Mr Samuel Greenberg was born within the Russian Empire,1 possibly Poland, in 1858.
Greenberg, who was Jewish, was the son of Elias Myer Greenberg and Toba Samuels (b. circa 1840) and had two brothers, Simon (b. 1857) and Max (b. 1864).
It appears his brother Max had lived in New York since the 1880s and was married and had a family there; his brother Simon had also lived for a time in New York and was married there and began a family before relocating to Johannesburg, South Africa around the end of the 1880s.
Samuel was married around 1889 (as per the 1910 census) to Annie 2 (b. circa December 1870 3) but had no children. They both entered the USA on 30 May 1909, travelling aboard Philadelphia and he, his wife and mother appear on the 1910 census as residents of 471 Clinton Street, Manhattan and Samuel was described as working in the wool business.
Following a business trip to South Africa where he also visited his brother in Johannesburg, Greenberg boarded the Titanic at Southampton as a second class passenger (ticket number 250647 which cost £13) and he was travelling to his home in Bronx, New York.
Samuel Greenberg died in the sinking and his body was later recovered by the MacKay Bennett (#19).
NO. 19. - MALE. - ESTIMATED AGE, 50. HAIR, GREY, PARTLY BALD; MOUSTACHE.
CLOTHING - Dressing gown; grey coat; green ditto; blue trousers.
EFFECTS - 2 watches: $11 in American money; 6s in silver an dgold; keys; bill, etc., in pocket, to S. Greenberg.
NAME - SAMUEL GREENBERG.
The body was forwarded on 3rd May to his widow Mrs Greenburg (age 55) in the Bronx, New York. She later received assistance from the American Red Cross:
No. 161. (Russian). The husband was drowned. he had been a resident of this country three years and was returning from a business trip to South Africa. He was a member and South African representative of a New York firm. It had been arranged that, during his absence, the firm should pay to his wife a certain amount weekly for her living expenses. This had been done for two weeks and had then been allowed to lapse for several months so that, at the time of her husband's death, she was destitute. An effort has been made to recover for the widow some part of her husband's share in the business, but it is now the opinion of the lawyers consulted that she has no legal evidence to support her claim. She is 55 years of age, and has no children. She has had some experience in business and may later, with competent advice and supervision, be established in a small store. Of the appropriation made by this Committee $400 was used to bury her husband, whose body was recovered, and to meet emergent needs. The remainder has been paid in trust to the United Hebrew Charities. From other relief sources she has received $1,011.20. ($2,000). Insurance claim for $25,000 filed by wife.
Samuel Greenberg's body was buried at Acacia Cemetery in Ozone Park, New York (Section: 27A, Row: 2, Grave: 5).
Comment and discuss
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I am looking for any information at all concerning Samuel Greenberg (2nd Class). He perished whilst returning home to New York from visiting our family here in South Africa. (he was my G-Grandfather's brother). I know from the Ellis Island database that he moved (back) to New York in 1909 with his wife Mira (nee Brightman of Boston) but I have no further knowledge of either him or his family. Also how do I locate a transcript of the Red Cross Emergency Relief Booklet Case Number 101?
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Jordan - I will print the red Cross report no. 161 below which I think is the one you want: Greenberg, Mr. Samuel. Missing. c/o Alex. Wolff, 154, Nassau Street, New York City, USA. Russian citizen. Body forwarded to Mrs. Greenberg, Bronx, New York City. Permit issued May 2, 1912, Borough, Bronx, New York. (From The Emergency and Relief booklet by the American Red Cross, 1913). No. 161. (Russian). The husband was drowned. he had been a resident of this country three years and was returning from a business trip to South Africa. He was a member and South African representative of a New York firm. It had been arranged that, during his absence, the firm should pay to his wife a certain amount weekly for her living expenses. This had been done for two weeks and had then been allowed to lapse for several months so that, at the time of her husband's death, she was destitute. An effort has been made to recover for the widow some part of her husband's share in the business, but it is...
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Brian, Thank you very much for this information. Google suggests that 154 Nassau Street was the offices of the New York Tribune. I am guessing that Alex Wolff was a journalist there at the time. I will do some more research on Samuel and post a bio on him on this site when I know more. Regards Jordan
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Hi Jordan, Welcome aboard. Actually, there's already a biography on Samuel on this site. It's not much information, but if you wish to add to it or edit it, you can sign up to become an editorial member. Just click on this link to his bio and you can sign up from there:
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Can anyone give more info as to this man, more this his ET bio? Please and thankyou.
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