Oscar is listed in the 1900 Manhattan census, living with the family of his sister Mary and Jacob Nadelson on Madison St. He is listed as born Apr 1881 and immigrated 1894, working as a coat cutter. He then married Kate Soren in 1902.
In the 1910 census, Oscar (30, RUS) is listed in Brooklyn with his wife Kate (27, RUS) of 7 years and their 3 children; Lillie (6, NY) and twins Helen and Flander (2, NY). It says Oscar immigrated in 1898 and had submitted naturalization papers, while Kate immigrated in 1899. Also living with them is a cousin Morris Ubener (23, RUS) married 2 yrs.
By 1920 they had moved to Yonkers where Oscar (39, RUS) owned a Ladies Wear store, and was naturalized in 1909, having immigrated in 1889. Katie (37, RUS) was also naturalized and had immigrated in 1890. Their children are still at home and son Arthur (8, NY) had been added.
Still in Yonkers in 1930, where Oscar (50, RUS) owned his home and a Dress store. It says he was born in Novogrodok as were his parents, and that he immigrated in 1898, was married at age 23 and was naturalized in 1910. The family consisted of wife Kate (46, RUS) also from Novogrodok, immigrated in 1898 and married at age 19. Daughter Helen (22) and son Arthur (18) were at home, along with a relative Phil Schiller (28, NY).
Still in Yonkers in 1940 with Oscar (62, RUS) a buyer for the dress store, Katie (58, RUS), and son Arthur (28, NY).
[Obituary] Fort Lauderdale News - 11 January 1966
Hallandale---
Oscar Schiller, 86, of 1015 NE Ninth St., died yesterday at a hospital. He came here 20 years ago from Yonkers, N. Y.
He is survived by his widow, Kate, two sons, Philip of Hollywood and Arthur of Miami; two daughters, Mrs. Lillian Cantor, also of Miami and Mrs. Helen Firedman of North Miami Beach, nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Arrangements by Johnson-Foster Funeral Home, Hollywood.
[Obituary] The Herald Statesman - 11 Jan 1966
Oscar Schiller dies at 83 in Florida
Oscar Schiller, a pioneer in retail women’s wear trade and leading merchant here for many years, died yesterday in Hollywood (Fla.) Memorial Hospital. He lived in Hallandale, Fla.
Mr. Schiller, 83, retired in 1952 as president of Schiller’s stores at 29 Palisade Ave and in Mount Vernon. In his retirement, he “couldn’t stand having nothing to do,” so began buying and selling building lots and went into the building business in Florida. Before moving there, the Schillers lived at 17 Pershing Ave.
Retail Group Founder
A mrechant here since 1914, Mr. Schiller was a founder of the Palisade Avenue Merchants Association, was a member of the Chamber of Commerce for more than 30 years, and was a former director of the Jewish Community Center and a member of the Odd Fellows.
Mr. Schiller and his wife, the former Katy Sarin, opened their first women’s apparel store on Nepperhan Avenue in 1914. While he conducted business, she made manyh of the blouses and skirts for the shop. Business outgrew the Nepperhan Avenue store and they moved to 29 Palisade Ave. in 1915. Fire years later, Mr. Schiller bought that property and constructed the Schiller Building in 1926.
New England Chain
Meanwhile, the Schiller business had developed into a chain of six stores in lower New England. Mr. Schiller gave them up in 1932. In the late 1920’s, the Schillers were operating three shops, a junior and misses store at 21 Palisade, a youthful women’s shop at 39 Palisade and an economy annex at 29 Palisade. They were merged into one large store when the Schiller Building was remodeled in 1935. It was enlarged and again remodeled in 1950.
Before his retirement, Mr. Schiller spent a good part of each year in Florida, and he began his building business there. He constructed the Oscar Apartments in Hollywood, Fla. On Mr. Schiller’s retirement, his nephew Philip Klein, who had been associated with him in business since 1920 became president. His son-in-law, Albert Cantor, became treasurer of Schiller’s. During the 1930’s, Mr. Schiller led drives for more parking spaces for Getty Square shoppers.
He was born in Russia on Oct 14, 1882 and he came to New York City in 1901, and was engaged in manufacturing and wholesaling women’s wear before founding his store here. The Schillers were married Sept 6, 1902, in New York City. Surviving in addition to Mrs. Schiller are four children; Mrs. Albert (Lillian) Cantor of Miami, Fla.; Mrs. Harry (Helen) Friedmanof North Miami, and Philip R. Schiller of Hollywood, Fla., and Arthur Schiller of Boca Raton, Fla. who are in the building supplies business, and nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.