BLUMBERG, Max

it is one thing to make a good start in business, then take a few jumps in the right direction, and keep on rising to the desired pinnacle, and it is quite another thing to see one's ambition thwarted right in the midst of the road by circumstances out of human control and then undaunted return right back and fight your way to the forefront.

 But this is precisely what happened in the case of Max Blumberg of 161 Humboldt Street, who at twenty-five had accumulated a modest fortune and established a well-running business only to see it crash and crumble with the panic of 1907.

It was a shock and it was highly unfortunate for, as it happened, Blumberg had accumulated his little fortune through long and consistent work. Besides, at the time he was already married and had many responsibilities. The catastrophe left him penniless and in debt, but it failed to stifle the indomitable spirit within him.

Blumberg rolled up his sleeves and resolved that he could more than achieve his previous rung on the ladder. And he did. Not only did he come back, but he came back with a vengeance, so that today he is affluent and prosperous and interested in more than one line of business.

Blumberg, so far as the realty field is concerned is both a "supply" man and a builder proper. That is, he sells through his sash and door factory in Humboldt Street, what is known as trimmings to builders, but he also builds for himself. Thus, he is responsible for the so-called Irvington development in this boro, between Church and Ocean Avenues, where he built eight apartment houses and ten one-family houses. And he is interested in other sections as well.

Blumberg was born in Russia, in 1881, and came to this country as a youth. Lest someone think he has been particularly favored by Lady Luck it might be said that his recipe for success would consist largely of relentless labor. He knows how to work and he certainly does work.

The man is extraordinarily generous and charitable. Just now he probably labors more in behalf of the Pride of Judea Orphan Home, in which he is especially interested, than he does for his own business, in which he is assisted by his capable son, who is managing it. He had to work mightily hard to achieve his come-back, but he is justly proud of it, and he has reason to be, for he paid every cent he ever owed as result of that panic. Which is why he now has almost unlimited credit with the very firms to which he became indebted during the panic.

Blumberg is Director of the Globe Exchange Bank, member of the Federation of Jewish Charities, Chairman of the Keren Hayesod; President of the Home for Incurables.

He was married in 1903, is father of three boys and three daughters, and lives at 691 Willoughby Avenue.

BRESLAW, Herman L.

Herman L. Breslaw, who is extensively interested in real estate investments, possesses the sort of ineffable charm that draws men to him without a conscious realization as to where the magnetism lies. A fluent conversationalist, an alert listener, and an incisive commentator, he is in demand even where things other than mortgages are being discussed. His close familiarity with the realty investment field is well-known; but his keen ability for analysis of the fluid and effervescent and scintillating stuff of life in general is quite as actual though less known.

Breslaw was born Sept. 1, 1887, in New York City, which ought to disarm the theory that gray hairs come with age (he's been gray since youth). He was educated in private schools, then attended the Boys' High School in New York City, and, for one year, Paine's Business College. For a time he had been employed in the office of Max D. Steuer, the noted attorney, and he intended to study law, but circumstances diverted his course, obviously entirely in his favor (as he is willing to admit). He would have made a good lawyer; he IS an excellent realtor.

In 1906, at nineteen, he came to Brooklyn to enter the real estate field and in a brief time he proved himself admirably fitted to deal with it. In course of time he selected the buying and selling of mortgages as the principal function of his activity, and in this realm he is widely known.

Young and energetic, he foresaw with confidence and enthusiasm the possibilities for development of Brooklyn, and he lost no time in hastening, in his own way, the forthcoming expansion. He is one of the leading individual lenders on mortgages in the boro, whose judgment and sagacity are earnestly regarded. Still under forty, Breslaw is, of course, far from letting-up in the business sphere of his life, and undoubtedly he'll be heard from more than once.

Breslaw is a member of the Unity Club, Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce, and the Federation of Jewish Charities. His diversions consist in travel, the theatre and reading.

He is married, and lives at 750 Ocean Avenue.