Celestino came to San Francisco along with a cousin (believed to be Alberto Paolo Antonio Vanoni) in 1875. He changed his name to Charles and became a United States citizen in Sonoma County, California on July 28, 1879.

The family folklore includes a story about a sister of Celestino who was helping him herd cows across a river (probably the Maggia River). She was holding onto a cow’s tail, but lost her grip and was swept away by the current and drowned. She is believed to have been about 10 years old at the time.

The 1900 USA census shows that Celestino was living in Coalgate, Choctaw Nation, Indian Territory (Oklahoma), where he worked in the coal mines. Celestino was severely burned in a coal mine fire and died 5 days later. He requested that the following be inscribed on his tombstone:

Remember me as you pass me by
As you are now, so once was I
As I am now, so you must be
Prepare for death and follow me

The same verse is on the tombstone of his son, Joe.