USA > New Jersey > Middlesex County > History of Middlesex County, New Jersey, 1664-1920, Volume III > Part 37
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Mr. Bartos' favorite recreations are hunting and fishing, and he takes a three days' hunting trip every season. He is a member of the Benevo- lent and Protective Order of Elks; and of the Foresters of America, belonging to a New York City lodge.
Mr. Bartos marred Mary Zatloukal, who was born in Moravia. Their son, Joseph, was born in Perth Amboy, and now conducts an express business in that city. He was with the American Expeditionary Forces in France during the recent World War.
ABRAHAM ONIKELSKY, one of the principal wholesale produce merchants in Perth Amboy, New Jersey, was born in Poland, November 14, 1870.
Jacob Onikelsky, father of Abraham Onikelsky, was born in Poland, and came to America when a very young man, coming direct to Trenton, New Jersey, where he remained during his lifetime. He was a jewelry merchant all his life, and a highly-respected citizen. He died in 1903, at the age of fifty-two years. His wife, Ida, survives him, still living in Trenton. at the age of seventy years. They were the parents of six children, all of whom are living: Abraham, of further mention ; Harry, Samuel, Isaac, Morris. and Fannie. All are in business.
Abraham Onikelsky lived in Poland until he was thirteen years old, receiving his education there. Coming to America at that age, he at once went to Trenton, remaining there until 1906, and being engaged in the produce business. In 1906 he sold his store at Trenton, and coming to Perth Amboy, embarked in the wholesale produce business. Possessed of excellent judgment and good business ability, Mr. Onikelsky has made a marked success in his chosen line, and handles a large share of the wholesale produce business in this vicinity.
In political convictions, Mr. Onikelsky is a Democrat. He is a mer- ber of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and of the Foresters of America. He is interested in all public affairs, and does all in his power to forward any cause which advances the public good.
Mr. Onikelsky married. in November, 1891, in Trenton, Bessie Fishtel. who was born in Poland. and came to America with her mother when very young to join ber father who had just preceded them. Mrs. Onikelsky is a daughter of the late Max Fishtel, of Trenton, who became very wealthy before he died.
Mr. and Mrs. Onikelsky are the parents of seven children, all living : Solomon R., who is proprietor of the Madison Hotel in Perth Amboy,
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and is also the proprietor of two very successful motion picture theatres in South Amboy and South River; David, who is associated with his father in business; Serena, the wife of Harry Robinson, of Trenton; Isadore, in the wholesale produce business in Perth Amboy; Ethel, living at home; Samuel, a graduate of the Perth Amboy High School, in the class of 1919; and Julia, living at home. The family are devoted attendants of the Synagogue.
JOHN RYMSHA .- All honorable success is based upon a definite aim in life and the persistency of purpose which enables one to perse- vere in a given course regardless of difficulties, obstacles and discour- agements. There are many self-made men in America whose life record proves this fact, and among them is John Rymsha, president of Rymsha & Company, Incorporated, dealers in coal, wood and ice, with office and yard at No. 989 State street, Perth Amboy, New Jersey.
John Rymsha is a son of John and Louisa Rymsha, his father for many years a farmer in Poland. To Mr. and Mrs. Rymsha were born ten children, of which number only four are living: Michael, still resides in Poland ; Simon, a resident of Poland ; Julia, wife of Peter Cheraskawick, of Freeland, Pennsylvania : John, the youngest child, of further mention.
John Rymsha was born in Poland, July, 1869, and attended the schools of his native place until he was twelve years of age, when he set sail for America, and upon landing in New York City went imme- diately to Hazelton, Pennsylvania, where he worked in the mines for a short time, subsequently becoming clerk in a grocery store in Freeland, Pennsylvania. In May, 1897, he came to Perth Amboy, New Jersey, and secured employment in Goldberger Brothers' Grocery Store, remain- ing with this concern for three years, then holding different positions with different concerns. In 1913 he established himself in the ice busi- ness in Woodbridge, but after a year and one-half he returned to Perth Amboy and transferred the business to its present location at No. 989 State street, where he also deals in coal and wood under the firm name of Rymsha & Company, Incorporated. Hand and hand with the devel- opment of this profitable business, Mr. Rymsha is carrying along plans for its perpetuation, and two of his sons are being trained in its every detail. The success which has come to him has been fairly earned and achieved through his own force of character, perseverance, indomitable will and business genius. He affiliates with the Benevolent and Protec- tive Order of Elks, Independent Order of Foresters of America, and the Improved Order of Red Men. His hobby for a number of years was fishing, but it is now chicken raising.
On May 6, 1896, Mr. Rymsha was united in marriage with Johanna Spier. a native of Eckley, Pennsylvania, and the daughter of the late Vincent and Marcella (Turezin) Spier, the latter a resident of Freeland, Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. Rymsha are the parents of three children : Alvin J., born March 29, 1897. now associated with his father in business ; Leon, born May 6, 1903, associated with his father; Bernard Vincent, born June 22, 1905, a student in the public schools of Perth Amboy. The family home is in Sewaren, New Jersey.
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ANTON MASSOPUST .- There is always particular interest attach- ing to the life of a man who has turned the tide of success and has shown his ability to cope with others in the daily struggle to reach the coveted goal. It is not necessary that the man who achieves this success be made of sterner material than his fellowmen, but there are certain indis- pensible characteristics that contribute to the prosperity of the individ- ual; these are: enterprise, determination, and the ability to recognize and improve opportunities. These qualities are elements in the character of Anton Massopust, of the firm of Massopust Brothers & Company, real estate dealers, at No. 692 State street, Perth Amboy, New Jersey.
Joseph Massopust, father of Anton Massopust, was born in Austria, and died in Perth Amboy in 1906 at the age of sixty-nine years. He came with his family to this country in 1885, from whichi time until his death he resided in Perth Amboy, engaged in the wine business. He mar- ried Barbara Preissler, an Austrian by birth, and they were the parents of eleven children, of whom the following are residents of this city : Joseph ; William ; Anton, mentioned below; and Mary, now the wife of A. Sieboth. Mrs. Massopust passed away in 1892, aged fifty-five years.
Anton Massopust, son of Joseph and Barbara (Preissler) Massopust, was born in Austria, November 1, 1874, and when he was eleven years old he was brought by his parents to the United States. Upon landing in this country, they came to Perth Amboy, and the lad further pursued his studies in the public schools of the city until 1889, when at the age of fifteen he entered into active life, his first employment being in a brick factory. His next position was as clerk in a grocery store, where he remained for two years. Mr. Massopust was a young man of great ambition and did not find himself content while employed by other men, continually desiring to embark on an enterprise of his own, and this he found possible in 1905, when he organized the real estate firm of Massopust Brothers & Company, at No. 692 State street, Perth Amboy. In manner quiet, but forceful, his close application to business has been his dominant trait, the result of the organization being largely due to his tenacity of purpose and rare energy. Besides holding the office of president of the Massopust Realty Company, Mr. Massopust is director of the Raritan Trust Company, and the North Amboy Build- ing and Loan Association, his thorough business qualifications being recognized and in great demand on boards of directors.
He ever manifests that lively interest in everything relating to the public welfare, and his adherence to principle is inflexible and unwaver- ing, his readiness to take the initiative being strikingly shown when he came forward but a youth to begin his career in the business arena. Mr. Massopust is a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church, and affiliates with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He was united in marriage with Mary Wabersich, October 10, 1908.
HERMAN ELLIS .- Working his way up by indefatigable industry and genuine worth, Herman Ellis, of Perth Amboy, New Jersey, has risen in the business world from a peddler's cart to a position of dignity, commanding the respect of all with whom he comes in contact.
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Herman Ellis was born in Russia, in 1865. His father, Daniel Ellis, was born in Russia, and there died ; he was in the metal business. His mother, Judith, was also a native of Russia. They were the parents of twelve children, only two of whom are now living: Herman, of further mention ; and Rosie, wife of H. Fingard, of Winnipeg, Manitoba.
Mr. Ellis came to this country at the age of twenty-eight years, and located in New York City. He began at the foot of the ladder, starting with a peddler's cart. But the young man was ambitious ; his goal was nothing short of success. He was handicapped at first with lack of familiarity with the language and customs of the people with whom he dealt, but with never-failing courtesy, and strict honesty, he won friends and a footing in the business world. He worked for six years in New York City, then came to Perth Amboy. Here he continued peddling, but not being content to stay down, he gradually handled more and more business, and by economy, industry and foresight, he accumulated considerable capital. Then, nineteen years ago, he took up the whole- sale iron and metal business and also real estate. Since that time he has forged rapidly forward to success, and now conducts the largest business in his line in Middlesex county.
But Mr. Ellis is not wholly the business man. Winning his own way, he has not forgotten to lend a hand to other men who are still struggling. He makes a special point of looking out for his countrymen when they come to our shores, and helping them, not only to financial independence, but to a true understanding of American principles and ideals. He is a member of every Jewish society and lodge in the city, and is particularly active in the work of such societies as carry out his individual idea of helpfulness and charity. He is also a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and of the Woodmen of the World. He served one term as health commissioner, and is a director of the South Amboy Trust Company, and the Matawan Bank.
Mr. Ellis married Freida Kravitz, and they are the parents of three children, all living: Sophia, wife of Leo Feldman, of Perth Amboy; Bessie, wife of Harry Marks, of New Brunswick, New Jersey ; and Sadie, who resides at home. The family are devout attendants upon the rites of the synagogue.
MONTE BORAK .- A man of merit, who owes his position in business circles and public life mainly to his own efforts, and whose career is certainly worthy of biographic honors, is Monte Borak, owner and manager of a department store which is located at No. 275 Smith street, Perth Amboy, New Jersey.
Monte Borak, son of Israel T. and Ida (Magaram) Borak, was born in Russia, January 21, 1881, and attended the public schools of his native place until he was fourteen years of age, when he emigrated to this country, and immediately commenced selling merchandise throughout Middlesex county, working in this capacity for three years. He then entered a brass factory in New York City, and at the end of one year, opened a restaurant in Long Branch, later returning to Perth Amboy and
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accepting the position of manager of Wedeen's Department Store, where he remained for fifteen years. On February 16, 1918, Mr. Borak left this concern and started to supply factories with general merchandise, open- ing his present store at No. 275 Smith street, May 21, 1919. Mr. Borak is in the best sense of the term "a self-made man." Beginning when but a youth in a strange city, he has made his way up the ladder of success to the present position which he holds today, which is that of a sub- stantial citizen of the community. Mr. Borak and his brothers are con- nected with the real estate business in Perth Amboy to a large extent. He is also in the importing and exporting business with South American countries, and contemplates making a trip to South America to complete arrangements ; he will open an office in New York City at No. 104 East Seventeenth street.
Mr. Borak is affiliated with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Young Men's Hebrew Association, and a few other orders. What time he can spare from his ever-increasing business demands he spends much of in the open, being particularly fond of fishing and auto- mobiling.
Monte Borak married, May 7, 1901, Lizzie Charnes, a native of Russia, and daughter of the late Herman and Annie Charnes, of Lake- wood, New Jersey. Mr. and Mrs. Borak are the parents of two children : Hyman, born August 17, 1902; and Mollie, born January 6, 1909.
The years that Mr. Borak has spent in Perth Amboy have been years of arduous devotion to promoting his business interests, and as a man whose business capacity is of the highest order, he stands as a valued citizen, using his talents and his opportunities to the utmost to promote the welfare of his adopted city.
LOUIS PAVLOVSKY, one of the most successful merchants of Perth Amboy, New Jersey, where he is the proprietor of a very large and prosperous meat market and an influential citizen of the community, is a native of Russia, his birth occurring in that country in the village of Zmerinka. in the year 1883.
Louis Pavlovsky is a son of Peter R. and Bessie (Flushman) Pav- lovsky, also natives of Russia. The elder Mr. Pavlovsky came to the United States as a young man, and after residing at West Hoboken, New Jersey, for some time, came to Middlesex county and settled at Perth Amboy. Here he established himself in the butcher business, opening a store at No. 359 State street, but is now living retired from active life at the age of sixty years, contenting himself with caring for his personal holdings in real estate, which are considerable. He and his wife are the parents of three children, as follows: Lonis, of further mention; Ida, who became the wife of Henry E. Jacobs, of Brooklyn, New York, where he is engaged in the drug business, and to whom she has borne three children ; and Abraham, who resides at Perth Amboy.
Louis Pavlovsky passed the years of his childhood in his native land, and it was there that he received the elementary portion of his education, attending for that purpose the local schools. He was thirteen years
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of age when he accompanied his parents and the other children on their long journey from Russia to the United States, and after arriving in this country, lived for a year at West Hoboken, New Jersey. There he continued his education at the public schools, but when fourteen years old, he and the whole family removed to Perth Amboy, where they have continued to reside ever since. When his father opened the old meat market, at No. 359 State street, the lad began to work there, and served a sort of apprenticeship, in which he learned the details of the business. The establishment was continued at its original location for twenty-three years and was then moved to its present location at No. 316 State street, where it has remained ever since, a period of fifteen years. After the retirement of the elder Mr. Pavlovsky, Louis Pavlovsky took over the management of the concern and is still the active head of the business. He possesses an unusual business ability, with good judgment and fore- sight, and under his capable direction it has grown to its present large proportions and come to be one of the largest establishments of its kind in the neighborhood. Taking example from his father, Mr. Pavlovsky has interested himself in local real estate, and has become the owner of much valuable property in and about Perth Amboy, realizing fully that in so flourishing a community, and with a steadily increasing population, the values are obliged to rise. He is also active in social circles, and is a member of several fraternal orders, including the Royal Arcanum and the Sons of Zion. He attends the synagogue of Shari Tafilo at Perth Amboy.
Louis Pavlovsky was united in marriage, July 8, 1906, in New York City, with Rose Abramson, like himself a native of Russia, her birth occurring in the city of Kovno, and a daughter of Harry and Minnie Abramson. Harry Abramson is a rabbi of the synagogue at W'est Hoboken, where he and his family reside. Mr. and Mrs. Pavlovsky are the parents of three children, as follows : Mollie B., born April 26, 1907; Elias, born October 26, 1908; and David, born December 31, 1909.
KEVER MEYER .- The enterprising spirit so characteristic of for- eign born men in this country is manifest in Kever Meyer, who has improved his opportunities and by indefatigable energy has worked his way upward to a position among the successful men of Raritan township, Middlesex county, where he is now engaged in agricultural pursuits and in conducting a house which is open during the summer season for the reception of those who seek pleasure and recreation in the country and at the sea shore. His activity along these lines has brought to him richly merited prosperity, and he is justly regarded as one of the leading men of his community.
Kever Mever is a native of Austria, born October 8, 1866, son of Henry and Diana Meyer, the former of whom also devoted his attention to the tilling of the soil, the son following in his footsteps. Kever Meyer emigrated to this country and located in the vicinity of Rahway, New Jersey, where he purchased a farm consisting of sixty-four acres in the year 1904, which he has since brought to a high state of perfection, the
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ground yielding bounteous return in the shape of crops of various kinds as the result of his wisely expended efforts. His produce, of high quality, is easily disposed of in the markets of the vicinity, and command good prices. Mr. Meyer is Jewish in his religious faith, contributing of his time and means to the church which he attends ; in politics the candidates of the Republican party receive from him his loyal support.
Mr. Meyer married, December 5, 1894, in Newark, New Jersey, Anna Greantall, daughter of Harry Greantall. Mr. and Mrs. Meyer became the parents of three children, as follows: I. Celia, born October 21, 1896, became the wife of Morris Robinowitz, and they are the parents of one child, Sydney. 2. Jacob, born March 26, 1898. 3. Harry, born October 14, 1912.
JENS PETER KNUDSON .- When Hans Knudson, with his wife, Carrie Sophia (Hansen) Knudson, came from their native Denmark to the United States in 1872, they settled on a farm in Raritan township, Middlesex county, New Jersey, and there their son, Jens Peter Knudson, was born, April 24, 1873. The lad grew up on the farm, was educated in the district school, and early became his father's farm assistant. He remained at the home farm until 1907, when he bought his present farm, which lies within a mile of Metuchen. In 1915 he established a retail milk business and has since conducted both farm and business. He has been successful both as a farmer and business man and is one of the substantial men of his community. He is a Republican in politics, is affiliated with Metuchen Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, and with the Royal Arcanum.
Mr. Knudson married, November 26, 1903, in Raritan township, Lily Cook, born September 10, 1873, in New Brunswick, New Jersey, daughter of George T. and Anna E. (Townley ) Cook, of New Jersey birth. Mr. and Mrs. Knudson are the parents of four children : Lillian Marie, born November 2, 1904; Irving P., born August 29, 1906; George Theodore, born May 13, 1908; Richard Frank, born January 15, 1912.
CHARLES BURGER, now a prosperous farmer of Piscataway town- ship, Middlesex county, New Jersey, was born in Germany, October 17, 1883, son of Nicholas and Margaret (Webber) Burger. The first twenty- eight years of his life Mr. Burger spent in his native land, there obtaining a good education and becoming a skilled painter and decorator. In 19II he came to the United States, bought the Graham farm in Piscataway township, and there has spent the last ten years as a farmer. In politics he is an Independent, and in religious faith a Lutheran.
Mr. Burger married, in Germany, January 6, 1902, Elizabeth Stein- metz, born in Germany, October 6, 1885, daughter of John and Dorothy (Deman) Steinmetz. Mr. and Mrs. Burger are the parents of six chil- dren : I. Elizabeth, born October 3, 1903. 2. Carl, born June 22, 1906. 3. Nicholas, born February 1, 1910. 4. John, born September 9, 1915. 5. Emma, born August 9, 1917. 6. Helen, born December 9, 1919.
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JOHN HENRY WITTNEBERT .- The first of the Wittnebert fam- ily of whom there is definite information is Ernest Wittnebert, who lived in Germany, a farmer, and there was twice married. By his first mar- riage he had three children, John Henry, Bernard and Casper, and by his second marriage he had Louis, Andrew, Christian, Godleib, August, Amelia and Hannah. Ernest Wittnebert came to the United States at about the same time his sons and daughters did (about 1850), and bought land with them in Middlesex county, New Jersey, near Metuchen.
The first two sons of Ernest Wittnebert to come to the United States were Bernard and Casper, who arrived in New York City about 1848. In 1850 John Henry Wittnebert came with his half-brothers and sisters, children of Ernest Wittnebert by his second wife. He joined his broth- ers, Bernard and Casper, in New York City, and for a time worked there, but later, becoming dissatisfied with city life, they moved to New Jersey, locating in different small towns and on farms in Middlesex county, near Metuchen. Since that time that locality has been the principal seat of the Wittneberts, who are now numbered among the large and substantial families of that section. Their principal occupation has been farming, but whatever the occupation, they prospered and are highly respected. Strong in their regard for the land that gave their father a home and opportunity, the members of the present generation have proved their citizenship in every way, and during the World War, 1917-18, several wore the khaki and all responded readily to the demands of the various campaigns and drives.
John Henry Wittnebert and his wife, Anna, were the parents of seven children, all born at the home farm near Metuchen, Middlesex county, New Jersey: I. Henry F., a farmer at Metuchen, married Emma Smith, of Pennsylvania, and they have two children: Louis H. and Florence. 2. Bernard, a butcher of Metuchen, married Ella C. Gib- son, of Rahway, New Jersey, and they have a daughter, Grace. 3. Otto, a farmer of Metuchen, living at the home of his brother, Henry F. 4. Jennie, married J. F. Simmons, a baker of Perth Amboy, and they are the parents of four children: Julius, Jeannette. Robert, and William Simmons. Charles, Everett, and Edward Wittnebert, the three other children of John Henry and Anna Wittnebert, died young.
HARRY GOLDBERG .- The conservation of odds and ends of manufactured goods, the turning of what would otherwise be wasted into new channels of usefulness, is a worthy industry. Harry Goldberg, in the wholesale junk business which he conducts in Perth Amboy, New Jersey, exemplifies the thrift which the American people as a mass learned only through the exigencies of a great and bitter war.
Mr. Goldberg came from Russia alone, with little more than his two hands and his undaunted courage, to make his way to success in the country of his choice. Both his parents were born and died in Russia. The young man came directly to Perth Amboy, and immediately turned to the work that came to hand. He established a little business as huckster of vegetables, putting all his energy and business ability into
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this small beginning. This was in 1905, and his first location was at No. 406 Washington street. He removed to his present location in 1916, after he had won some measure of success. Gradually he changed the nature of his business, taking up the handling of junk as opportunity offered, and for some time past has devoted all his time to this work of retrieving useful material from the discard. He is advantageously situated at the intersection of New Brunswick avenue with the Lehigh Valley railway tracks.
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