- 1832 - Leo born [parents?]
- Late 1830s to early 1840s - Poppers start coming to the U.S.
from Bohemia (Austria); they were opposed to the Metternich regime.
Leo works in NYC as apprentice to an Italian marble mantlepiece maker.
- 1848 - Leo tries his luck in California in the Gold Rush
- 1849 - Some success: Leo sets up general store at Rattlesnake Bar
near Sutter's Mill with his capital.
- ~1860 - Leo returns to NYC, marries [wife?], and starts
a family (235 East 52nd Street).
- 1862 - Leo's first son, Edwin S. Popper born.
- 1864 - Second son, Caleb S. Popper born.
- 1868 - Leo and nine others begin manufacturing sheet glass in
Brooklyn.
- 1869 - Third son, Emil L. Popper born.
- 1873 - Glass works unsuccessful (due largely to changes in tariffs)
- 187? - "brief whirl in the liquor business"
- 187? - Leo begins making buttons at 338 Pearl St.
- 1880 - Leo Popper & Sons established. They make imitation
jewelry, pearls and jet, and import sheet glass and mirrors.
- 1882 - Caleb joins business; import business increases; larger
space taken at 5-16 Sullivan Street (just above Canal Street)
- 1889 - Emil L. joins the company (fresh out of college).
- 1891 - Edwin S. joins also.
- 1894 - Caleb, R.I.P. (died "in bed in a rage"); business becomes
a partnership of Leo, Edwin S. and Emil L.
- 1910 - Leo, R.I.P.; firm moves to Franklin Street location.
- 1930s - Safe burgled! They only got Emil L.'s gold medal (track)
and a hunting watch owned by Ed's uncle Adolph Opper. Better leave
it unlocked from now on, with a sign saying so.
- 1948 - Edwin S., R.I.P. (Emil L. now sole proprietor)
- 1949 - Delivery horse put to pasture (one of Edwin L's modernizing
influences)
- 1959 - Emil L., R.I.P.; Edwin L. (his son) takes over.
- 1971 - Shut down by Ed after 61 years at Franklin Street.
- 2003 - Ed L., last president of Leo Popper and Sons Glass, R.I.P.
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