George Adam Schreiber (abt. 1826 - 1891)

Born about 1826 in Baden, Deutscher Bund

Descendants

Died 17 Mar 1891 at about age 65 in Elizabeth, Union County, New Jersey, United States

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Biography

George Adam Schreiber^[1] was born about April/May 1826,^[1] in Baden, Deutscher Bund.^[2][3][4] Perhaps he is the Georg Friedrich Schreiber born in 1825 to Georg Friedrich Schreiber and Catharine [unknown], and baptised in 1825 in the Evangelische Kirche, in Karlsruhe unter Leopoldshafen, Baden-Württemberg, Deutscher Bund.^[5]

Perhaps he is the Georges Adam Schreiber who arrived in New York on the Tiger on 3 July 1835. But that Georges Adam Schreiber was a cooper, which does not match his occupation later. ^[6]

He moved to New Jersey about 1849.^[1]

He married Frances Amelia [unknown]. Their children include:^[2][3]

Adaline A. Schreiber (1852-1920)

Charles F Schreiber (ca 1854-)

Herman A Schreiber ('Otto') (ca 1857-)

Sarah A Schreiber (ca 1859-)

Johanna A Schreiber (ca 1859-)

George Schreiber (ca 1860-)

Amelia Schreiber (ca 1863-)

Anna Schreiber (ca 1868-)

Alvenia Schreiber (ca 1871-)

In 1860, George and Frances were living in ward 1, Elizabeth, Union County, New Jersey, with their children Adaline, Charles, Herman, Sarah, and Johannah. ^[2]

In 1870, George and Amelia were living in ward 1, Elizabeth, Union County, New Jersey, with their children Delia, Charlotte, Otto, Sarah, and Johanna, along with Elias J Vorhes. George was a rope maker. He was a naturalized citizen. ^[3]

He is probably the George Adam Schreiber, a native of Baden, who petitioned for naturalization on 30 October 1871, in the Union County Court of Common Pleas, New Jersey. ^[7]

In 1880, George and Emelia were living in Elizabeth, Union County, New Jersey, with their children and a boarder. George and their son George worked in a rope factory. ^[4]

On 17 March 1891, he died, in Elizabeth, Union County, New Jersey. He died in a fire at the cordage works where he worked. According to his death certificate, he 'went in the burning building after his coat + was overcome by smoke + gas + so perished. his body was almost entirely consumed.' The story of his death ran in various newspapers around the country.^{[8][9][10][11]} One title emphasized the lesson to be learned: 'He went back for his coat'.^[12] He was buried in Evergreen Cemetery, Hillside, Union County, New Jersey. ^{[1] [13]}

Immediately after the fire, the company reportedly planned to rebuild the works, but an article published in September 1892 claimed that it had not been rebuilt, and used that as one of many examples of the cordage trust's artificially reducing supply to increase prices. ^{[14] [15]}

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3} New Jersey, death certificate, George Adam Schreiber, 17 March 1891; New Jersey State Archives, Trenton.

   George Adam Schreiber

   age 64 years 10 months, married, born Germany

   last resident Elizabeth NJ, resident in NJ 42 years

   died at cordage works, Elizabeth, NJ, on 17 March 1891

   cause: burned (accident) 'deceased went in the burning building [/} after his coat + was overcome by smoke + gas + so [?] perished. his body was almost entirely consumed.'

   undertaker Chas Jenson [?], residence Elizabeth NJ

   place of burial: Evergreen Cemetery

2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1 2.2} 1860 U.S. census, ward 1, Elizabeth, Union, New Jersey, p. 93 penned = p.431 penned, family 765; image copy, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33S7-9BS7-FH2 : accessed 3 August 2021); indexed under 'Schneiber'.

   George A Schreiber, 34, male, Baden

   Frances A, 32, female, Prussia

   Adaline A, 7, female, NJ, attended school

   Charles F, 6, male, born NJ, attended school

   Herman A, 3, male, born NJ

   Sarah, 1, female, born NJ

   Johannah A, 1, female, born NJ

3. ↑ ^{3.0 3.1 3.2} 1870 U.S. census, ward 1, Elizabeth, Union, New Jersey, population schedule, pp.326 recto-verso stamped = 33-34 penned, family 272; image copy, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HT-67ZS-TXV : accessed 4 August 2021); citing National Archives, microfilm series M593, roll 890; 'Scriber'.

   George A Scriber, 44, male, white, rope m [sc. rope maker], born Baden, male citizen eligible to vote

   Amelia, 42, female, white, k. h. [sc. keeps house], born Prussia

   Delia, 18, female, born New Jersey

   Charlotte, 16, female, white, rope m, born New Jersey

   Otto, 14, male, rope m, born New Jersey

   Elias J Vorhes, 48, male, white, [no occupation listed], born New Jersey, male citizen eligible to vote

   Sarah A Scriber, 12, female, white, born New Jersey, attended school

   Johnana [sic], 12, female, white, born New Jersey, attended school

   [Sarah and Johnana are connected by a line, with 'twins' written next to it]

   George, 10, male, white, born New Jersey, attended school

   Amelia, 7, female, white, born New Jersey, attended school

   Anny, 2, female, white, born New Jersey

   [Charlotte is presumably Charles from 1860; Otto is presumably Herman]

4. ↑ ^{4.0 4.1} 1880 U.S. census, ward 1, Elizabeth, Union County, New Jersey, population schedule, enumeration district 164, p. 32 C stamped = p. 7 C penned, family 67; image copy, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33SQ-GYBV-9YSK); citing National Archives, microfilm series T9, roll 800; 'Scriber'.

   541 Elizabeth

   George Scriber [sic], white, male, 55, married, works in roap [sic] fact., born Baden

   wife Emelia -, white, female, 52, married, keeping house, born Prissia

   son George -, white, male, 19, single, works in roap [sic] fact, born New Jersey

   daughter Emelia -, white, female, 17, single, at home, born New Jersy [sic]

   daughter Anna -, white, female, 13, single, at school, born New Jersy [sic]

   daughter Alvenia -, white, female, 9, single, at school, born New Jersy [sic]

   boarder John Ship, white, male, 18, single, works in roap [sic] works, born do

5. ↑ 'Baden, Germany, Lutheran Baptisms, Marriages, and Burials, 1783-1875', Georg Friedrich Schreiber (1825); database, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/61242/ : accessed 19 March 2022).

   Georg Friedrich Schreiber

   baptised 1825, Karlsruhe u Leopoldshafen, Baden-Württemberg, Deutschland

   born 1825 to Georg Friedrich Schreiber and Catharina Schreiber

6. ↑ 'New York, U.S., Arriving Passenger and Immigration Lists, 1820-1850', Georges Adam Schreiber (3 July 1835); database, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/7485/ : accessed 18 March 2022).

   Georges Adam Schreiber

   arrived 3 July 1835

   ship Tiger, arrived New York, departed Havre, origin Germany,

   occupation cooper

7. ↑ 'New Jersey, County Naturalization Records, 1749-1986', George Adam Schreiber (30 Oct 1871), Union County; image copy, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G9Q4-WTQB : accessed 18 March 2022).

   Union County, Common Pleas court

   John Keron swore that George Adam Schreiber had lived in the US for at least 5 years, and in NJ for at least 1 year, and that he had a good character

   George Adam Schreiber, a native of Baden, renounced allegiance to the Emperor of Germany

   sworn 30 October 1871

   signed George A Schreiber

8. ↑ 'Perished in Fire', Harrisburg Daily Independent, Thursday, 19 March 1891, p.1, col. 7; image copy, Newspapers (https://www.newspapers.com/image/89158118/ : accessed 26 February 2022).

   'Perished in Fire.'

   'ELIZABETH, N.J., March 19.—Adam Schreiber, an employee, perished in the fire at Elizabethport cordage works yesterday. His charred body was found in the ruins this morning.'

9. ↑ 'The Cordage Works Fire', Poughkeepsie Eagle-News, Friday, 20 March 1891, p.7, col.4; image copy, Newspapers (https://www.newspapers.com/image/114044493/ : accessed 26 February 2022).

   'THE CORDAGE WORKS FIRE.

   'Remains of One Man Taken From the Ruins and Another Man Missing.

   'ELIZABETH, N. J., March 19.—It was 2 a.m. before the fire in the Elizabeth Cordage Works was extinguished.

   'It was believed that no lives had been lost, but at daylight the bones of a man were found in the ruins, and another man is reported missing.

   'The remains taken from the ruins were identified as those of Adam Schreiber, the fireman.

   'Robert Kane, who was injured by falling brick, is in a critical condition.

   'A Hungarian who worked on the top floor is the person reported missing. It is believed that his body will be found in the ruins.

   'There have been numerous incendiary fires, and a rigid investigation as to the cause of this latest fire is now being made.

   'Six hundred persons are thrown out of work.

   'The superintendent of the company said the loss would exceed $600,000.

   'Insurance $500,000.'

10. ↑ 'Victims of the Cordage Fire', Reno Gazette-Journal, Thursday, 19 March 1891, p.1, col.2; image copy, Newspapers (https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96493290/victims-of-the-cordage-fire-reno-gazett/ : accessed 26 February 2022).

    'Victims of the Cordate Fire.

    'By Associated Press.

    'ELIZABETH, (N. J.), March 19.—Fears that Adam Schrieber, an aged employee, perished in the Elizabethport cordage works fire was [sic] confirmed this morning by the discovery of his bones in the ruins. Superintendent Williams estimates the loss at $700,000. The company was fully insured. Williams said the company would immediately rebuild.'

11. ↑ '600 People Fled For Life', The Evening World (New York, New York), Wednesday, 18 March 1891, p.1, col.4; image copy, Newspapers (https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96493815/600-people-fled-for-life-the-evening/ : accessed 26 February 2022).

    '600 PEOPLE FLED FOR LIFE.

    'The Elizabethport Cordage Works Destroyed by Fire.

    '(SPECIAL TO THE EVENING WORLD.)

    'ELIZABETH, N.J., March 18.—The Elizabethport cordage works, the second largest industry in Elizabeth, was destroyed by fire this afternoon.

    'Six hundred people were employed in the works, 250 of whom were females. When the alarm of fire was given there was a made rush for the doors. The men and the girls tumbled downstairs in confusion, some being trampled under foot.

    'So far as is known they all got out safely with the exception of a few scratches and bruises.

    'The plant was established here in 1840. Frequent additions were made to it, until it covered fifteen acres of ground, with a frontage on the Elizabeth River.

    'There were two large and half a dozen small buildings, all brick. The plant was worth $800,000.

    'The works belonged to the National Cordage Company and were the largest ropemaking works in the United States.

    'The fire started about 3 o'clock back of the engine in the laying ground at the rear of the establishment where the big rope is reeled. The works are supplied with fire-pumps, but the flame cut off access to the pumps.

    'The fire burned rapidly, owing to the inflammable nature of the material scattered about, and a strong southwest wind drove the flames toward the main buildings.

    'The panic-stricken operatives fled in error to the street, some of the girls barely escaping with their lives.

    'Owing to the scarcity of water the firemen were unable to get control of the flames, and had a hard time saving the houses opposite the works.

    'There were wild rumors of loss of life, but Supt. Williams says that all the operatives had plenty of time to escape.

    'The works are insured.'

12. ↑ 'He Went Back For His Coat', The Atlanta Constitution, Friday 20 March 1891, p.1, col.6; image copy, Newspapers (https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96493526/he-went-back-for-his-coat-atlanta-con/  : accessed 26 February 2022).

    'HE WENT BACK FOR HIS COAT.

    'Burning of Cordage Works at Elizabeth, N.J., With Loss of Life.

    'ELIZABETH, N. J., March 19.—One man perished in the flames at the Elizabethport cordage works fire yesterday. He was an employe who had gone into the burning building to save his coat. Superintendent Williams estimates the loss at $700,000, fully insured.'

13. ↑ Find A Grave: Memorial #204370981, memorial 204370981, added by 46512307, 2 November 2019; database, accessed 16 March 2022; citing Evergreen Cemetery, Hillside, Union County, New Jersey.

    claims born 28 May 1826, Germany; died 17 March 1891, Elizabeth, Union, New Jersey

14. ↑ 'State Items', The Morning Post (Camden, NJ), Thursday, 19 November 1891, p.1, col.6; image copy, Newspapers (https://www.newspapers.com/image/446062542/ : accessed 26 February 2022).

    'An English syndicate is negotiating for the purchase of the site formerly occupied by the Elizabethport Cordage Works. It is proposed by the syndicate to erect there a large ale brewery.'

15. ↑ 'Trusts vs. Labor', Fort Scott Daily Tribune and Fort Scott Daily Monitor, Friday, 2 September 1892, p.2, col.3; image copy, Newspapers (https://www.newspapers.com/image/417724945/ : accessed 26 February 2022).

    'TRUSTS VS. LABOR

    'HOW LABOR IS CRUSHED THAT PRICES MAY BE ADVANCED.

    'Devastating Effects of the Cordage Trust Shown in the Record of Lockouts and Wage Reductions Made in Order to Insure Profits to Owners of Idle Mills.

    'The following from the speech of Senator Vest of July 26, and printed in The Congressional Record of July 27, is good evidence of the effects of trusts, combines, etc., upon labor. in a previous speech the senator had printed the list of "100 tariff trusts" as prepared by Hon. John De Witt Warner for the New York World. As written there the main object was to show that tariffs foster trusts and that trusts invariably advance prices or at least retard their natural decline. The object of the new matter introduced by Senator Vest is to show that trusts by keeping mills idle throw men out of employment and by increasing the number of competitors for each job of work tend to lower wages:

    '"Cordage Trust (including binding twine, cables, rope, twine, etc.)—Tariff: Binding twine, .7 cent per pound; other twine, 2 1/2 cents per pound; hemp cables and cordage, 2 1/2 cents per pound; other cables and cordage, 1 1/2 cents.

    '"The Cordage trust, which was formed in October, 1887, furnishes a good illustration of the way in which trusts affect labor. As the trust gained control of more factories it not only was enabled to limit production and advance prices, but had power to dictate terms to its employees. It was not until 1890, when the trust was reorganized and when it secured control of eleven cordage factories in Canada, that its power over production and labor became supreme. Aside from the maintaining of high prices, which of itself limits the use of cordage and therefore the demand for labor, the present condition of the mills owned and controlled by the trusts is sufficient evidence of the devastating effects upon production and labor of this trust, which has the following record of lockouts and wage reductions ibn order to insure sufficient profit at the mills, kept running to pay dividends to the owners of the rest thus hired to stay idle. On an average it takes about 100 employees to attend to 100 spindles; these, in the binder twine mills, are mostly girls, and in cordage and twine mills mostly boys and men:

    '...

    'Elizabeth Cordage company, New Jersey, 600 spindles. Burned out in 1891 and not since rebuilt.'

    '...'

See also

• Adaline Schreiber, on FamilySearch's Family Tree