Aibel Brothers, L. Isaacson, 40 W. 20th St. (2003)

At the top: Aibel Brothers / Rayon Yarns. The Aibel brothers weren't always the Aibel brothers. Immigrants from Vilna, Russia (now Lithuania), they started their American lives as Hyman and Israel Abramofsky. They appeared under these names in the U. S. Census of 1910 when they lived with their father, Harry Abramofsky, a factory watchman, at 559 Schenck Ave., Brooklyn. Hyman was 16 at the time, and his occupation was that of "Cord Spinner, Cloth Novelties." He seems to have immigrated in 1903 with his father. Israel was 12 and immigrated later (1906). In 1915 Hyman (now Herman) Abramofsky was listed in Polk's New York City Directory as the proprietor of the United Tassel & Cord Co., 19 Crosby St. In 1917 he was the president of the Star Tassel & Cord Co. at 25 Howard St. when he registered for the World War I draft. Israel Abramofsky registered for the same draft in 1918 under the name Irving Aibel, and he identified himself as the manager of a trimming factory, Star Tassel & Cord Co. Inc., 25 Howard St. In the 1920 U. S. Census, Irving appears under his father's name, Abramofsky, still living on Schenck Ave., Brooklyn. In the 1930 census he had his own family and used the name Irving J. Aibel.

The company appears under the name Aibel Bros., Silk & Cotton Yarns in the Manhattan telephone directory of 1917. This business name was used through 1928, and they were located here at 40 W. 20th St. from 1925 to 1928.

From 1931 until 1978 Herman Aibel (1894-1980) was employed at Majestic Rayon Corp., 116 W. 23rd St. As of May, 2010, yarn wholesalers and manufacturers, Majestic Rayon Corp., were still in business at this address. From 1934 until the time of his death in 1950 Irving J. Aibel (1898/1900?-1950) was employed at the Malina Co., 111 8th Ave. The Malina Co. were founded by Louis Malina (1886-1963) ca. 1921, and they were a pioneer in the synthetic yarn business.

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L. Isaacson was originally H. B. Isaacson & Son, Suits at 126 Bleecker St. in 1902. H. B. Isaacson was Hyman B. Isaacson (1856-1922). His partner was his son, Nathan I. Isaacson (1874-ca.1914). This ad for H. B. Isaacson & Son appeared in Fairchild's New York Men's Wear Directory, 1907, when the business was located at 190-192 Greene St. Around 1914/15 Nathan was displaced in the business (probably upon his death) by his wife, Lena Isaacson (1874-1936). On the death of Hyman Isaacson in 1922, the company name changed to L. Isaacson & Son, Boys Suits. The son in this case was Reuben I. Isaacson (1900-1972), the son of Nathan and Lena Isaacson.

From 1921 to 1938 the Isaacson companies also did business under the name Peerless Wash Suit Co. In August 1921 The Boys' Outfitter announced, "H. B. Isaacson & Son, New York, owing to the fact that their brand name of "Peerless" has become so widely known, have decided to do business under the name of the Peerless Wash Suit Company, as well as under the old firm name. In many cases dealers will see the firm's merchandise displayed with no other of identification than the name "Peerless." H. B. Isaacson & Son are among the oldest and best known firms in the business and have many progressive ideas to their credit. They are said to be the first to push wash suits for Winter wear, having made up the garments in heavier fabrics than are used for Summer months. Several cloth novelties are included in the line now on display." This ad for Peerless appeared in the same issue of The Boys' Outfitter. In 1921 H. B. Isaacson was located at 23-29 Washington Place.

The first two generations (Hyman, Nathan and Lena) were immigrants from Russia. All seem to have immigrated about the same time, 1891. Reuben Isaacson was born in New York. The family appears in the U. S. Census of 1900 living at 153-155 Madison St., downtown on the East Side of Manhattan. Hyman's wife was Gussie, and they had four daughters (all born Russia) living with them. Nathan Isaacson lived at the same address, but had his own family consisting of his wife Lena, born Russia, Oct. 1874. The couple had been married 3 years and did not have any children. Reuben would be born later in the year (17 Sept. 1900). Reuben Isaacson appears in the U. S. Census of 1920 living with his widowed mother on Prospect Ave. in the Bronx. By the time of the 1930 census Lena Isaacson had re-married and now was Mrs. Lena Zuckerman, living at 220 W. 98th St., Manhattan. Her son Reuben lived nearby at 41 W. 96th St.

L. Isaacson & Son were located here at 40 W. 20th St. from 1923 to 1929. In 1930 they relocated to 8 W. 30th St., where they remained until 1956. They stayed in business until 1962.

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