The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1921-10-09
In America ~ Years;
:. " Just Becomes Citizen
oerome Desio, Master JeweIer,
Numbered Presidents Among
His Customers but Knew
Them Only BY Personal Char
acteristics-Attende School
to Prepare for Test.
GERoME pEsIo.


With the admission to citizenship
this week Of Gerome pesio. seventy
four years old. a resident of Wash
ington since 1874. and one of tho
leading local manufacturing jewelers.
one Of the most remarkable cases In
the history Of the naturalization
bureau came to "A close. ''-"
Desio, who numbers among his
customers and friends some OF the
most prominent Americans, is q
graduate Of the District Americani
zation classes at the Webster schoo
and is the oldest student who hal
attended a local school
His final examination, conducted
before Judge Adolph Hoehling o.
the District Supreme Court, by
oran T. Moore. chief Of the natural
ization bureau. on October 8, re
suited in an unusually, high rating
viewed. as remarkable by Officials
because Of the applicants age.
rOunOe0 OeWeTy rHm.
The examination brought out ir
dramatic fashion the acquaintance
of Desio with two former Presidents
He was the founder of the jewclry
firm now conducted in the name OF
his son. Victor e. Desio. ut 1905
F street northwest.
D,,rtoo tho oo,,rsa ~ ~. Avn ao,oo
ton Mr.. Desio was asked who sue.
ceeded the President in case Of his
death.
1.-THE Vice President" he an
swered.
HAS this ever happened?" he was
asked.
"Yes," he responded. Twice"
"And who were the vice presidents
in these cases?" he was asked.
At this point the old man became
visibly excited. Sd.
IT don't remember the Names" he
said. but one of them came into
my shop on F street many years
ago. He came in often ,afterward.
He said his father was an English.
man. He became President when
Garfield was shot. He had-what do
you call them?-burnsides?- the
sides Of his face"
This. T.. OF course. was Chester
Arthur.
Now, what was the other case7
Who was the second Vice President
who came into office upon the death
of the PresidentY' .,,
II can't remember his name,
either replied fDesio. He too came
often to my shop I remember him
very well. He was q very strenu.
Gus person-very strenuous" And
he proceeded to give an Imitation
Of the characteristic mannerisms Of
the late Theodore Roosevelt which
left no room for doubt as to the
identity Of the man.
Born In Italy In 1848.
Desio was born In Italy in 1s4S and
came to the United States in Febru.
airy, 1873 He was the descendant Of
a long line of iilustrious jewelers.,
and had been brought UP in the
trade from boyhood. Upon his arri-
val in Washington in, 1874 he imme.
0AneCAy "OAAI thC OubihCoo Vi
jewelry. He rapidly be-
factnrers and today is known as one
this country.
came later, Is also a prominent local
jeweler.
Desio has lived almost continuously
In fhia <,ftxr ntx II
dren, two sons and two daughters,
were born here. The sons were
brought up in the jewelry trade and
Victor e. Desio 10. now active head
Of the old Washington house. The
other son Is In business In San Fran
cisco.
On April rs. 1919, aroused to the
desirability Of citizenship, Desio took
out his first papers He entered the
school last February.
Because Of his advanced age It was
difficult for him to learn rapidly and
he was forced to put forth unceasirg
effort to complete the course In time
for examination this fall. He was one
Of twenty-five members of the claos
admitted to citizenship. Three mem
bers we're continued for lack Of knowl-
edge OF governmental functions.
Desio was enthusiastic over the
work of the naturalization schools
Proud Of Citizenship.
'It Is wonderful thing that for.
eigners coming to this country, igno.
rant Of American language and cus-
toms, can have such an opportunity
to learn" he said. 'It is a real honor
to win citizenship rights in this great
I am glad to see that the
bureau is so careful in
applicants for citizenship.
It is fine thing. When a man works
and earns his citizenship It is some.
thing he prides throughout his life.
time. My only regret IL that dij
not seek to become q citizen earlier
In my life"
The earnestness with which the TO-.
lgn.born students Of the Americanlza-
ton schools study for admission to
Is truly inspiring, naturali.