Alfred Bertolini, who has been successfully engaged in the real estate business in Utica during the past two decades, has also been active in public life as alderman of the fifth ward for the past eleven years and has exerted considerable influence among the Italian people of the city. He was born in Italy, on the 27th of April, 1879, and was but three years of age when brought by his parents to the United States in 1882, the family home being established in the city of New York. His education was acquired in the public schools of the eastern metropolis, where he resided until coming to Utica in 1900. Here he worked at the tailoring trade for four years, on the expiration of which period he embarked in the real estate business, with offices in the Arcade building. As a realtor he has gained a well-merited measure of prosperity, possessing comprehensive knowledge of property values and having negotiated many important realty transfers.
In 1898 Mr. Bertolini was united in marriage to Miss Margarita Dorney, daughter of Edward and Frances Dorney of New York city. Mr. and Mrs. Bertolini have five children: Anthony, a young man of twenty-four years; Angelo, who is twenty-two years of age; Cary, twenty years of age; and Alfred, Jr., and Margarita, twins, who are seven years old.
The political career of Mr. Bertolini began when in 1907 he was elected supervisor of the fifth ward of Utica. He was defeated as an aldermanic candidate two years later, but in 1913 was elected alderman of the fifth ward, in which position he has been continued through the intervening period of eleven years, making a most creditable and commendable record. He is particularly prominent among the Italian speaking people of the city and has always taken an active part in movements looking to their welfare. Mr. Bertolini belongs to the Sons of Italy, is a worthy exemplar of the teachings and purposes of the Masonic fraternity and is also a member of the Republican Club. His life has been characterized by a steady advancement, leading to success in business and establishing him as a substantial citizen of Utica, and a stanch advocate of all those forces which make for civic virtue and for civic pride.