Most of the personal detail, and many of the photographs, were kindly provided by Ray Guselli, of Barrow, Dino’s son. He writes -

“Louis and Albina Guselli (my grandparents – pictured) came to Barrow in 1894 from Piacenza, south-east of Milan in northern Italy, and typical of the time, opened a confectionery and ice cream shop.
 
My father Dino was born in 1906 (in Italy) and came to Barrow when he was about 15 and worked many long hours in the business which by now was expanding, reaching a maximum of 4 shops in Barrow.
 
The business expanded further when dad (Dino) got a horse and cart and took the ice cream and confectionery around the Furness peninsula. His horse was called Peter.
 
Dad took up boxing and his fights with "Butcher Moore" were apparently legendary, each boxer having their own following. Dad eventually became middleweight champion of Furness. I understand that when fighting, his followers would shout "hit him with Peter": meaning the kick from the horse."

Butcher Moore, from “Barrow in Furness in old postcards vol 1” Trescatheric & Barker 1982

Jack Casey writing in “The Sunday Sun” 27 November 1932

Punchline Boxing magazine reported: Jack Casey acquired the nickname 'Cast Iron' after a bout with Dino Guselli (in 1928) when afterwards Guselli's promoter Joe Tolley asked Casey 'where he got his cast-iron jaw'. Guselli, the hard hitting former Olympic Champion  (I can find no record of him fighting at an Olympic Games – perhaps like Marlon Brando in “On the Waterfront” – “I coulda been a contender”) had thrown everything at Casey but couldn't knock the Sunderland man down in a fight that Casey won on points. 

Other members of the Guselli family came to Barrow and sadly one of dad's brothers called Livio passed away and is also buried in the cemetery.” (Picture of the grave below)

The Gusellis’ anniversary

Old friends of many people in Barrow and shelterers of escaped British prisoners on the run in Italy during the war, Louis and Albina Guselli spent Sunday celebrating their 52nd wedding anniversary. It was in 1894 that Louis started a confectionery shop in Barrow. Later his business grew to four shops.
                  In 1935 they returned to Italy. Now Louis, aged 82, is bedridden with rheumatism and his wife, ten years younger, has fair health.
                  The Gusellis remembered their British ties during the war when they harboured escaped prisoners in a house in Piacenza.
                  Best known of their children still in Barrow is Deno, former middleweight boxing champion of Furness and an ex-Rugby player for Furness.

Advert from the Barrow News 8 October 1914

Guido Guselli boxing report from the Bournemouth & Southampton 15 April 1932

From the North-Western Daily Mail, 4 May 1911 

From the North-Western Daily Mail 3 June 1911. Summer must have started in June!

Guselli Bros shop: 218 Dalton Road

Guselli Bros shop: 87 Dalton Road

Guselli Bros shop: 62 Cavendish Street

Dino with his ice cream cart.

Soulby’s Ulverston Advertiser and General Intelligencer 25 April 1907

NEW INDUSTRY FOR BARROW

MEETING OF INTERESTED TRADESMEN

On Monday evening a meeting of local tradesmen interested in the formation of a company for the manufacture of ice for Barrow and district … was held at the City Café, Barrow, there being a fairly large attendance, including the principal trades concerned in the project.
                  Mr. P. H. Fisher, one of the chief organisers, presided, and referred to the great difficulty which was experienced last summer in obtaining the smallest quantity of ice. With a view to doing away with that difficulty and being in a position to supply the town and district with a good class of ice, several members of his trade, who were great users of ice, had put their heads together and considered the proposal of forming a small company.
…..
                  Mr. Broadbent said one of the drawbacks to the production of ice in Barrow was the carriage. Another question was – how much was used in the town and what could they make it for.
                  Mr. Saxon thought that when the concern was going in Barrow, they would find, as in other places, that private residents would be some of their best customers.
                  The Chairman added that between 24 and 26 tons of ice were used in Barrow per week in summer time.
….
Mr. Broadbent proposed, and Mr. Kitchen seconded, that a committee of five be appointed out f that meeting to carry out a full investigation into the matter, and report at a future meeting. It was agreed that Messrs. Fisher, Guselli, Saxon, Broadbent, and Woodend form the committee, and after other formal business had been transacted, the meeting terminated.

“Mr. P. H. Fisher informed the small company present that the committee appointed at the previous meeting had thoroughly investigated the matter, and were satisfied that there was a splendid opening for an ice-making plant in Barrow. From actual statistics they found that the ice could be manufactured for considerably less than was stated at the previous meeting. The committee did not decide upon a site for the plant, but resolved to call an expert, and that gentleman visited Barrow on Monday. He inspected the various buildings which had been offered to the proposed company and, upon this inspection, promised to forward a detailed report along in the course of a few days (sic). This gentleman, it might be added, had fit up one of the most up-to-date ice factories in England at Fleetwood, which was producing about 140 tons of ice per day. Mr. Fisher further stated that the amount of support they had had offered to them warranted them proceeding with the project, and the committee were satisfied that the amount of ice they estimated to sell had been under rather than over estimated. They had had several provision dealers who were prepared to use any cold storage that they might erect, and also they had many brewers, who were ready to do business with the cold storage. …..”

The ice industry in Barrow is now an accomplished fact, and the factory is where the Imperial Mews used to be in Hindpool Road. A very strong company has been formed, and my readers would be astonished if I could give the names of many of the shareholders.  ….. I am told the demand for ice has already exceeded all expectations. … “

Source Soulby’s Ulverston Advertiser and General Intelligencer 21January 1904

In Loving Memory Of
ADA GUSELLI
BORN 24 – 9 - 1913  DIED 19 – 7 – 1982
BELOVED WIFE OF DINO
AND MOTHER OF RAMON
DINO GUSELLI
BORN 12 – 12 - 1906
DIED 22 – 5 – 2000
LOVING FATHER OF RAMON
AND A DEAR FATHER IN LAW
OF ANN
DEVOTED GRANDFATHER
TO MARIA
MY WONDERFUL PARENTS
 
SADLY MISSED      
NOW TOGETHER FOREVER

Pictured: Hector

1901 Census

In the 1901 Census Louis Guselli (31) Baker, Confectioner and Shopkeeper is living at 62 Cavendish Street. He is an Italian citizen. He is living with his wife Albina Guselli (20), also an Italian citizen, and baby Hector Guselli (1 mo) born Barrow, Lancs. 
 

Meanwhile, at St Thomas the Apostle, City of London, on 23 December 1883, Angiolina Maria Guselli had been baptised, daughter of Antonio Guselli (an asphalter) and Luisa Guselli. She had been born on 29 November 1883. This family may/may not be related to the  Barrow Gusellis.

Lancashire Daily Post 9 July 1932, describing minor troubles for breaking the sales laws.

Bulmer’s Directory for Furness & Cartmel 1911

Bulmer’s Directory for Furness & Cartmel 1911 has two entries for Guselli: Guselli G. S. & Co. 295 Duke Street; and Guselli Louis and Bros., 87 and 218 Dalton Road and 62 Cavendish Street.
 
 
Dino Guselli married Ada L. McErlean in Barrow, Q4 1933.

1939 Register

In the 1939 Register, Dino and Ada Guselli were living at 4 St Chad’s Street, St. Pancras, London. Dino Guselli (DoB 12 December 1906) is an Asphalter Potman, while Ada L. Guselli (DoB 24 September 1913) is a Cinema Usherette.

Several of the rest of the family were living above the shop at 87 Dalton Road, Barrow in the 1939 Register. They were Livio Guselli (DoB 17 August 1902) Shopkeeper, Café Proprietor; Hector Guselli (DoB 13 February 1901) Shopkeeper (Confectionery); Guido Guselli (DoB 19 June 1912) Shopkeeper (Confectionery); Mary Guselli (DoB 21 October 1904) Shopkeeper (Confectionery). All were single.