Back then, you had to know someone to vouch for you over here, in order to move here. Or have relatives already living here. Besides that, when someone from Italy moves to the US, even today, they find their own kind. Always. More than likely, this was the case with your ancestor. They all seem to find each other and "help out" one another.

I love scrap metal, btw. Lots and LOTS of money in scrap metal. Juuuust saying.