USA > New Jersey > Middlesex County > History of Middlesex County, New Jersey, 1664-1920, Volume III > Part 35
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JACOB GOLDBERGER .- In that part of Hungary now the inde- pendent State of Czecho Slovakia, Samuel Aaron Goldberger was living at the time of the birth of his son Jacob, now a successful business man
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of Perth Amboy, New Jersey. Samuel A. Goldberger was a merchant and a land owner in his native land, and served his years of enforced military duty in the Hungarian army, his branch the infantry. He mar- ried Jennie Klein, and later they came to the United States, he engaging in business in New York City as a merchant. After his retirement, he moved to Perth Amboy, New Jersey.
Jacob Goldberger was born December 13, 1861, in Tuchrina, Czecho Slovakia (formerly Hungary), Europe, and there passed the first sev- enteen years of his life. He was educated in private schools and advanced so rapidly that at the age of thirteen he was himself a teacher, tutoring children. At the age of sixteen he was engaged in clerical work in Miskolcz, Hungary, there continuing until August. 1878, when a flood devastated that section and swept away all his possessions. He then returned to the parental home, but not long afterward came to the United States, sailing from Hull, England, on the steamship "Queen Ann." arriving at Castle Garden in New York Harbor. November 13, 1878. His first year in New York was employed in serving a newspaper route, after which he learned a trade at which he was employed six years. Afterward he was engaged with a wholesale produce house in Hudson street, New York, until March 12, 1888 (the period of the great blizzard in New York City), when he removed to Perth Amboy, New Jersey, that city ever since having been his home.
After locating in Perth Amboy, he opened a grocery store with a foreign exchange department, at the southwest corner of High street and DeKalb avenue (the site now occupied by the Standard Underground Cable Company ), his brother, Max Goldberger, being his business part- ner. For three years they continued at the original stand, then erected a three-story brick building at the corner of State and Washington streets, where they continued the same lines until 1905, when the brothers dissolved partnership and divided the business, Jacob taking the foreign exchange and steamship ticket brokerage business and continuing at the old stand. State and Washington streets. He is duly authorized to con- duct a banking business under the laws of the State of New Jersey, and successfully conducts a banking department in connection with foreign exchange and steamship tickets. He conducts a general business in the sale of steamship and railroad tickets, purchase and sale of foreign money, making remittances to all parts of the world, issuing letters of credit and travelers' checks. He is agent for all companies of the Mediterranean and Continental Conferences and negotiates a general business along these lines. He is also a director of the Perth Amboy Trust Company, and has other business interests.
In politics Mr. Goldberger is a Republican. In religion, he with his family worships with the Congregation Beth Mordecai, of which he was one of the founders, first vice-president, and now a trustee. He is affiliated with Lawrence Lodge, No. 62, Independent Order of Odd Fellows: United Hebrew Lodge: has been treasurer of the Order of Brith Abraham: director of Young Men's Hebrew Association; and member of Young Men's Christian Association. His clubs are the Progress and Republican, of Perth Amboy.
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Mr. Goldberger married, in New York City, December 2, 1888, Jennie Fried, daughter of Leopold and Hannah Fried. Mr. and Mrs. Goldberger are the parents of five children : Morris L., born October 1, 1889; Hannah Sarah, born December 25, 1890, married Maurice P. Rosenberg ; Dorothy, born August 23, 1892, married Joseph Goodman ; Bernard, born June I, 1896; Regina Hilda, born August 2, 1904.
SIDNEY JACOBSON, proprietor of the Hub Clothing Store, and one of the successful merchants of Perth Amboy, New Jersey, was born October 10, 1890, in Russia, and is a son of Ireen and Sarah (Novoi) Jacobson, who were likewise natives of that country. The elder Mr. Jacobson was engaged in the business of lumber transportation for many years, and died at his home in Russia at the age of sixty-two years. He and his wife had the following children : Nathan ; Samuel, who now resides in Perth Amboy; Leo, also of that city; Sidney, with whose career we are here concerned; Becky, who became the wife of Morris Wilkin, of Perth Amboy ; Rose, who makes her home in Perth Amboy ; Solomon, who also resides there. After the death of her husband, Mrs. Jacobson left Russia, came with her family of children to the United States and settled in Perth Amboy, where she still resides.
The first thirteen years of Sidney Jacobson's life were passed in Russia, and there he gained his early education, but he was still a boy when the family removed to this country after his father's death, and when the new home was made in Perth Amboy he continued his studies, attending night school in New York City. His brother, Nathan Jacob- son, started a clothing store in the neighborhood, and the lad worked for him as a clerk for eight years, and during that time gained a very com- plete knowledge of the business. He was then offered an excellent position with the Hub Clothing Store, which he accepted. For two years he acted as manager of that thriving establishment, and on February 24, 1915, purchased the business and as its proprietor continued his personal supervision thereof. Since becoming its owner, Mr. Jacobson has more than doubled the size of the store and greatly enlarged its stock and equipment. In 1919 he purchased a store adjacent to his own and thus increased his space to a degree that was more commensurate with his developing business. Yet more recently he opened a branch estab- lishment at Nos. 84 and 86 Main street, Woodbridge, New Jersey, which has already developed a prosperous trade in that community. Mr. Jacobson has always interested himself in the general life of his adopted community, and is a member of the local branches of the Royal Arcanum and the Order of Maccabees.
Sidney Jacobson was united in marriage, October 10, 1915, in Brook- lyn, New York, with Anna Finkel, a native of New York City, a daughter of Hyman and Esther Finkel, the former deceased and the latter still a resident of that place. Mr. and Mrs. Jacobson are the parents of two children, as follows: Mortimer, born November 1, 1916, and Adele, born November 5, 1920. He resides at No. 150 State street, Perth Amboy.
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AUGUST ROHDE .- A prominent figure in the life of Sayreville, New Jersey, is August Rohde, who since coming to the community in ISSI has always espoused and given earnest support to all movements calculated to advance its welfare.
August Rohde was born June 10, 1861, in Germany, the son of Charles and Annie (Young) Rohde. When a young man he came to Sayreville, and in 1890 purchased the Peoples' Hotel, which he has continued to manage ever since. Mr. Rohde is also owner and manager of the Arctic ice plant in New Brunswick. The success which has attended his efforts has been self-made in the truest sense of the word, the result of his own indefatigable effort and his own unfailing belief in his ability to succeed. In politics he is a staunch Democrat, and takes an active part in the affairs of the organization, serving at the present time (1920), as chairman of the township committee and president of the Board of Health. Mr. Rohde is also a director of the South River Bank. He is well known in fraternal circles, being a member of St. Stephen's Lodge, No. 63, Free and Accepted Masons; the Independent Order of Odd Fellows; and New Brunswick Lodge, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. His religious affiliations are with the Presbyterians.
On July 24, 1887, Mr. Rohde was united in marriage with Margaret Houlthausen, a native of New York City, born April 28, 1868. Mr. and Mrs. Rohde are the parents of four children : William, born December S, 1890; Anna, born June 14, 1894 ; Richard, born July 21, 1896; Nina, born July 31, 1899.
GEORGE SIMON .- Automobile owners in the vicinity are becom- ing well acquainted with George Simon's garage, on New Brunswick avenue, Perth Amboy. Mr. Simon is a genial, alert man of business, and skilled in handling the automobile work. Although only comparatively recently in this line of business, he is already winning success.
Mr. Simon's father was born in Austria, and came to America when a young man. He is now a resident of Fords, New Jersey, having retired from the milk business, in which he has spent practically all his life. His wife, Annie (Ondrick) Simon, was also born in Austria-Hun- gary, and died in Fords, at the age of sixty-two years. They were the parents of seven children, all of whom are living in Perth Amboy or Fords except Lizzie. They are as follows: Mary, George, Bertha, Lizzie, Alice, Annie, Joseph.
George Simon was born in Austria-Hungary, March 1, 1882. He came to America alone, in 1907, to join his father, who had made the change two years previously. Mr. Simon worked for a time as a grocery clerk, but not caring for the business obtained work on the wrecking train. This work he followed for some years, and in 1918 branched out and established a business venture of his own. This is proving a decided success, as all who see the young man in his garage at No. 567 New Brunswick avenue will acknowledge. Mr. Simon is well fitted for the work and is meeting the needs of a wide range of people.
Mr. Simon married, in Fords, New Jersey, September 14, 1902, Annie
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Woga, who was born in Austria-Hungary. Her father was born and died there. Her mother was also born there; she survives him, still residing there. Mr. and Mrs. Simon are the parents of seven children, but one died in infancy. Those living are: Julius, born in 1903; John, born in 1905; Alice, born in 1907; Alexander, born in 1910; Steve, born in 1913; and William, born in 1916. The family are members of the Greek Catholic church.
HARRY S. EISNER .- There is still alive in the world the spirit that founded in the Western Hemisphere a government where men might find independence of speech and action, and this is exemplified in Harry S. Eisner, who left Russia for America at the age of seventeen to join his brothers and sister.
Isaac Moses Eisner, father of Harry S. Eisner, was born, and is now living in Russia. He is a scholarly man and a successful school teacher. He married Sarah Trachefsky, also a Russian by birth, who died in Russia in February, 1904, at the age of fifty-six years. They were the parents of eight children, all of whom are now living.
Harry S. Eisner was born in Russia, March 11, 1889. He received a thorough education there, completing the high school course. Coming to America when seventeen, he located directly in Perth Amboy, New Jersey, and took a position in one of the factories. Knowing himself capable of better things, he took the first opportunity that offered in the business world, becoming salesman and collector for the Singer Sewing Machine Company, throughout Middlesex county. He followed this business for nine years, winning valuable experience, and by indus- try and economy accumulating a small capital. In 1916 he established a wholesale confectionery and stationery business. He had formed a wide business acquaintance, and with his natural business ability suc- cess was merely a matter of time, and the venture promised well from the start. Then came the world appeal to American manhood, and Mr. Eisner was one of the first to respond. He gave up the business into which he had put all his hopes for the future, and enlisted for the cause which demanded America's best. Fortunately he returned, and un- daunted by the first loss, he began again, under the name of the Lor- raine Sweets Company, along the same line of business. His friends look with gratification upon the promising new start. His war record, in outline. comprises his enlistment in 1918 in the United States army. He was in the service nine months, serving in the infantry at Camp Dix, then was transferred to the Emplacement Camp, Lee, Virginia. He returned on January 11, 1919, and established his present business.
Mr. Eisner is a member of the American Legion, Post No. 45; the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Perth Amboy Lodge, No. 784; the Young Men's Hebrew Association, the Young Men's Christian Association, and the Hebrew Progressive Association.
Mr. Eisner married, October 26, 1919, Elizabeth, daughter of Solomon and Sarah Papov. She was born in Boston, Massachusetts. Her parents now reside in Dorchester, Massachusetts. On August 18, 1920, they became the proud parents of a daughter, Bernice Roberta.
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MICHAEL ZYLKA .- The life story of Michael Zylka, of Perth Amboy, New Jersey, is an interesting one which had its beginning in Galicia, Europe, more than half a century ago. He came to the United States a stranger, learned the language perfectly, absorbed American ways, and after many years of work and thrift can view with satisfaction the results he has attained. He is a prosperous undertaker of Perth Amboy, doing business in his own building, and is a substantial citizen. He is a son of John and Theodosia ( Bajko) Zylka, both of whom were born, spent their lives and died in Galicia. They were the parents of ten children, Mary, Marko, and Tekla yet living in Galicia, Simon in New York City, and Michael in Perth Amboy.
Michael Zylka was born in Galicia, September 28, 1869, and there spent the years of his minority. In 1891 he came to the United States and made his way to Mckeesport, Western Pennsylvania. From there he went to Wilmerding. Pennsylvania, where he worked in the Westing- house shops for two years, also studying and mastering the English tongue without a teacher. In 1897 he came to Elizabeth, New Jersey, and three years later went with the Singer Sewing Machine Company, remaining six years. He then took up the undertaking business. studied embalming, and on April 17, 1905, opened an undertaking establishment at No. 531 State street. Perth Amboy, later moving to No. 526 State street, and in 1912, to his present location. No. 511 State street; he also owns the adjoining property. No. 513. He has a well improved plant with modern equipment. For two terms Mr. Zylka served as a member of the Perth Amboy Board of Health, and since I911 has been a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He is a member of the Greek Catholic church. and of the Roman Catholic societies.
Mr. Zylka married, in Elizabeth, May 24, 1900. Rose Gadek, born in Galicia. her parents both dying there before their daughter's marriage. Mr. and Mrs Zylka are the parents of eight children : William, died aged eighteen years: John, died aged four years : Olga, now a high school student : Irene, now a grammar school student; Stephania, in grammar school; Daisy, in intermediate grade; Antone, in intermediate grade ; baby, died in infancy.
JENS TOFTE HANSEN, a successful merchant of Perth Amboy, New Jersey, where he is engaged in business as a clothier and haber- dasher, is a native of Denmark. His father. Hans Hansen, was born in Denmark, and his mother, Mette Christina (Tofte ) Hansen, was a native of Copenhagen. To Mr. and Mrs. Hansen were born six children : Chris- tian, deceased : Ellen, Petrea. Carl; Jens Tofte. of further mention ; and Johannes.
Jens Tofte Hansen, son of Hans and Mette Christina /Tofte ) Hansen, was born in Denmark. July 18. 1863. He obtained his education in the public schools of his native place. and then worked on his father's farm for a few years. In 1888, at the age of twenty-five years. he set sail for America, and upon landing in New York went immediately to Omaha, Nebraska, where he remained until :800, when he came to
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Perth Amboy, New Jersey, and secured employment as a clerk in a local grocery store. Two years later he became clerk for Louis Briegs, clothier, and was with this firm for twelve years, but desirous of estab- lishing in this line of business he opened a small clothing store at No. 308 State street, later moving to No. 73 Smith street, then to No. 109 Smith street, and in 1915 came to his present location, No. 183 Smith street. It has been due exclusively to his own efforts that his business has grown to its present large proportions, and he is looked upon by his associates and fellow-citizens as a most capable business man and substantial merchant. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and in religion is a Lutheran.
Mr. Hansen married (first) July 4, 1888, Methea Madsen, a native of Esbjerg, Denmark. Mrs. Hansen died in Perth Amboy, New Jersey, May 10, 1894. To Mr. and Mrs. Hansen were born three children : Chris- tina Tofte, wife of Frank Van Pelt, of Tottenville; Johanna Tofte, wife of Olaf Neilsen, of Perth Amboy ; Ellen Tofte, wife of Carl Carlson, of Perth Amboy. Mr. Hansen married (second) March 21, 1896, Anna Jensen, of Perth Amboy, who died June 20, 1918. Mr. and Mrs. Hansen were the parents of four children : Emmanuel, who during the World War was a member of the 29th Division of the 104th Supply Train, drove a truck for eleven months in France, and is now associated with his father in business; Peter, associated with his father ; Mary, wife of Hugo Kalıree, of Perth Amboy ; Wesley Von Qualen, an electrician of Perth Amboy.
WILLIAM TESTA .- When a lad of fifteen, William Testa of Perth Amboy, but a native son of Italy, came to the United States and in course of time established a business in Perth Amboy. When the World War engulfed the United States in 1917, and the opportunity came for military service, he enlisted, virtually sacrificing the business he had built up so carefully and laboriously. But he served his adopted country over- seas and returned in safety, and again began the work of building up a business of his own. He has succeeded very well, made many friends and "Billy's Tire Shop" is well known, well patronized and well liked by its many patrons. He is a son of Emidas Testa, born in Italy, now living in his native land. a blacksmith by trade. Emidas Testa married Julia Grilli, yet living in Italy, and they were the parents of five children : William, of further mention ; Pasqualina, living in Italy ; Menica : Sisto, a fine mechanic associated with his brother William ; and Settineo, resid- ing in Italy ; the children are all unmarried save William.
William Testa was born in Force, Italy, June 29, 1889, and there attended school until he was fifteen years of age, when he came to the United States, finding a home and employment in New Castle, Pennsyl- vania, where for a year he worked in a box factory, going thence to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he spent two years with the Quaker City Rubber Company, manufacturers and dealers in rubber, engine room supplies, hose, packings, tires, etc. There he obtained his knowledge of the rubber business, and after two years in New Brunswick,
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New Jersey, where he gained an expert knowledge of vulcanizing and other features of the rubber business, he opened a shop under his own name in Perth Amboy. That was in 1914, and until his entrance into the United States army in 1917 he diligently applied himself to the upbuilding of the business. When he enlisted, he turned it over to others; was sent overseas with the 87th Division, American Expedition- ary Forces, and served until the armistice was signed. He returned home with an honorable discharge from the United States army, and at once resumed business at No. 148 New Brunswick avenne, Perth Amboy, his place known as "Billy's Tire Shop."
Mr. Testa is a member of the Raritan Yacht Club, and St. Peter's Roman Catholic Church. He married, August 6, 1919, in Perth Amboy, Lultt Ricci, born in Perth Amboy, daughter of Elesis Ricci, a famous sculptor of New York City, and his wife, Rosa (Lund) Ricci.
PHILLIP BORAK is among those of foreign birth who have become prominent business men in Perth Amboy, New Jersey, and he has always based his business principles and actions upon strict adherence to the rules that govern industry, and strict integrity. His enterprise and pro- gressive spirit have made him a typical American in every sense of the word, and he well deserves mention in a work treating of the business life and substantial development of this community.
Israel Borak, father of Phillip Borak, was born in Russia, came to this country when a young man and settled in Perth Amboy, where for a number of years previous to his death, which occurred November 24, 1919, he carried on a successful dry goods business. He married Ida Magaram, a Russian by birth, and they were the parents of the following children : 1. Annie, who is the wife of Hyman Weeden. 2. Jennie, who is the wife of Hyman Greenspan. 3. Monte, mentioned elsewhere in this work. 4. Phillip, of further mention. 5. Samuel, of further mention. 6. Bessie, unmarried, resides at home.
Phillip Borak, son of Israel and Ida (Magaram) Borak, was born in Russia, in 1883, and when he was twelve years old came to this country with his mother, his brother Samuel, and his sister Bessie. Upon landing in New York they came immediately to Perth Amboy, New Jersey, where they have ever since resided. Phillip Borak assisted in the support of the family, and for a time sold merchandise throughout Middlesex county. At the age of sixteen he secured work with A. Belaf- sky, with whom he remained for a time, but being a young man of serious ambition he was eager to establish himself in business, so with what little capital he had secured he started a wholesale and retail meat and produce business at the corner of Broad and Division streets, Perth Amboy, and in 1908 moved to his present location, No. 269 Smith street, where he carries on a successful enterprise at the present time, his genitis for business manifesting itself unmistakably. Mr. Borak is also interested in the real estate business and much of his time is spent along this line, his brother Samuel being most concerned in the manage- ment of the meat market. Mr. Borak joined Raritan Lodge, No. 61, Free
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and Accepted Masons, in 1914. Since then he has also become affiliated with Chapter, No. 41, Royal Arch Masons; Council, Royal and Select Masters; Commandery, Knights Templar; Valley of Jersey City Con- sistory, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite; and the Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He is also a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and of the Independent Order of Brith Abraham.
Mr. Borak married, February 6, 1910, Jennie Tierstein, a native of Brooklyn, New York, and they have two children : Sylvia, born January 14, 1911 ; Regina, born August 21, 1917.
With his aptness and adaptability, Phillip Borak has placed himself among the representative business men of the community, and his repu- tation as a man of talent and integrity has already gone abroad, he being considered a leader among the younger generation of business men today in and around Perth Amboy.
Samuel Borak, son of Israel and Ida (Magaram) Borak, was born in Russia, December 11, 1889. He came to this country with his mother, brother and sister, when he was but seven years of age. After receiving an education in the public schools in Perth Amboy, he became associated with his brother Phillip in the wholesale and retail meat business. He is prominent in Masonic circles, having attained to the thirty-second degree, is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and was one of the organizers of the Young Men's Hebrew Association of Perth Amboy. He married Molly Florence Roth, a native of Perth Amboy, New Jersey, and they have one child, Helen Sarah, born March 23, 1918.
LOUIS BRIEGS, at the age of fourteen, alone and without friends, came from his home in Germany to seek his fortune in a strange land among a strange people. This was in 1866, and fourteen years later (1880) he made Perth Amboy, New Jersey, his home and business head- quarters. Eight years later he erected the building which he now occu- pies with his tailoring establishment, the largest in Middlesex county. Louis Briegs is a son of Karl Briegs, who lived and died in Germany, a tailor, as was his father and grandfather for several generations. Karl Briegs married Theresa Ingber, who also lived and died in Germany. They were the parents of three children : Bernhardt, who died during the Franco-Prussian War of 1870; Louis, of further mention; Ida, now widow of A. Sutter, who resides in Brooklyn, with three children.
Louis Briegs was born in Germany, November 29, 1848, now, at the age of seventy-two, is an honored resident and merchant of Perth Amboy, New Jersey. He remained in his native land until 1862, then came to the United States, finding a home in Brooklyn, New York, with his uncle, Julius Briegs. There he learned the tailor's trade and for six years followed that occupation in Brooklyn, New York, prior to moving to Keyport, New Jersey, where he was employed as cutter in a clothing factory, and in 1874 he started in business for himself in partnership with L. Conover. In 18So he located in Perth Amboy and opened a tailoring
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