This bottler for Zorn’s Beer was a partnership between Getzel Wallerstein and his son Jacob L. Wallerstein.
Getzel was born in Russia in 1858. He and his wife, Sarah, immigrated to the United States in 1904. Around 1911, they moved to Baltimore, Maryland. He passed away on February 18, 1932, and is buried in Halethorpe, Maryland.
Jacob, the son of Getzel, was also born in Russia, on March 23, 1880. According to the 1920 US Census, he immigrated to the United States in 1890. He married Rebecca Weisman on December 29, 1908, in New York City. Jacob died on July 2, 1941, at the age of 61 and is buried in Greenwood Cemetery in Michigan City.
Unfortunately, the only piece of history we have is the bottle. We can’t locate any other items of the business.
1) JUDGE AGAINST SALOONMEN. Michigan City, Ind., June 27.—The applications of Jacob L. Wallerstein, Mandel Rubin and Frank Flitter, local saloon keepers, for naturalization papers were dismissed yesterday in the Superior Court. Judge Tuthill a month ago informed the applicants that he would not grant them naturalization papers unless they could show by reputable citizens of their neighborhoods that they were law-abiding. When the cases were called yesterday the applicants failed to appear. The Times, Hammond, Indiana, June 27, 1911.
2) MICHIGAN CITY.—Funeral services for Jacob L. Wallerstein, aged 62, who died Wednesday morning in Michigan City sanitarium, were held at 3 p. m. Thursday at the home, 1515 Washington street. Burial was in Oheb Sholem cemetery. Mr. Wallerstein was born in Russia, March 23, 1879, and came to Michigan City 40 years ago. He was in the theater business here for a number of years, retiring in 1925. Surviving are his widow, Rebecca Weisman Wallerstein and two sons, Joseph and Nathaniel Wallerstein, this city. The South Bend Tribune, South Bend, Indiana, July 5, 1941.
There are no listings for either Getzel or Jacob prior to 1907.
Getzel Wallerstein
1907 and 1909–1910 – Married to Sarah, saloon keeper, home at 1706 Franklin.
1911 – Moved to Baltimore, Maryland, where he is listed as a cigar dealer.
Jacob Wallerstein
1907 – Saloon keeper, home at 1706 Franklin.
1909–1910 – Married to Rebecca; listed as a clerk, home at 1706 Franklin.
1913–1918 – Married to Rebecca; operated a saloon at 1708 Franklin, home at 1706 Franklin.
1921–1923 – With his brother Abraham, both were proprietors of the Starland Theatre at 428–430 Franklin under the name Wallerstein Bros. Jacob also served as vice president of the Michigan City Theatre Corp. His home address is listed as 1515 Washington.
1927–1940 – Still married to Rebecca; listed as a real estate agent, home at 1515 Washington.
Bottle Type: Quart, hand-tooled blob top.
Embossing: G. & J. WALLERSTEIN / BOTTLERS OF ZORN’S BEER / MICHIGAN CITY, IND.
Glass Maker: AB Co (embossed on base) American Bottle Company
Other Marks: 8-S (embossed on heel), most likely a date code of 1908.
Notes: Has a bail-wire lightning stopper.
Photo Credit: Indiana Bottle Collectors