Beyond our Elusive William Daniel

He was one of five brothers who came from Italy. He was eleven years of age when he arrived.

In 1904 he was a delegate from Pueblo, Colorado to the Republican convention of Colorado. At this convention Victor Alessandro objected on behalf of 10,000 Italians and 10,000 more Austrians to the nomination of Governor Peabody as a candidate for Governor of Colorado again. (Castle Rock Journal)

He was listed in the 1904-1905 city directory for Pueblo Colorado. He was a notary, employed at 121 Central blk. He was boarding at his father's home.

In 1908 he and his family moved to Waco. He conducted one of the first dance bands in Texas, and a short time before World War I he directed the music for the film "Battle Cry of Freedom."

In 1909, he was elected president of the Christopher Columbus Society in Waco. His father N. M. Alessandro served on the succor committee. C. V. Kemendo served on the financial committee.

During the time he lived in Waco, Texas, their band played at many events including Elks events, parades, concerts at the Cotton Palace, and other civic events.

Dallas Morning News, 23 Mar 1916
Waco, Texas, Mar 22. -- Prof. V. Alessandro, leader of the Fourth Regiment Band, went to Austin today to select the instruments and uniforms that will be furnished the band by the Federal Government. The band was organized in Waco a few years ago by Professor Alessandro.

PUEBLO CHIEFTAIN JULY 13, 1920 - MUSICAL FAMILY FORMERLY OF PUEBLO IS NOW FAMOUS: "Pueblo music lovers who were here a dozen years ago will remember with much interest the Alessandro family, who were of sufficient number and ability to conduct a brass band of their own.

Victor Alessandro was the older of the children, and for years was recognized as one of the most capable band directors that had ever made this city his home. The brothers and sisters of the young man were instructed by him, and some of them were barely large enough to carry their instruments when on various occasions the Alessandro Band paraded the streets.

When the Alessandro family decided to remove to Waco, Texas there was much genuine regret expressed in Pueblo. Since that time there has sifted back to this city at various times newspaper accounts of wonderful musical achievements by these former Puebloans, and now comes the news from Houston, the present home of these popular musicians that they are considered not only the greatest musical entertainers in the great south, but among the very best in the entire United States.

Victor Alessandro married a Texas girl who is all American, and of this union there is Victor Alessandro, Jr., now four and a half years old who has already demonstrated his talent, having directed several band and orchestral events, using a pencil as a baton.

A recent issue of the Houston Chronicle contained a glowing account of the Alessandro family's musical achievements, and refers particularly to the work of Gaetano Oreste Alessandro, one of Victor's younger brothers, who the Texas paper relates was given all his instruction by Victor, and who made his first professional appearances at Lake Minnequa park, Pueblo, Colorado, at the age of 7 years. He was assistant bandmaster of the 4th Texas Infantry at the time of the Mexican border troubles when Victor was bandmaster of that dashing military organization, and during training period of the world war he was director of the military band at Camp McArthur, Waco. He is now but 21 years old.

Victor Alessandro is also noted as a composer. His services as director are said by former Puebloans now residing in the Lone Star state, to be in great demand all over the southern states. Now as always, say those who have known him long, he is modest and unassuming except when he is in charge of a band or orchestra, then neither Sousa or any other great musician, has anything on him for appearance, bearing or ability.

In 1923 he took a job with the Houston public schools. He worked there for 28 years, and in 1940 he became the director of their band program. He also was in charge of the orchestras for a period of time. He was the author of a series of textbooks that dealt with "class-solfeggio" and "stationary do."

On 15 Nov 1933 he filed a Petition for Citizenship in the District Court of Sou. Dist. of Texas in Houston, Texas. He applied on the basis of his service in the U. S. Army 10 Feb 1916-26 Apr 1917. He was Victor Alessandro, residing at 307 Colquitt, Houston, Texas, born 15 Feb 1881 in Alia, Italy. His occupation was music director. His race was Italian, southern. A declaration of intention was omitted because of the act of May 27, 1932, Sec. 1. He married Josephine Cecilia 16 Feb 1915 in Waco, TX. She had always resided in the United States. He lived in Houston, Texas, and he two children who had both been born in the United States and resided in Houston, TX. His last foreign residence had been Alia, Italy. He had emigrated to the United States from Palermo, Italy. He entered at New Orleans, LA under the name of Vitale Alessandro in 1892. The vessel was unknown. He had resided in the U. S. since 1892, and in Harris County since 1917. He had not previously applied for citizenship. He took the oath of allegiance on 11 Apr 1934. (Petition granted: line 30 of list #32 and certificate #3713520). He was 5 foot 9 inches, white, dark complexion, hazel eyes, black hair, and 175 pounds. He had a scar on his forehead. He was Italian.

Obituaries from old newspapers, sources unknown, sent by Jeri Bawden:

THE LIFEBEAT PAGE: RITES FOR BANDMAN ALESSANDRO, 90, SET "Services for Victor Alessandro Sr., 90, who organized bands and orchestras in Houston public schools and whose son, Victor Alessandro Jr., is conductor of the San Antonio Symphony Orchestra, will be held at 12:30 p.m. Friday at Pat H. Foley & Co., 7010 Chetwood.

Alessandro died Wednesday in his residence at 83-4 Knight Rd.

He was born in Sicily and obtained his first musical training there. He came to America at 11 and continued his musical training in New Orleans, playing clarinet in musical groups.

At 19, Alessandro moved to Colorado where he entered the professional music field as director. He later moved to Waco where he organized a musical and did some teaching. He provided a concert band for Waco's Cotton Palace Exposition as long as it existed.

He moved to Houston in 1917, continued private teaching and again organized his own musical group.

He eventually was asked to organize bands and orchestras in the Houston public schools. At that time, there were only three high schools.

He was made director of all bands in the schools, and later bands and orchestras were formed in all junior high schools. He served as director of bands until 1951, when he retired. At that time there were 21 school bands under his supervision.

During the time Alessandro headed the band program, he instituted many innovations in the teaching of music.

Beside his son, Alessandro leaves his wife, Mrs. Josephine Kemendo Alessandro, two brothers, G. O. Alessandro of Temple and Alex Alessandro of California, and five grandchildren."

SOUND - OFF- HOUSTON POST JULY 13, 1971- VICTOR ALESSANDRO: "The death of Victor Alessandro....at the age of 90 recalls the life and works of a rare and noble Houstonian. Bandmaster, orchestra conductor, composer, patriot, philosopher -- his genius was teacher.

His name is solidly entombed in the cultural archives of this city where for so long he lived his art, but he walks abroad in the daily lives and persons of his hundreds of students and friends who learned from him to live by music.

I am glad I am one of them. Bernard Naman "

World War I Draft Registration:
He was Victor Alessandro, residing at 1806 Lamar, Houston, Texas, aged 37, born 15 Feb 1881. He was a naturalized citizen, naturalized because his father was naturalized before his majority. He was a teacher of music and director employed by himself at his home. Mrs. Victor Alessandro of the same address was his next of kin. He was medium height and build, with grey eyes and black hair. He had not lost an arm, leg, hand, or eye or was otherwise physically disqualified. It was dated 12 Sep 1918.

World War II Draft Registration:
He was Victor Alessandro, 307 Colquitt, Houston, Harris, Texas. He was 61 years of age, born in Alia, Sicily. He was born 15 Feb 1881 in Italy. A person who would always know where he was was Victor N. Alessandro, (son), conductor of Oklahoma State Symphony, Oklahoma, OK. His employer was Houston Independent School System, Houston, TX, 1500 Louisiana St., Houston, Harris, TX. The serial number was 3343.

Texas State Death Records:
He was Victor Alessandro, born 15 Feb 1881 in Sicily, Italy to Nicholas Alessandro and Anna Alessandra. He was a citizen of the United States. He died at 5 PM on 7 Jul 1971 at Holly Hall Nursing Home, Houston, Harris, Texas of Ischemic Heart Disease, Myocardial Infarction. He was 90 years of age. His usual occupation was Instrumental Music Supervisor, HISD. He was a veteran of World War I. He was cremated 12 Jul 1971. The name of the cemetary or crematory was Brookside Memorial Park, Houston, Texas.

Census:
1900; Census Place: Le Claire, Scott, Iowa; Roll: T623 458; Page: 7A; Enumeration District: 142
He appears to be living in Le Claire, Iowa with a large group of men, all of whom appear to be Italian. There is another boarder named Gioachino Alessandro lived in the same building. Could that be his brother Jack? Another man named Salvatore Alessandro, born 1866, also lives there.
Maine Street
162/171, Alessandro, Victore, boarder, w, m, 1881, 19, s, Italy, Italy, Italy, 1892, 8, al, serviceing, cannot read, write, or speak English.
NOTE: All the residents in this household are listed as Italians, aliens who cannot read, write, or speak Eng. This may have not been accurate.

1920, TEXAS , HARRIS, 4-WD HOUSTIN, Series: T625 Roll: 1814 Page: 27
3204 Smithfield
334/352, Alessandro, Victor, head, r, m, w, 38, m, 1892, Pa, 1896, Italy, Italy, Italy, teacher, piano, wages
----, Josephine, wife, f, w, 25, m, X, al, TX, Italy, Italy, none
----, Victor, Jr., son, m, w, 4 1/12, s, TX, Italy, TX, none
Scialabba, Rose, lodger, r, f, w, 17, s, PN, Italy, Germany, none
1930, 1930, TEXAS , HARRIS, HOUSTON, Series: T626 Roll: 2348 Page: 216
307 Richmond
114/167, Alessandro, Victor, head, 12000, m, w, 49(?), m, 33, Italy, Italy, Italy, Musical Director, Music Director and School
----, Josephine, wife, f, w, 36, m, 21, TX, Italy, Italy, none
----, Victor Jr., son, m, w, 14, s, TX, Italy, TX, none
----, Josephine, daughter, f, w, 4 5/12, s, TX, Italy, TX, none