The prep students of the Radical University: Samuel Garfunkle

Advertisement for Charleston business that Samuel ran with his brother Benjamin
From Sheldon's Retail Trade of the United States, 1888. 

Samuel Garfunkle (b. Abt. 1863; September 27, 1933), 

South Carolina.  White.

Occupation: book keeper, salesman.

Father's occupation: clothier, merchandise (dry goods).

Mother's occupation: hoopskirt manufacturer.

Samuel Garfunkle was born  around 1863 to Moses and Mary H. Garfunkle. His parents had immigrated to the U.S., Moses from Austria and Mary from Russia. The last names suggests that the family was Jewish.

Samuel was born in Kentucky, but the family was living in New York City until around 1873 when they moved to South Carolina. The family was living in Charleston by 1874. Both parents worked in the clothing industry (the city directory lists Mary as a hoop skirt manufacturer). The family had left Charleston for Columbia by 1876.

Samuel matriculated as a preparatory student at the University of South Carolina at some point between February, 1875 and January, 1876. The university closed before he completed the program.

In 1880, Samuel was still living with his family in Columbia. His father was working as a clothier. The family returned to Charleston later in the 1880s.

Around 1887, Samuel and his brother Benjamin started the dry goods business "Garfunkel Bros" in Charleston.  The father Moses worked as the manager and a third brother, Aaron, as manager. The business (Note that these men are listed under the family name "Garfunkel,"but this also certainly the same as the "Garfunkle" family appearing in Columbia city records. For example, both families have a father and three sons with the same names.)

In Charleston, the Garfunkle family was involved in the Jewish community. Moses served as president of the orthodox synagogue Berith Shalom Orthodox synagogue (now Brith Sholom Beth Israel), and Samuel as the secretary. 

Around 1900, Samuel left the South and moved to New York City. He was joined by most of his family, including his father Moses and brother Benjamin. In New York, Samuel worked as a salesman and bookkeeper. He remained in the city until his death in 1933. 

Sources Cited

1) 1880; Census Place: Columbia, Richland, South Carolina; Roll: 1238; Page: 269B; Enumeration District: 163

2) 1900; Census Place: Charleston Ward 5, Charleston, South Carolina; Page: 15; Enumeration District: 0087; FHL microfilm: 1241520

3) 1910; Census Place: Manhattan Ward 12, New York, New York; Roll: T624_1020; Page: 19B; Enumeration District: 0492; FHL microfilm: 1375033

4) 1920; Census Place: Manhattan Assembly District 17, New York, New York; Roll: T625_1217; Page: 10B; Enumeration District: 1215

2) Charleston City Directory: 1875, 1890, 1892, 1893, 1898, 1912. 

3) Columbia City Directory: 1879.

5) New York State Archives; Albany, New York; State Population Census Schedules, 1915; Election District: 19; Assembly District: 31; City: New York; County: New York; Page: 11

6) New York State Archives; Albany, New York; State Population Census Schedules, 1905; Election District: A.D. 31 E.D. 15; City: Manhattan; County: New York; Page: 45

7) Index to New York City Deaths 1862-1948. Indices. Certificate Number:19097.