The publication of the first Italian-language daily newspaper in the United States, Il Progresso Italo-Americano, began on September 29, 1880, under the stewardship of Carlo Barsotti. Arriving in New York City in 1872 from his native San Giuliano Terme, he established himself as a central figure in the immigrant community through banking, journalism, and public infrastructure patronage.
Financial Beginnings and Immigrant Services
Before his expansion into media, Barsotti worked as a foreman on various railroad construction projects. He soon transitioned into the role of a banchista, acting as an informal private banker for the Italian diaspora. This role involved managing remittances to Italy, assisting with travel arrangements, and securing employment for new arrivals. Beyond banking, he invested in a chain of lodging houses, though these facilities faced significant criticism from observers who characterized the establishments as brothels.
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In September 1880, alongside Vincenzo Polidori, Barsotti founded Il Progresso Italo-Americano to provide a more engaged voice for the local Italian population. The venture served as a direct response to Giovanni Francesco Secchi de Casali’s L'Eco d'Italia, which had ignored the case of Pietro Balbo. Barsotti appointed Adolfo Rossi, an inexperienced immigrant, as editor-in-chief, successfully growing the daily into the most widely circulated foreign-language paper in New York City. His newspaper ownership reinforced his banking activities by elevating his public profile within the community.
Public Patronage and Financial Decline
Barsotti utilized his media influence to fund public monuments, including statues of Giuseppe Garibaldi in Washington Square, Giovanni Da Verrazzano in Battery Park, Giuseppe Verdi in Verdi Square, and Christopher Columbus at Columbus Circle. His public standing earned him the title of Cavaliere from King Umberto I in 1888, along with recognition from the Italian Red Cross and the government of Venezuela. Despite these successes, his financial ventures faltered, leading to a declaration of bankruptcy in 1897 that caused significant losses for his immigrant clients.
Later Life and Legacy
In his final years, Barsotti maintained ties to Italy, notably donating $250,000 in 1922 for the construction of a tunnel under Monte Pisano. He had married Margaret Heist of Frankfurt in 1875, with whom he had two children, Carlo and Anna. He passed away on March 30, 1927, in Fort Lee, New Jersey, specifically in the community of Coytesville. His life bridged the gap between his origins in the Grand Duchy of Tuscany and his status as a key financier and cultural organizer in 19th-century America.
Fast facts
- Born: 4 January 1850, San Giuliano Terme, Italy
- Died: 30 March 1927, Fort Lee, New Jersey
- Immigration: New York City, 1872
- Il Progresso Italo-Americano founded: 1880
- Bankruptcy: 1897
- Spouse: Margaret Heist
- Title: Cavaliere (awarded 1888)
- Donation for Monte Pisano tunnel: $250,000
Questions readers ask
Why did Carlo Barsotti start Il Progresso Italo-Americano?
He sought to create a more vocal and engaged newspaper after existing media failed to report on the death sentence of an Italian immigrant named Pietro Balbo.
What caused the collapse of his financial business?
Barsotti declared bankruptcy in 1897 after an attempt to rapidly expand his informal banking operations.
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