Harry (Hirsch) Benjamin Blasberg

t is not given to every man to arrive at the goal of his ambitions by a- straight road. Many times the road points to devious paths, and we cry out that we have lost the guiding light of the rainbow that leads to the pot of gold.

But if ambition be worthy and the effort sincere, every footprint in the snow, every tear that is shed, marks in indelible characters the location of another milestone on the map of the march.

So it was with Harry B. Blasberg, who followed the light of the rainbow from his native Russia, to find the treasures buried deep beneath difficulties which would have crushed a less dauntless spirit.

Harry was born in Kovna, Guberna, Russia, October 6, 1883, and at the age of nine helped his parents financially by selling newspapers and shining shoes after school hours. Later on he learned the cigarmaking trade and had to work the first month for nothing, then he received a salary of $3 a week for the first six months, which money he turned over to his parents. Also, he spent much of his vacation helping his father peddle junk in the country, being from home five to six weeks at a time. After this Harry and his father took up the feed business for one year. Then he came to Toledo, Ohio, where he got a job as a clerk in a dry goods store run by his cbusin, Steinberg Bros., and where his salary at the start was but three dollars a week, but gradually was increased until he was getting nine dollars a week.

Finding the dry goods business not to his liking in the way of advance- ment, Harry returned to his home town, Cleveland, Ohio, and entered the employ of his brother-in-law, A. 5haw, who was in the scrap iron business, remaining in this business for one year. He again became restless because of a seemingly slow advancement and always feeling the great urge of ambition, he took a position as shipping clerk with another brother-in-law, Mr. S. Silber- man, who was in the waste paper business, remaining with him but one year in order to become acquainted with the waste business.

This business sufficed as a means to an end, as Harry was saving every cent possible from his meager salary and at the end of the year he had accumu- lated $300, so he decided to go into the waste paper and rag business with his brother, Wolfe, Harry's father loaning him $200. This business they were in one year.

Then Harry with his brother-in-law, J. A. Jahl, of Dayton, Ohio, bought out the firm of Morrisson Iron & Metal Co., of Norwalk, Ohio, giving this business his usual one-year trial.

Thinking they were not making proper advancement, Harry then went to Cincinnati, Ohio, and with J. A. Jahl organized the Queen City Rag and Paper Co., of which he holds the active secretaryship. The same office he holds with the Columbus Waste Paper Co. of Columbus, Ohio.

One of the greatest hardships of Harry's life was his unfulfilled wish that his dear mother and sister, whom he loved, should be at his wedding, but that was not to be, as his mother died when Harry was but 20 years of age, and two years after this his sister, Mrs. A. Shaw, died. Harry was engaged at this time, but the event was postponed until after a year's period of mourn- ing had elapsed. Mr. Harry Blasberg was married to Miss Netti Jahl of Day- ton, Ohio, February 19, 1907, and together they have dispensed charity to every worthy cause in Columbus as well as to the Jewish hospitals and the Denver Sanitarium.

Why relate the further hardships of the next few years, the deprivations for the sake of the success which he knew would ultimately come to crown his eflForts? It is the old story of the sacrifice which has been written in every tongue; which has sunk deep into the hearts of men who have lived and suf- fered to accomplish the big things of life.

Mr. Harry Blasberg's advice to the younger generation is this : '*Try to have a good education, give your fellow man a square deal, and be absolutely honest and you are bound to be successful.

Mr. Blasberg is a member of Tifereth Israel Cong. B'nai Brith and many

others. Mrs. Rlasberg is particularly active in works of benevolence and devotes much of her time, as well as money, to their promotion.

They have one boy and three girls, who will doubtless inherit their par- ents' ability and sterling qualities. http://archive.org/stream/eminentjewsamer00unkngoog/eminentjewsamer...