On October 12, 1867, Mateo (Matthew) Martin Gilardi was born in Tarminia Immerse, Sicily. Matthew served in the Italian Marines for two and a half years, and for 18 months served in the Italian Royal Cadets. Following an honorable discharge from service he came to America and established permanent residence.
When Mateo arrived in America, he was accompanied by his half-brother August Palmisano. Both men became well-known residents of Sidney, establishing produce businesses.
Mateo traveled to St. Louis where he was married to an Italian from his hometown in Italy. Antonina (nee Gardina) and Mateo were married on June 21, 1896. The young couple stayed in St. Louis near her family so Mateo established a successful produce business and began his own family. There was much to learn in St. Louis and the family prospered. With success came competition. A group, known as “The Black Hands”, threatened Mateo’s family. Money for peaceful business trade was what was required. Mateo refused to “pay tribute” or protection money to the Black Hands. After refusing to pay, as his money was used to care for his growing family, a threat was made. In the night the family’s porch was blown off as a reminder that refusal to pay was not an option. This was too much for Mateo. Knowing Sidney, Ohio was a welcoming community, Mateo packed his family and moved to Sidney.
It was in Sidney that Mateo established another successful produce business. At first produce was sold from a huge basket that Mateo carried on his sturdy Italian shoulders. People around town began to recognize him and call out to him on the street.
As business grew a cart pulled by mules allowed the business father reach in Sidney and out into the county. One incident required Mateo to explain just exactly what he was selling. He took bunches of ripe bananas along with other fruit on his cart to New Bremen. Mateo stood near a drugstore selling fruit. The town marshal came to Marty telling him of the complaints by the residents that the bananas were poison fruit. No one had ever seen bananas and refused to buy them. The marshal was going to run the Italian vendor out of town. Mateo, who was just learning English, insisted the marshal eat a banana. As an offer of good faith, Marty ate one first then once again offered one to the marshal. Seeing the fruit did not poison the Italian, the marshal ate one, remarking that the bananas were indeed good. Mateo’s reputation was restored and fruit sales continued.
Mateo applied for and received citizenship on January 6, 1939. His petition was signed by his youngest son acting as Deputy Clerk for the Common Pleas Court of Sidney Ohio. Mateo and Antonina were the parents of 10 children. The family worked together to create a successful produce business in a city that showed kindness and respect to this family of Italian immigrants. That business established by Mateo continued with his oldest son, Anthony, grandsons and great grandsons with innovations to the food industry.