Oscar Newton Pollak (1874 – 1962)

Born August 18, 1874, in Waterbury, Connecticut, Oscar Pollak grew up in a Jewish family with roots in Prague and Germany. His early years in Waterbury, Connecticut, were foundational, where his family was part of a close-knit Jewish community.

Oscar married Gilda Reiss in 1905 in Newark, New Jersey. Oscar and Gilda had two sons, Mervin and Stanley, who grew up in a nurturing environment in Newark, New Jersey, and Jamaica, Queens that emphasized education and hard work. New York. By 1910, Oscar had established himself as a successful jeweler and co-owned Castle Co., Inc., in New York City. His business thrived, allowing the Pollak family to live comfortably, first renting and then owning homes.

Oscar was also involved in his community and maintained strong ties with his extended family. By the 1930s, his business and familial connections had grown, with relatives working together in the family jewelry store.

By the 1940s, Oscar and Gilda lived with the family of his son, Stanley, in Jamaica, Queens. where he had an integral role in their lives. Even in his later years, he remained active in the jewelry business.​

1880 United States Census

In 1880, six-year-old Oscar lived with his parents, Philip (spelled Phillip), 34, and Adele (listed as Ardella) Pollak, 31, along with his siblings: Camilla, 7, Josephine, 4, and Arthur, 3 months. They resided on Jefferson Street, a small side street off South Main that no longer exists, having been replaced by Waterbury government buildings.¹ The only remnant of Jefferson Street is the Jefferson Square Apartment Building. Philip was a picture merchant, and Camilla and Oscar attended school. Both Philip and Adele were born in Bohemia, and Adele was illiterate.²

Map of Jefferson Street and surrounding area, Waterbury, Connecticut

1894 The Greenberg-Pollak Wedding

On November 8, 1894, Oscar served as an usher in the wedding of his cousin, Lena Pollak, to Gilbert Greenburg, of New York.³ Lena and Gilbert’s son, Adrian Greenberg, became a famous fashion Hollywood fashion designer. When Adrian dropped his last name, everyone in his immediate family adopted “Adrian” as their last name.⁴

Home and Work 1895-1901

From 1895 to 1901, Oscar lived at 49 Locust Street, Waterbury, Connecticut. He worked as a clerk at 145 Bank Street, Waterbury, Connecticut. In 1901, Oscar moved to New York, per the city directory.⁵

49 Locust Street, Waterbury, Connecticut

The house at 49 Locust Street, Waterbury, Connecticut is no longer standing.

145 Bank Street, Waterbury, Connecticut

The building at 145 Bank Street, Waterbury, Connecticut, is much too new to be the one that was there in 1900.

Oscar’s commute between 49 Bank Street and 145 Bank Street, Waterbury, Connecticut

Oscar’s commute to work was 1.2 miles or a 22-minute walk.

1895 Oscar Victim of Theft

On September 16, 1895, Oscar rented a bicycle to Charles C. Bussey from the B. Pollak & Co. store. Bussey claimed he was an agent for McKinnon & Waterbury, a brass firm, and wanted to go to the Danbury Fair. He also mentioned he was staying at the Earle House. When Oscar discovered that the fair wouldn’t take place until the next month, he went to the Earle House to inform Bussey and was relieved to find him there with the bicycle. Bussey said he still wanted to ride the bicycle, and then rode it to Hartford, CT.

In Hartford, Bussey telegraphed Oscar, saying he couldn’t return the bike because of rain. He then sold the bicycle, used the money to pay his bill at the Earle House, and took a train to Boston. A week later, when the bicycle was still not returned, Oscar reported it stolen to the police. The police discovered that Bussey had told the Earle House he worked for the Beacon Brass Company of Boston.

Oscar sent a telegram to McKinnon & Waterbury, who replied that they did not know Bussey. They also contacted the Beacon Brass Company, who responded that they had fired Bussey for stealing a bike from one of their employees and refusing to pay for it after promising to do so.

Upon his arrest in Boston, Bussey claimed that he had a flat tire the day after renting the bike and had sent it back to the Pollak Brothers via an expressman, though he couldn’t identify the expressman. A hearing was held, and trainmen testified that they had never seen Bussey and that no bicycles were loaded onto the express train in September. Bussey was found guilty and incarcerated after being unable to pay $50 in fines for stealing the bike.⁶

1900 United States Census

In 1900, Oscar, 26, lived with his father, Philip, 44, and stepmother Rose Pollak (listed as Pollock), 42, and his siblings: Josie, 24, Arthur, 20, and Francis, 18, in a mortgaged home at 49 Locust Street, Waterbury, Connecticut. Philip was a picture frames dealer. Arthur was a druggist, and Francis was a dry goods saleslady, though she was marked as Philip’s son. No jobs were listed for Oscar and Josie. Philip was born in Germany and everyone could read, write, and speak English.⁷

1905 Marriage to Gilda Reiss in Newark, New Jersey

Engagement Announcements

On January 9, 1905, the Waterbury Democrat posted an announcement that Miss Gilda Reiss, of Newark, New Jersey, was engaged to Arthur Pollak, Oscar’s younger brother. A correction was made the next day.⁸ They were married later that year.⁹

1905 New Jersey State Census

In 1905, Oscar, 30 lived with his wife, Gilda Pollak (listed as Pollack), 25 in a rented house at 138 South 8th Street, Newark, New Jersey, which they shared with Gilda’s brother, Jacob, 35, his wife, Louella Reiss, 32, and their children Harold, 5, and Muriel, 3. They also had a live-in servant from Germany, Helen Kneher, 15. Oscar was a salesman and Jacob was an optician. All but the children could read, write, and speak English.¹⁰ Oscar and Gilda continued to live there until 1908.¹¹

138 South 8th Street, Newark, New Jersey

The house standing at 138 South 8th Street, Newark, New Jersey currently was built in 2005.¹²

Oscar’s brother-in-law, Jacob, became a prominent optician in Newark, New Jersey, and even invented his own kind of nose clip for glasses, called the “Reiss Clip.” Some of his items can be found on eBay, including receipts, glasses/cases, and equipment.¹³

Artifacts from the original J.C. Reiss Optician

Today, J.C. Reiss is still in business but has a different owner.¹⁴

1910 United States Census

In 1910, Oscar, 34, lived with his wife, Gilda Pollak, 29, and his son Mervin (listed Milvin), 2. in a rented house at 549 Central Avenue, Newark, New Jersey. Oscar was a self-employed jewelry salesman. They had been married for 4 years. Both adults could read, write, and speak English. Oscar’s parents were born in Austria. At the end of the block lived Gilda’s parents, Nathan, a butcher, his wife, Carrie Reiss, three brothers, and a sister.¹⁵ Oscar and Gilda lived at this address between 1909 and 1912.¹⁶ Starting in 1910, Oscar is listed in the directory in New York City as vice president or manager at 206 W. 42nd Street, and as vice president of Castle, Co., with his home listed as Newark from 1915 to 1918.¹⁷

549 Central Avenue, Newark, New Jersey

There is no publicly available information about the construction of this building, but a photo of the second-floor apartment on realtor.com reveals that the entrance is in the back.¹⁸

206 West 42nd Street, New York, New York

Just around the corner from Times Square, 206 West 42nd Street was recently used as a COVID testing site or as an entrance to the subway. It is located right next to the New Amsterdam Theatre, the oldest Broadway theater in New York, which opened in 1903, running while Oscar had his business there.¹⁹

The Pollak Art Company of Waterbury

After the death of Oscar’s father, Philip Pollak, the Pollak Art Company reorganized, with Oscar acting as vice president.²⁰ It was legislated out of existence in 1917.²¹

1915 New Jersey State Census

In 1915, Oscar, 37, lived with his wife, Gilda Pollak, 32, and two sons, Mervin (listed Milton), 8, and Stanley (listed Stanly John), 5. They also had a live-in servant from Austria named Elizabeth Leonard, 16. They lived at 29 Farley Avenue, Newark, New Jersey. Oscar was a jeweler and Mervin and Stanley were scholars at Avon Avenue Elementary School. Everybody could read, write, and speak English.²² Per Newark New Jersey Public Records, Oscar lived here between 1913 and 1917. In 1914 he was listed as a polisher. Beginning in 1915, his business was listed in New York.²³

29 Farley Avenue, Newark, New Jersey

29 Farley Avenue was built in 1905 and is now a multifamily home containing 3-4 bedroom apartments.²⁴

The Hollanders and the Pollaks

WWI Draft Registration, August 12, 1918

When Oscar signed up for the WWI draft, he was 43, born in 1875, and lived at 2 Farley Avenue, Newark, New Jersey. He was a jeweler who owned his business, Castle Co., located at 1374 Broadway, New York City. His nearest relative was his wife, Gilda Pollak. Oscar was tall with brown hair and blue eyes, and he had no physical injuries that would prevent him from serving.²⁵

Castle Co., Inc.

Oscar was the vice president of Castle Co., Inc., located at 1374 Broadway, New York City starting in 1915 and continuing until at least 1933.²⁶

1374 Broadway, New York, New York

From the street-view image of the building, Oscar’s storefront was probably the fourth opening from the left. Below is a photograph of the inside of the store as it was ca. 1921 from the Museum of the City of New York.

Interior View of Castle Co., Inc.

1920 United States Census

In 1920, Oscar, 43, lived with his wife, Gilda Pollak, 38, and sons, Mervin, 12, and Stanley, 9. They rented a home at 2 Farley Avenue, Newark, New Jersey. Oscar was a self-employed storekeeper at a jewelry store. Oscar was born in Connecticut and Gilda and the children were born in New Jersey. Oscar’s parents were born in Austria and Gilda’s in Germany. Everybody in the household could read and write, and Mervin and Stanley were in school.²⁸ The Pollak family lived here from 1918 to 1920.²⁹

2-4 Farley Avenue, Newark, New Jersey

2-4 Farley Avenue, Newark, New Jersey was built in 1907 as a multi-family home.³⁰

1930 United States Census

In 1930, Oscar, 54, lived with his wife Gilda Pollak, 48, and sons, Mervin, 22, and Stanley, 19. They owned a home at 18 167th Street, Jamaica, Queens, New York. Mervin and Stanley attended school. Oscar owned a jewelry store with his brother-in-law, Jacob Hollander, and Jacob’s son, Howard, also worked there, who lived next door. The house was worth $25,000. They owned a radio.³¹ Oscar lived in Jamaica from 1924.³²

18 167th Street, Jamaica, Queens, New York

The house currently at 108-18 167th Street in Jamaica was built in 1945.³³

Castle Credit Advertisements³⁴

1940 United States Census

In 1940, Oscar, 63, lived with his wife, Gilda Pollak, 58 in an apartment at 88-24 Merrick Road, Jamaica, Queens, New York, which they rented for $59 per month. Oscar managed a retail jewelry store 48 hours per week, 52 weeks per year, earning $2,600. They had been living in this apartment in the same apartment in 1935.³⁵

88-24 Merrick Road, Jamaica, Queens, New York

1950 United States Census

In 1950, Oscar, 75, lived with his wife, Gilda, son and daughter-in-law, Stanley, 39, and Berenice, 38, and grandchildren, Gail C., 9, and Jeffrey D., 3 at 176-37 80th Avenue, Jamaica, Queens, New York. Stanley was a public accountant and Oscar was a salesman of jewelry and credit. Stanley and Gilda were born in New Jersey, Berenice was born in Pennsylvania, Oscar was born in Connecticut, and Gail and Jeffrey were born in New York. Oscar’s parents were born in Austria. He had completed the 7th grade, worked 52 weeks per year, and earned $3,600 that year. Other than his income, the family income was $10,000 per year.³⁶

176-37 80th Avenue, Jamaica, Queens, New York

176-37 80th Drive, Jamaica, New York was built and designed by Oscar’s son, Stanley Pollak, in 1940, although it has been through remodeling since he sold the residence in the late 1970s.³⁷

Death of Oscar Newton Pollak, September 28, 1962

Oscar passed away on September 28, 1962, in Queens County, New York, at the age of 86. He was buried in the Mount Lebanon Cemetery in Glendale, New York, next to his wife, Gilda. His obituary was published in the New York Times by his family and by his synagogue, Temple Israel of Jamaica.³⁸

Obituaries printed in the New York Times

Transcript:
"POLLAK-Oscar N., devoted husband of the late Gilda, beloved father of Mervin C., Stanley I., darling grandfather of Jeffrey, Gail, William, Julia Wegg and great-grandfather. Services Monday, 10 A.M. at Schwartz Brothers 'Forest Park Chapel,' Queens Blvd. and 76th Rd, Forest Hills."
"POLLAK-Oscar. Temple Israel of Jamaica regrets passing of its long time and loyal member.     IRVIN HUSIN. President."

Throughout his life, Oscar adapted to changes in his industry and community, moving to various residences, each reflecting his evolving status. His later years saw him continuing to work in the jewelry business while living with his son Stanley and his family. Oscar passed away in 1962 at the age of 86, leaving behind a legacy of dedication to his family, business, and community. His obituary, published in the New York Times, highlighted his role as a devoted family man and respected community member.

Sources

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