Abraham Lincoln Salomon

Mr Abraham Lincoln Salomon was born in Manhattan, New York on 1 October 1868.¹

He was the son of Judah Salomon (b. circa 1840), a cloth dealer, and Caroline Mathilda Leman (b. circa 1842). His father hailed from Jerka, Prussia (modern-day Poland) whilst his mother was born in New York to English and Dutch parents.

He had three sisters, Sarah (b. 1863, later Mrs Samuels), Frances (b. 1866, later Mrs. Price) and Marie (b. 1869, later Mrs Julius Wessel).  He also had a brother, Angelo, and a sister Caroline (who died young).

The family appears on the 1870 census as residents of an unspecified address in New York City. Abraham's mother died on 26 June 1874 and his father was remarried to a younger woman from Germany, a lady named Louise. That line-up of the family appears on the 1880 census living in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.

Abraham, who later abbreviated his name to Abram, later worked as a stationery dealer and he was married on 17 March 1898 to Hattie Wolff (b. 24 September 1876), the daughter of German immigrant Baruch Wolff and wife Julia Frances Stieglitz, cousin of photographer Alfred Stieglitz--who was the husband of renowned artist Georgia O'Keeffe. He and Hattie appeared on the 1900 census as residents of Manhattan at the address of his parents-in-law; their only child, a daughter, arrived later that year on 15 November 1900, Helen Carrie. 

When Abraham applied for his US passport in February 1906 for a six month business trip the family home was at 308 West 71st Street, Manhattan; he was described as standing at 5' 9½" and he had sandy hair, a light complexion and hazel eyes. He and his family appeared on the 1910 census residing at 344 West 72nd Street, Manhattan and he was described as a wholesale stationer, he being the head of Salomon & Co of 345 Broadway.

In February 1912 Abraham went to Europe on a business trip, taking his young daughter with him; together they visited Austria, France, Germany and Britain. He alone boarded the Titanic at Southampton as a first class passenger (ticket number 111163 which cost £26).

Mrs Abraham L. Salomon, of No 344 West Seventy-second street, torn by the conflicting emotions of grief and hope, late last night was almost prostrated after her long wait for news from the Titanic. Her husband and her daughter, Helene, who is eleven years old, were on board the sunken steamship. When the first news of the Titanic striking came Mrs Salomon was almost distraught. Later came the encouraging tidings that all the passengers were safe and that the vessel was being towed to a port, and she felt easier in mind. Next came news of the sinking with nearly all of her passengers. And now in the latest despatches Mr Salomon's name is given as among the survivors, but the name of the daughter does not appear. Mrs Salomon is still keeping vigil, hoping against hope that both of those dear to her have escaped. - New York Herald, 17 April 1912

Abraham indeed survived, leaving Titanic in the controversial lifeboat 1 which held just twelve occupants. He and his boat mates were photographed aboard the Carpathia. It is also now known that his daughter was not aboard the Titanic but it is not made clear where she ended up or when she was reunited with her parents.  Salomon saved a luncheon menu from the last day aboard (14 April), and a receipt from the Turkish Bath which he had signed by Sir Cosmo Duff Gordon and his wife.

Whilst aboard the Carpathia he sent a Marconigram which was transmitted on 18 April 1912 at 4.00 pm by Harold Cottam:

Mrs A. L. Salomon 344 West 72nd St. N. Y.
Safe & well will Marconi again when to expect me arrive
Thursday afternoon Cunard Steamer Carpathia Abe

After surviving the disaster Mr Salomon continued as the owner of his wholesale stationery business and also travelled the Atlantic for years to come.

He never spoke of the Titanic and surviving members of the family remember him as a very peculiar, almost reclusive man who would attend family gatherings but always kept to himself, seldom speaking. His niece Katherine Levin recalled that "Uncle Abram always acted like a man who was hiding something" and conjectured that his Titanic experience shaped his personality in later years. The 1920 census shows Salomon and wife Hattie and daughter Helen living at 601 West End Avenue and the 1930 and 1940 censuses have them living at 211 Central Park. 

Hattie Salomon died in Manhattan on 15 November 1943. Daughter Helen Cassie Salomon never married and lived out her life in the family home and cared for her father in his old age. She died in Manhattan on 29 March 1971.

When Abram Lincoln Salomon died on 21 May 1959 at the age of 90 he left an estate estimated at $117,000.

SALOMON Salomon, Abram L., on May 21, 1959, husband of the late Hattie W., and devoted father of Helen C. Salomon. Laid to rest. — New York Time, 24 May 1959

His daughter then invested his estate shrewdly and at the time of her death left an estate of just less than $250,000. Her estate passed to an aunt and an array of cousins. Present day survivors include only a first cousin in Manhattan and another in California.

Abraham Salomon in 1923

Abram was cremated at Ferncliff Crematory, Hartsdale, New York, the whereabouts of his remains is unknown.