2

1935
Fernando Lemos (Cuban)
Ybor City
Tampa, Florida
(Cigar-maker)
(Compiled by FERA
Sociological Study of
Ybor City)

LIFE HISTORY
of
FERNANDO LEMOS

"My father, Manuel del Pilar, worked as truck driver for Mr. Lorenzo
Gariche of Pinon No. 1, Havana. Mr. Gariche handled flour and "gofio"
(roast corn meal).

"I was born in No. 809 Calzada del Cerro, Havana, Cuba, on May 30th,
1870. Both my parents were Cubans.

"On this same street there was a society called "La Caridad del
Cerro," whose membership were composed only of Cubans. It was a re-
creational and educational society only. During the day, school was con-
ducted for the children of its members. Many Cubans of the better
society attended its classes: among these were the Cortinas and Sanguily,
who afterwards became famous in Cuban life. The president of this Club
was Placido Dominguez, and for professor we had Miguel Rosain who was a
very intelligent man.

"I attended this school until I was 13 years of age. At 14 my father
placed me in a cigar factory in Havana in order to learn the trade of
cigarmaker. At this factory cigars of the "Concha" brand were chiefly
made, and sold principally to the cafes. After I had been here about a
year, I decided to finish my apprenticeship at the factory of Antonio
Belle, which was situated in Arroyo Naranjo, a suburb of Havana.

'' Shortly after I had completely mastered the cigar trade, my uncle,
Gonzalo Perez Guzman, brought me to Tampa with him. This was in the
year 1888 when I was 18 years of age. The following day after my
arrival, I was already working at the factory of Mr. Vicente Martinez
Ybor.

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