The Marone family of Albany are native to sunny Italy, and as a family possess the artistic temperament that is characteristic of the Italian. They were an agricultural family in Italy, making a specialty of sheep growing and wool raising. The paternal acres were in La Ranzano, near Naples. They were prosperous farmers, and had a high reputation as stock raisers. Joseph Marone was born in La Ranzano, near Naples, Italy, at the family homestead, where several generations of the family had preceded him. He grew up into the business of his father, and although he grew to be a very old man, reaching the age of eighty, always followed the sheep-raising business. He improved the flocks and was known as a very successful grower of high-grade sheep and rich fleeces. He was twice married, and reared a large family, among them being Niccoli.
(II) Niccoli, son of Joseph Marone, was born on the farm homestead lying amid the beautiful valleys of the then kingdom of Naples. He followed his father's business. He died at the age of forty-one years, about 1861. He married Marie Antoinnette Garamore, a native of the same section, who died in 1892. Children: John, Joseph, Angeline and Carmilia.
(III) Joseph (2), son of Niccoli and Marie Antoinnette (Garamore) Marone, was born in La Ranzano, Italy, at the family homestead, July 21, 1861. He was only a small child when his father died. His uncle, Louis Marone, who was a skilled musician, took charge of his education and brought him up with his own son, also named Joseph. He taught the boys music and they both became accomplished performers, one on the harp and one on the violin. In 1873 the uncle and the two Josephs toured the United States, visiting nearly all the cities of the country, where they found delighted and generous audiences. They prospered and with their accumulated earnings returned to Italy, where Louis Marone died. His son Joseph returned to the United States, settled in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, where he achieved a high local reputation as a violinist. He died at the age of twenty-five, unmarried. Joseph, son of Niccoli, on his return to Italy, married, June 17, 1883, Marie, born in La Ranzano, January 26, 1864, daughter of Michael D'Meco, who came to the United States, settled in Albany, where he died at the age of seventy-two. His wife, Theresa Garfarella, died at the age of eighty. They had children:
- Marie, married Joseph Marone.
- Florence, married (first) Thomas Dalesandro; daughter Minnie; married (second) Patsey Del Bene.
- Dominic, a resident of Albany.
After his marriage Joseph Marone returned to the United States with his bride and resumed his musical career. He is an accomplished harpist and has established a reputation as a musician which brings him constant engagements. He has made the harp his life study and there are few performers that so well understand that wonderful instrument or can draw from it such exquisite melody. He is a member of the Roman Catholic church and a Republican. Children, four of whom died in infancy, not named.
- Nicholas, born May 16, 1884; a violinist; married ———— Destafano, child,
- Marie, born August 23, 1906, deceased.
- Michael, born November, 1887; a skillful performer on many instruments; at the age of four years he played the violin in public and at the age of five was given a gold medal for a public performance in Schenectady; married Mary Volk; son
- Joseph, born November 9, 1905.
- Mary, born March 27, 1892, unmarried.
- Theresa, born March 28, 1895.
- Rocotella, born August 1, 1897.
- Lucy, born July 10, 1899.
- Florence, born December 10, 1901.