Robert F. Ensko I (1855-1934)

Robert F. Ensko I (1855-1934) aka Robert Ensko, Sr.; Silver Expert (b. circa 1855, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA - d. May 13, 1934, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA)

Birth
Robert is the son of William Arthur Ensko I (c1830-1858) and Charlotte Coughlin (c1830-after1880) who emigrated from Ennis, County Clare, Ireland. Charlotte remarried after William's death. Her new husband was Albert Moore (1822-?) and her children moved into his house. Robert's siblings include: William Arthur Ensko II (1850-1889) who married Eloise Lindauer I (1852-1944); Charlotte Ensko (1853-?) aka Lottie Ensko; and Richard Ensko (1857-?) who married and had children, but little is known of him. The family appears in the 1870 and 1880 US Census living in Manhattan.

Marriage
Robert married Mary Elizabeth Bleakley (1858-after1930) on December 04, 1878 in Manhattan

Children

 * Robert F. Ensko II (1880-1971) who worked as a lace dealer and married Leah X (1891-1972)
 * [[Charlotte Ensko (1882-after1930) who married a Horn
 * Lamont N. Ensko (1890-1987) who worked in the family silver business and married Bernice X (c1890-before1987) but had no children
 * Stephen Guernsey Cook Ensko (1896-1969) who married Dorothea X (1892-1977) and worked in the family silver business
 * Elathene Ensko (1898-1981) who married George Christie (c1895-?)
 * Lottie Ensko (c1900-before1934)
 * William E. Ensko (c1900-1918) who married Alma Dorothy X (1891-1984) and died in World War I as a Sergeant in the US Army.

Manhattan
Robert appears in the 1870 US Census living in the home of Albert Moore, a car conductor, who had married his mother after his father's death. In the 1880 US Census he is still living in the home of his stepfather. He is working as a shoe manufacturer, living with his wife, Mary, and their newborn son Robert II.

Robert Ensko, Inc.
Robert senior started a family business of dealing in antique silver in New York and his son, Stephen Guernsey Cook Ensko, who would eventually publish three books on American silversmiths and their marks. His book is entitled: Makers of Early American Silver, New York, 1915. Some of Robert's correspondences with Heinrich Schwarz are archived at the Rhode Island School of Design, Museum of Art, Providence, Rhode Island. Some other letters are archived with the Bernard M. Bloomfield Papers, 1743-1963 archived at the Winterthur in Delaware. One letter is dated January 7, 1917 and is addressed to Maurice Brix and concerns "the earliest date for the firm of H.I. Pepper and Sons". Other letters between Maurice Brix and Hollis French dated: February 18, 1927; March 4, 1927; and April 4, 1927 inquire about Robert Ensko's publications. Robert appears in the 1920 and 1930 Manhattan Directory dealing in "antiques" at 682 Lexington Avenue and living at 799 Park Avenue.

Death
He died on May 14, 1932 and his obituary appeared in the New York Times on May 15, 1932, on page 21. He was buried in Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn on May 16, 1934. The probating of his will was reported in the New York Times on May 24, 1934 on page 46.