The Early Years of Marriage and Migration

Flora and Harry arrived into the United States in different ways and through different ports of entry. Flora came in through Boston, and Harry through Ellis Island in New York City. Both were living in adjacent buildings on Rutgers Place on the Lower East Side of Manhattan before they wed in January of 1914.

They both learned a trade. Flora worked in a factory for a time, while Harry learned a trade too. He became a ladies' dressmaker, working for Belle Sportswear in the Garment District in Manhattan on 23rd Street. His job was seasonal.

I can vividly remember the room in their apartment where he kept his Singer sewing machine. I remember the strong scent of camphor balls when I opened the room closet that contained all the cloth material. He used to make my mother's clothes, and he also made suits for his two sons when they were young boys.