1917: PARKER SCHOOL PERFECT ATTENDANCE

From the "SOUTH TRENTON" folder in the Library digital database, this truncated extract from the weekly
South Trenton page of the Trenton Times. If you have relatives in that area, and many visitors do, they probably went to the Mott School on Centre Street ( see the mini-photo) or the Parker School on Union Street. A very close reading of the names of students at Parker reveals many very familiar names. Perhaps you have a relative in the listing, or perhaps in the other articles on the page. I note the name of Samuel Lenox and wonder if it is the locally prominent judge or a relative.

Michael said...

Tom: Boy did bells go off, and the lights go on with this item. Previously I have noted that I was one of the first students to walk into the "New Parker School" in 1939, and also noted that I grew up in "Jew Town"; the heart and soul of South Trenton. This being the case, I read over the "Parker School list", and recognized names of neighbors, friends, and relatives. To wit: "special class: Alex Elias, his family were Syrian immigrants who ran a dry goods store at Bridge, and South Warren Streets. His brother George (3rd grade) was our Insurance man who came by every week to pick up the quarters for the Life insurance policies. A wonderful family. 6th grade: Rachel Meltzer was a neighbor on South Warren St. across from the Trent House. 5th grade: Anna Manze was my Uncle Jimmy's sister, as was his brother Tony Manze from the 2nd grade. Anna Married a Trenton Cop by the name of Butcher. Tony was my sister's godfather. 4th grade: Rose Sokalner, was the sister of the brother's who owned the firm my Dad worked for. Her brother Milton (3rd) grade or Mutkie as we called him, was my mentor in my business life. The Sokalner's were like family to us. When my dad took ill, they kept him on the payroll and paid his hospital bills up until he died. They looked after us throughout our lives. Really and extenstion of our family. Wonderful people. I was originally named after thier brother Arthur. Johnny Fue's family ran a small grocery store on Ferry St., and he later became Trenton's Civil Defense Director. Mary Krupienski though not related by blood, was always considered to be "Aunt Mary" She was a hostess at the Stacy Trent hotel for years. 1st gradel Harry Berbon He ran a neighborhood saloon, just down the street from Parker School, at the corner of Steamboat St. Harry Berkowitz, who coined the phrase" Valley of the Israulites" for our neighborhood. He too ran a saloon on South Warren St. a block south of the Trent House. His Brother Ben was the Famous Ben of "Ben's Deli" at Market and Lamberton Streets. Lastly: In another article alongside the one in question, the name Tallman Nutt appears. Mr. Nutt ran one of the classiest butcher shops at the corner of Centre and Ferry Streets, just over the railroad tracks from Sacred Heart Church. What fun to go over my memories from the greatest neighborhood of all. Thanks so much for the opportunity to keep the gray matter working. Best wishes always, Mike Kuzma Fun for you and fun for us, Mike. You brought your old neighborhood back to life. When one reads about the folks you related to above, a stark contrast presents itself when we look at that neighborhood today. Thanks for sharing your memories of your life in South Trenton. Stay tuned; more are on the way, and I hope you continue to lend more of your local flavor. Tom Glover