Morris (Moritz) Koestler was born 27 Jan 1849 in a small town in Bohemia. Mr. Koestler was educated there and learned the trade of a locksmith and machinist. His parents were Samuel and Teresa Koestler. He came to America when he was 23 years old (ca 1872) and three days after his arrival he secured a position with the Singer Manufacturing Company as a machinist. Three years later, when the company established its factory in Elizabeth, he moved here. A few years later he left his position with Singers to purchase a stationary store at 136 First Street. Some time afterwards he moved his store to 140 First Street, where he remained in business until the death of his wife, Jennie in June 1921. Since then he has lived with his son Attorney Samuel Koestler at 360 Elmora ave. Mr. Koestler  died 23 Jan 1936 at the home of his daughter, Mrs. John J. Stamler, 830 Park Ave, Elizabeth, NJ.

  Jennie Krauskopf Pick Koestler died 18 June 1921. 
Mrs. Morris Koestler, seventy six years old of 140 First street died Saturday night in the St. Elizabeth hospital, following an opperation for an acute attack of appendicitis. The funeral took place this afternoon at 2:30 o'clock from her late home. Mrs. Koestler was widely known throughout the city. Born in Bohemia, she came here with her parents while an infant. The family settled in New York where Mrs. Koestler resided until she was married soon after becoming of age.
Mrs. Koestler was married twice, her first husband Sylvan Pick [1866 in Manhattan], dying many years ago. [1876] Her second husband, who survives her has been the proprietor of a stationery store in First street and is one of the pioneer merchants of that thoroughfare. Mrs. Koestler was prominent for her activity in church and charitable activities. Until lately, she spent many hours each week sewing or knitting garments for the poor. 
Besides her husband she is survived by four sons, Henry and Dr. Charles J. Pick of New York; Emil Pick of Chicago and Samuel Koestler an Elizabeth attorney; two daughters Mrs. Benjamin Schwarzkopf of New York, and Mrs John J. Stamler, Elizabeth; two brothers, Rev. Dr. Morris Krauskopf and Samuel Krauskopf both of New York. There also are five grandchildren. ( from her obit. that appeared in the Elizabeth paper)

Children of Morris Koestler and Jennie Krauskopf:
1. Samuel Koestler 9 May 1880 Elizabeth NJ - 3 April 1960 Summit NJ 
         lawyer 1904 - partner 1923 with brother-in-law John J Stamler and his brother Charles Stamler 
                  1944 Sam and son Melvin formed the partnership Koestler & Koestler
   married 1907 NYC Selma Weiss 16 May 1883 NYC - 20 July 1960 East Orange NJ
                    daughter of Jacob Weiss and his wife Anna Hartman
2. Rose Koestler  Feb 1882 Elizabeth NJ - ca 1959 Long Beach, CA 
           lived 830 Park Ave, Elizabeth, NJ  - also had log cabin in Fanwood
                               no issue [1900 listed as school teacher]
   married 1909 John J. Stamler 14 Jan 1879 Austria - 14 March 1938 Elizabeth NJ heart attack
               lawyer and banker - at one time President of New Jersey National Bank and Trust Company of Newark
                    his signature appears on the US Currency backed by the bank in 1910 
                   emigrated with parents Joseph and Lena Stamler 1890 

 
John and Rose Stamler
compliments of Lenore Suffness, niece of John

Children of Jennie Krauskopf and Sylvan [Jacob] Pick:
1.  Henry Pick ca 1866 -      lived New York City
     a. Jeffrey Pick   (no issue)
          married Eliz. ?
2. Emil. Pick 28 Aug 1869 - died in Chicago, IL
     married Jennie ? ca 1878 -
      a. Jerome Pick ca 1901 - (no issue)
      b. Irving Pick ca 1907 -
            married lived in Chicago
3. Ottillie (Tillie) Pick 29 Oct 1871 -  23 Jan 1953  lived Long Beach, CA  no issue
        married Benjamin Schwarzkopf
4. Dr. Charles J. Pick  1875 - lived New York City
     married Pauline Bauer

 
Charlie Pick

Morris Koestler became a Citizen of the United States 28 October, 1878 at a Union County, NJ Court.  Original Certificate

US Census 1880  wnum. 165 NJ Elizabeth Residence 136 First Ave
Maurice Koestler  NR m  31          mar.   Austria
Jennie                             f    32  wife mar.  Austria
Matilde                          f     9    dau.              NY
Charlot                          f     5    dau               NJ
Samuel                          m   1/2  son               NJ

US Census 1920 Union Co, NJ Elizabeth enum. 12 Jan.  Residence 140 1st St
 Koestler, Morris            w  70  immigrated to US 1868 , naturalized 1878 born in Bohemia
 Koestler, Jeanette  wife     74         "                         1863        "             1873 born  in Bohemia

Clipping from the Elizabeth paper  1921

OLD DOWNTOWN SHOP IS CLOSED - Mr. Koestler at Same Stand Forty-four years - One of the oldest establishments downtown closed recently when Morris Koestler, who conducted the toy and stationery shop at 140 First street, decided to retire from business. The stock of goods still remains on display in the windows and inside the store, but the door is no longer open to customers and Mr. Koestler intends to dispose of his goods soon.
For many years the place has been a landmark on the street and the large clientele which Mr. Koestler built up through his courteous and untiring efforts to serve his purchasers satisfactorily, will have to look elsewhere. Although his business has increased considerably since its inception he has never changed his quarters or enlarged the building, clinging to the same place with a sort of sentimental attachment.
It was forty-four years ago that Mr. Koestler first launched his enterprise and in the years that followed success rewarded his faithful energy. He became one of First street's leading merchants.
Previous to opening the store, Mr. Koestler was employed as a machinist by the Singer Company for several years. He was with that concern in New York City and moved to Elizabeth when the factory was established here.
Mr. Koestler was born in Bohemia and came to this country when a young man. He was married here and has two children Mrs. John J. Stamler and Samuel Koestler. The recent death of his wife to whom he was most devoted brought about his decision to retire. He lives over the store at 140 First Street.

Clipping from the Elizabeth paper  June 1927
Memorial Window Unveiled . . . by Adele Koestler daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Koestler and only granddaughter of the deceased.  [The speaker had this to say of Jennie] " Jennie Koestler. . .   never grew old. At 76 years old . . . she was as keen and active of mind as when she was 20. Her interests were manifold. .. Even in her latter years she was present everywhere, and while younger  women were deterred by weather and other causes she never missed anything. If anyone was in trouble she was the first to be there, to bring comfort and help. And her mere presence never failed to strengthen those she visited. Her religion was doing good. Her generous heart embraced all sufferers, regardless of creed. One never knew the extent of her ministrations for she did them silently and unheralded. She abhorred idleness as she detested extravagance. She never saw nor spoke evil in others. She only saw the good."

    Joseph lists himself as a machinist on the 1900 census. says he was born Jan 1856
and that  he has been married to wife Lena 24 years. 
Lena was born May 1857 and has had seven children all of whom are living.
The family emigrated in 1890. Joseph and oldest two sons are Naturalized Citizens.
Sigmund is listed as a machinist; John a lawyer's clerk, and Alex as an Insurance Agent