Zucker Family History
The David Zucker family
from Serbesti, Romania
The Family
David Zucker (Hebrew name: Baruch Tuvia Bar Moshe) was born in Serbesti, Romania in 1855 and died in Chicago, IL on June 23, 1935. David married Leah Abrahams (born 1864 and died March 12, 1902). My mom, born in 1930, remembers him as a very kind and very old man with a long beard.
In the 1910 census, we see the most of the family living at 1248 N. Claremont Ave. in Chicago. Clara and Joe Witkin had married by this time. Living with them was a cousin named Esther Caplowitz, who was 26 in 1910. Esther was working as an operator at a hairgoods store.
By 1920, according to the census, David, Ida and Abe were living with Sarah who had married Sidney Sachsel. .
Leo Zucker (Hebrew name: Eliezer bar Baruch Tuvia) was born in Serbesti, Romania in 1878 and died in Chicago, IL on January 09, 1923. He was married to a woman named Esther. Not much information about Leo has come down to me other than what Lu Porter said in her history, that Leo worked for Sam Zucker in an Electric Lamp Co when Clara and Leo first came and sent money back to the family to send over the others. I imagine that Sam Zucker must have been a relative, but I don't know for certain.
In 1910, Leo was living with the family on N. Claremont Ave. and working as a salesman. In the 1920 census where you'll find Leo listed as "Louis", he and his wife Esther are living on North Irving Ave. Esther is listed as having been born in Romania and lists her age as the same as Leo, 42. Leo is a packer in a wholesale hardware firm. Esther is not working at this time.
Clara Zucker Witkin was born in Serbesti, Romania on September 02, 1885 and died in Chicago, IL on July 03, 1975. If someone knows Clara's hebrew name or knows where Clara is buried and can get me a photo of the grave, I'd appreciate knowing it! I could also use more pictures of her, especially young pictures. Clara married Joseph Witkin. Any additional biographical material would be most welcome.
In the 1910 census, Clara was married to Joseph Witkin, and were living at 104 Evergreen Ave. They had two lodgers, Charles and William Hechter. Joseph's profession was as a merchant in Junk. He reports to have immigrated from Russia in 1903. Clara was not working at this time.
In the 1920 census, we see Clara and Joseph with a bunch of kids! Lucille (the author of the Zucker history above) is 10, Martin is 7, Marie is 5 and Helen is 2 years 11 months. Joseph is a junk peddler.
In the 1930 census, we see Clara and Joseph are now paying $75/month rent and have a radio. Joseph is the proprieter of a garage and Clara does not work. Lucille is 19 by this time and is working as a bookeeper in a printing office. Martin is 17, Marie is 15 and Helen is 13.
Ida Zucker Abels (Hebrew name: Eta bat David) was born in Serbesti, Romania on February 10, 1886 and died in Vincennes, IN on March 19, 1977. Technically speaking, her Hebrew name should be "bat Baruch", but as far as my Mom knows, this is how she always referred to herself.
In 1910, Ida was working as an operator at a hairgoods store.
In 1920, as mentioned above, Ida was living with Sarah and Sidney Sachsel. Ida was employed as a tailor in a wholesale clothing firm.
Ida married Harry Abels on October 27, 1927 in Chicago, IL, and in the 1930 census we see them living at 411 East Walnut St. in Robinson, IL. Harry owned his own home, which was valued at $3,000 and they had a radio. Harry had emigrated from Russia in 1901 and was a junk dealer. Living with them was Harry's son David. David's mother Anna Rappaport had died the previous year. Dave worked as a bookkeeper in an office. Also living with them was Harry and Ida's daughter Geraldine, 10 months old.
Jack Zucker was born in Serbesti, Romania on May 10, 1890 and died in Chicago, IL on May 01, 1973.
In 1910, Jack was working as an packer at a department store. On June 5, 1917, Jack registered for the draft, and we have images of the registration card. On the front side, we see that Jack is living at 1011 N. Rockwell. He is employed as a ladies' hatter at Eiger Brothers at 1249 S. Wabash. He says he is supporting a wife, child and mother-in-law, and says that he was in the Illinois National Guard for 2 years and is claiming an exemption from the draft because of the support of his family. On the back side, we see that Jack says is is short and slender with brown hair and brown eyes. In the 1920 census, Jack is married to Lillian and has a daughter Eleanor, who is 2 years, 9 months. Lillian emigrated from Russia in 1906. Jack is a laborer in a wholesale millinary shop. Their street address is difficult to read. It looks like 51 N. Washtemaw.
By 1930, as we see in the census, Jack and Lillian are living at 72 Laundale Ave, and Charlotte Zucker has been born. Jack is now a cutter in a ladies' millinery, pay $65/month rent and even have a radio!
Fanny Zucker Smilo was born in Serbesti, Romania on June 15, 1891 and died in Chicago, IL in June 1965.
In 1910, Fanny was working as an operator at a hairgoods store, presumably with Ida.
Fanny married Abe Smilo in 1920 in Chicago, IL. I have been unable to find Abe and Fanny in the 1920 or 1930 census.
Sarah Blema Zucker Sachsel was born in Serbesti, Romania on August 02, 1895 and died in Chicago, IL on October 26, 1970.
As mentioned above, we see in the 1920 census that Sarah had married Sidney Sachsel. Sarah and Sidney had a child Lucille who was 2 years 8 months. They were living at 14 Maplewood Ave. Sidney was born in this country, but his parents were Hungarian. He was an electrician, working for himself. Living with them were David Zucker, Ida and Abe.
By 1930, Sarah and Sidney had another child Joseph, who is 9. They pay $75/month rent and also have a radio. Sidney is now a salesman for an electrical firm.
Abe Zucker was born in Serbesti, Romania on May 08, 1898 and died in Chicago, IL on August 31, 1977.
In 1920, as mentioned above, Abe was living with Sarah and Sidney Sachsel. Abe was employed as a salesman in a wholesale clothing firm.
Abe married to Leah Greenberg on March 14, 1920, and by the census of 1930, they lived at 17 N. Damen. Leah had emigrated from Russia in 1905. They had three children, Marshall 9, June 6, and Dolores E. was three months old. They paid $75/month rent, and had a radio. Abe worked at a hot frame metal factory, and Leah was a homemaker.
