From "HISTORY OF THE UPPER OHIO VALLEY,"  Vol. I, page 667.
Brant & Fuller, 1890.

(* By Hon. Governor George Atkinson) 

*Work wins.  From early in the morning until late at night, "day in 
and day out," a notable figure in the business circles of Wheeling 
may be seen seated at his desk in his office on Water street of that 
city.  No man in that thrifty, driving locality is more regular in 
his business habits or more attentive to his own and the general 
interests of the community in which he lives.  Not tall, but 
compactly and well proportioned; a full round head thickly covered 
with slightly gray hair and moustache to correspond; a strong nose; a 
large and finely developed forehead; pleasant countenance, an in 
personal intercourse a courteous and dignified gentleman.  His 
bearing is that of a man of resolute action, able to carry through 
important undertakings and impress his individuality upon those with 
whom he associates.  Although possessed of wealth, his life is as 
unostentatious as that of the humblest citizen of his adopted state.  
This man is Augustus Pollack.  He was born in the country home of his 
parents, Joseph and Bertha Pollack, on the outskirts of Bunde in the 
beautiful Weser valley of Westphalia, July 5, 1830.  His father, who 
was chiefly devoted to agricultural pursuits and the importation and 
sale of horses and Holstein cattle, entered Augustus, at the age of 
fourteen, at the Bunde Gymnasium (college); and after a three-years' 
course of study, he was apprenticed at the commercial house of Edward 
Gerson at Soest. While there, during the revolutionary and unsettled 
condition of 1848, he was offered and accepted a position with 
Hambleton & Sons, Baltimore, Md.  Accordingly, April 5, 1849, he 
sailed from Bremenhaven in the Londonbark "Margaret", arriving at 
Baltimore, May 18, of that year.  He started business for himself in 
the sale of notions and fancy goods in Baltimore, in 1852.  Upon the 
solicitations of friends he removed his business in 1854 to Wheeling, 
W.Va.  March 31, 1855, he married Miss Rosalie Weinberg, at 
Baltimore.  Six daughters and two sons were born to them.  In 1858-9, 
when the Northwestern Virginia railroad was completed, Mr. Pollock 
purchased property at Grafton, erected a dwelling and store house, 
and in connection with the business of the Adams Express company, 
conducted a general store.  In 1860, he established a wholesale 
notion house at Wheeling, which he continued until 1871, when he 
founded the Cigar and Tobacco Factory on Water street, where he still 
remains, and where he has employed over 100 hands regularly in the 
production of "Crown Stogie" cigars.  His Grafton buildings were 
tendered to the government at the outbreak of the rebellion and 
acknowledged by the secretary of war in the following letter:

"War Department,
"Washington, June 7, 1861.

"Augustus Pollack, Esq., Wheeling, Virginia:
"Dear Sir:- I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your 
letter of the 18th ult., addressed to the President and by him 
referred to this department, tendering the use of your property to 
the service of the Government; and in reply beg leave to return to 
you the thanks of the Department for the patriotic and liberal offer, 
and would respectfully refer you to the officer in command at or near 
Grafton.
"Very Respectfully,
"Simon Cameron,
"Secretary of War."

Impressed with the spirit of loyalty to his adopted government, he 
encouraged the organization of the first German company of Wheeling 
volunteers in the Union army; enlisted himself in the Home Guards; 
contributed liberally of his means to establish a German newspaper in 
Wheeling, called "The Patriot"; was elected president of the company 
that published it, and did much to encourage loyalty to the 
government in those dark days in the history of the Republic.  He 
never sought office at the hands of the people and the only public 
official position he ever held was that of a member of the board of 
education of the Third ward of Wheeling.  He has for years been a 
leader in every movement that had for its object the development of 
business interests of his adopted city.  He has been president of the 
German bank and director of the German Insurance company; trustee of 
the Wheeling female college; trustee of the Linsly institute, and 
president of the West Virginia Tobacco company.  Mr. Pollack is 
thoroughly public-spirited.  He officiated as chairman of the Aid 
movement in behalf of the widows and orphans of German soldiers who 
were slain during the Franco-Prussian war, and the large contribution 
forwarded by him November 5, 1870, was acknowledged by Minister 
George Bancroft at Berlin, in which, among other things, he said, 
"all honor is given here to the generous efforts of the people of 
Weeling." He was elected president of the German Peace celebration 
held at Wheeling in 1871.  In 1875-6 he fostered the movement to aid 
the establishment of the German seminary at Milwaukee, and was 
elected president of the Wheeling organization.  He presided at the 
Garfield ratification meeting at the Wheeling Opera House, July 30, 
1880, and was president of, and the leading spirit in, the movement 
that resulted in the mass meeting at the opera house, November 20, 
1880, when the Hon. A. W. Campbell was presented with a massive oil 
painting commemorative of the independent position he took in the 
Chicago convention of that year.  He was elected president of the 
first Saengerfest celebrated at Wheeling, July 20, 21, 22, 23, 1885, 
and also president of the great trades display of Wheeling, held 
August 25, 1887.  He presided at the German Memorial services, in 
Wheeling, commemorative of the death of Emperor William, held at the 
opera house, March 22, 1888, and transmitted an engrossed copy of the 
resolutions adopted, to the court of Berlin.  He was chosen umpire to 
adjust the differences between the Central Glass company and its 
employes, and as such rendered a decision that attracted gneral 
attention and gave satisfaction to all the interests involved by 
reason of his large and liberal views as to the just understandings 
that should govern the relation of employers and employes in all 
industrial establishments.  These views were greatly strengthened by 
the fact that Mr. Pollack's administration of his own business 
affairs has been exceptionally satisfactory to his employed labor.  
He aided materially in the construction of the Pittsburgh, Cincinnati 
& St. Louis, and Cleveland, Lorain & Wheeling railways to Wheeling.  
Mr. Pollack is in no sense a politician.  It was therefore with 
reluctance that he accepted the honor of a unanimous nomination for 
the position of an elector-at-large on the Harrison and Morton 
presidential ticket for West Virginia, and contributed materially to 
the success of the campaign of 1888.  His speeches in favor of a 
tariff for protection to American labor were of a high order of merit 
and were well received by his fellow-citizens.  No man in all West 
Virginia commands higher respect both from business associates and 
the working class, and no lingering prejudice overshadows his 
confidence in the promise and dignity of progressive tolerance.  
 
 
(Linda Fluharty)