BILOXI'S JEWISH HISTORY
CONTENTS
Time Line
September 1853- Frederick A. Renoir sold for $50 to the Congregation of the Hebrew Society of NOLA a tract of land on the west side of Reynoir Street. It was to be used as a Jewish Cemetery. Trustees for the Jewish Cemetery were: Leopold Klopman (1810-1873) and Adolph S. Marks (1791-1867) of New Orleans and Samuel Friedlander (1813-1886) of Biloxi.(Harrison Co. Mississippi Land Deed Bk. 6, p. 518)
August 2005-Hurrcane Katrina destroys original Biloxi synagogue.
May 2009-Completed new Beth Israel synagogue and community center at 12277 Three Rivers Road in Gulfport.
REFERENCES:
The Daily Herald, “”,
The Daily Herald, “”,
The Daily Herald, “”,
The Daily Herald, “”,
The Daily Herald, “”,
The Daily Herald, “Jewish feast”, March 6, 1944, p. 7.
The Daily Herald, “Jewish Purim Festival observed at Keesler”, March 9, 1944, p. 7.
The Daily Herald, “Jewish soldiers observed Passover Seder at Field”, April 11, 1944, p. 7.
The Daily Herald, “Plan dedication of Synagogue in Biloxi Sunday”, August 30, 1958, p. 8.
The Daily Herald, “”,
The Daily Herald, “”,
The Daily Herald, “”,
The Sun Herald, “Beth Israel is tight-knit family”, July 17, 2010, p. A9.
The Sun Herald, “”,
The Sun Herald, “”,
Biography of Biloxi’s Jewish Community
Harry Cahn (1870-1910)
Earl Friedman
Samuel Friedlander (1812-1886)
Moody Grishman (1913-2008)
Henry Gumble (1869-1950?)
Isidore Hechinger (
Isidore Heidenheim (1857-1918)
Ralph Hersh (1913-1985)
Morris Jacobs
Maurice Moise Levy (1840-1913)
Samuel Levy (1864-1935)
Victor Levy (1853-1935)
Phillip W. Levine (1889-1940)
William Henry Lengsfield (1851-1925)
Nellie Solomon (d. 5-9-1940)
Arthur J. Mix (1923-1996)
Alfred G. Moses (1878-1930+)
Bernard Picard (1853-1896)
Samuel Picard (1883-1964)
Abraham Rosenberg (1940)
David Rosenblum (1912-1957)
Louis Rosenthal (1851-1942)
Julian H. Saenger (1873-1932)
Henry I. Singer (1869-1920+)
HARRY CAHN
Harry Cahn (1870-1910) was born at Greenville, Washington County, Mississippi, the son of Bonhomme Cahn (1831-1885) and Julia Hirsch (1846-1908), natives of Lorraine, France. His siblings were: Selig Cahn (1868-1936) m. Yetta Cahn; Josephine Cahn (1871-1943+) m. Leon Bloch; Julius Cahn (1873-1943) m. Florence Baer; Joseph Cahn (1876-1936+); Henry Cahn (1877-1936+); Mose Cahn (1879-1936) m. Bertha Goldberg; and Barney Cahn (1880-1936+).
In October 1903, Harry Cahn married Hattie Levy (1879-1914+) , the daughter of Judge and Mrs. Manuel Levy of 335 Slidell Street at Algiers, Louisiana.(The Biloxi Daily Herald, October 19, 1903, p. 8)
Cahn & Singer
In September 1903, Harry Cahn and Henry I. Singer (1869-1930+) opened their dry goods and mercantile store in Biloxi. It was situated on West Howard Avenue in the Bolton Building opposite the Dukate Theatre.(The Biloxi Daily Herald, October 7, 1903, p. 8)
They advertised as follows:
CAHN & SINGER
Dry Goods, Notions, Clothing, Furnishings Goods, Hats, and Shoes
(The Biloxi Daily Herald, October 7, 1903, p. 8)
Sells out and relocates
In the winter of 1916, Hattie Cahn who had been in Biloxi since 1904 and in the mercantile business which was situated in the Bolton Building on West Howard decided to retire. In late January 1916, she sold all of her merchandise to the Samuel Brothers of Gretna, Louisiana. Mrs. Cahn left Biloxi in mid-February 1916 for New Orleans to reside with Judge and Mrs. Levy, her parents. Hattie Cahn had many friends in Biloxi who regretted her decision to leave. She planned to visit her sister in New York.(The Daily Herald, February 3, 1916, p. 4 and February 19, 1916, p. 2)
REFERENCES:
The Biloxi Daily Herald, “Among Herald’s Advertisers”, June 6, 1903.
The Biloxi Daily Herald, “Among Herald’s Advertisers”, October 7, 1903.
The Biloxi Daily Herald, “Cahn & Singer [advertisement]”, October 7, 1903.
The Biloxi Daily Herald, “Cahn-Levy”, October 19, 1903.
The Biloxi Daily Herald, “Cahn & Singer [advertisement]”, January 2, 1905.
The Biloxi Daily Herald, “”, January 2, 1905.
The Biloxi Daily Herald, “”, January 2, 1905.
The Biloxi Daily Herald, “Cahn & Singer dissolve partnership”, May 15, 1909.
The Daily Herald, “Personals”, May 28, 1909.
The Daily Herald, “Harry Cahn”, August 29, 1910.
The Daily Herald, “Mrs. Harry Cahn [advertisement]”, April 3, 1914.
The Daily Herald, “Mrs. Cahn retired from business”, February 3, 1916.
The Daily Herald, “Mrs. Cahn goes to New Orleans to reside”, February 19, 1916.
The Daily Herald, “”, , .
The Daily Picayune, “Mrs. Julia Hirsch Cahn”, May 13, 1908.
The Times Picayune, “Selig Cahn”, January 19, 1936.
The Times Picayune, “Mose Cahn”, July 5, 1936.
The Times Picayune, “Julius Cahn”, March 27, 1943.
SAMUEL FRIEDLANDER
Samuel Friedlander (1813-1886) was born in Wurtemburg, Germany and educated in Heidelberg. He arrived in the United States in 1840 and settled in Mississippi where he was active in commercial ventures. In 1850, Mr. Friedlander relocated to New Orleans and established himself as a commission’s merchants. His business acumen allowed him to accumulate a large fortune in the next thirty years. He was (The Daily Picayune, March 26, 1886, p. 4)
He resided at New Orleans at 197 Girod Street with his Lena Friedlander (1819-1881), his Oberndorf, Germany born spouse. Samuel and Lena were the parents of eight children-three son and five daughters. The following are known: Henry Friedlander (1848-1902); Emma Friedlander (1854-1927); Nathan Friedlander (1856-1880+) m. Mariam Friedman; Ida I. Friedlander (1858-1900+) m. Benjamin Hart (1842-1900+); Sophia Freidlander (1860-1882+) married William Winter; and Julius Friedlander (1862-1925) m. Ophe Kendall.
Biloxi house
In January 1851, the Daniel Goos (1815-1917) family sold their Biloxi residence at present day 138 Magnolia Street to Samuel Friedlander of New Orleans and moved to Ocean Springs. The selling price at this time was $5000. It would appear the Biloxi home was built by Mr. Goos and sold to Mr. Friedlander. Basis for this postulation is the doubling of the property value and that Kendall brick was used in its construction. The Kendall Brickyard existed from 1849-1854 at Back Bay, now D’Iberville.(Harrison County, Ms. Land Deed Bk. 5, pp. 480-481)
On February 27, 1850, the Goos family had acquired their Biloxi residence from Louise Alexandrine Leocade Hatrel Fourchy (1812-1886) and Alexandre Fourchy (1787-1854) of New Orleans for $2500. Mr. Fourchy was a lawyer and native of France. The Creole Cottage now situated here is known as Mary Mahoney’s Old French House, an utilized as a restaurant.(Harrison County, Ms. Land Deed Bk. 5, p. 256 and 1850 Orleans Parish, Louisiana Federal Census M432_235, p. 139)
Biloxi’s Jewish Cemetery
In September, Frederick A. Renoir sold for $50 to the Congregation of the Hebrew Society of NOLA a tract of land on the west side of Reynoir Street. It was to be used as a Jewish Cemetery. Trustees for the Jewish Cemetery were: Leopold Klopman (1810-1873) and Adolph S. Marks (1791-1867) of New Orleans and Samuel Friedlander (1813-1886) of Biloxi.(Harrison Co. Mississippi Land Deed Bk. 6, p. 518)
Death and estate
Lena Friedlander died at her Girod Street home on September 28, 1881. Like her husband she
Samuel Friedlander expired at NOLA on March 25, 1886. His heirs
A mid-April 1888, auction at New Orleans of Mr. Friedlander’s property resulted in about $5000 in sales for his estate. In Biloxi, all of his furniture and household belongings in the Friedlander home on the corner of Magnolia Street and Water Street were sold on April 30th.(The Biloxi Herald, April 14, 1888, p. 8 and April 28, 1888, p. 8)
REFERENCES:
The Biloxi Herald, “City News”, April 14, 1888.
The Biloxi Herald, “City News”, April 28, 1888.
The Daily City Item, “Factors’ and Traders’ Insurance Company”, November 8, 1878.
The Daily Picayune, “Died [Mrs. Samuel Friedlander]”, September 29, 1881.
The Daily Picayune, “Samuel Friedlander”, March 26, 1886.
The Daily Picayune, “The Great Sale Today”, April 16, 1887.
The, “City News”, April 28, 1888.
The , “City News”, April 28, 1888.
EARL FRIEDMAN
Earl Friedman (1927-1989) or (1908-1966) died August 3, 1989 or April 1966 . Married Phyllis C? (1924-1998). She died November 2, 1998
REFERENCES:
The Sun Herald, “”,
The Sun Herald, “”,
The Sun Herald, “”,
I. DANIEL GEHR
I. Daniel Gehr (1895-1959) was born at Alexandria, Louisiana on July 19, 1895 to Gustave Gehr (1858-1900+), a German immigrant grocer, and Sarah Weil (1868-1900+) or Sarah Rosenthal. I. Daniel Gehr was a contractor at Alexandria in 1917 and arrived at Biloxi, Mississippi before 1930. He was a graduate of Tulane University. In 1930, Mr. Gehr resided on West Water Street as a tenant of Mrs. Cousins and remained single. In 1954, he was domiciled in the Earle Hotel [Avelez] and had an office in the old People's Bank Building.(1900 Rapides Parish, Louisiana Federal Census T623_577, p. 16B, ED 124 and 1930 Harrison Co., Mississippi Federal Census R1146, p. 12B, ED 3)
At Biloxi in the 1940s, I. Daniel Gehr designed homes in Bay Terrace and planned the Biloxi Cash Store of Peter Cerinich (1894-1951) and Alena Sekul Cerinich (1908-2002) on West Howard Avenue and Seal Avenue. In 1941, I. Daniel Gehr supervised the construction of the warehouse, fabricating buiulding, loft and drafting buildings, general offices, and work sheds for the Westergard Boat Works on Back Bay. He was credited with planning the 1959 Negro High School (Nicholls?); the West End Elementary School and its 1959 addition; and an addition to the Perkins Negro School. John T. Collins (1904-1985), Biloxi architect, took over Mr. Gehr's school projects after his July 1959 demise.(The Daily Herald, April 27, 1940, p. 3, April 29, 1940, p. 2, September 20, 1941, p. 3, and July 22, 1959, p. 2)
I. Daniel Gehr expired at Biloxi, Mississippi on July 22, 1959. His corporal remains were interred in the Jewish Cemetery at Pineville, Rapides Parish, Louisiana. he was survivied by two sisters, Mrs. Eugene Levy and Mrs. Harry Simon, and Mires Gehr, a brother. All lived in Alexandria, Louisiana.(The Daily Herald, July 22, 1959, p. 2)
REFERENCES:
The Daily Herald, “”,
The Daily Herald, “Modern plant built by Biloxi Port Commission”, September 20, 1941.
MOODY GRISHMAN
Moody Grishman was born at Houston, Texas on October 20, 1913. His parents were Benjamin Grishman and Annie Grishman. He married Elizabeth Cowan (1914-2002) on March 20, 1942. She was the daughter of Decatur Douglas ‘D.D.’ Cowan (1850-1929) and Mary Hermina Jonte (18-19), the daughter of Joseph H. Jonte (1844-1935) and Mary Harriett Delmas (1848-1906) of Pascagoula, Mississippi.(The History of Jackson Co., Mississippi, 1989, p. 174)
Moody Grishman and Elizabeth Cowan met in the romantic Vieux Carre' at New Orleans where she had gone to complete her training as a nurse anesthetist. Her prior education had been at Mississippi City High School and Perkinston Junior College. Shortly after their wedding, the young couple relocated to the Mississippi Coast where Moody established Moody's Tradewinds Restaurant at Mississippi City. The September 1947 Hurricane destroyed his business which led his entree into real estate and insurance at Biloxi. Here four Grishman children were reared: Melanie Hermina Grishman m. Nedro G. Parker and Herman J. Flax; David Benjamin Grishman m. Kay Ellen Kulman; Naomi Grishman; and Milton Charles Grishman m. Roberta Jean Avila.(The Sun Herald, March 22, 2002, p. A7 and January 8, 2008, p. A4)
Hurricane Camille in 1969 led Moody Grishman to focus his resources on real estate brokerage opportunities and abandon insurance. As proprietor of Moody Grishman Agency, Incorporated, he earned the respect of his clients and the community for his integrity and service. Mr. Grishman seved as president of the Mississippi Association of Realtors in 1967-1968; named Realtor Emeritus by the National Association of Realtors for his fifty years of service; served as president of the Biloxi-Ocean Springs Board of realtors from 1956-1961; and served on the Biloxi Planning Commission from 1966-1977.(The Sun Herald, January 8, 2008, p. A4)
Moody and Elizabeth C. Grishman were fouding members of the Congregation Beth Israel where Mrs. Grishman served as president of the Sisterhood. Moody served on the first building committee and was later selected as president of the Congregation.(The Sun Herald, March 22, 2002, p. A7 and January 8, 2008, p. A4)
REFERENCES:
The History of Jackson County, Mississippi, “Cowan Family”,(Jackson County Genealogical Society: Pascagoula, Mississippi-1989).
The Sun Herald, “Elizabeth Cowan Grishman”, March 22, 2002.
The Sun Herald, “Moody Grishman”, January 8, 2008.
The Sun Herald, “Grishman leaves legacy of synagogue, green beer”, January 8, 2008.
The Sun Herald, “”,
The Sun Herald, “”,
ISIDORE HEIDENHEIM
Isidore Heidenheim (1857-1918) was born at New Orleans, Louisiana on December 2, 1857 to Moses Heidenheim (1825-1907) and Babette Fertel (1830-1900). His parents were immigrants from Hesse-Denmark in 1847 and 1849 respectively. Moses Heidenheim made his livelihood in the 10th Ward at New Orleans as a retain dry goods merchant. By 1900, Moses and Babette had relocated to Jackson Avenue and he continued in the sale of notions. Here he and Babette reared a large family: Carolina ‘Carrie’ Heidenheim (1851-1913) m. Cerf Sampson (1839-1900+); Josephine Heidenheim (1853-1929) m. Heymann; Celestine Heidenheim (1855-1932); Isidore Heidenheim (1857-1918); August Heidenheim (1860-1914) m. Sarah Marks; Simon Heidenheim (1864-1934); Daniel Heidenheim (1865-pre 1870); Emmanuel Heidenheim (1866-1927); and Sarah ‘Selma’ Heidenheim (1871-1916) m. Emmanuel Levy (1861-1900+).(
Home and Family
Isidore Heidenheim married Anna Eve Riego (1874-1931) in Harrison County, Mississippi in August 1907. She was a school teacher and the daughter of Pedro Riego (1846-1895), a Spanish immigrant, and Anna C. Ortiz (1848-1922) of New Orleans. Miss Riego was reared on Spain Street in the Crescent City where her family made and classified tobacco and cigars.(Harrison Co., Mississippi MRB 19, p. 174, The Biloxi Daily Herald, August 15, 1907, p. 1)
Politics
Isidore Heidenheim was elected to Biloxi’s city government
Barataria Canning Company
Jewish Principals
The initial incorporators of the Barataria Canning Company were primarily Jewish businessmen from New Orleans, Louisiana. Simon Gumble (1834-1909) was a cotton factor and broker in the Crescent City operating as S. Gumble & Company. His office was situated at 192 Gravier Street and his home address was 264 Prytania Street. Simon had married Sophia Lengsfield (1862-1916). They were the parents of: Horace Gumble (1865-1916+); Florence Gumble (1867-1916+) m. Isidore Hechinger (1857-1927); Henry E. Gumble (1869-1950?); Cora Gumble (1872-1930) m. Simon Moses; Ophelia Gumble (1873-1916+) m. Edward I. Godchaux (1867-1926); Beulah Gumble (1879-1916+) m. Eli Joseph; Joseph Gumble (1882); Lester Gumble (1882-1916+); and Elsie Gumble (1884-1900+).
Simon Gumble had been born in April 1834 in Bavaria and immigrated to the United States in 1848. By 1860, he was a merchant at Livonia, Pointe Coupee, Parish, Louisiana and holding real estate valued at $9000. Relocating to New Orleans, he married Sophia Lengsfield in
In 1895, Charles L. Dyer wrote Along The Gulf for the L&N Railroad. While at Biloxi, Mississippi, he wrote the following about the Barataria Canning Company: This company was organized about ten years ago by New Orleans parties, the officers being H.R. Gogreve, president; I. Hechinger, vice-president; H. Bentz, treasurer; I. Heidenheim, secretary, and H. Edwards, manager. Of these, only the two later gentlemen reside in Biloxi Mr. Edwards having the active management of the operating department of the business, while Mr. Heidenheim has charge of the office in addition to that of already stated of secretary. To this company Biloxi is indebted for many ideas regarding the profitable up-building of the canning industry. The Barataria Canning Company makes a specialty of shipping raw oysters in lots to suit to all parts of the United States, and also handle large quantities of picked shrimp. They are also packers of oysters and shrimp, putting up many brands which are favorably known throughout the country and portions of Europe. One of those brands of pickled shrimp known as “ready Lunch” is a departure from the old methods of canning shrimps dry, these being put in a liquid of delicious flavor and making them very popular both for table use and for picnics, lunch, parties, etc. Another brand called “Pride of the Gulf”, put up dry in the muslin bag has a large sale also, these being used primarily for salads, mayonnaise, etc. The pickled shrimps are prepared by a process entirely their own. In addition to this the company cans special and private brands of oysters. During the busy season this factory employs about 400 hands, 200 of which are employed upon the boats, handling the raw products while 200are kept busy in the factory. Many of these people are brought from Baltimore and are returned to their homes at the close of the season should they wish it, at the expense of the company. The Barataria Company however, has built a large house capable of accommodating 35 families or 175 persons, when the workmen wish to remain in Biloxi between seasons, they are given rooms rent free. Many families, as a matter of course avail themselves of their privilege. The Barataria Canning Company were the first to introduce shell culture for the propagation of oysters in this part of the country and have been successful in their venture, which affords fresh stock for raw trade. This company has an oyster plant under cultivation in this manner of about 100,000 barrels and it is from this plant that the major portion of their supplies are drawn. In the oyster department of this business alone, this factory has a capacity for handling 800 to 1000 barrels per day, and as their pay roll runs from $3000 to $4000 a week during the greater portion of the year, some idea of the magnitude of the business done may be obtained as well as from the picture of the plant taken by our artist.
1891 fire
The engine room of the Barataria Canning Company burned in early September 1891. Damage was estimated at $1000 and the plant was disabled for a few days.(The Biloxi Herald, September 12, 1891, p. 4)
Baltimore labor
In late October 1892, Harry Edwards and W.K.M. Dukate of Lopez, Dunbar’s Sons & Company left Biloxi for Baltimore. They were seeking migrant workers for the coming canning season. Edwards and Dukate anticipated some three hundred workers to return with them.(The Biloxi Herald, October 22, 1892, p. 4)
1902
This is one of the largest industries on the Gulf Coast, and its product has a worldwide reputation. The company’s plant is 200x1500 feet, the buildings covering 30,000 feet of ground space. This company employs 400 to 500 people, and have ample room for every business purpose. They are large shippers of raw oysters and pickled shrimp, their oyster capacity being 150,000 cans per day. The following are the brands of oysters they pack and ship. “Barataria”; “Favorite”; “Eureka”; “Excelsior”; and the “Pride of the Gulf” shrimp. The product of this company is handled by the principal jobbing firms of the United States, and they guarantee all of their goods to be equal to any in every way.(The Biloxi Daily Herald, Business and Professional Men,1902, pp. 21-22)
In July 1906, the Barataria Canning Company had the following Biloxi merchants acquiring figs for their summer canning operation: E. Glennan; J.S. Wentzell; Tony Raymond; W.H. Gilder; Walter Gillen; Henry Diaz; and John Skinner; Peter Lepre was their buyer in North Biloxi.(The Biloxi Daily Herald, July 4, 1906, p. 4)
1910
In mid-June 1910, Henry R. Gogreve (1853-1910), vice-president of the Barataria Canning Company expired at New Orleans. Isidore Heidenheim (1852-1918) left Biloxi to attended his unreal which was held in the Crescent City, on June 18, 1910.(The Daily Herald, June 17, 1910, p. 8)
1912
Seafood Company of Biloxi
Isidore Heidenheim resigned as manager of the Barataria Canning Company in September 1912. He planned to remain in Biloxi and as a manufacturer’s agent, commercial adjuster, and realty and insurance agent. With Henry E. Gumbel (1869-1950?) of New Orleans as president, Edward Glennan (1854-1933), vice president, and Louis Goldman (1883-1920+), attorney, both of Biloxi, Isidore Heidenheim founded the Sea Food Company of Biloxi in May 1913. Mr. Heidenheim served as manger and secretary of the new cannery which was located on the Point of Biloxi.(The Daily Herald, September 19, 1912, p. 1 and May 26, 1913, p. 1)
Almost immediately after the resignation of Mr. Heidenheim, Henry C. Champlin was hired as the accounting manager of the packing company. Mr. Champlin had The Daily Herald, “Izard at Handsboro.(The Daily Herald, October 16, 1912, p. 8)
1913
In July 1913, the Barataria Canning Company advertised for figs. They offered to pay the “highest market price”.(The Daily Herald, July 3,1913, p. 8)
1914
Louisiana labor
In July 1914, the Barataria Canning Company made a radical change in the migrant labor practices of Biloxi by bringing in a small group of Louisiana strawberry pickers, primarily of French ancestry, to labor in their plant on Point Cadet. Seasonal workers were normally brought to Biloxi from the Baltimore area. The newcomers were domiciled in the Barataria factory camps.(The Daily Herald, July 25, 1914, p. 2)
REFERENCES:
The Biloxi Daily Herald, Business and Professional Men, ‘Barataria Canning Company’, (The Biloxi Daily Herald: Biloxi, Mississippi-1902).
Charles L. Dyer, Along The Gulf, (Women of the Trinity Episcopal Church: Pass Christian-1971. Originally published in 1895).
Journals
The Biloxi Herald, “
The Biloxi Herald, “Court Notes”, January 11, 1890.
The Biloxi Herald, “Circuit Court”, May 31, 1890.
The Biloxi Herald, “Warning”, June 7, 1890.
The Biloxi Herald, “New Officers”, February 18, 1896.
The Biloxi Herald, “
The Biloxi Herald, “Chancery Summons No. 799”, December 5, 1896.
The Biloxi Daily Herald, “Ott Bothers win”, February 9, 1904.
The Biloxi Daily Herald, “Heidenheim-Riego”, August 15, 1907.
The Daily Herald, “
The Daily Herald, “Barataria Canning Co.”, July 11, 1891.
The Daily Herald, “Second cannery for Alabama”,
The Daily Herald, “Barataria Company desires no law suit”, November 15, 1910.
The Daily Herald, “Heidenheim resigns as manager of the Barataria Canning Company”, September 19, 1912.
The Daily Herald, “Henry Champlin at the Barataria”, October 16, 1912.
The Daily Herald, “
The Daily Herald, “The new administration of the City of Biloxi”, January 4, 1911.
The Daily Herald, “Orleanian dies [August Heidenheim]; prominent in insurance field”, February 26, 1914.
The Daily Herald, “Known in Biloxi [Joseph E. Generelly]”, December 9, 1914.
The Daily Herald, “Biloxi loses well known canner”, October 28, 1918.
The Daily Herald, “
The Daily Herald, “
The Daily Herald, “Funeral [Anna C. Riego] held this morning”, August 9, 1922.
The Daily Picayune, “Personal and general notes”, April 4, 1889.
HERSCH
Ralph Hersh (1913-1985) owned and operated the Sol Frank, a clothing and shoe store, on West Howard Avenue. Married Vivian ? (1917-1996), probably a native of Texas.
REFERENCES:
The Sun Herald, “”,
The Sun Herald, “”,
The Sun Herald, “”,
The Sun Herald, “”,
The Sun Herald, “”,
The Sun Herald, “”,
PHILLIP W. LEVINE
Phillip William Levine (1889-1940) came to the United States from East Prussia, now a part of Russia, arriving at NYC in June 1900 from Hamburg, Germany. He married Jeanette Alexander (1892-1940+) at NOLA in August 1912. They were the parents of Arthur Levine (1913-1940+); Norman Levine (1917-1985) m. Imogene Clifton (1930-2006); Freeda B. Levine (1919-2002) m. Erwin Crabtree (1914-1986); Louis Levine (1920-1975); Leonard Levine (1920-1981); and Bellman Levine (1925-1972).
Phillip W. Levine came to Biloxi about 1912 as a peddler and by 1917 had settled at 123 Washington Avenue and was in the junk business. Arthur Levine, his eldest son was born in the Crescent City. By the fall of 1919, Mr. Levine had two shoe stores operating on the Mississippi Gulf Coast at Biloxi and Gulfport. His slogan was ‘we do not believe in profiteering’. Levine’s entrepreneurship continued unabated as by February 1930, he had stores at Biloxi, Bay St. Louis, Poplarville, and Magee, Mississippi. The Magee store was his latest addition as he acquired the stock of the D.F. Hilburn General Merchandising Store. Ernest Henley (1908-1984) of his Biloxi store was sent to Magee to manage that enterprise.(The Daily Herald, February 16, 1940, p. 1, October 3, 1919, p. 2 and February 5, 1930, p. 2)
Phillip W. Levine also acquired commercial real estate in Biloxi and Gulfport. At one time, he was a partner in the Hotel Biloxi ownership. Eventually, the Levine proprietorship had retail stores at Pascagoula, Moss Point, Woodville, Centerville, Greenwood and Hammond and Independence in Louisiana. At the time of his demise on February 15, 1940, Mr. Levine was in business in Bay St. Louis and was involved with fur and pecan enterprises.(The Daily Herald, February 16, 1940, p. 1)
REFERENCES:
The Daily Herald, “”, , .
The Daily Herald, “Phillip W. Levine [advertisement]”, October 3, 1919.
The Daily Herald, “Levine buys Magee store”, February 5, 1930.
The Daily Herald, “”, , .
The Daily Herald, “Levine succumbs to short illness”, February 16, 1940.
MAURICE M. LEVY
Maurice Moise Levy (1840-1913) was born at Nancy, France on June 2, 1840. He came to America in 1865 settling at Louisville, Kentucky. Relocating to NOLA, Mr. Levy worked as clerk and in June 1888 married Zelia Lopez-Silva (1859-1926), a Louisiana native. Maurice and Zelia were the parents of four daughters: Dephine Levy (1890-1926+) m. Emmanuel Steeg (1882-1926+); Clely Levy (1892-1926+); Alice Lervin Levy (1894-1926+) m. Marx Cohen (1894-1926+); and Louise Levy (1899-1926+).(The Daily Picayune, May 5, 1913, p. 6 and 1910 Harrison Co., Mississippi T624_740, p. 3A, ED 35)
Red Star Store-Biloxi
As early as March 1900,Maurice M. Levy began advertising The Red Star Store in The Biloxi Daily Herald. It appears that the Levy family came to Biloxi in early 1900 and opened their Red Star Store on West Howard Avenue next to Dukate’s Theatre. He was the agent for the new home sewing machine. By the fall of 1903, its stock had grown to include: clothing, furnishing goods and a complete line of dry goods. During the brief yellow fever scare in the summer of 1905, Mr. Levy sold mosquito bars ranging in price from 50 cents to $3.98.(The Biloxi Daily Herald, September 7, 1905, p. 1)
Relocation
Maurice M. Levy moved his store location at Biloxi in January 1910. It is assumed that the Red Star Store went from its site on West Howard Avenue next to Dukate’s Theatre to its new home on West Howard and Delaunay Street. There was more floor space at this locale. This building may have been the Tucei Building, which was occupied by the Morgan Furniture Company in May 1913.(The Daily Herald, January 24, 1910. P. 8 and May 5, 1913, p. 4)
Close out sale
In January 1911, Maurice M. Levy’s health began to fail and he advertised to sell his business including the entire stock, shelving, and silent show cases at a bargain for a ‘quick’ sale. The Levys retired to the Crescent City with their children and settled at 2707 Carondelet Street.
Demise
Maurice M. Levy passed on May 4, 1913 at NOLA. He was remembered at Biloxi as an active member of the Commercial Club and a Mason. Mrs. Levy lived to September 22, 1926 and died at her home on Carondelet Street. Their corporal remains were interred in the Dispersed of Judah Cemetery at New Orleans.(The Daily Herald, May 5, 1913, p. 5, The Daily Picayune May 5, 1913, and The Times Picayune, September 23, 1926, p. 2)
REFERENCES:
The Biloxi Daily Herald, “The Red Star Store”, March 31, 1900.
The Biloxi Daily Herald, “Among Herald Advertisers”, October 6, 1903.
The Biloxi Daily Herald, “The Red Star Store”, September 7, 1905.
The Daily Herald, “Biloxi News Paragraphs of Interest”, January 24, 1910.
The Daily Herald, “A Good Business opportunity”, January 25, 1911.
The Daily Herald, “Former Biloxi Merchant dies”, May 5, 1913.
The Daily Picayune, “Maurice M. Levy”, May 5, 1913.
The Times Picayune, “[Zelia] Levy”, September 23, 1926.
SAMUEL LEVY
Samuel ‘Sam’ Levy (1864-1935) was born at NOLA in October 1864. He married Theresa Levy (1865-1941?), also a native of the Crescent City in February 1887.
In April 1903, Sam was employed as a salesman with Kahn, Weil Company of New Orleans and came to Biloxi to take orders and make sales.(The Biloxi Daily Herald, April 22, 1903, p. 8)
Children: Carrie Levy (1889-1973) m. Jake Marks; Leo Levy (1889-1965); Lazar Levy (1892-1976); and Selma Levy Laser (1897-1976)
REFERENCES:
The Daily Herald, “”, , .
The Daily Herald, “”, , .
The Biloxi Daily Herald, “City News”, April 22, 1903.
VICTOR LEVY
Victor Levy married Pauline Rosenthal (1853-1935), a native of Paris, France. Father Gates Rosenthal, former world chess champion. Children: Albert Levy, Wolfe Levy, Leon Levy, Alex Levy, Josephine Levy Green, and Bertha Levy m. Dr. Leon Block. Buried Orthodox Cemetery at NOLA services by Rabbi Goldberg.
REFERENCES:
The Daily Herald, “Mrs. Victor Levy dies”, February 28, 1935.
The Daily Herald, “Leon Levy”, July 4, 1976.
The Daily Herald, “”, , .
The Daily Herald, “”, , .
AUSTIN MORITZ
REFERENCES:
The Daily Herald, “Austin's apparel store”, March 29, 1949.
The Daily Herald, “”, , .
RABBI ALFRED G. MOSES
Alfred G. Moses (1878-1930+) At Mobile with Congregation Shaari Shumayim
REFERENCES:
The Daily Herald, “Stone County”, October 13, 1916.
The Daily Herald, “Jewish services at the Elks Club by Rabbi Moses”, July 20, 1918.
The Daily Herald, “25 Jewish sailors Dr. Moses guests”, September 7, 1918.
The Daily Herald, “Collecting for Jewish Relief”, September 25, 1918.
The Daily Herald, “Dr. and Mrs. Moses return to Biloxi”, September 25, 1918.
The Daily Herald, “Jewish Welfare board may send man home’, January 6, 1919.
The Daily Herald, “Moses elected Rabbi”, February 10, 1919.
The Daily Herald
The Daily Herald, “Bay St. Louis postmaster visits Biloxi”, March 29, 1920.
BERNARD PICARD
Bernard Picard (1853-1896) was born in the Alsace-Lorraine region of northeastern France. He immigrated to Louisiana and in March 1878 at New Orleans, Bernard married Sarah Levy (1859-1927). She was born May 25, 1859, at New Orleans, the daughter of Moses Levy (1809-1897) and Henriette Oury (1828-1907), both French immigrants.
The Bernard Picard family came to Biloxi circa 1889. Here Mr. Picard opened his first store, Picard’s Cheap Cash Store, vending clothing for men, women and children, as well as hats and notions.(The Biloxi Herald, December 21, 1889, p. 4)
By 1892, Mr. Bernard had named his mercantile enterprise ‘The Mammoth Store’.
In 1895, Sam Picard opened another dry goods store at Gulfport and was alternating his time between the two cities. The Gulfport store opened in early October 1895. Picard by this time had established Picard's Emporium, a dry goods store, located in the Eistetter Building on Howard Avenue at Magnolia Street.(The Biloxi Herald, December 14, 1895, p. 8)
Entrepreneur
Bernard Picard was aggressive and active in investing his profits in other business ventures.A branch of the American Building, Loan, and Tontine Savings Association of Memphis opened at Biloxi in 1890. Sam Picard was president and on the board of directors of the Biloxi branch. Serving with him on the board were: Al Pilsbury, sec.-treas.; Antoine Bellande (1829-1918); Peter Dejean; and E. DeLamarre. John L. Henley was the attorney and Thomas H. Gleason served as vice-president.(The Biloxi Herald, June 21, 1890, p. 4).
In March 1896, just before his demise, Bernard Picard was a charter member of the People’s Bank of Biloxi. Mr. Picard expired on May 23, 1896, of stomach cancer at his 128 Main Street residence. His remains were interred at New Orleans.(The Biloxi Herald, May 23, 1896, p. 8).
Picard’s Emporium
128 Main Street
The Picard family established their Biloxi residence on the east side of Main Street between Front Street [Beach Boulevard] and Water Street inJanuary 1894. At this time, Sarah L. Picard acquired from John Wesley Treloar (1846-1897) and Marie Josephine Devaille Treloar (1852-1928), the daughter of Aristede Devaille and Adele Aline Quere (1814-1900), a lot and improvements with thirty-seven feet on Main Street and running east to Grand Jack Alley or Elmer Street, which today is called Dukate Street. The consideration was $1400.(Harrison Co., Mississippi Land Deed Bk. 29, p. 558)
In November 1894, Mrs. Picard acquired from the Treloar family another lot and improvements on Main Street south of her January 1894 acquisition. This tract had seventy-three feet on Main Street and ran east to Elmer Street. It would become known as 128 Main Street and the Picard residence. Mrs. Picard’s paid $2500 for this property.(Harrison Co., Mississippi Land Deed Bk. 32, p. 28)
PICARD HOUSE
[128 Main Street- Biloxi, Mississippi. Courtesy of Larry Cosper and Kathleen Scholtes Cosper]
New house
From the difference in the 1893 and 1898 Sanborn Maps of this area of Biloxi, it appears that a new house was erected at 128 Main Street during this time interval.
Sarah L. Picard-retirement
Sarah Levy Picard managed the Picard commercial enterprises until her retirement in August 1918. For thirty years, the Picard family business had been considered one of Biloxi’s most profitable. She died at Biloxi, Mississippi on 1927.
Sarah’s Will
On January 8, 1927, Sarah Levy Picard executed her will at Biloxi, Mississippi as follows: To Julius M. Picard Fernandez (1916-1983),a grandson, $6000 to be kept in trust until his 24th year. To Reine Picard and Ruby Picard her home and a small cottage in Biloxi known as 128 and 124 Main Street respectively. To Gertrude Picard Newman and Ruby Picard her jewelry. To granddaughters, Freda A. Schwartz and Hermine Levy, each $200 to purchase jewelry. To Bernard M. Picard, a grandson, $200. To Reine Picard all furnishings, fixtures, linens, draperies, silverware, constituting the furnishings of my home in Biloxi. The remainder of my estate is to be divided equally between Sam Picard, my executor, Gertrude Newman, Blanche Levy, and Sophie Schwartz.
At the time of her demise, Mrs. Picard possessed eight tracts of land, primarily in Biloxi. She also owned seven shares of the Biloxi B & Loans Co.; five shares of Reliance Homestead Association of New Orleans; and one share of Bethlehem Steel.(Harrison Co., Mississippi Chancery Court Will Bk. 6, p. 23)
Picard children
Bernard and Sarah Levy Picard were the parents of seven children. Reine Picard (1879-1943); Sophie Picard (1881-1979) m. Kassel Schwartz (1862-1921); Gertrude Picard (1885-1949) m. Jacob ‘Jack’ Newman; and Blanche Picard (1887-1949+) m. Simon E. Levy (1882-pre-1930), were born in Louisiana. Their only son, Samuel Picard (1883-1964) m. Minnie Meyer (1883-1974), was born in France. It appears that the Picards resided in France for several years before returning to Louisiana by February 1885. Two daughters, Florence ‘Flossie’ Picard (1891-1916) m. Dr. Julius Raymond Fernandez of NOLA and Thibodeaux, Louisiana and Ruby Picard (1893-1984) were born in Biloxi. A niece of French birth, Sarah Black (1878-1900+), resided with the Picards in 1900. (1900 Harrison Co., Mississippi Federal Census T623_808, p. 5A, ED 30).
REINE or RENE RICARD
Reine Picard (1879-1943) was born at New Orleans on March 16, 1879. She expired at Thibodeaux, Louisiana in late August 1943 while under the care of Dr. Julius M. Fernandez (1916-1983), her nephew. At this time, her siblings were situated as follows: Sam Picard and Sophie P. Schwartz were at Birmingham, Alabama. Mr. Jack Newman and Mrs. Sol Levy were domiciled at Philadelphia and Ruby Picard was at Biloxi managing the Gulf View Inn on East Beach.(The Daily Herald, August 25, 1943, p. 8).
SOPHIA PICARD
Sophia P. ‘Sophie’ Schwartz (1881-1979), a New Orleans native, was the daughter of Bernard Picard (1853-1896) and Sarah Levy Picard (1859-1927). She married Kassel Schwartz (1862-1921) of St. Martinville, Louisiana on March 10, 1903, at her mother's 128 Main Street residence. Dr. Max Heller of New Orleans officiated. After a wedding trip to Pensacola and other Florida points, the newly weds resided at St. Martinville were Mr. Schwartz was a leading merchant.(The Biloxi Daily Herald, March 11, 1903, p. 6).
Kassel Schwartz was born October 18, 1862 at Jarostan, Austria. He immigrated to the United States in 1880 and had settled on Main Street in St. Martinville, St. Martin Parish, Louisiana in 1888 where he made his livelihood as a retail dry goods merchant. Two children, Freda Schwartz (1907-1981) m. Hyman Rosenberg (1903-1988) and Bernard Schwartz (1911-1930+), were born of this union. Kassel Schwartz passed at St. Martinville on August 19, 1921.(1920 St. Martin Parish, Louisiana T625_631, p. 2B, ED 60)
Biloxi
After the death of her spouse at St. Martinville, Sophie P. Schwartz returned to Biloxi, Mississippi. In March 1923, she acquired for $8500 from Mary E. Watt, the widow of John C. Watt (d.1922), a retired Presbyterian minister, the Everett-Blessey House, once popularly called the Fabacher House, and known today as Chateau Blessey. (HARCO, Ms. Land Deed Bk. 41, p. 694).
The Everett-Blessey House is located at 1012 West Beach Boulevard on a .39 acre lot (68 feet by 250 feet), which is situated east of the Biloxi Lighthouse in Section 32, T7S-R9W. This lot was originally part of the N.M. Benachi tract. Nicolas Marino Benachi was the Greek Consul at New Orleans. His summer home, which was destroyed by Hurricane Camille, was located a few lots east of the Robinson-Maloney House, also known as the Dantzler House.
In March 21, 1925, Sophie Picard Schwartz sold her home, which fronted on the Mississippi Sound, to Lawrence B. Fabacher for $13,500.(HARCO, Ms. Land Deed Bk.32, pp. 727-728).
This event was chronicled in Biloxi’s local journals as: Mrs. S.P. Schwartz, who has been making her home at 948 West Beach, this week closed a deal whereby Lawrence Fabacher of New Orleans becomes the owner and he and his families have moved back to Biloxi to reside. This is an eight room modern home which will be improved by Mr. Fabacher and is located in one of the best residential sections of Biloxi.(The Daily Herald, March 11, 1925, p. 3)
Walter J. Blessey IV and Katherine Tarzana Blessey, his spouse, purchase the Everitt-Blessey House in June 1987. The structure was damaged by Hurricane Katrina in August 2005. In December 2007, Walter and Catherine T. Blessey announced that they would be opening a bed and breakfast in their newly remodeled home in the summer of 2008. The Blesseys now have three suites to let.(Harrison Co., Mississippi 2nd JD Land Deed Bk. 185, p. 392 and The Sun Herald, December 16, 2007, p. G1)
Gadsden, Alabama
After 1934, it appears that Sophia P. Schwartz left Biloxi for Gadsden, Alabama where Freda Schwartz Rosenberg (1907-1981), her daughter was domiciled with her family. Freda had married Hyman Rosenberg (1903-1988), a Pennsylvania native of Jewish Russian parentage. Hyman was a salesman in a shoe store. He and Freda had one child born at Gadsden, Alabama before 1930, called Jeanne Rosenberg (1929-1930+). Kay Ellen Rosenberg (b. 1934), another daughter, was born at Gadsden, Alabama circa June 18, 1934. Sophie’s son, Bernard Schwartz (1911-1930+), was also in the Rosenberg household in 1930 working as a salesman for a mercantile store.(1930 Etowah Co., Alabama Federal Census R16, P. 1A, ED 7 and The Daily Herald, June 25, 1934, p. 6)
Demise
Sophia Picard Schwartz appears to have passed at Gadsden, Alabama in December 1979. Hyman and Freda Rosenberg also died at Gadsden, Alabama.
SAM PICARD
Sam Picard was born August 25, 1883 in France, the only child of Samuel Picard and Sarah Levy born out of the country. The 1900 Federal Census indicates that he entered America in 1885. At Biloxi in 1900, Sarah Block (1878-1900+), a niece of Mrs. Sarah Picard was domiciled in their home on Main Street.(1900 Harrison Co., Mississippi Federal Census T623_808, p. 5A, ED 30)
In his youth, Sam Picard attended Miss Austin’s School with Sophie Picard, his sister. The children of the Lopez, Bradford, Gorenflo, Harkness, Champlin, Carraway, and Desporte families were also in attendance. In 1905, in real estate business as Biloxi as Sam Picard & Company and situated at 155 West Howard Avenue.(The Biloxi Herald, September 7, 1905, p. 1)
By September 1899, Sam Picard was a student at Mississippi A&M in Starkville, Mississippi.(The Biloxi Daily Herald, September 9, 1899, p. 8)
GERTRUDE PICARD
Gertrude Picard (1885-1949) was born on February 17, 1885 at New Orleans. She attended Biloxi High School and won a scholarship to Elizabeth College at Charlotte, North Carolina. Gertrude left Biloxi in September 1903 to commence her university studies. She graduated from Elizabeth College in May 1905 completing the AB course. Miss Picard returned to Biloxi and is known to have worked in December 1909, as a reporter for The Daily Herald. Gertrude reported on Biloxi society and personal happenings.(The Biloxi Daily Herald, September 15, 1903, p. 6, May 3, 1905, p. 5, and The Daily Herald, December 2, 1909, p. 8)
Gertrude Picard married Jacob 'Jack' Newman and they had two sons: Julian Newman and Ralph Newman. She passed on at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on January 3, 1949.(The Daily Herald, January 3, 1949, p. 7)
BLANCHE PICARD
Blanche Picard (1887-1949+) was born on February 27, 1887 at New Orleans. She graduated from Biloxi High School in May 1904 and Elizabeth College, Charlotte, North Carolina.(The Biloxi Daily Herald, May 31, 1904, p. 1)
QUEEN BLANCHE PICARD
1908 Mardi Gras
Blanche Picard was selected as the first Queen of the Biloxi Mardi Gras, which was held in March 1908. Her King, Bienville I, was John Carraway (1873-1931). Mr. Carraway came to Biloxi in 1893. He was born at Jackson, Mississippi the son of John C. Carraway (1843-1901) and Arcola Carraway (1848-1933), natives of the Magnolia State. In 1900, he and Mae Litel Carroway (1878-1930+), his spouse, a native of Albany, Wisconsin were domiciled on Front Street at Biloxi, where he made his livelihood as cashier for the Bank of Biloxi. Mr. Carraway matriculated to the University of Mississippi. At Biloxi, he was active in the Elk, Odd fellow, Woodman of the World, and Masonic Lodge. John was the first president of the BYC. His parents and Tennie Carraway Moreland (1880-1905+), his Texan born cousin, were also domiciled on Front Street at this time.(The Biloxi Daily Herald, (1902), p. 51; 1900 Harrison County, Mississippi Federal Census T623 808, p. 1A, ED 31, and The Biloxi Daily Herald, July 29, 1907, p. 2)
Marriage and family
Blanche Picard married Solomon Edward ‘Sollie’ Levy (1882-pre-1930). Sollie E. Levy was born at Newborn, Alabama. At Biloxi on August 27, 1908 in the Presbyterian Church, Rabbi Moses Bergman of New Orleans performed their nuptials. Phil Riser of Demopolis, Alabama and Florence Picard, sister of the bride, were Best Man and Maid of Honor respectively in their wedding. Sollie E. Levy was a successful traveling salesman. The newlyweds home was at or near St. Louis, Missouri.(The Biloxi Herald, August 14, 1908, p. 1 and August 27, 1908, p. 1 and Harrison Co., Mississippi MRB 21, p. 38)
World War I
Sollie E. Levy went to officers training at Fort Logan H. Root at North Little Rock, Arkansas. In May 1917, The Daily Herald related that: "Mrs. S .E. Levy of this city will go to New Orleans to visit her mother Mrs. S. Picard before going to Little Rock to join her husband at Camp Fort Logan H. Root."(The Daily Herald, May 31, 1917, p. 3)
In July 1918, he was stationed at Waco, Texas. At this time, Sol E. Levy also lost a brother, H. Levy, a resident of Uniontown, Alabama.(The Daily Herald, July 18, 1918, p. 3)
FLORENCE PICARD
Florence ‘Flossie’ Picard (1891-1916) was born in June 1891 at Biloxi, Mississippi. She attended Biloxi High School and the University of Mississippi. Flossie Picard taught school at Biloxi before she married Dr. Julius Raymond Fernandez (1890-1963) of New Orleans. Dr. Fernandez had also attended Ole Miss and was a 1913 graduate of Tulane University. Their nuptials occurred on December 7, 1915 at the home of her mother at 128 Main Street. Rabbi Moses of Mobile officiated at the ceremony. The couple lived in the Crescent City where Dr. Fernandez was an associate of Dr. Bell. He became an accomplished ENT specialist.(The Daily Herald, December 8, 1915, p. 8 and January 7, 1949, p. 2)
Flossie P. Fernandez expired at Hotel Dieu on November 17, 1916 in the Crescent City. She had given birth to a son, Julius M. Fernandez (1916-1983), on November 16, 1916. Mrs. Fernandez’s funeral was held at the home of Mrs. J. McDermott at 4901 Daneel Place. Her corporal remains were interred in the Jewish Cemetery at New Orleans next to those of Bernard Picard, her father.(The Daily Herald, November 18, 1916, p. 1 and The New Orleans States, November 16, 1916, p. 10)
Dr. J.R. Fernandez married Agnes Eulalie Pedeaux (1890-1976) and relocated to Edgard, St. John the Baptist Parish, Louisiana. He had several children with her. Julius M. Fernandez, his son with Florence Picard, became a doctor and lived at Franklin, St. Mary Parish, Louisiana. Ralph Fernandez, his son with Agnes E. Pedeaux, also became a physician and was a resident of Lafayette, Louisiana. Dr. Julius R. Fernandez was elected to the Louisiana House of Representatives and served three terms from 1940-1953. He had also been a Police Juror and Coroner when he lived in Jefferson Parish, Louisiana. Dr. J.R. Fernandez expired at Edgard, Louisiana on December 31, 1963.(The Times-Picayune, January 2, 1964, p. 6)
Biloxi Clinic
On January 10, 1949, Dr. Julius M. Fernandez opened a medical clinic at Biloxi in the Picard Buuilding, a two-story structure on East Beach and Kuhn Street. Dr. Fernandez, like his father was a Tulane graduate, Class of 1940. He had practiced medicine in Lafayette, Lousiana before coming to Biloxi. Miss Ruby Picard, his aunt and a registered nurse, worked in the clinic.(The Daily Herald, January 7, 1949, p. 2 and January 10, 1949, p. 2)
RUBY PICARD
Ruby Picard was born in June 1893 at Biloxi, Mississippi.
Hard Times-Picard homes sold
The Great Depression of the 1930s resulted in the loss of the Picard family homes at 124 and 128 Main Street. The smaller dwelling, 124 Main Street, was lost by default when Ruby Picard et al failed to pay notes on a mortgage valued at $1818. In November 1935, Eustis McManus, Special Commissioner, vended this property to the Homeowner’s Loan Corporation for $1600. It was acquired by Kos J. Jackson and Jessie M. Jackson in March 1938 for $2000.(Harrison Co., Mississippi Land Deed Bk. 207, p. 307, Bk. 207, p. 571, and Bk. 219, p. 597)
The Picard family residence, 128 Main Street, was also lost. Ruby Picard, Reine Picard, Gertrude Picard Newman, and Sam Picard defaulted on their loan made in October 1934 and A.J. McLaurin, trustee, sold the Picard home to the Homeowner’s Loan Corporation in June 1936, for $4400. They in turn conveyed the property to Dr. William D. Hooper (1887-1949), a North Carolina native and chiropractor, and Alva Witt Hooper (1894-1949+), his spouse, for $3750 in July 1938. Mrs. Hooper was born to the Reverend Robert F. Witt (1853-1920+) and Emma R. Witt (1861-1920+) in Mississippi, probably Claiborne County.(Harrison Co., Mississippi Land Deed of Trust Bk. 89, p. 469 and Land Deed Bk. 210, p. 269 and Bk. 221, p. 204 and 1930 Pike Co., Mississippi Federal Census R 1162, p. 10B, ED 14 and Lauderdale Co., Mississippi T625-882, p. 2A, ED 45)
The Picard home remained in the Hooper’s possession until William J. Collins and George J. Collins acquired it from Basil F. Witt (1888-1975), Lynn E. Witt (1893-1953+), and Ava Lee Witt Ansardi (1890-1985), the heirs of Alva Witt Hooper, in December 1953 for $12,500. Dr. Hooper had died at Biloxi on October 28, 1949.(Harrison Co., Mississippi Land Deed Bk. 376, p. 503)
Leo L. ‘Joe’ Scholtes, noted photographer and local historian, acquired the Picard home from the Collins in 19 . He demolished the old edifice as it was in ill-repair. Mr. Scholtes erected a brick home on this site.(Harrison Co., Mississippi Land Deed Bk. , p. )
RFEFERNCES:
The Biloxi Daily Herald, Business and Professional Men, (The Biloxi Daily Herald: Biloxi, Mississippi-1902).
The Buildings of Biloxi: An Architectural Survey, (The City of Biloxi: Biloxi, Mississippi-1976), p. 119.
Harrison County, Mississippi Chancery Court Cause No. 10277, “Sam Picard, executor of the Estate of Sarah Picard v. Julius M. Picard Fernandez et al”-September 1927.
Harrison County, Mississippi Chancery Court Cause No. 14242, “Homeowner’s Loan Corporation v. Ruby Picard et al”-September 1935.
Harrison County, Mississippi Chancery Court Will Book 6, “Will of Sarah Picard, January 1927.
Journals
The Biloxi Herald, “Picard’s Cheap Cash Store”, December 21, 1889.
The Biloxi Herald, “City Council”, April 12, 1890.
The Biloxi Herald, “Local Happenings”, June 21, 1890.
The Biloxi Herald, “Picard’s Cheap Cash Store”, July 19, 1890.
The Biloxi Herald, “Picard’s Emporium”, December 14, 1895.
The Biloxi Herald, “Charter of Incorporation of the People’s Bank of Biloxi”, March 21, 1896.
The Biloxi Herald, “Mrs. Austin’s School”, April 25, 1896.
The Biloxi Herald, “Death of Bernard Picard”, May 23, 1896.
The Biloxi Herald, “Latest City News”, June 13, 1896.
The Biloxi Herald, “Local and Personal”, September 9, 1896.
The Biloxi Daily Herald, “Schwartz-Picard”, March 11, 1899.
The Biloxi Daily Herald, “Schwartz-Picard”, March 11, 1903.
The Biloxi Daily Herald, “City News”, September 15, 1903.
The Biloxi Daily Herald, “Commencement exercises”, May 31, 1904.
The Biloxi Daily Herald, “City Paragraphs", May 3, 1905.
The Biloxi Daily Herald, “Sam Picard & Company”, September 7, 1905.
The Biloxi Daily Herald, “Among the Candidates”, July 29, 1907.
The Biloxi Daily Herald, “Biloxi first Carnival a success beyond expectations”, March 4, 1908.
The Biloxi Daily Herald, “Story of the Big Parade”, March 4, 1908.
The Biloxi Daily Herald, “City News”, August 14, 1908.
The Biloxi Daily Herald, “Levy-Picard”, August 27, 1908.
The Daily Herald, “Biloxi Society and Personal Items”, December 2, 1909.
The Daily Herald, “Biloxi Society and Personal Items”, June 3, 1910.
The Daily Herald, “Gulfport News Paragraphs”, July 1, 1911.
The Daily Herald, “Biloxi Society and Personal Items”, April 23, 1914.
The Daily Herald, “Mr. [Lazar] Schwartz dead”, December 3, 1915.
The Daily Herald, “Picard-Fernandez nuptials are held”, December 8, 1915.
The Daily Herald, “Mrs. Fernandez dies in New Orleans”, November 18, 1916.
The Daily Herald, “Mrs. Levy Leaves”, May 31, 1917.
The Daily Herald, “Picard & Gillen”, March 24, 1916.
The Daily Herald, “Capt. Sol Levy in Biloxi”, July 18, 1918.
The Daily Herald, “Picard & Son”, August 9, 1918.
The Daily Herald, “Local News Paragraphs”, August 16, 1918.
The Daily Herald, "Schartz Home Sold”, March 11, 1925.
The Daily Herald, “Mrs. S. Picard Passes away”, March 18, 1927.
The Daily Herald,“Biloxi News Paragraphs”, May 24, 1929.
The Daily Herald,“Biloxi News Paragraphs”, June 25, 1934.
The Daily Herald, “Miss Rene Picard dies”, August 25, 1943.
The Sun Herald, “B & Bs: Back in business-Boutique lodging making a comeback”, December 16, 2007, p. G1.
The Biloxi Herald, “Death of Bernard Picard”, May 23, 1896.
The Biloxi Daily Herald, “Schwartz-Picard”, March 11, 1903.
The Daily Herald, “Mr. [Lazar] Schwartz dead”, December 3, 1915.
The Daily Herald, “Mrs. Levy Leaves”, May 31, 1917.
The Daily Herald, “Schwartz Home Sold”, March 11, 1925.
The Daily Herald, “Mrs. S. Picard Passes away”, March 18, 1927.
The Daily Herald,“Biloxi News Paragraphs”,May 24, 1929.
The Daily Herald,“Miss Rene Picard dies”, August 25, 1943.
The Daily Herald, “Mrs. [Gertrude Picard] Newman dies”,
The Daily Herald, “J.M. Fernandez to open Biloxi clinic in Picard Building”, January 7. 1949.
The Daily Herald, "Dr. J.M. Fernandez [photo]”,
The Daily Herald, “”,
The Daily Picayune, “Mardi Gras at Biloxi”, March 4, 1908.
The New Orleans-State, “Florence Fernandez”, November 18, 1916.
The Times Picayune,“Ex-legislator funeral today”, January 2, 1964.
ABRAHAM ROSENBERG
Abraham Rosenberg (1870-1940) was born at NOLA, the son of Benjamin Rosenberg (1833-1917) and Rachel Woolf (1844-1911). In 1851 Benjamin arrived in New York City from his native Preusnitz, Russian Poland. After a short tenure in San Francisco, he came to NOLA via the Isthmus of Panama. In the Crescent City he sold shoes on Poydras Street until 1865. Benjamin Rosenberg then went into the wholesale shoe business as B. Rosenberg & Sons at 215 Decatur Street and erected one of the first Southern shoe factories, the Rex Shoe Factory at Bienville and Burgundy. Before becoming a reformed Jew, he supported the Chelbra Thilim Orthodox Congregation at NOLA and donated the money for its brick synagogue at 822 Lafayette Street.
Circa 1863, Benjamin Rosenberg married Rachel Woolf, an English lady. They were domiciled at 805 Pine Street and reared the following children: Adele Rosenberg (1864-1917+) m. Arthur Abrams and Samuel Rubin; Edward Rosenberg (1867-1912) m. Hattye Goetz; Ephraim Rosenberg (1868-1942); Benjamin Rosenberg (1870-1970) m. Claretta Mayer (1880-1985); Nathan Rosenberg (1874-1916) m. Josephine Coleman; and Lydia Rosenberg (1875-1940+) m. Samuel Cahn.
Abraham Rosenberg married Claretta Mayer (1880-1985), a native of Louisville, Kentucky. She was the daughter of Nathan Mayer (1837-1907), an 1843 German immigrant and Frances Godchaux (1847-1926), a native of Kentucky.
Children: Nathaniel B. Rosenberg (1908-1991) and Abraham Charles Rosenberg (1910-1985).
Abraham Rosenberg died intestate on December 9, 1940 near Montgomery, Alabama on a train while returning from a business affair at Martinsville, Indiana on December 9, 1940.
REFERENCES:
Harrison County, Mississippi Chancery Court, Cause No. 17996, ‘Mrs. Claretta Mayer Rosenberg v. the Heirs of Abraham Rosenberg deceased’, September-1941.(Deed Bk. 243, p. 531)
Orleans Parish, Louisiana Civil District Court Cause No. 237870, ‘The Succession of Abraham Rosenberg’-December 1941.
The Times Picayune, “From Peddler to Wholesaler-Benj. Rosenberg is dead, aged 83”, November 12, 1917.
The Times Picayune, “Make charitable bequests, 70, funeral is today”, November 22, 1917.
The Times Picayune, “A. Rosenberg, 70, funeral is today”, December 11, 1940.
The Times Picayune, “100-years-old woman [Claretta Mayer Rosenberg]still maintains her zest for life”, January 14, 1980.
ROSENBLUM
Charles Rosenblum (1902-1963) was born in Germany the son of Hillel Rosenblum (1876-1948) and Leah Rosenblum. His parents immigrated to the United States in 1906, coming from Minsk, Russia via Belgium to Ellis Island. The elder Rosenblum was an itinerant Jewish peddler who lived at McHenry, Mississippi and Pascagoula, Mississippi. In addition to Charles, there were four other sons and two daughters. After his business career was over, Hillel retired to New Orleans.
Charles Rosenblum married Rachel Rosemblum (1906-1930+), a native of England and 1906 immigrant. They had two sons, Sidney Rosenblum (b. 1927) and Alvin Rosenblum. Sidney Rosenblum attended the Gulf Coast Military Academy from 1939 to 1944. Charles Rosenblum lived at Hammond, Louisiana where he was a merchant and operated Rosenblum's Department Store at 314 East Thomas Street. The building is now rented by the Rosenblum family to the parish government and serves as the Hammond Branch of the Tangipahoa Parish Library system.(Sidney Rosenblum-December-1997)
Prior to locating at Biloxi, Mississippi, the Charles Rosenblum family lived in Alabama and at Picayune, Mississippi. In 1930, he was the proprietor of a dry goods store in Picayune.(1930 Pearl River Co., Mississippi Federal Census R1159, p. 3B, ED 7)
Fabacher House
The Fabacher home at 1012 West Beach in Biloxi was acquired by Charles Rosenblum from Lawrence Fabacher on June 4, 1941. Mr. Rosenblum paid $10,000 for the home. In January 1942, he sold it to Margaret K. Colby for $11,600.(Harrison Co., Mississippi Land Deed Bk. 240, pp. 247-248 and Bk. 246, p. 204-205)
At Biloxi, Charles Rosenblum was in the jewelry business and other commercial ventures with his younger brother David Rosenblum, a well known merchant in that city. Charles Rosenblum expired on February 23, 1963, at Hammond, Louisiana.(Sidney Rosenblum-December-1997)
DAVID ROSENBLUM
LOUIS ROSENTHAL
Louis Rosenthal (1851-1942) was born in Prussia. He immigrated to the United States in 1853.
Family
Louis Rosenthal married Brunette Levy (1868-1956) at New Orleans on February 19, 1888. They were the parents of seven children and six sons survived to adulthood: Seligman T. Rosenthal (1889-1973); Leon Rosenthal (1890-1920+) m. Fannie Heymann; Aaron Rosenthal (1893-1917+); Jacob Rosenthal (1895-1972); Marcus Rosenthal (1902-1970); and Ezra Rosenthal (1904-1994)
The Biloxi Blizzard
Louis Rosenthal commenced The Biloxi Blizzard in February 1893. From comments about his newspaper in The Biloxi Herald, it appears that it’s early months were difficult and there were times when The Biloxi Blizzard was not published. The Biloxi Herald, a competitor, wrote in April 1894, that after a suspension of several months, The Biloxi Blizzard made an appearance on April 1st. L. Rosenthal appears on the masthead as editor and proprietor. It is neatly printed as a seven column newspaper.
The Biloxi Blizzard advertised in 1893 as follows:
THE BLIZZARD
Published every Wednesday by the Biloxi Publishing Company
Louis Rosenthal, Editor and Manager
Subscription $1.50 per year
(T.H. Glenn, 1893, advertisement)
Sale
Louis Rosenthal sold the Biloxi Blizzard to Austin M. Dahlgren (1856-1906), collector of the port, in late January 1895. The conveyance occurred without consultation from Monsieurs Edward Glennan (1854-1933) and Charles Redding (1857-1926). These gentlemen owned the physical assets of Rosenthal’s late journal.(The Biloxi Herald, January 26, 1895, p. 8)
The Mandeville Wave
The Rosenthal family left Biloxi for Mandeville, Louisiana before 1900. Here Louis found employment with The Mandeville Wave, a small journal, as a journalist.
REFERENCES:
Charles L. Dyer, Along The Gulf, (Women of the Trinity Episcopal Church: Pass Christian-1971. Originally published in 1895).
T.H. Glenn, The Mexican Gulf Coast on Mobile Bay & Mississippi Sound Illustrated, (Graham-Delchamps: Mobile, Alabama-1893).
The Biloxi Herald, “Local Happenings”, February 4, 1893.
The Biloxi Herald, “Local Happenings”, April 7, 1894.
The Biloxi Herald, “Local Happenings”, January 26, 1895.
The Biloxi Herald, “Local Happenings”
The Biloxi Herald,
The Biloxi Daily Herald, “City News”, March 3, 1903.
JULIAN H. SAENGER
Julian Henri Saenger (1873-1932) was born in Norfolk, Virginia to Rabbi Israel Saenger (1841-1900+), an 1866 immigrant from Germany, and Mrs. Saenger (d. pre-1900) also a German immigrant. Julian graduated from Johns Hopkins University at Baltimore, Maryland after completing their pharmacy school. Before 1900, the Saenger family relocated from Macon, Georgia to Shreveport, Louisiana where he was a retail pharmacist and proprietor of the Saenger Drug Company with Abe D. Saenger (1876-1932+), his brother.(1900 Caddo Parish, Louisiana Federal Census T623_560, p. 4B, ED 40)
In 1911, Julian H. Saenger joined with Levi Maurice Ash (1880-1971), who had married Florence Saenger Ash (1886-1932+), his sister, and Abe D. Saenger, his brother, to organized the Saenger Amusement Company. They opened their first movie house in Shreveport, also in 1911. In 1917, the company had built the Strand Theatre at New Orleans and in November 1926. With their two hundred movies houses in fifty Southern cities, in eleven Southern states, and Central America and Cuba, Saenger Theatres, Inc. was integrated into Publix Theaters Corporation, the premier American movie house proprietor, whose crown jewel was the seven million dollar Paramont Theater on Broadway. The two and one-half million dollar Saenger Theatre opened in the Crescent City on February 4, 1927. It was designed by Emile Weil.
Julian H. Saenger married Marjorie Kent Weston at Gretna, Louisiana in December 1930. They were domiciled at 831 Bourbon Street. Julian was stricken by a heart attack on February 6, 1932. He expired in an ambulance rushing him to a New Orleans hospital.(The Times Picayune, December 20, 1930, p. 20 and February 6, 1932, p. 1)
REFERENCES:
The Times-Picayune, “New Saenger Theater is vast beyond belief and incredibly beautiful”, February 5, 1927.
The Times-Picayune, “Theater is seen as realization of years of work”, February 5, 1927.
The Times-Picayune, “Society”, December 20, 1930.
The Times-Picayune, “Julian H. Saenger stricken, dies on way to hospital”, February 7. 1932.
General References:
The Biloxi Daily Herald, “Of religious interest”, September 12, 1900.
The Biloxi Daily Herald, “Jewish New Year”, December 21, 1903.
The Biloxi Daily Herald, “Shebuoth”, May 19, 1904.
The Biloxi Daily Herald, “Personal”, May 23, 1907.
The Biloxi Daily Herald
The Biloxi Daily Herald
The Daily Herald, “Jewish Passover”, April 16, 1910.
The Daily Herald, “Jewish New Year will be ushered in this evening”, October 1, 1913.
The Daily Herald, “Stone County”, October 13, 1916.
The Daily Herald, “Jewish services at the Elks Club by Rabbi Moses”, July 20, 1918.
The Daily Herald, “25 Jewish sailors Dr. Moses guests”, September 7, 1918.
The Daily Herald, “Collecting for Jewish Relief”, September 25, 1918.
The Daily Herald, “Dr. and Mrs. Moses return to Biloxi”, September 25, 1918.
The Daily Herald, “Jewish Welfare board may send man home’, January 6, 1919.
The Daily Herald, “Moses elected Rabbi”, February 10, 1919.
The Daily Herald
The Daily Herald, “Bay St. Louis postmaster visits Biloxi”, March 29, 1920.
The Daily Herald
The Times-Picayune, “New Saenger Theater is vast beyond belief and incredibly beautiful”, February 5, 1927.
The Times-Picayune, “Theater is seen as realization of years of work”, February 5, 1927.
The Times-Picayune, “Society”, December 20, 1930.
The Times-Picayune, “Julian H. Saenger stricken, dies on way to hospital”, February 7, 1932.
HENRY I. SINGER
Henry Ivan Singer (1868-1930+) was born at Rodney, Jefferson County, Mississippi in October 1868 to George Singer (1820-1880+) and Margret Singer (1829-1880+), German immigrants. George Singer was from Saxony while Margret Singer was a native of Wurttemberg. Henry had two brothers, Albert Singer and William Singer (1862-1880+) and (1859-1880+).
Henry I. Singer left Rodney, Mississippi after 1900 to join Harry Cahn at Biloxi, Mississippi. At Rodney, he had been a merchandise salesman and associated with Daniel E. Moran (1879-1900+) and Henry L. Mackie (1879-1900+).(1900 Jefferson County, Mississippi T623_812, p. 1B, ED 89)
Family
Henry I. Singer remained a bachelor until at the age of forty-nine when he married Dorothy Hebard (1899-1930+) on October 25, 1917 in Harrison County, Mississippi.
REFERENCES:
The Advocate [Baton Rouge, Louisiana], “Robert L. Singer”, July 31, 1997.
The Biloxi Daily Herald, “Charter of Incorporation of the Harrison County Bank”, June 10, 1905.
The Daily Herald, “”, .
The Daily Herald, “The Specialty Store [advertisement]”, June 14, 1917.
SOL STEIN
Sol Stein (1855-1921+), an 1873 German immigrant, came to Biloxi before 1920 to manage the New Park Hotel on Reynoir Street north of the Saenger Theatre. He and spouse, Emma E. Stein (1876-1921+), a Missouri native of Swiss parentage, had one son, Sol Stein II. During WW I, young Sol Stein served seventeen months in the U.S. Army in France with the New York engineers. He returned to New York after the conflict to continue his livelihood in sales in New York and New England.(1920 Harrison Co., Mississippi Federal Census T626_876, p. 28A, ED 41 and The Daily Herald, May 17, 1921, p. 2)
Sol and Emma E. Stein had left the New Park Hotel and Biloxi in the winter of 1921. They spent it at St. Petersburg, Florida and returned to Biloxi in May 1921 to visit friends. Initially they had decided to relocate to NOLA, but by June 1921, they were back in the hotel business at Point Chautauqua south of Buffalo, New York.(The Daily Herald, May 12, 1921, p. 4 and June 16, 1921, p. 3)
REFERENCES:
The Daily Herald, “Sol Stein in Biloxi”, May 17, 1919.
The Daily Herald, “Here on visit”, May 12, 1921.
The Daily Herald, “Located in New York”, June 16, 1921.
ROSA WEISSENBERGER
REFERENCES:
The Biloxi Herald, “City News”, June 23, 1888.
The Biloxi Herald, “City News”, , 189 .
