Wheeling in Ohio County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)

Augustus Pollack

Friend of Organized Labor

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), April 22, 2022

1. Augustus Pollack Marker

Inscription.

Augustus Pollack. Friend of Organized Labor. , Born in Germany in 1830, Augustus Pollack came to Wheeling in the 1850s and established the Crown Stogie Company in East Wheeling. Most known for his labor-management relations, he paid excellent wages, provided exceptional conditions, and supported the growth of unions within the community. Strikes were unknown within his company. He was called "a believer in the dignity of … toilers.", [Captions:] , ❶ A Benevolent Man , A German Jew, Augustus Pollack was a respected member of Wheeling's Jewish community. He served as Secretary of Congregation L'Shem Shomayim ("For the Sake of Heaven," better known today as Temple Shalom) from 1858-59 and as its president from 1866-68. He was also a secretary of the Hebrew Benevolent Society of Wheeling., ❷ A Fitting Memorial , Shortly after he died, the Ohio Valley Trades and Labor Assembly created a committee tasked to build a public monument in Pollack's memory. Designed by Fred F. Faris and S. Absjornsen, the 37-feet-tall memorial cost $8,433 to construct. Six international unions, 750 local unions and 3,000 individuals contributed to the project. The monument originally stood at the northwest corner of the courthouse and was dedicated on May 28, 1916 with 10,000 people in attendance., ❸ A Monumental Undertaking , In November of 2013, local union members worked together to move the Augustus Pollack statue to Heritage Port. The Ohio Valley Trades and Labor Assembly raised funds to relocate the statue from local and national organizations, in addition to financial and in-kind support from the Wheeling National Heritage Area and Savage Construction Company. Workers from the Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers #1 and International Union of Operating Engineers #132 donated time to this effort., [Sidebar:] , Wheeling National Heritage Area , The Wheeling National Heritage Area preserves and celebrates the city's dramatic setting, resources, and history, including its role as the birthplace of the state of West Virginia during the Civil War., A National Heritage Area is a part of our country's landscape that has been recognized by the United States Congress for its unique contribution to the American experience.

Born in Germany in 1830, Augustus Pollack came to Wheeling in the 1850s and established the Crown Stogie Company in East Wheeling. Most known for his labor-management relations, he paid excellent wages, provided exceptional conditions, and supported the growth of unions within the community. Strikes were unknown within his company. He was called "a believer in the dignity of … toilers."

[Captions:]
❶ A Benevolent Man
A German Jew, Augustus Pollack was a respected member of Wheeling's Jewish community. He served as Secretary of Congregation L'Shem Shomayim ("For the Sake of Heaven," better known today as Temple Shalom) from 1858-59 and as its president from 1866-68. He was also a secretary of the Hebrew Benevolent Society of Wheeling.

❷ A Fitting Memorial
Shortly after he died, the Ohio Valley Trades and Labor Assembly created a committee tasked to build a public monument in Pollack's memory. Designed by Fred F. Faris and S. Absjornsen, the 37-feet-tall memorial cost $8,433 to construct. Six international unions, 750 local unions and 3,000 individuals contributed to the project. The monument originally stood at the northwest corner of the courthouse and was dedicated on May 28, 1916 with 10,000 people in attendance.

❸ A Monumental Undertaking
In November of 2013, local union members worked together to move the Augustus Pollack statue to Heritage Port. The Ohio Valley Trades and Labor Assembly raised funds to relocate the statue from local and national organizations, in addition to financial and in-kind support from the Wheeling National Heritage Area and Savage Construction Company. Workers from the Bricklayers & Allied Craftworkers #1 and International Union of Operating Engineers #132 donated time to this effort.

[Sidebar:]
Wheeling National Heritage Area
The Wheeling National Heritage Area preserves and celebrates the city's dramatic setting, resources, and history, including its role as the birthplace of the state of West Virginia during the Civil War.

A National Heritage Area is a part of our country's landscape that has been recognized by the United States Congress for its unique contribution to the American experience.

Topics.

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This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Industry & Commerce • Labor Unions • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical date for this entry is May 28, 1916.

Location. 40° 3.967′ N, 80° 43.482′ W. Marker is in Wheeling, West Virginia, in Ohio County. It is on Water Street just north of 14th Street, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1230 Water St, Wheeling WV 26003, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Northern Panhandle.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in the Ohio River Valley,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: A different marker also named Augustus Pollack (here, next to this marker); Wheeling (within shouting distance of this marker); Lafayette’s Tour

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), April 22, 2022

2. Augustus Pollack Marker

(within shouting distance of this marker); Walter Reuther (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Walter Reuther (within shouting distance of this marker); Lewis and Clark (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Capitol Theatre (about 400 feet away); Oglebay Mansion (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Wheeling.

Credits. This page was last revised on April 24, 2022. It was originally submitted on April 24, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 425 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 24, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.