Oscar Hammerstein I

Oscar Hammerstein I was a Germanborn businessman, theater impresario, and composer in New York City. His passion for opera led him to open several opera houses, and he rekindled operas popularity in America. He was the grandfather of American lyricist Oscar Hammerstein II and the father of theater manager William Hammerstein and American producer Arthur Hammerstein

Oscar Hammerstein I was born in Stettin , Kingdom of Prussia , to German Jewish parents Abraham and Berthe Hammerstein. He took up the flute, piano, and violin at an early age. His mother died when he was fifteen years old. During his youth, Hammersteins father desired him to continue with his education, wanting him to specialize in topics such as algebra, but Hammerstein desired to pursue music. After Oscar went skating in a park one day, his father found out and whipped him as punishment this would spur Hammerstein to run away to North America. After selling his violin, Hammerstein ran away to Liverpool, and from there, took a threemonth journey to the United States arriving in New York City in 1864.

Source: Wikipedia