USA > New Jersey > Middlesex County > History of Middlesex County, New Jersey, 1664-1920, Volume III > Part 36
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establishment, which has grown to vast proportions under his manage- ment during the forty years that the Briegs establishment has been a Perth Amboy institution. His present residence, located at No. 89 Market street, was erected by Louis Briegs in 1900. In political faith Mr. Briegs is a Republican, his religious belief Presbyterian. He is a member of the New Jersey Club, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Free and Accepted Masons, a Knight Templar and Shriner, Knights of Pythias, and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.
Mr. Briegs married, in Perth Amboy, April 15, 1882, Rosa Hauser, born in Jersey City, daughter of Frederick and Rosina Hauser. Mr. and Mrs. Briegs are the parents of two sons : Fred A., and Harold, both born in Perth Amboy.
JACOB ASTRIN, proprietor of the large wholesale tobacco and confectionery business at No. 221 New Brunswick avenue, Perth Amboy, and a prominent citizen of the community, is a native of Russia, born in the town of Semiovonka, December 27, 1887, a son of Nathan and Rhoda (Yahudin) Astrin, old and esteemed residents of that place. The elder Mr. Astrin passed his entire life in Russia, and was engaged in the grocery business in Semiovonka, his death occurring there when his son Jacob was a youth. He and his wife became the parents of seven children, two of whom are deceased. Of the five now living, three daughters, Fannie, Helen and Lena, reside in Russia, while the two sons, Jacob and an elder brother David, make their home in this country.
After the father's death Jacob Astrin, then nineteen years of age, came with his mother and brother David to the United States, the latter taking up his abode in Bayonne, New Jersey, where he is now engaged in the real estate business. Mrs. Astrin and Jacob, however, came to Perth Amboy, where the youth attended school for a time in order to complete his education begun in Russia, and then secured a position in the handkerchief factory of H. Rosenthal & Company of Perth Amboy. He worked for one year with this concern and learned the details of the industry, but being of a strongly independent and enterprising turn of mind, he then gave up his position, determined to engage in business on his own account. Mr. Astrin was only twenty-one years of age when he established his present industrial enterprise, his place of business be- ing located on Fayette street, but in spite of his youth he displayed marked ability as an organizer and business man and his venture prospered highly. In 1917 Mr. Astrin removed to his present establishment at No. 221 New Brunswick avenue and there the business has continued to increase until it is now one of the important industrial enterprises of Perth Amboy and carries on a large trade in this locality. Its success has been wholly due to the capable management of Mr. Astrin who has devoted himself to its development with industry and zeal. He is a man who is not afraid of work and well earns the respect and confidence he has won in the community, where he is justly known as a self-made man. Taking a keen interest in the general welfare of the city, Mr. Astrin prefers to remain independent in politics instead of affiliating himself
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with any political party, but is a member of four fraternal organizations, namely, the Order of Owls, Brith Abraham, Zionists and Independents. He attends Shaary Tfilloh Synagogue, and is an active and respected member of the congregation.
Jacob Astrin was united in marriage, February 4, 1912, in Perth Amboy, with Rebecca Treegoob, like himself a native of Russia, born in 1889, a daughter of Wolf and Martha Flora (Mazer) Treegoob. Mrs. Astrin came with her parents to the United States as a child and resided with them up to the time of her marriage in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in which city they still make their home.
MAX ZUCKER, of Perth Amboy, New Jersey, was born in Austria, May 24, 1884. His father, Arthur E. Zucker, was born in Austria, there lived and there died in 1904, aged fifty-eight years, a wholesale flour and feed dealer. His mother, Pearl Zucker, died when her son Max was two years of age. They were the parents of seven children : Rose, wife of N. Lenz, of Passaic, New Jersey; Bessie, wife of I. Landau, of Passaic; Morris, died in Newark, leaving a family; Isidore, residing in Passaic; Emil, residing in Newark; Samuel, residing in Pawtucket, Rhode Island ; and Max, of further mention.
Max Zucker spent the first fourteen years of his life in Austria. He then came to the United States, unaccompanied by others of his family, and found a home in Newark, New Jersey. For two years he was em- ployed in a wholesale store in Newark and during that time he attended public night schools. He then established in business in Perth Amboy, New Jersey, at the corner of State and Commerce streets, and in 1904 moved to No. 223 Smith street. In 1919 he moved to his present resi- dence, No. 125 Kearny avenue. He is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Young Men's Christian Association, and of the congregation Beth Mordecai.
Max Zucker married, in Perth Amboy, May 26, 1906, Henrietta Spitzer, born in New York City, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. David Spitzer, of Perth Amboy. Mr. and Mrs. Zucker are the parents of a son, Arthur, born September 10, 1908.
GUSTAVUS GUNTHER, when a boy of six years, was brought from Germany to the United States by his parents, Frederick and Pauline (Fischer) Gunther, and during the seventy years which have since inter- vened Middlesex county, New Jersey, has been his home. He was still a minor when in 1862 he enlisted in the Union army, and he has never since failed in loyalty to the land which received him as a child and gave him the opportunity to develop his manhood. When Frederick Gunther with his family came to the United States in 1850, he settled in Middle- sex county, New Jersey, and became the owner of a farm near Metuchen, upon which he resided until his death. That farm has never passed out of the family and is now owned by Henry Gunther, a son of Frederick Gunther, the original Gunther owner. In Germany, Frederick Gunther was a cashier in the government postoffice.
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Gustavus Gunther was born in Germany, March 7, 1844, and there his first six years were passed. He attended the public schools in the vicinity of his father's farm near Metuchen. He early became his father's farm assistant, and when the time came to choose an occupation for himeslf he decided to continue a farmer. The outbreak of the Civil War in 1861 stirred his ardor, and in 1862, at the age of eighteen years, he enlisted in the Union army for one year. He served out his term of enlistment, was honorably discharged at its expiration, and returned to the farm. There he lived the quiet, contented life of a farmer, prospered, and reared a family. Finally the years grew heavy, and in 1920 he sold his farm and is residing with his son on Magnolia street, Highland Park. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, an inde- pendent in politics, and a member of the Reformed church.
Mr. Gunther married, in Stelton, New Jersey, November 20, 1880, Sarah E. Langstaff, born August 28, 1846, daughter of Augustus A. and Rebecca (Fitz Randolph) Langstaff, her father a farmer. Mr. and Mrs. Gunther have three children: Laura, married William Christ; Charles R., married Tillie Everett, six children; Juliet, married Albert Lewis, two children.
LEONARD ZAREMBA .- Coming to America, a stranger in a strange land, at the age of fourteen years, Leonard Zaremba has risen from the foot of the ladder and become one of the substantial citizens of Perth Amboy.
John Zaremba, father of Leonard Zaremba, was born in Slovakia, but now lives in Perth Amboy, having retired from active work. His mother, Mary (Stas) Zaremba, was also born in Slovakia; she died March 22, 1915, in Perth Amboy, at the advanced age of seventy-eight years. They were the parents of six children, of whom four are living : John, who lives in Plainfield, New Jersey ; Frank, a resident of Perth Amboy; Tessie, who is the wife of Steve Romanec, of Perth Amboy ; and Leonard, of whom further.
Leonard Zaremba, son of John and Mary (Stas) Zaremba, was born in Slovakia, February 6, 1878. He lived there until fourteen years of age, and attended school, then came to America with his father, mother, and sister Tessie. The family came direct to Perth Amboy, where the boy obtained work as a water boy with the Valentine Brick Company. He remained in their employ for eleven months, then for three years worked around at different shops in Perth Amboy, most of that time with the Staten Island Terra Cotta Company, then went to the American Smelting and Refining Company. He was first an ordinary workman for about two years, then was made weigher, and finally scale tester. He remained with this company until 1905, but since then has been in business for himself. Since 1905 his home has been at No. 362 Imslee street.
Mr. Zaremba has long been a citizen of his adopted country, and votes the Republican ticket. He is fond of all outdoor sports, and indulges in a fishing trip when occasional opportunity offers.
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Mr. Zaremba married, on April 23, 1901, Anna Danielak, who was born in Slovakia, March 23, 1880. She came to New York City with two sisters when quite young, and lived there until 1901, when she came to Perth Amboy. Both her parents died in Slovakia. Mr. and Mrs. Za- remba are the parents of five children : Leonard, Jr., born August 7, 1904 ; Joseph, born August 4, 1906, died November 15, 1907; Anna R., born November 1, 1908; Olga, born September 25, 1913, died April 2, 1917; and Albert John, born May 13, 1920. The family are devout members of the Roman Catholic church.
SAMUEL HYMAN SIEGEL, D. D. S .- Filled with ambitious ideas of the future and with a determination to make use of the many oppor- tunities held out to the immigrant who desires to improve himself, Samuel Hyman Siegel arrived in the United States, May 20, 1904, a lonely lad who had left home and kindred to seek his fortune in the New World, so full of promise.
Samuel H. Siegel was born in Wilkowischky, Russia, now Lithuania, April 25, 1885. His parents, Kasriel and Mary Siegel, who are the par- ents of two other sons, one of whom, Maurice Siegel, is a practicing dentist in New Jersey, and three daughters, two of whom are living in Brooklyn, New York, and the oldest in South Africa, were occupied with gardening and farming in Wilkowischky. The income from this not being sufficient for the upkeep of the family, Samuel H., the second in order of birth of the children (his sister Sara being the oldest), at the age of twelve, secured work after school hours in a girls' Hebrew school as assistant teacher, the money thus earned being spent partly to pay for his clothes, the remainder being contributed to the family purse. He graduated from a Russian public and high school, and also received a thorough knowledge in Hebrew and Talmud, and a good knowledge of the German language and its literature, teaching both Hebrew and Ger- man in the school above mentioned. After taking up his residence in this country, he became a naturalized citizen, and acquired the English language by attendance at the public evening school. He then entered the Baron De Hirsch Trade School, for a two years' course in electricity, from which he graduated, and then worked as an electrician, preparing himself after working hours for matriculation in college. After a short period of time he passed the Regents' examination, equivalent to a high school education, and entered the New York College of Dentistry, where he passed all three years with honor, and graduated in 1911. He at once applied for and obtained from the State Board of Dentistry licenses to enable him to practice his profession in both New York and New Jersey. At the time of his study at the New York College of Dentistry, he was assisting in the publication of a Jewish monthly called "The Future." He was also one of the organizers of the Hebrew Dramatic League in New York City, from which league developed many known Jewish actors on the Jewish and English stage; he was very active therein, and participated in performances during the first years of its existence.
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Dr. Siegel engaged actively in the practice of his profession in Brook- lyn, New York, from the time of his graduation until September, 1917, when he removed to New Brunswick, New Jersey, where he opened an office at No. 119 Albany street, corner of George street, remaining there up to the present time ( 1920). He is a surgeon dentist, is thor- oughly equipped in office appointments, progressive and up-to-date in everything pertaining to his profession. and is in receipt of a large and constantly increasing clientele. In addition to his professional duties, he is interested in financial affairs, and is connected with the National Bank of New Brunswick and with the New Brunswick Trust Company. He has also contributed various articles on dental topics to dental mag- azines, namely : "The Dental Digest" and "The Dental Outlook," which have been read with great interest. also the "Dental Cosmos." Dr. Siegel is a member of the Hebrew Synagogue. the Allied Dental Soci- eties of New York, the Improved Order of Red Men, and the Workmen Circle.
D :. Siegel married, in Brooklyn, New York, December 12, 1910, Yetta Abrams, born in Russia, and they are the parents of three chil- dren : Vivian, born August 3, 1914; Alma, born July 21, 1917; and Eleanor, born September 7. 1918. They reside at No. 115 First avenue, Highland Park. the property being purchased by Dr. Siegel in March, 1920.
JOSEPH GREINER, who owns and conducts the handsome barber shop at No. 185A Smith Street. Perth Amboy, is one of those solid, practical Americans who are Americans by choice rather than by the accident of circumstance.
His aged father, now eighty years old, was born in Bavaria, and later removed to Alsace. He was a farmer all his life, and several years ago retired to a well earned and much needed rest. During the recen: war. however. he was compelled to work for two brothers. He still lives in Alsace. He married Katherine Thomann. and they were the parents of fourteen children. of whom three now live in America : Peter. a barber, of Woodbridge. New Jersey : Joseph. of whom further mention follows; and Louise, who lives in Brooklyn, New York, and is the wife of William Wengatz. The mother is still living and in good health at the age of seventy-nine.
Joseph Greiner was born March g. 1859. in Dornach, Alsace, now Dornach-Mulhouse. He remained at home until nineteen years of age. receiving a good education. Striking out for himself at that age, he went to France, where he lived for two years, following the trade of barber. The appeal of the New World struck him with great force, and others of the younger members of his family shared his enthusiasm. So with tiro brothers, Louis and Eugene, and a sister, Katherine, he came to America. At first they all located in Woodbridge. New Jersey, where Joseph remained for eighteen months. working at his trade. On July :, 1802. he removed to Perth Amboy and opened a barber shop at No. 200 Smith street. He remained at this location for seven years. wiz-
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ning the confidence and respect of the members of the best families of the city. He next removed to No. 175 Smith street, where he remained for sixteen years. In 1916 he removed to his present fine location at No. 185A Smith street, and now has a splendidly equipped shop, with six chairs, which is conceded to be the best patronized barber shop in Middle- sex county. On the side, he has charge of the building in which his place of business is located, acting as agent. Outside the business world, Mr. Greiner has varied interests. He is a member of the Royal Arcanum, the Knights of the Golden Eagle, and the Improved Order of Red Men. He is a Republican in political affiliation.
Mr. Greiner married (first) Emma Josephine Hirner, who was born in the famous old city of Stuttgart, Germany; she died May 4, 1912, in Perth Amboy, New Jersey. Their children are: Emma Josephine, born October 20, 1893, wife of Ira L. Crouse ; Sophie Katherine, born August 13, 1895 ; Lillian Pauline, born August 17, 1897, now the wife of Harold Gordon Lawton, of Morristown, New Jersey: Joseph Nicholas, born May 21, 1902 ; and Sarah Catherine, born October 11, 1910. Mr. Greiner married (second) Mary Cremer, who was born in Cologne.
WILLIAM G. PRILL .- The Prills came to Middlesex county in 1886 and located in South River, where Frederick Prill, father of William G. Prill, was employed as a brickmaker until 1920, when he retired and moved to Milltown, where he now resides. His wife, Julia (Seaman) Prill, died in Milltown, New Jersey, February 12, 1912.
William G. Prill was born in Germany, December 3, 1881, and there spent his early childhood, the family coming to South River, New Jersey, in 1886. He attended public schools, and early learned the confec- tioner's trade with an expert candy maker of Plainfield, New Jersey. He opened his own candy store in South River in 1899, he then being but eighteen years of age. He operated that store successfully until 1910, then moved to Milltown and there opened a confectionery store for the sale of the candies and sweets which he manufactured in his own plant. He is succeeding in his business undertaking and is one of the prosper- ous merchants of his town. He has an expert knowledge of the manu- facturing department of his business, also a fine business judgment which never fails him. His store is at No. 452 Main street, Milltown, New Jersey.
SOL RUBENSTEIN .- This branch of a well known family came to the United States from Poland, Europe, where both Isaac and Amelia (Freyer) Rubenstein, parents of Sol Rubenstein, of Perth Amboy, New Jersey, were both born. They were married in Poland and there lived until 1866, when they came to the United States, landing in New York City. There Isaac Rubenstein conducted a dry goods business until 1891, when he moved to Perth Amboy, New Jersey, there continuing in business until his retirement, when he returned to New York City, his present home (1921). His wife died in New York, October 4, 1886, aged forty-two, the mother of five children, as follows : Samson, engaged
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in the printing and stationery business in New York City; flattie, wife of Emanuel Goldberg, of New York City; Jennie, wife of M. Roseman, of New York City ; Sol, of further mention; Flora, wife of M. Seamon, of Elmira, New York.
Sol Rubenstein was born in New York City, July 22, 1872, and until sixteen years of age attended the public schools. In 1888 he became his father's assistant in the dry goods business, and for five years continued under his capable father's business training. In 1892 they came to Perth Amboy, New Jersey, and established a store at No. 99 Smith street for the sale of gentlemen's furnishing goods, trading under the firm name, Isaac Rubenstein. In 1895 they moved the business to State street, where for seven years the business was successfully conducted under the same firm name. In 1902 Isaac Rubenstein retired and returned to New York City, and Sol Rubenstein opened a store under his own name at No. 77 Smith street. In 1907 he moved his business to its present loca- tion, No. 135 Smith street, where he conducts a prosperous business in gentlemen's furnishing goods exclusively, his the largest store of its kind in the city. He is a director of the Perth Amboy Building and Loan Association, member of the Masonic order, the Benevolent and Protec- tive Order of Elks, Young Men's Christian Association, Beth Mordecai Congregation, and is treasurer of the Progress Club. He is a man well and favorably known among his townsmen and ranks with the efficient business men who are upholding the business integrity and fame of Perth Amboy.
Mr. Rubenstein married, in Perth Amboy, Adele Stricker, born in Bohemia, Europe, daughter of Marcus and Barbara Stricker, her parents both deceased, and sister of Joseph E. Stricker, prosecuting attorney of Middlesex county, New Jersey.
ABRAHAM SISKIND, upon arriving at legal age, left his home and native Russia to come to the United States, the land of freedom and promise. Sixteen years have since elapsed and he has so well improved the advantages offered that he is one of the prosperous merchants of Perth Amboy, New Jersey. He is a son of Nathan Siskind, who died in Mackstowe, Russia, having there spent his entire seventy years of life, and there his widow yet lives, aged sixty-eight. He was engaged in the lumber business all his active years. They were the parents of seven children, of whom Abraham and Rosa (Mrs. J. Samach, of New York City) are in the United States; Sarah (Mrs. Gilbert), is in Lon- don, England; the others are living in Russia.
Abraham Siskind was born in Mackstowe, Russia, July 25, 1873, and there grew to man's estate. After his school years he began working with his father in the lumber business, continuing until 1904 when, having gained his majority, he came to the United States, making the long journey and voyage alone. He came direct to Perth Amboy, New Jersey, but later went as far West as Chicago, Illinois, where for eight months he was in the employ of his uncle, a junk dealer. The young man then returned to Perth Amboy and established an instalment busi-
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ness under his own name. He dealt in wearing apparel and was quite successful. continuing until 1911, when he opened his present store at No. 310 State street. There he carries a full line of ladies' and children's wearing apparel, and caters to a large trade, his business having steadily increased in volume from its opening in 1911. He is a member of Zion- ists Church and congregation, and of the Hebrew Progressive Asso- ciation.
Mr. Siskind married, in New York City, April 25, 1906, Lena Siskind, also born in Mackstowe, Russia. and of the same family. Her parents were land holders in Russia, and there both died. Mr. and Mrs. Siskind are the parents of three children, all born in Perth Amboy, New Jersey : Anna, born March 29, 1907; Eleanor, born February 27, 1911 : Nathan, born February 17, 1914.
FRANK BECZA .- The oldest hotel in Milltown, is the Middlesex Hotel on Main street, its proprietor for the last six years having been Frank Becza, who purchased the place in 1914, running it very success- fully, assisted by his wife. Mr. Becza's death having occurred in the early part of 1920, his widow became the owner and proprietress and is carrying on the business equally well. The parents of Frank Becza were George and Mary (Simon) Becza, both born in Austria. The father was a farmer, and brought up his son to assist on the farm.
Frank Becza was born in Austria, September 24, 1872, and died in Milltown. April 13. 1920. During his childhood in Austria he received the customary education given in the common schools there. After coming to this country he entered into the hotel business and was engaged in it at the time of his death. Lodges and clubs did not interest Mr. Becza, but he was an upholder of the principles of the Republican party, and was a member of the Roman Catholic church, as are also his wife and children. Mr. Becza was also connected with the Milltown National Bank.
Frank Becza was married in South River, New Jersey. November 15. 1899. to Mary Sentill, born in Austria, August 18, 1878. Her parents were John and Teresa (Budnar ) Sentill, both being Austrians by birth. Of this marriage five children, all natives of Milltown, were born : Marie, born October 27, 1900: Emma, born April 15, 1904; Julius, born, March 4. 1906; Ella, born August 8, 1911 : Steven, born November 14, 1913.
MARTIN BARTOS was born in Bohemia. August 15, 1867. He received his education in that country, remaining there until fifteen years of age.
Martin Bartos, father of our subject, was born in Bohemia, and died there when the boy was only nine years old. His mother came to America, leaving him with friends in his native land; he joined her later. The elder Martin was a skillful tailor, and also acted as sexton for a Roman Catholic church for twenty-nine years. He died at the age of forty-five. He married Frances Parik, who was born in Bohemia, December 24. 1827, and died in Perth Amboy, New Jersey, August 6,
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1915. They had seven children: Emily, who died in Brooklyn, New York, at the age of fifty years; Frances, the wife of Anton Jiranck, of Brooklyn; Antonia, a widow, who resides at Perth Amboy; Sophia, Emily, and Annie, all of whom died in infancy ; and Martin, of further mention.
Martin Bartos learned the tailor's trade, which his father had fol- lowed, in Bohemia, but upon arriving in America he became a cigar- maker. This trade he followed for six years, then came to Perth Amboy and joined his brother-in-law in the liquor business, their location being at No. 299 New Brunswick avenue.
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