Abraham Abraham
| Abraham Abraham | |
|---|---|
| Born |
March 9, 1843 New York City |
| Died |
June 28, 1911 (aged 68) Cherry Island, New York |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Businessman |
| Known for | Founder of Abraham & Straus |
Abraham Abraham (March 9, 1843 – June 28, 1911) was a Jewish American businessman and the founder of the Brooklyn department store Abraham & Straus, founded 1865. The chain, which became part of Federated Department Stores, is now part of Macy's.
Early life
Abraham's father was Judah Abraham, a native of Bavaria who left in 1837 and married Sarah Sussman en route to the United States. Soon after arrival, Judah Abraham opened a store on Murray Street in New York. In 1843 Abraham Abraham was born. He had delicate health, and wanted to be a violinist. During the Civil War, he ran away to Chicago to enlist, but was brought back by his father. At 14, he worked at Hart & Dettlebach of Newark, along with Simon Bloomingdale and Benjamin Altman for $1 a week.
Career
Abraham opened Wechsler & Abraham in Brooklyn in 1865 at 297 Fulton Street . The company later became Abraham & Straus.[1]
He became a Brooklyn philanthropist, establishing the Brooklyn Jewish Hospital, among many other causes. In 1890, he commissioned a house, now demolished, at 800 St. Mark's Avenue in Brooklyn.
Death and legacy
Abraham Abraham died on Cherry Island, near Alexandria Bay, New York.
Among Abraham's many notable descendants are grandson Donald B. Straus, an educator, author, and advisor, great-great-granddaughter Nina Rothschild Utne, a magazine publisher, and great-great-great-grandson Arthur Bradford, an author and director.
References
- ↑ Leonard, John William; Marquis, Albert Nelson, eds. (1908), Who's who in America, 5, Chicago: Marquis Who's Who, Incorporated, p. 6.
- "...And Paramus Makes Ten", internal A&S history document on opening of Paramus Park store, 1974.
- "Abraham Abraham, Merchant, Is Dead; Sudden End of a Man of Notable Career, Known for His Broad and Liberal Activities", PDF file with full text of New York Times obituary, June 29, 1911.