I never knew my grandfather Joseph Jakl (born in 1890) and am trying to research/reconstruct his life in the US. My research indicates that in 1927 Joseph and Harpo (a "silent partner") operated an antique furniture restoration business in NYC at 108 and 116th Street, and that Harpo gave Joseph's daughter Lillian violin lessons.
I would appreciate hearing from anyone that might have more information or can point me to sources.
I'm not certain that your info is correct: There is no such address as 108 and 116th St. It may be 108 East or 108 West 116th St. I never knew Harpo to play violin. The address you gave in 1927 would be in a heavily Italian section of Harlem. My mother's family lived there then. Why would Harpo be interested in Antique restoration as a silent partner (although I don't know) if that's when the Marx Brothers were headlining at the Casino and Palace Theaters in New York and as Harpo said, "Rolling in the money"? Again, I have no proof that what you're saying is false but I'd ask more questions if I were you. It's not adding up.
In the 1920's the Marx family owned a home in the Richmond Hill section of Queens, NY the streets are numbered in a similar fashion. For example their home was on what is now 89th Avenue and 134th Street. Just an observation.
