestra. [12]
Bank Officer Summary
During his banking career, Joseph John Castellini was involved with the following bank(s): [13]
- Brotherhood of Railway Clerks National Bank, Cincinnati, OH (Charter 12446): President 1925 - 1929
References
- ↑ Cincinnati Enquirer May 8, 1949
- ↑ Cincinnati Enquirer May 8, 1949
- ↑ Castellini Co. Website
- ↑ The Packer May 18, 2011
- ↑ NKY Business Journal, May 2019
- ↑ Castellini Co. Website
- ↑ Making Sense of the City: Local Government, Civic Culture, and Community Life in Urban America
- ↑ Monthly Bulletin Chamber of Commerce of the State of New York Volume 12, 1919
- ↑ Address delivered by Joseph J. Castellini before the combined councils of the American Association for the Recognition of the Irish Republic, Hotel Sinton, Cincinnati, Ohio, March 17, 1924
- ↑ Cincinnati Enquirer May 8, 1949
- ↑ Cincinnati Enquirer May 8, 1949
- ↑ Cincinnati Enquirer March 31, 2017
- ↑ Banks & Bankers Historical Database (1782-1935), https://bbdata.banknotehistory.com.