My GrandFather Benjamin was born just around the turn of the century in a tough area of Brooklyn.At the age of 15 or 16 he joined the army lying about his age and was sent over seas where he fought in World War I France. He was in a few major battles and was wounded.It was then that the army realized he was under age,and he was discharged and sent home.Sometime later he married Clarice and they had seven childern,My Mother would tell stories about how tough he was,My Father used to say he had fist as big as a baseball mit,and he was well respected by everyone who met him. He was a character, never looked for trouble,it was just that he was a Man who could handle himself if he had too and by the stories I heard,there were a few times he had that opportunity.There was one story I remember about him,and his dealings with "Dutch Schultz".Back during "Prohibition," Times were hard and you made a "Buck" anyway you could, He was supposed to deliver a shippment of "booze" to the "DutchMan",but upon delivery,he was told that he wasn't going to get paid,so he took the load to Canada and stayed a few months until the "Heat" was off,"Dutch" never got his whiskey.He also worked as as "Bouncer" in a "Speak Easy" He later worked for "Schaffer Breweries in Brooklyn until just before he died.My Mother would always say "He knew a lot of people" When he passed away many important people attended his wake from newspaper reporters, a few "actors" to top city officials,I guess he was well known.
My GrandFather Benjamin was born just around the turn of the century in a tough area of Brooklyn.At the age of 15 or 16 he joined the army lying about his age and was sent over seas where he fought in World War I France. He was in a few major battles and was wounded.It was then that the army realized he was under age,and he was discharged and sent home.Sometime later he married Clarice and they had seven childern,My Mother would tell stories about how tough he was,My Father used to say he had fist as big as a baseball mit,and he was well respected by everyone who met him. He was a character, never looked for trouble,it was just that he was a Man who could handle himself if he had too and by the stories I heard,there were a few times he had that opportunity.There was one story I remember about him,and his dealings with "Dutch Schultz".Back during "Prohibition," Times were hard and you made a "Buck" anyway you could, He was supposed to deliver a shippment of "booze" to the "DutchMan",but upon delivery,he was told that he wasn't going to get paid,so he took the load to Canada and stayed a few months until the "Heat" was off,"Dutch" never got his whiskey.He also worked as as "Bouncer" in a "Speak Easy" He later worked for "Schaffer Breweries in Brooklyn until just before he died.My Mother would always say "He knew a lot of people" When he passed away many important people attended his wake from newspaper reporters, a few "actors" to top city officials,I guess he was well known.
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