
Nathan Reiss was born on June 24, 1847, in Ulrichstein, Germany. He received his education in Germany and learned the trade of butchering. In 1871, he immigrated to the United States, settling in Newark, New Jersey, where he quickly established himself as a successful butcher. Nathan founded his first butcher shop on Railroad Avenue shortly after his arrival and later moved to a more prominent location on Springfield Avenue.
Throughout his life in Newark, Nathan was known for his integrity, friendly nature, and dedication to his work, which made his market popular among local families. He was also a loyal Republican and an active member of his community.
Nathan married Caroline Schwerin in 1871, and together they had nine children, though two died in infancy. Their surviving children were Louis, J.C., Henry, Sidney, Gilda, Belle, and Tess.
Nathan Reiss passed away on June 5, 1917, just before his 70th birthday. He left behind a legacy of hard work and community service, remembered fondly by those who knew him.
Ulrichstein, Germany
June 11, 1869, Ellis Island Passenger List


Nathan arrived at Ellis Island on June 11, 1869, aboard the Donau, which he boarded in Bremen, Germany. His name on the manifest was spelled “Nathan Reisß”. He was 23 years old, and he was traveling with Betta Reisß, 25, and Lob Reisß, 22. Betta was probably Nathan’s sister, Betge, who has been researched by other genealogists. However, it’s unknown how he is related to Lob. Nathan was a butcher and Lob was a farmer. They were all German citizens who intended to become inhabitants of the United States.2
1871 Marriage to Carrie Schwerin
At the age of 27, Nathan married Caroline Schwerin in Newark, New Jersey on May 26, 1871. His parents were listed as Solomon and Yetta Reise in their marriage record.3
1873-78 Newark City Directory
In 1873 and 1874, Nathan lived at 98 River Street, Newark, New Jersey, and he worked as a butcher next door, at 100 River Street, where he remained until 1878.4
Former Location of 98 River Street, Newark, New Jersey
Today, this road very close to the Passaic River is home to One Riverfront Plaza5 and the Panasonic Corporation.6
In 1875, Nathan’s home address moved to Railroad Place, Newark, New Jersey, and was there until 1878.7 In these listings, his name was spelled Nathan Ries and Reis. This road didn’t make it very far into the 1920’s as the whole area changed when they disassembled the Morris Canal.8 From 1877 to 1879, a second entry for a butcher named Nathan Reis was listed as living at 38 Boyd Street, Newark, New Jersey.9 It’s impossible to say which Nathan is the right one, or if perhaps Nathan was listed at two different addresses at the same time with different name spellings, but there was only one Nathan Reiss in Newark, New Jersey in the 1880 United States Census.
Area near 38 Boyd Street, Newark, New Jersey
38 Boyd Street was located on land that is now used for Newark Vocational High School. 10
1880 United States Census

In 1880, Nathan, 34 (listed as Charles), lived with his wife, Caroline Reiss (listed Rice), 32, and their sons: Louis, 8, Jacob, 7, and Henry, 3. Nathan was a butcher, while Caroline stayed home. They resided at 214 Springfield Avenue, Newark, New Jersey. Nathan’s birthplace was recorded as New Jersey and Caroline’s was Bavaria. with their parents being born in the same places. All three children were born in New Jersey, with New Jersey listed as their father’s birthplace and Bavaria as their mother’s. However, much of this information was incorrect, including the spelling of their last name, Nathan’s first name, and the birthplaces of Nathan, Caroline, and their parents. The children’s first names and approximate ages were accurate, and some Reiss relatives did change their last names to Rice. The information was likely provided by someone unfamiliar with the family’s history.11
214 Springfield Avenue, Newark, New Jersey

This land was an empty field before 2015 but has since been developed into a building that hosts an Ashley Stewarts and a Popeyes.
1882 Naturalization

Nathan became a naturalized citizen of the United States in New Jersey on November 3, 1882. He signed his name “Nathan Reißs.”12
1882-1887 Newark City Directory
In 1882, Nathan (last name spelled Reis) lived at 27 Boyd Street, Newark, New Jersey, which is also now on the campus of the vocational school. His business was not listed. In 1884, Nathan (last name again Reis) lived at 481 South 10th Street (accidentally listed as 418 in 1884), Newark, New Jersey, and he continued to live there until 1887.13
481 South 10th Street, Newark, New Jersey
481 South 10th Street is on a corner and the home has been replaced with a new house that faces 11th Avenue, the cross street.
1885 New Jersey State Census

In 1885, Nathan, age 20-60, lived in Newark, New Jersey with his wife, Carrie (listed as Carry) Reiss, also 20-60. Both were German, and their children were born in America. They were Louis, Jacob, Henry, and Gilda, age 5-20, and Bella, age under 5.14
1889-1893 Newark City Directory
In 1889, Nathan lived at 54 Belmont Avenue, Newark, New Jersey.15
54 Irvine Turner Boulevard (formerly Belmont Avenue), Newark, New Jersey
Belmont Avenue in this area is now known as Irvine Turner Boulevard, and there is an Emmanuel Church of Christ where Nathan’s house was.16
In 1890 he moved to 44 Hayes Street, Newark.17
44 Hayes Street, Newark, New Jersey
The house at 44 Hayes Street is now outdoor grounds for the Springfield Avenue branch of the Newark Public Library.18
By 1891, Nathan had moved to 90 Barclay Street, and he remained there until at least 1893.19
The former 90 Barclay Street, Newark, New Jersey
This area of Barclay Street is now Harrison Park, a large, grassy park surrounded by a former housing project.20
1895 New Jersey State Census

In 1895, Nathan, age 20-60, lived in Newark, New Jersey with his wife, Caroline (listed Carry) Reiss, also 20-60, who were German immigrants. Their children, born in the United States, were Louis and Jacob, 20-60, Henry, Gilda, Bella, and Sydney, 5-20, and Tessie, under 5. Also living with them was Jas (probably Jason) McConnick, native-born, age 5-20.21 They were living at 407 Bergen Street, Newark, New Jersey per the city directory.22
The former 407 Bergen Street, Newark, New Jersey
407 Bergen Street is now the parking lot for Congregational Baptist Church.
This year, Nathan’s butcher shop moved to 521 Springfield Avenue, Newark, New Jersey. It remained at this location until 1912 and was eventually rebranded as a meat market.
521 Springfield Avenue, Newark, New Jersey
521 Springfield Avenue is now an empty lot.
1897 Newark City Directory
In 1897, Nathan lived at 341 South 10th Street, Newark, New Jersey.23
341 South 10th Street, Newark, New Jersey
341 South 10th Street was built in 1947 and is now a multifamily home.24

1900 United States Census

In 1900, Nathan, 53 (born June 1846) lived with his wife, Caroline (Carrie) Reiss, 48 (born February 1951), and the following children: Louis, 27 (born March 1873, spelled Lewis), Henry, 21 (born July 1878), Gilda, 19 (born October 1880), Belle, 17 (born July 1883, spelled Bella), Sidney, 13 (born April 1887), and Tessie, 10 (born January 1890, spelled Thresa) in a rented house at 334 South 10th Street, Newark, New Jersey. Nathan and Caroline were born in Germany and their children were born in New Jersey. Everybody’s parents were born in Germany. Nathan and Caroline had been married for 28 years and Caroline had given birth to nine children, seven of whom were living. Both Nathan and Caroline listed their immigration year as 1870, that they had been in the United States for 30 years, and that Nathan was naturalized. Caroline, Nathan, and Gilda did not have jobs in 1900, but Louis was an artist, Henry was a butcher, Belle was a bookkeeper, and Sidney and Tessie were both in school. Everybody in the household could read, write, and speak English.
332-334 South 10th Street, Newark, New Jersey
The image above shows the location of 334 South 10th Street, Newark, New Jersey. However, the current building, which consists of 332-334 South 10th Street, was built in 2006.26
1905 New Jersey State Census

In 1905, Nathan, 59 (born June 1845) lived with his wife, Caroline, 54 (born February 1951), and the following children: Lewis H., 32 (Louis, born March 1873), Henry, 26 (born July 1872), Bell F., 22 (Belle, born 1883), Sydney A., 18 (born April 1887), and Tessie B., 15 (born January 1890) in a mortgaged house at 148 South 11th Street, Newark, New Jersey. Nathan and Henry were butchers, Louis was a jeweler, Belle was a bookkeeper, Sidney was a silk salesman, Caroline was home, and Tessie was in school. Nathan and Caroline had been married for 45 years. Nathan was listed as naturalized, and everybody could read, write, and speak English.27
148 South 11th Street, Newark, New Jersey
The house that once stood at 148 South 11th Street has been replaced by an abandoned commercial building. The construction date of this building is unknown, but it was last sold in 2015 for $1,28 The neighboring house was built in 1940, suggesting that the houses present in 1905 no longer exist.
1910 United States Census

In 1910, Nathan, 65, lived with his wife, Caroline, 59, and their children, Louis H., 37, Henry, 30, Sydney, 23, and Tessie B., 20, at 148 South 11th Street, Newark, New Jersey. They still had a mortgage on their house. Nathan worked as a self-employed butcher, Louis and Henry were self-employed insurance brokers, and Sydney worked as a button salesman. Caroline and Nathan were married for 38 years, and seven of Caroline’s nine children were still living. According to the records, Caroline arrived in 1867 and Nathan in 1869, with only Nathan being naturalized. Everyone in the household could read, write, and speak English.29
1913-15 Newark City Directory
According to the Newark City Directory, Nathan lived at 32 Baldwin Avenue, Newark, New Jersey in 1914, and his butcher shop had moved to 441 Avon Avenue in 1913.
32-34 Baldwin Avenue, Newark, New Jersey
The house above, now located at 32-34 Baldwin Avenue, Newark, is a multifamily home built in 1917.30 Caroline and her family were probably among the last to live in the house situated here before this one was built.
443 (formerly partially 441) Avon Avenue, Newark, New Jersey
441 Avon Avenue, Newark, New Jersey, has been absorbed by the adjacent property and become its lawn. The house at 445 Avon Avenue was built in 1912.31
Death of Nathan Reiss – June 17, 1917

Nathan Reiss died on June 17, 1917, 19 days before he would have celebrated his 70th birthday, according to The Municipalities of Essex County, New Jersey, 1666-1924, printed in 1924. A biography of Nathan Reiss appeared in this book.33
Transcript: Nathan Reiss-Taking a useful part in the daily progress of the city of Newark, New Jersey, from the completion of his education until his death, Nathan Reiss is well remembered among the house-holders of Newark as well as in business circles.
His courtesy and willingness to oblige, his earnest endeavor to maintain at all times and under the most trying circumstances, a thoroughly efficient service, these things made his market a popular center with leading families over a wide district.
Nathan Reiss, son of Lowe and Caroline Reiss, was born in Ulrichstein, Germany, June 24, 1847, and died June 5, 1917, nineteen days before he would have celebrated the seventieth anniversary of his birth. He received a practical education in the national schools of his native land, and learned the trade of butcher. Coming to the United States at the age of twenty-four years, he followed his trade in this country, settling permanently in the city of Newark immediately upon his arrival. In the year 1871, only a short time after coming to America, Mr. Reiss, established his own market on Railroad Avenue, Newark. He prospered from the first, his thorough knowledge of the business and his excellent judgement in the administration branches of the interest forming a substatantial foundation for success. With progressive methods and fair dealing he attained an enviable position in his chosen field of endeavor. Later securing
a more desirable location on Springfield Avenue, he was active there for many years until his death. He became a loyal citizen of his adoptive country, and always supported the Republican party in political affairs. His upright life and friendly spirit gave him a cordial welcome in every circle in which he moved, and his death left sorry in many hearts.
Nathan Reiss married, in 1871, Carolin Schwerin, daughter of Isaac and Gilda (Plaut) Schwerin, both natives of Germany, who came to America in their youth. The father was a butcher by trade, and located in Newark in the year 1867. Mr. and Mrs. Reiss became the parents of nine children, two who died in infancy, and the surviving children are as follows: 1. Louis H., of Cleveland, Ohio. 2. J.C., a prominent optician, married; has one son, Harold, and one daughter, Murial, now (1924) in a Western college. 3. Henry, active in the real estate business in Verona, New Jersey. 4. Sidney A., who resides in Chicago, Illinois; enlisted in the World War; married, has one son, Stewart, employed with a New York Manufacturing concern. 5. Gilda, wife of O.N. Pollak, of Jamaica, Long Island, New York; their two sons are Mervin and Stanley. 6. Belle, wife of J. Hollander, of Jamaica, their only son, Howard. 7. Tess, wife of Sidney Stein, a leading attorney; their sons are Sanford and Donald. The Reiss home is at No. 77 Girard Place, Newark, New Jersey.
77 Girard Place, Newark, New Jersey
77 Girard Place was built in 1912 and is the only home of Nathan’s that is still standing.34 He lived there with his wife and daughter, Tess, and her family.
Nathan Reiss’s journey from Ulrichstein, Germany, to Newark, New Jersey, exemplifies the classic immigrant success story of the 19th century. From his humble beginnings as a trained butcher in Germany, Nathan built a prosperous life and career in the United States. His dedication to his craft and his community earned him respect and admiration from his peers and customers alike.
As a devoted family man, Nathan’s legacy extends through his children and their contributions to society. His commitment to his trade and his active involvement in his community set a standard for future generations. Nathan Reiss’s story is not just about personal success but also about the broader impact of immigrants in shaping the fabric of American society.
In remembering Nathan Reiss, we honor the values of hard work, community service, and family dedication that defined his life. His legacy continues to inspire those who strive to build better lives for themselves and their communities, embodying the enduring spirit of the American dream.
Sources
- “Scottish Built Ships: Donau,” Caledonian Maritime Research Trust (https://www.clydeships.co.uk/view.php?year_built=1868&builder=&ref=3802&vessel=DONAU#v : accessed 7 June 2024). ↩︎
- “New York Passenger Lists, 1820-1957,” S.S. Donau arriving 11 June 1869, sailing from Bremen, Germany to New York, NY, entries for Nathan, Bettge, Lob Reisß, unpaginated, 13th page, 31-33rd lines, image, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com : accessed 14 June 2021), citing NARA microfilm publication M237, roll 312. ↩︎
- “New Jersey, U.S., Marriage Records, 1670-1965,” entry for marriage of Nathan Reise and Caroline Schwerin, 26 May 1871, index, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com : accessed 27 February 2021), citing New Jersey State Archives, Trenton, NJ, microfilm 004208618. ↩︎
- Holbrook’s Newark City Directory for the year ending April 1, 1873, (Newark, NJ: A. Stephen Holbrook, 1872), p. 599, image, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com : accessed 14 June 2021); Holbrook’s Newark City Directory for the year ending April 1, 1875, (Newark, NJ: A. Stephen Holbrook, 1874), p. 608, image, Ancestry (https://wwwancestry.com : accessed 14 June 2021); Holbrook’s Newark City Directory for the year ending April 1, 1875, (Newark, NJ: A. Stephen Holbrook, 1874), p. 613, image, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com : accessed 14 June 2021). ↩︎
- “One Riverfront Plaza and Two Land Sites for Development, Newark, NJ,” Matrix Development Group (http://www.matrixcompanies.com/newarklc.html : accessed 14 June 2021). ↩︎
- “Company Overview,” Panasonic Corporation of North America (https://www.panasonic.com/us/corporate/profile/overview.html : accessed 14 June 2021). ↩︎
- Holbrook’s Newark City Directory for the year ending April 1, 1877, (Newark, NJ: A. Stephen Holbrook, 1876), p. 623, image, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com : accessed 14 June 2021); Holbrook’s Newark City Directory for the year ending April 1, 1877, (Newark, NJ: A. Stephen Holbrook, 1876), p. 629, image, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com : accessed 14 June 2021); Holbrook’s Newark City Directory for the year ending April 1, 1878, (Newark, NJ: A. Stephen Holbrook, 1877), ps. 625 and 631, image, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com : accessed 14 June 2021). ↩︎
- “Explore the Morris Canal,” Canal Society of New Jersey (https://canalsocietynj.org/canal-history/morris-canal/ : accessed 14 June 2021). ↩︎
- Holbrook’s Newark City Directory for the year ending April 1, 1879, (Newark, NJ: A. Stephen Holbrook, 1878), p. 639, image, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com : accessed 14 June 2021). ↩︎
- “Newark Vocational High School,” Newark Board of Education (https://www.nps.k12.nj.us/nwv/ : accessed 14 June 2021). ↩︎
- 1880 U.S. Census, Essex County, New Jersey, population schedule, Newark, enumeration district (ED) 41, p. 425C (stamped), p. 43 (penned), dwelling 214, family 457, Charles Rice, image, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 27 February 2021), citing NARA microfilm publication T9, roll 777. ↩︎
- “New Jersey, County Naturalization Records, 1749-1986,” FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:847S-TG2M : accessed 7 June 2024), entry for Nathan Reiss, 3 Nov 1882. ↩︎
- Holbrook’s Newark City and Business Directory for the year ending April 1, 1882, vol 47, (Newark, NJ: Holbrook’s Stream Press, 1881), p. 704, image, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com : accessed 14 June 2021); Holbrook’s Newark City and Business Directory for the year ending April 1, 1884, vol 49, (Newark, NJ: Holbrook’s Stream Press, 1883), p. 754, image, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com : accessed 14 June 2021); Holbrook’s Newark City and Business Directory for the year ending April 1, 1885, vol 50, (Newark, NJ: Holbrook’s Stream Press, 1884), p. 767, image, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com : accessed 14 June 2021); Holbrook’s Newark City and Business Directory for the year ending May 1, 1886, vol 51, (Newark, NJ: Holbrook Printing Company, 1885), p. 772, image, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com : accessed 14 June 2021); Holbrook’s Newark City and Business Directory for the year ending May 1, 1887, vol 52, (Newark, NJ: Holbrook Printing Company, 1886), p. 835, image, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com : accessed 14 June 2021); Holbrook’s Newark City and Business Directory for the year ending May 1, 1887, vol 51, (Newark, NJ: Holbrook Printing Company, 1886), p. 1202, image, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com : accessed 14 June 2021). ↩︎
- 1885 New Jersey Census, Essex County, population schedule, Newark, Ward 6, p. 227, dwelling 652, family 1099, Nathan Reiss, image, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 27 February 2021), citing New Jersey State Archive, Trenton, NJ, microfilm 13. ↩︎
- Holbrook’s Newark City and Business Directory for the year ending May 1, 1889, vol 54, (Newark, NJ: A.M. Holbrook, 1888), p. 901, image, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com : accessed 14 June 2021). ↩︎
- Glenn G. Gersheimer, “Old Newark: Belmont Avenue, Bellemont Avenue,” Newark Streets (https://newarkstreets.com/b/belmontavenue.php : accessed 14 June 2021). ↩︎
- Holbrook’s Newark City and Business Directory for the year ending May 1, 1890, vol 55, (Newark, NJ: A.M. Holbrook, 1889), p. 919, image, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com : accessed 14 June 2021). ↩︎
- “Springfield Branch,” Newark Public Library (https://www.npl.org/community-libraries/springfield-branch/ : accessed June 14 2021). ↩︎
- Holbrook’s Newark City and Business Directory for the year ending May 1, 1891, vol 56, (Newark, NJ: A.M. Holbrook, 1890), p. 793, image, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com : accessed 14 June 2021); Holbrook’s Newark City and Business Directory and Full Co-Partnership Directory (Harrison and Kearny Included), Official for the year ending May 1, 1893, vol 60, (Newark, NJ: Holbrook Newark Directory Company, 1892), p. 574, image, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com : accessed 14 June 2021). ↩︎
- Dan Ivers, “‘We prayed on this’: Newark celebrates former housing project’s transformation,” 7 July 2015, nj.com (https://www.nj.com/essex/2015/07/we_prayed_on_this_newark_celebrates_former_crime-p.html : accessed 7 June 2024). ↩︎
- 1895 New Jersey Census, Essex County, population schedule, Newark City, p. 119, dwelling 374, family 555, line 3545, Nathan Reiss, image, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 27 February 2021), citing New Jersey Department of State, New Jersey State Archive, Trenton, NJ. ↩︎
- Holbrook’s Newark City Directory, also Harrison and Kearny Directory, Official for the year ending May 1, 1895, vol 58, (Newark, NJ: Holbrook Newark Directory Company, 1894), ps. 649 and 1019, image, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com : accessed 14 June 2021). ↩︎
- Holbrook’s Newark City Directory, also Harrison and Kearny Directory, Official for the year ending May 1, 1897, vol 62, (Newark, NJ: Holbrook Newark Directory Company, 1896), p. 830, image, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com : accessed 14 June 2021). ↩︎
- “341 S 10th St # 343, Newark, NJ 07103,” realtor.com (https://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/341-343-S-10th-St_Newark_NJ_M57210-99356 : accessed 7 June 2024). ↩︎
- “Artist Auction Records: Louis Reiss,” askART (https://www.askart.com/auction_records/Louis_H_Reiss/66995/Louis_H_Reiss.aspx : accessed 14 June 2021). ↩︎
- “332-334 S 10th St, Newark, NJ 07103,” Zillow (https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/332-334-S-10th-St-Newark-NJ-07103/38699104_zpid/ : accessed 27 February 2021). ↩︎
- 1895 New Jersey Census, Essex County, population schedule, Newark, ward 11, p. 8B, dwelling 80, family 126, Nathan Reiss, image, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 27 February 2021), citing New Jersey State Archive, Trenton, NJ. ↩︎
- “148 S 11th St, Newark, NJ,” block 1857, lot 35, NJ Tax Records (https://www.njtaxrecords.net/r/148-s-11th-st-newark-essex-county-nj-property-tax-record-3215760 : accessed 27 February 2021). ↩︎
- 1910 U.S. Census, Essex County, New Jersey, population schedule, Newark, ward 11, enumeration district (ED) 97, p. 217 (stamped), 90A (inked), dwelling 161, family 213, Nathan Reiss, image, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 27 February 2021), citing NARA microfilm publication T624, microfilm 954, roll 880. ↩︎
- “32-34 Baldwin Ave, Newark, NJ 07108,” trulia (https://www.trulia.com/home/32-34-baldwin-ave-newark-nj-07108-38704968 : accessed 27 February 2021). ↩︎
- “445 Avon Ave, Newark, NJ 07108,” Zillow (https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/445-Avon-Ave-Newark-NJ-07108/38704575_zpid/ : accessed 7 June 2024). ↩︎
- Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/214378726/nathan-reiss : accessed 7 June 2024), memorial page for Nathan Reiss (Jun 1846–5 Jun 1917), Find a Grave Memorial ID 214378726, citing Congregation B’Nai Jeshurun Cemetery, Elizabeth, Union County, New Jersey, USA, Maintained by 46512307 (contributor 46512307). ↩︎
- Joseph Fulford Folson, “Nathan Reiss,” The Municipalities of Essex County, New Jersey, 1666-1924 (New York, NY: Lewis Historical Publishing Company, Inc., 1925) ps. 388-89, image, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com : accessed 27 February 2021). ↩︎
- “77 Girard Pl, Newark, NJ 07108,” realtor.com (https://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/77-79-Girard-Pl_Newark_NJ_M55993-78638 : accessed 18 January 2021). ↩︎

