CORNELL UNIVERSITY LIBRARY Gift of HERBERT GUSSMAN Cornell University Library F 630.J5GS5 The Jews of lowa.A complete history and 3 1924 007 975 034 The original of tiiis book is in tine Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924007975034 The lews of Iowa "21 A COMPLETE HISTORY AND ACCURATE ACCOUNT OF THEIR RELIGIOUS, SOCIAL, ECONOMICAL AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRESS IN THIS STATE; A HISTORY OF THE JEWS OF EUROPE, NORTH AND SOUTH AMERICA IN MODERN TIMES. AND A BRIEF HISTORY OF IOWA. "By RABBI SIMON GLAZER Published by KOCH BROTHERS PRINTING CO, Des Moines, Iowa COPYRIGHTED 1904 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED BY THE AUTHOR In Huii\ble Obedierice to t]:\e Merrioty of JVLy Fatlier Abraljam Slitalf (Ulazpr Born in Erz-si^ilKen, Russia, 5598 (1838) and ttiere Gati\ered to His Fatlrjers Nisson 16; 5563, (April 13, 1903) I DEDICATE THIS VOLUME The Author Governor Albert B, Cummins on " The Jews of Ioti>a/' "The Jews of Iowa hear their citizenship in the Bepublic and in the commonwealth with dignity and honor. When the wonderful evolution of this country is considered, it is a high compliment to any race to say that it is holding its own in the rapid march of progress and development, and this can ie well said of the Jews of our State. Patient, persistent in- dustry has been one of the characteristics for which the Jew,for centuries, has been distinguished, but with us he has still higher credit, for he advances with, the spirit of the times and Tceeps pace with the swiftly moving column which reaches into the future, which maJces history and betters civilization. It gives me great pleasure to say for the Jews of Iowa that they are potent factors in our business, faithful defenders of peace and order and staunch advocates of all the principles of good government." PREFACE. This volume contains a history of the development of the modern Jews as well as an account of a small grdup of Ameri- can Jews — The Jews of Iowa. The student, of reader, will easily be able to discover the mode of Israel's adventure dur- ing the suibhmest epoch in the world's history and, subsequent- ly, will readily discern the enigmatic tangles which are creat- ing Jewish problems upon every continent. Besides, the gen- eral public will find in this work useful facts about a misunder- stood class which seems to be struggling' upon tlie waves of Time without interruption, and a mutual benefit is, therefore, inevitable. This work is divided into three parts, treating practically three different subjects, but without knowing the first twoi the main object in view, in issuing this work, would have been futile. A short sto'ry of the growth of Iowa was necessary VIII PREFACE to demonstrate the rapid progress of this country, particularly of the West, which was considered but a vast tract of fruitless prairies, marshes and deserts for centuries after the discovery of this hemisphere: Likewise would the work have been be- hind its main object if an account of the modem adventures of Israel, of his equalization, emancipation, expulsion and emigration of Europe would have been omitted. The material for the history of Iowa was gathered from numerous authoritative sources which were always handy at the State Library of the Capitol, and at the State Historical Hall at Des Moines, which is under the splendid supervision of the revered curator, Charles Aldriech. The works of M'nasseh ben Israel, Professor H. Graetz, M. Keyseling, Zemadi David, Seder ha-Doroth, Isaac Hirsh Weiss, Simon Wolf, First Volume of Jewish Encyclopedia and many other excellent authorities were employed as sources for the history of the Jews of Europe, North and South Amer- ica since the discovery of the New World. The greatest arid most difficult task was to collect data for the history of the Jews of Iowa. Not a single paragraph was to be found ready, not a single fact was on file with any Jew, and not a page was ever devoted to chronicle the annals of the Jewish pioneers of Iowa. The old newspapers had to be consulted, but there, only a name sounding Jewish could be discovered. When a Jew donated or bequeathed money for any philanthropic purpose the papers only recorded the fact that a prominent citizen by such and such name offered PREFACE IX a most generous gift and, as there was no Jewish horse-thieves among the pioneers, no need was found to brand the geneology of the individual in describing him. A circular was, therefore, issued and more than two thou- sand copies were mailed to Jews throughout the state, and the generous replys only made it possible to find the clues of the by- gone events among the Jews of Iowa. Finding out the histori- cal places, I have hesitated but little and made a ramble throughout the state in every important town and, by receiving at my disposal the minute-books of the oldest congregations, I had the advantage of verifying names which appeared in various county histories, newspapers, official records and re- ports and thus was the material found and the history of the Jews of Iowa became a possibility. No strict attention was paid to the biographies of the semi-important, or even to some ol the important individuals who ,are figuring in this work, because it is not a biographical work, besides, one biography for a class representing a certain branch of Jewish progress in this state covers the whole field, for most of the pioneers have the same story, and it is only a matter as to who was the poorest and worked under more dis- advantages. Practically all of the Iowa Jews deserve special mention, but as this is a collective, and not an individual, history, only those who have been directly identified with the miaking of history among the Jews of this state have received due mention, while it is a fact that there are many among the file equally as X PREFACE prominent and are important as potent factors in Iowa, citizen- ship as their brothers and sisters who are classed with the rank. The apology for this work is the preservation of the an- nals of a handful of pioneers who were the offspring of the greatest history-making people under the sun, whose tri- umph in every walk of human effort demonstrates the fact that America and Americanism stand for equal opportunities to rich and poor, humble and lofty, and to prove that Israel, if only let alone, is capable of contributing every- thing good to the comimon cause of mankind, that verey ac- cusation against himi was prompted by big'otry and narrow mindedness, that anti-Semitism has no footing in this country and that the West is still in its process of development, and ' many are its opportunities for homeless who are willing to work, for oppressed whO' crave for liberty and know how to enjoy it. January 30, 1905. Des Moines, Iowa. CONTENTS CHAPTER I Discovery of the Mississippi Valleys.— DeSoto— Discovery of the Mississippi. — Jesuitic and Franciscan Discoveries — Marquette and Joliet in Iowa — Indian Toast — Savage Menu — La Salle — His Adven- tures — Rediscovery of the Mississippi — Father Hennepin Passes Through Iowa — Death of LaSalle— First Colony — Slavery— Coloni- zation— English Predomination „ i — 13 CHAPTER II Progress Prior to Civil War— Thomas Jefferson and Napoleon — Louisiana Purchase^lowa Indians— Their Heroes— Taylor, Davis "and Lincoln in Iowa — Iowa Ceded to the United States— Jullen Dubuque — Early Settlements — Iowa Becomes a Territory — ^Political Strength of Pioneers—Constitution Adopted — Des Moines Becomes Capitol City— Prosperity of Young Iowa 14 — 19 CHAPTER HI Iowa in Struggle for Preservation of the Union — Washington and Lincoln-^Champions of Liberty— 'Governor Kirkwood'^lowa in War Time— Civil War Opens— Potomac Army— MacClellan's Failure — General Grant— Iowa Soldiers— General Rosecrans^General Lee — General Meade Redeems Potomac Army— CoppirheadS' in Iowa — Tally Array— ^General Hooker^Surrender of Richmond — Assassina- tion of Lincoln :....' -zo— 35 XII CONTENTS CHAPTER IV Iowa's Period of Evolution — Constitution Amended — President Johnson— Iowa's Congressmen on His Impeachment — Rapid Recon- struction in Iowa - Grasshoppers — State Politics— Grant's Adrainis- trat'on— Iowa Gypsum— Growth of Population— Horace Greely — Woman's Suffrage— Grange Law — Hayes and Tiiden — Prosperity in Iowa— Assassination of Garfield 36— 49 CHAPTER V . Golden Age of Iowa— Rapid Progress in Iowa — Issues— Liquor Problem- Governor Boies— Iowa Legislation— Cleveland and Hard Times— Iowa Statistics — Iowa Statesmen— Senator- Allison— Triumph of Republicans— Governor Cummins Ardent Friend of Isreal, 50— 61 CHAPTER VI Jews in Modern Times-1492-1600 — Expulsion of Spain — Navarre, Genoa, Naples, Rome, Fez, Portugal and Northern Africa — Fate of Refugees — Brabauel— Turkey, Palestine and Poland — Germany — The Talmud and The Dominicans — Luther's Reform and the Jews — Jewish Learning — Kabalah— Sulchan Aruch— Beginning of Spain's Ruin 62 — 74 CHAPTER VII Jew Pioneers in America — Tidings in the Old World-1600-1700 — Jews With Columbus — Brazil — Mexico — Peru — Portugese Jews in America — Fate of Pioneers — Amsterdam — M'nasseh ben Israel and Cromwell — Pseudo — Messianism — Sabbatai Zebi — Jews in Europe —Dutch in Brazill— Exodus of the World— Scholars of the Seven- teenth Century —First Jews in New Amsterdam— Levi and de Lucean — Jews in Newport 75 — 87 CHAPTER VIII Ante-Indepedence Period in America and Pre-Emancipation Years in Europe Among the Jews-1700-1776— Conditions in Europe Kabalah and the Rabbi's— Judah Chassid-;-Querid Zbl— Chayim Malach— Moses Chayim Luzzato— Jews in New York, Newport, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Maryland, New England, South Carolina- Three Stars in Europe— Reconstruction of Judaism— The Frankists. . 88 —99 CONTENTS XIII CHAPTER IX Israel's Naturalization Among the Nations-1776-1825 — Declaration of Independence and the Jews — George Washington, Israel's Friend — His Letters— European Jews — Their Emancipation in Austria- Equalization in France — Germany — Napoleon and Synhedrion — Judaism in America— The War of 1812— Mardecia Emanual Noah. .100— 113 CHAPTER X Days of Regeneration and Activity in lsrael-1825-1885— Causes of Anti-Semitism— Judaism in England, France,Germany and Austria — Hushian Hashkalah and Political Conditions Among the Jews of the Czardom— Transition of Judaism in America— The Philadelphia Platform— A Reply v 1 13—130 CHAPTER XI Exodus of Russia and Immigration to America-1880-1900— Pro- gress in Russia— May Laws— Anti-Semitism— Progress of Russian Jews in America— Yiddish Journalism, Poetry, Drama and Preaching —Judaism in America— Orthodoxy and Reform 131— 151 CHAPTER XII Jews in the Days of Territorial Organization-1833-1846— A Jew Among the Founders of the First White Settlement in Iowa— First Jewish Farmers— Pioneers on Jewish Women— Appearance of Peddlers— First Jewish OfBce-Holder in this State— Pioneers Admire the People of Israel— First Naturalized Citizen in Iowa is a Jew- Intermarriage in the Early Days 152-170 CHAPTER Xlll Jews During Early Days of Statehood-1846-1855— The Peddler —Mr. Levi of Dubuque— A Jew Among the Founders of Des Moines —William Krause's Story of Early Days— Jews in Keokuk, Burling- ton, Fort Madison, Muscatine, Davenport and Sioux City— Foundation for Future Jewish Organizations— List of Pioneers 171— 185 XIV CONTENTS CHAPTER XIV Struggles of First Jewish Organization in^Iowa, 1855-58— First Passover observed in Iowa — Benevolent Children of Jerusalem — The Keokuk Gentiles Contribute to Jews Society — First Mynion in Iowa — Congregation B'nai Israel Founded — Chassidien and Misnagditn — Disagreement — Temporary Dissolution of B'nai Israel Congregation 186 — 195 CHAPTER XV Jews Become Potent Factors in Iowa Prior to Civil War, 1854- i86r — Signs of Prosperity Among Jewish Pioneers— Peddling a School of Experience — Early Settlers of Davenport — Arrival of Moses Bloom to Iowa— Burlington Center of Peddlers— List of Jewish Merchants, Artisans and Professional Men in Iowa Prior to 1861 196—208 CHAPTER XVI The Jews of Iowa in War Time, 1861-1865— The Jew in War- Jewish Patriotism Displayed During Civil War— List of Iowa Jewish Soldiers^Davenport Jews Establish a Congregation — B'nai Israel of Keokuk Revives — Inaugurate Novel Orthodox Custom — Services for Lincoln 209 — 224 CHAPTER XVll Events Among Iowa Jews During and After the War Prior to the Establishment of Permanent Organizations, 1860-1873 — McGregor, "Newport of Iowa" — ^^Isaiah Frankel — Jews Begin to Settle in Des Moines— Germans and Russians— How First Peddlers, of Among the Russian Jews Came to Des Moines — List of Prominent Men— First Mynion in Des Moines — Keokuk Advancing— Burlington Awakens .225 — 239 CHAPTER XVIII Adventures of the Jews in Iowa's Metropolis, 1873-1885 — Life Among the Ghettoites— Religious Spirit Predominative Power of Pioneers— Social Life During Early Days — West Des Moines Jewry —Struggle at the Departure of Orthodoxy- Splendid Work of Jewish Ladies — Congregation Bnai Yeshurun — Congregation Bnai Israel— Progress of Both Divisions— Charity on the East Side — Synagogues Planned for on Both Sides 239—254 CONTENTS XV CHAPTER XIX Growth of the Des Moines Jewry and Its Present Condition- 1885-1903 — Re-enforcement of the Des Moines Jewry — Gentiles As- sist Religious Efforts of the Jews — Remarkable Record Held by the Des Moines Jewry — Jewish Charities— Absence of Criminology Among Des Moines Jews— Sensational Events Stir Jewish Hearts. . .254—270 CHAPTER XX The Davenport Jewry-1874-1903— Transition of Judaism — Reor- ganization of the Davenport Congregation — Initiative Step Toward Reform — Spirited Opposition — Temple Emanuel Erected — Davenport Ladies— Equalization of Women in Judaism— Cloud Shadowing Glory of Davenport Jewry — Final Triumph — Rock Island Ghetto. . .271 — 288 CHAPTER XXI The Sioux City Jewry-1869-1903— Sioux City — Classification of the Jews— Cemetery was First Thought of Pioneers — Godfrey Hat- tenbach — Founder of Cities— The Ger Zedek of Iowa — Second Rally of Religious Nature— Disinterment — Arrival of Persecuted Jews — Adventures of Orthodoxy — Ladies Inaugurate Movement to Build a Temple — Sioux City Jewry Starts on a Golden Career 289—302 CHAPTER XXII Keokuk, Burlington, Dubuque and Other Organizied and Semi- Organized Jewries in Iowa-1873-1903— Decline of Oldest Congrega- tion Judaism Suffers in Burlington — Cradle of Iowa Jewry Holding Its Own— Muscatine— Centerville— Cedar Rapids — Oskaloosa— Ottumwa — Council Bluffs — Unorganized Mynionim — Religious Statistics of all Iowa Jewries 303—317 CHAPTER XXIIl Jewish Citizenship in Iowa— The Jew in Politics— Peer of Iowa Jewry— Career of Senator Bloom— Jewish Commissioner of Emi- gration— D. L. Heinsheimer— Other Jewish Office Holders in Iowa- First Orthodox Jewish Male Child of Des Moines Gains Prominence —The Only Jewish Captain of Iowa 318—333 XVI CONTENTS CHAPTER XXIV Philanthropy in the Iowa Jewries — Charity versus Z'dakah — Scientific Charity— Peer of Northwestern Philanthropists— Ladies' Societies— Zionism— Statistics , 334—347 CHAPTER XXV Educational and Intellectual Progress in the Iowa Jewries — Ghetto Education— Products of Russian Hashkolah — Career of a Bard Ends in Iowa — Young Israel of America Pillar of Jews and Judaism — Jewish School Children in Iowa — Friendliness of the Press to Iowa Jews 348—359 THE JEWS OF IOWA THE JEWS OF IOWA. CHAPTER I. DISCOVERY OF THE MISSISSIPPI VALLEYS. De Soto— Discovery of the Mississippi — ^Jesuitic and Fran- ciscan Discoveries — Marquette and Joliet in Iowa — Indian Toast — Savage Menu— La Salle — His Adventures^Re- discovery of the Mississippi^Pather Hennepin passes through Iowa — Death of La Salle — First Colony — Slav- ery — Colonization — English Predomination. Providence destined a son of the inquisitionary Spain, the country of blood and flame, to die searching lands for the free and homes for the poor. Spain which dyed her rivers with Israel's blood, filled her valleys with groans of Jacob's martyrs, and fattened her soil with brains and limbs of Judah's inno- cent babes in 1492, brought forth a son, eight years later, who discovered a picturesque river, a fertile valley, and a beauti- ful land where now nearly a million of Jews find comfortable homes, plenty of bread and personal liberty. It was a delightful morning in the spring of 1542, when the fearless De Solo and his indefatigable crewl amazedly be- held sunbeams embracing the willows of a hitherto unknown Great River and astonishingly heard the echo of a newly-dis- covered valley resounding their own joyful shouts. All haz- ardpus impediments, perilous hindrances and dangerous ob- THE JEWS OF IOWA structions which fate poured upon the great explorer during three years of fruitless penetration across mount and dale, prairie and everglade, vanished fromi his memory when his canoes finally reached the embonchure of the Washita river and the "Father of all Rivers" was visible. Ferdinand De Soto was-Jjbiii .at Badjes, Estremadura, Spain, about 1500, and, at an early age, displayed a burning zeal for discovery and conquest; his ambition Avas wholly real- ized; he conquered Florida and discovered the Mississippi, bat he lived not to partake of the glory of his achievements — a few days after the famous discovery was made he sickened and died. Spain, by virtue of his .discovery, claimed the en- tire territory embracing both of the Valleys to the Gulf of Mexico ; but its title to the soil proved to be contrary to the Euroipean policy relating to land discovered on this conti- nent; it was held by all nations concerned in the New World that any power exploring new land shall hold title to the soil provided it was consummated by possession and, Spain, hav- ing abandoned the country unpossessed, it was left to be re- discovered and taken possession of by the French in a much later period. And, after the shallow hills re-echoed the mourn- ful chants of De Soto's faithful followers as they consecrated the oozy bed of the "Father of all Rivers" by depositing what was left of their master in its current, no civilized voice was heard throughout the valley for over a century. The interval between De Soto and La Salle was eventful indeed, worthy of linking together the two great explorers; it was marked with daring expeditions conducted by zealous Franciscan and Jesuitic missionaries and by enterprising PIONEER PERIOD OF IOWA traders, who contributed largely to advance civilization in the savage regions and to obtain sufficient information which served as a key, to the Mississippi valley. La Garon in 1611, Brebeuf and Daniel in 1634, Father Raymbault and Picard in 1640, and Claud Allouez and Dab- Ion in 1655-61, successively gained entrance into the myste- rious regions and discovered the lakes Michigan, Siuperior, On- tario and the Niagara Falls, as well as many Indian nations .such as thp Hurons, Sacs, Fokcs, Illinois, Pottawattamjes and oioux. But the most conspicuous explorers prior to La Salle were Marquette and Joliet, having had the distinction of being the first Europeans who ever trod upon Iowa soil. In 1632, after New France was formally established under the charter of Louis XII, Quebec became the center of activity for missionaries and other adventurers. The task of extending the Canadian boundaries was now in the hands of the Jesuits and the government was watching their progress closely. When Marquette disclosed his plan of penetrating the Wild West to teach the savage wisdom, Joliet, on the part of the government, was ready to follow him and instruct the Ind- ians in European loyalty. On the 13th of May, 1670, an astonished host of Indians gathered at St. Ignatus to witness the departure of Marquette and Joliet and, with wild super- stition, labored to dishearten the travelers saying; "The na- tives living about the Great River are ready to kill and eat any approaching stranger, and the river itself is full of for- midable monsters and evil spirits ;" but their conception of the Mississippi, monstrous as it was, could not alter the determina- tion of the valiant voyagers and, amidst prayers and Indian THE JEWS OF idWA chants, the two departed on/ their journey which resulted in the discovery of Iowa. They had little hardship in reaching the extreme point of .French explorations iij the. West;, for, the country south of St. Ignatus had been fully explored by AUouez and Dablon, who carried the gospel through western Wisconsin and north- ern Illinois visiting the Musquotines and Kickapoos on the Mil- waukee and the Maimis at the head of Lrake Michigan, even to the Foxes on the Fox river, an account of which was in their possession. On the 25th day of June the adventurers noticed human footsteps and a narrow path apparently leading to some habitation; they left the canoes in charge of their five. Frenchmen and, after procee:ding on the west bank of the river, a distance of about two miles, they beheld a villaee sit- uated near the Mon-in-go-na (Des Moines) river. The stran- gers were cordially greeted and the calumet-peace-pipe — ^was freely offered them'. One of the chiefs addressed them as fol- lows; "I thank the Black Gown Chief (Marquette) and his friend (Joliet) for taking so much pains as to come and visit us. Never before has the earth been so beautiful nor the sun so bright as now; never has the river been so calm or free of rocks which your canoes have removed as they passed down ; never has the tobacco had so fine a flavor nor our corn appeared so beautiful as we believe it now. Ask the Great Spirit to give us life and health, and come ye and dwell with us." "The guests were then escorted to a feast prepared in their lionor which consisted of cornmeal seasoned with oil, cooked fish, a roasted dog (this dish was at once removed, learning PIOI^^ER f^RI^QP OT IOWA -that the guests were not fond of it) and roasted buffalo; every jdish being :passed in turn into the mouths of all presient by -means of l^ge wooden spoons. Remarkable indeed, the spirit of hospitality was part of Iowa's climate long before civiliza- tion was known to it. Marquette and Joliet remained with their newly made friends six days and, after a hearty f areweH, proceeded in their pursuits to discover other regions, .which -is not the purpose of this work to follow. The time now was drawing near for La Salle to appear on the list of the world's greatest explorers. Robert Cavelier, or ha Salle, as he was named after one of his father's estates, was born at Rouen, France, about 1643, ^^^> after being con- nected with the Jesuits for a short time, he concluded to seek his fortune in Canada where his brother had charge of a par- ish; arriving at Montreal, a tract of land was granted to him and he established himself as a fur trader. A band of Indians chanced to his fort and, according to their description of the Ohio river, La Salle came to the conclusion that that stream must empty into the Gulf of California and he was at once seized with a burning enthusiasm to become the Columbus of the Pacific coast. He collected a crew of fourteen men, raised the necessary funds by selling his fort near the St. Lawrence, obtained a patent from the governor to conduct the expedition in the name of the French government and, on July 10, 1669, started up the St. Lawrence. In thirty days Ontario was reached and coasting westward they heard the tremendous roaring of the gigantic cataract Njargara, finally striking the western end of the Lake. Here a famous meeting took place between La Salle and THE JEWS OF IOWA Joliet who was retumitig' from a fruitless expedition to Lake Superior in search of copper nilines. The latter, learning that La Salle aimed westward, supplied him with his maps of the ientire territory, and proceeded on his way to Quebec. La Salle, as it appears, discovered his error about the Pacific coast and, instead, he embarked on the head stream of the Alleghany, east of Lake Erie, following it down to the Ohio which he continued to explore as far as the rapids of Louisville, Ky. There he was told by the natives that far 'beyond, (Meaning Cairo, 111.) this stream' joins the bed of that Great River which lost itself in the vast lowlands of the Sunny South. Fortune, howlever, refused to sanction his fur- ther movements on that perilous journey ; all his men deserted him in a body and he was compelled to return to Canada, a distance of four hundred "lieues", across formidable marshes and solitary antres, on foot. Despite such disheartening ex- periences,, he was elated with joy when his friend, governor Frontenac, ordered him to go to France and obtain a charter to explore the lowlands adjacent to the Mississippi in the name of Louis XIV. La Salle visited France in 1674 and in recognition of his previous expedition, he was created an untitled noble, governor of the new Fort Frontenac;, and received his seigniorial grant around the Fort. Six days after La Salle has been thus ex- alted by the French court, Marquette, the discoverer of Iowa, still on his duty, carrying the gospel among the savages, or- dered his crew to carry him ashore so that he might yield his soul in a hut ; for, the great Father knew; that his end would come before the canoes could reach their destination. And PIONEER PERIOD OF IOWA it was so; he died on the 19th day of May 1675. Thus was one great light eclipsed when another begun to shine. La SaJle, however, deferred his projected expedition and in 1677 revisited France and laid his plans before the famous Colbert who, in turn, presented the matter to Court and soon King Louis ordered La Salle to set sail for Canacla and carry out his project at the speediest possible . tim.e. On the i8th day of November, 1678, the first French expedition headed by I^a Salle set out southwiard, but it was repulsed by fierce attacks of the elements and the navigators were forced to retreat. On August 7th, the year following. La Salle and his fol- lowers re-embarked and successfully reached Green Bay, thence to the Illinois and, proceeding on that river about sixty miles they erected a fort which served them, as temporary head- quarters till March 1680. Father Hennepin accompanied by six members of the crew sailed down the Illinois and explored the Upper valley, passing through some parts of Wisconsin, Iowa and Minnesota — a distance of 800 miles— even to the falls above St. Paul, which they named St. Anthony. As soon as Hennepin returned and reported his success. La Salle started on his long cherished for expedition which was to perpetuate his name alongside with the others whom the world will never forget. The Gulf of Mexico was discovered and the entire Lower Valley round about the Mississippi was taken possession of by La SaJle in the name of Louis XIV, on the 9th day of April 1682. The territory was namted Louisiana in honor of King Louis and the river, Colbert, in honor of the French minister who helped La Salle considerably while looking for a charter at Court. La Salle's activity did not THE JEWS OF IOWA cease, his task was completed, but his work not yet ended; he returned to Quebec and immediately sailed for France where garlands of honor and' tributes of heroism awaited him. He now turned his attention wholly to the South and his chief ambition was to see a colony established in its fair low- land and, to give his word action, he collected a crew of two hundred and fifty eager homeseekers and, without further de- lay, started for the mouth of the Mississippi. Here La Salle reached the summit of his career, and fate begun to lead him downward. He never again reached the spot so dear to him ; four months of frqitless search for the inouth of the Mississippi convinced him that his ambition was checked. He left most of his disappointed and angry followers in Texas and, seeing that his hope faded to nothingness, he concluded to return home afoot and on the i2th day of January, 1687, he started out toward Illinois. But his followers proved treacherous to himi and, on March 20th of that year, three of them assas- sinated him. Thus was a glorious career ended, and a per- fect man cut off in the prime of his life, by the cruel hands of reckless assassins! At the close of the 17th century, notwithstanding the re- verses of war sustained at the hands of the English, France directed its attention] to the mysterious lowilands of "the Sunny South. Ambitious navigators and thrifty homeseekers grasped the opportunity offered to them by the government and eagerly went to hunt their fortunes in the country of al- most fabulous resources. On March 2nd, 1699, DTberville, a brave navigator with several hundred men reached the mouth of the Mississippi and, through his untiring effort, the first PIONEER PERIOD OF IOWA colony of Europeans was' established at Biloxi Bay" which served as the groundwork' for the future Cdmmonwealth of Mississippi. In 1702, a certain Frenchman attempted to es- tablish a permanent settlement in the Upper Valley and to take formal possessiori of the entire Country now emibracing the states of Iowa, Minnesota and the Dakotas, but his efforts were wlithout consequence ; the fort which' he had erected at Blue Earth was isolated arid colonization was deferred for decades to come. Meantime the populating of the Lower Valley was prosecuted vigorously, and, in order to encour- age immigration and to obtain cheap labor, African negroes were imported and slavery had its initial appearance in Louis- iana. In 1712, the French government became financially entan- gled and was, therefore, unable to take advance measures in colonizing the Valley at its own expense; a charter assigning the control of commerce was accordingly granted to a Paris- ian merchant named Anthony Crozart. Thus went the south- ern pioneers from evil to misfortune — from slavery to. mo- nopoly — in but a short while. But the ambitious individual Was overwhelmed by the English competition, and repulsed by the Spanish government which closed all its harbors against his vessels, and after five years of fighting against disadvan- tages, he was doomed to defeat, and in August 171 7, he yield- ed up the charter. The territory was then transferred to a Company which was to operate all its affairs, for a period of twenty-five years, according to its own discretion — even to the selection of a governor and conducting wars. Bienville was chosen governor, and the scheme went from strength to THE JEWS OF IOWA Strength for a short time. 'Hundreds of Europeans as well as slaves were brought to the Valley and an educational in- stitution under the management of the Jesuits was established at Kaskaskia. New Orleans was founded about that period and the Valley became the enchantment of France, Spain and England'. Some of the new-comers betook themselves to tilling the ground and establishing permanent homes, while others paid little attention to the soil and wasted their time in search- ing for its precious metals and hidden treasures. The appar- ent success of the Company took a sudden change and it ended disastrously; bankruptcy became imminent after existing four years in an assumed flourishing condition. The failure was due to a certain currency system fathered by a certain John Law who for a few years was the idol of France. The down- fall of the Mississippi company was a severe blow to French predomination on this continent ; it wrested from the hands of France even Canada. In 1756-62 England overpowered France on the battle- field and Canada together with all the territories east of the Mississippi was annexed to English dominion on this hemi- sphere. Spain claimed the Upper Valley arid a tract of land east of New Orleans as having been ceded to her by the French King. This left France without a foot of territory in both Valleys. The change of governments proved helpful to the struggling inhabitants of the Lower Valley; some of the Frenchmen who belonged to the speculative class now be- came productive, and, since their home country lost control over the Valley, patriotism compelled them to migrate to the Upper Valley to till the ground and build homes. Life on the PIONEER PERIOD OF IOWA 13 Mississippi assumed a newi form; children were given the benefit of reading, writing and a little arithmetic, ministers preached religion to their flock and domestc happiness begun to prevail throughout the vast lowland. Meantime Iowa rose from its obscurity; it begun to shine together with the century of electricity. 14 THE JEWS OF IOWA, CHAPTER II. PROGRESS PRIOR TO CIVIL WAR. Thomas Jefferson and Napoleon — Louisiana Purchase — Iowa Indians — Their Heroes — Taylor, Davis and Lincoln in Iowa — Iowa Ceded to the United States-^Julien Du- buque — Early Settlements — Iowa Becomes a Territory — Political Strength of Pioneers — Constitution Adopted — Des Moines Becomes Capital City — Prosperity of Young Iowa. When the very foundations of Europe were trembling before the fiery ambition of Napoleon Bonaparte, Sipain yiele- ed back to France her possessions on this hemisphere and for awhile it seemed that the Dictator of Europe would have do- mlinion over a territory now comprising the States of Louisi- ana, Arkansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Kansas, Minnesota, both of the Dakotas, Colorado, Oregon, Idaho, Wyoming, Wash- ington, Montana and Iowa, and the Oklahoma and Arizona territories — an area of 1,171,931 square miles, exceeding- the original thirteen States by 344,087 square miles — ; but when the mighty soldier became thirsty for America's cold cash, Thomas Jefferson, President of the United States, was ready to negotiate with him and, on the 30th day of April 1803. the Louisiana purchase wias made for the paltry consideration of $15,000,000. PROGRESS PRIOR TO CIVIL WAR. 15 Thiis, not until America belonged to Americans did the soil of this magnificent country unfold its hidden treasures, and not until the flag of the Union floated over Louisiana did the resourceful Valleys shower prosperity upon the toilers. England yoked the country with unbearable taxation, France, with unendurable schemes and Spain, with undescrib- able inhumanity; it was therefore left for the Fathers of this Republic to wrest the golden land from the hands of tyrants and shield it with the wings of the American E^gle. What is now lowja was anciently inhabited by two predomr fnating branches of the Indian race; the Dakotas, and the Algonqiiins. The former, consisting of the tribe of Otoes, Missouris, Winnebagoes, Sissesstans, Omahas, Osages and lowas, occupied the northern section of the state, and the lat- ter, consisting of the families of Chippewas, Ottawas, Pot- rawattamies, Illinois, Sioux, Sacs and Foxes, lived in southern Iowa. Great heroes and cunning warriors rose up from time to time to resist the invasion of the whites ; chief amongst them were, Mohaska of the lowias, Black Hawk, Appanoose and Keokuk of the Sacs, Wanata of the Sioux, and Wapella and Kishkekosh of the Foxes. But their heroism faded into in- significance before the tide of the sublimest kind of progress ever attained by mankind which is called — Americanism. At the dawn of the 19th century little more than vague intimation and incredulous tales were current about the mys- terious West and, when the United States concluded to solve its enigma, it was found to be up against disadvantageous labors requiring men, money and many years for the conquest thereof. The savage enemy was fierce, determined and cun- i6 THE JEWS OF IOWA. ning, whereas the prospects of the "land of prairie and rein- deer" could not be forecasted to justify decisive measures for the accomplishment of the difficult task. The mildest possible methods were adopted in subjugating the natives ; war was waged only in cases when friendliness failed and bloodshed became inevitable. The first expedition to the West under the guidance of the Stars and Stripes was conducted by Zebulun M. Pike in 1804; a year later he selected a site for a fort, and in 1808, Fort Madison was built upon that site. About the same time the Sacs and Foxes, who were then the tribes in power, ceded to the United States a large tract of land on both sides of the Mississippi River including a part of Iowa. Many more great and illustrious men assisted in clearing Iowa, from thorns and thistles, chief among them were, Zachary Taylor, afterwards president of the United States, ( 1848) his lieuten- ant Jefferson Dayis, afterwards president of the Confederate States, and Abraham Lincoln afterwards president during the ' Civil War. In 1832, the Sacs and Foxes ceded to the United States a part of Wisconsin and the whole territory now em- bracing Iowa, reserving for tlieir chieftain Keokuk, only 47 square miles; but even that reserve was bought by United States two years later, at the mean price of seventy-five cents per acre. Thus fell the wall of savagery flat before the mighty shouts of the trumpets of civilization. The first European to come into the favor of the Iowa na- tives, and incidentally to become the first settler in the state, was Julieun Dubuque, a French-Canadian trader. He landed in Iowa about 1788, and at a council held in Prairie du Chien, PROGRESS PRIOR TO CIVIL WAR 17 was granted a tract of 140,000 acres of land, and permission to work leald miiies, which were discovered in 1780, by the wife of a Fox warrior named Peosta, at the site where now flourishes the city bearing* the Frenchman's name. But settlement grew very slowly during the first quarter of the 19th century; it was mainly due to the fact that Iowa was pronounced a frvjitless and resourceless prairie, incapable 6f producing either provender for stock or provisions for men. This state might justly apply to herself the Psalmodic maxim ; "The stone which the builders refused, is become the head- stone of the comer." Soon, however, villages sprang forth, farms were laid out, comlmunities organized, charters obtained, deeds granted and rules established. Burlington, Fort Madi- son, Dubuque, Davfnport, Salem — the first Quaker settlement •^ — Muscatine, Keokpk, Iowa City arid Nashville on the lower rapids, were founded before Iowa became an independent ter- ritory. The process of changes in the newly-acquired territory leading to the development of Iowa and to its admissibility to the Union, sum up as follows: In 1804, the Louisiana Terri- tory was divided into the Orleans Territory, south of the thir- ty-third parallel of north latitude, and the District of Louisi- ana, which was to be governed by the officials of Indian Terri- tory. In 1805, the District of Louisiana was organized into a self go\'erning Territory; and the Orleans Territory joined the Union under the name of Louisiana in 1812. In the same year Louisiana Territory changed its name to that of Missouri Territory. In 18 19, the Arkansas Territory was formed, and in 1 82 1, th^ State of Missouri, being part of the Territory i« THE JEWS OF IOWA df that nattie, was formed and added to the Union. In 1834; the country bounded to the east by the Mississippi River and to the south by the State of Missouri^ was taken from that of Michigan Territory and organized into a separate Territory under the name of Wisconsin. In 1838, the Territory of Iowa wasi organized and, in addition to its present area, it in- cluded the greater part of the present Minnesota and the Da- kotas, extending its line to Canada. , The population of Iowa at that time was 22,589, nearly all of whom wtre imttiligrants; for, not until 1831, was a white child bom on Iowa soil. The pioneers were of the best that this continent afforded; they all were Godi-f earing, law-abid- ing, industrious and honest tillers of the groimd, hewers of wood, "keepers of sheep, and well-diggers— patriarchal work becoming the ancestors of the present lowans. Territorial government was inaugurated July 4, 1838, in a two-story frame house, at Burlington, Iowa, with Robert Lucas as governor ; one year later Congress granted a site in Iowa City and the seat of governpient was removed thither. John Chambers and James Clark were the next governors to preside over the Territory of Iowa, and the legislation enacted during the administrations of Iowa's first three governors might easily be a credit to any chief executive of today. In 1845 Iowa applied to be admitted to the. Union, and much courage was displayed by the Iowa politicians, of the pioneer period ih the boundary dispute with Congress and, on the 28th day of December, 1846, Iowa was formally ad-- mittedto the Union creating the twenty-ninth' star in the glo-. rious flag of the United States. PROGRESS PRIOR TO CIVIL WAR %g The progress of young Iowa is matchless in the annals of this country; in but twenty-two years the population of Iowa increased to 674,913; a State Agricurtural Society was organ- ized; (1854) a Constitution, most humane and philosophic, was adopted by a vote of 40, 311, to 38, 681 ; (1857) a State University at Iowa City opened; (1847) the Iowa Wesleyan University chartered and opened at Mount Pleasant; (1855) ground was broken for th^ Mississippi and Missouri R, R. ; ( 1854) the cornerstone of the first railroad bridge across the Mississippi, between Davenport and Rock Island, was laid; (1854) and the State Agricultural College at Annes was es- tablished. (1858) On the 19th day of October, 1857, the seat of government was removed from Iowa City and, the metropolis of this great state, the city of Des Moines, was declared the capital of Iowa. The governors of Iowa presiding over its affairs before the Civil War were, Anshell Briggs, (1846-50), Stephen Hempsted, (i8sotS4); James W. Grimes, (1854-58); and Robert P. Lowe ; each of whom contributed no mean share to the present greatness of this state. .,,, Yet-, the real development, of the head state of the Louis- iana Purchase came to pass after the American had quit fight- inghis brother! THE JEWS OF IOWA CHAPTER III. IOWA IN STRUGGLE FOR PRESERVATION OF THE UNION. Washington and Lincoln — Champions of Liberty— Governor Kirkwood^Iowa in War Timer— Civil War Opens- Potomac Army — MacClellan's Failure — General Grant- Iowa Soldiers — General Rosecrans — General Lee— General ■ Meade Redeems Potomac Army — Copperheads in lowa^ — Tally Army — General Hooker — Surrender of Richmond — Assassination of Lincoln. All Americans of all generations, regardless of creed, color or politics, will continually be. united in praising the heroes of 1861-65, for rising up, with sword and spear, against their own kindred to save liberty and freedom from the violent currents of slavery and tyranny before they were inundated. Even the staunch adherents of universal peace will, at all times, be struck with admiration reading of the gallantry of the young Americans and recounting the bravery of the "Gray Beards," who, sacrificing their own lives, have checked the hfeart- breaking cry of the enslaved before it reached heaven and thereby stilled the anger of God before he poured forth ven- geance sevenfold upon the heads of the American people. War could never be justified unless it be waged for the sake of liberty; and, the Americans, having never unsheathed their sword unless it was to strike down tyranny and slavery, have, PRESFRVATION OF THE UNION therefore, accomplished in but few wars and few generations that which the whole world was and is fighti.ng for since Crea- tion. Never, in the history of manlcind, was liberty better under- stood or freedom better interpreted, than at the time when the forces of George III. were forced to theirdoomlby the power- ful hand of the immortal Washington ; neither was there ever a greater triumph for civilization, or a greater death-darting blow upon slavery, than at the time when, the first call for volunteers was issued by the sainted Lincoln. Hannibal, Alex- ander, Caesar, Charles of Sweden, Peter of Russia, Frederick of Prussia and Napoleon— the world's greatest warriors — what becomes of their heroism^ alongside the achievements of Wash- ington .and Lincoln? Can one draw a parallel between Joan de Arc-^-the Maiden of Orleans — and the prophetess Deborah of yore?, - ' Asia, Africa and Europe are as yet under the yoke of blood and iron ; each country of these continents is still representing a vale oi tears and blood streaming forth out of the eyes and limbs of myriads of subjected human beings who practically have no coimtry to live in, but are forced to die for. Not so, forsooth, on this continent; here every village and townlet, every metropolis and capital, every farm house and lonely cabin, is filled with blessings from heavefi above and with happiness from earth beneath; indeed, here every man, every - honest toiler, has a country to live in and, when duty calls him forth, cheerfully dies for it. The most wonderful and astounding progress to chronicle h bie'-orv must be credited to American brain and muscle, and -THE JEWS OF IOWA Iowa, being a goodly bulk of this great land, kept pace with the foremlost states, and is now recognized as the head state of the Mississippi Valley. Iowa exceeded even the most fantas- tic expectation of her rich resources, and her real greatness is as yet hidden beneath a golden future. The Hawkeye state has left all her sisters in the northwest far behind not only in the production,' of corn, but even in importance as a factor in national politics. The state is largely republican, but a good democrat is always appreciated. Arid all her greatness came to pass between 1865-1900. In war time Iowa yielded her sturdy sons to be sacrificed upon the altar of liberty without a murmur; even old men, albiet unable to be active in any en- gagement, formed a regiment known as the " Gray Beards," and went to the front to relieve the younger men from camp duties so that they might be of service upon the battle field. During the bitter conflict the lowans proved themselves worthy of bearing such proud and beautiful name; they have excfelled in zeal and bravery the bravest and most zealous, and have served the cause of liberty with patriarchal faithful- ness. The war governor, Kirwood, in secret conference with the president elect, Lincoln, pledged Iowa " to do its utmost in preserving peace, if that can be fairly accomplished, and in preserving the Union in any event, at whatever cost;" and the lowans, at the outbreak of hostilities, redeemed this magni- ficent state by sustaining their governor. At both of the peace conventions held successively at Albany, New York, January 31, 1861, and at Washington, D. C, February 4th, of that year, the Iowa delegations 'endeavered by all honorable means to maintain peace; but when no peaceful conclusion came to PRESERVATION OF THE UNION 23 pass, largely due to the stubbornness of the delegates of the seven slavery states, the Hawkeye state looked upon its south- ern sisters with defiance and drew a sword of determination to preserve the Union. At the opening of the war Iowa had no military organiza- tion to speak of ; for, since General Scott finally triumphed over Mexico in 1848, the country in general anticipated no foe, and, therefore, no hostile preparations were encouraged in any of the Federal states. However, a few independent companies of militia existed in scattered sections of the state, and when -the country at large was alarmed at the bold action of General Beauregard, who opened fire on Fort Sumter, April i,st, 1 86 1, Burlington, Iowa, was first in line to muster into the field a well drilled company of soldiers. At that time a chain of troubles, comprising grief, defeat, death, lawlessness and hopelessness encompassed the youthful state of Iowa ; the common eneniy of the Union, a threateniiig invasion of the Missouri rebels, massacres by the Sioux Indians perpetrated against defenseless women and children, from without, "Copperheads," "Knights- of the Golden Circle," "Sons of Liberty" — anti-abolition organizations — from with- in, besides filling the quota of volunteers and raising thp ne- cessary funds, thereto, were only a part of what Iowa had to contend with during the perilous four years. But there .were always enough men in Iowa to preside over its affairs with due deliberation, to meet every continigency with the proper spirit, and lead every undertaiking to a successful end; there were always plenty of courageous sons of Iowa to roll the millstone of progress up the hill without being dragged down- 24 THE JEWS OF IOWA ward. Governor Kirkwood assumed personal charge over all emergencies springing forth at such dangerous times and conducted them Lincoln-like; politcal differences were cast aside and merit was sought after when an appointment had to be made. Much to the glory of this state was the selec- tion of Nathaniel B. Baker, a former New Hampshire gover- nor, who subsequently represented Clinton County in the Iowa legislature, as adjutant-general; it was he who made it possible for Iowa not to resort to drafting in complying with the president's calls for volunteers during Governor Kirk- wood's administration. An extra session of the legislature was called and deliberate action was taken toward the preservation of the Union. To that end bonds amounting to $800,000, were issued and prompt attention was paid to fill the quota of the first volunteers to be sent to the front, as well as for the protection of the state itself from neighboring foes. Defeat — for such was the lot of the Federalists for a good long while — was drowned in a stream of hope for victory; and misforttuie — somtething Iowa, at that time, had an abund- ance of — ^was covered beneath the raiment of faith. All that the lowans aimed at was to fight for the Union and preserve it, and upon the battlefield they had few equals; they were masters in the art of war since war became inevitable. ,, At the close of the year 1861, this state had mustered to tjie front sixteen regiments of infantry, four regiments of cavalry and three batteries of light artillery, a total of 19,105 men of valor. During the first year of the bloody conflict the Iowa boys forged their way to the front rank of bravery, hav- PRESERVATION OF THE UNION 25 ing participated in the battles of Wilson Creek, Blue Mills and Belmont. The pillar of the Union was the Potomac Army, headed by General MacClellan, upon whom all eyes of the patriotic Fed- eralists were centered; but as the first year of the great campaign brought forth but little advantage to either party without a propsect in view to end the bitter conflict, MacClellan was subjected to very unpleasant censure and loud cries for a new star to appear upon the stage whereon the greatest tragedy in American history was in progress, filled the air of the Federal states. And the star appeared. U. S. Grant, of Illinois, was the name which cheered every sore heart of the patriotic Unionists and cast a gloom' over every face of the hopeful Confederates. A single day's fighting elevated him to the pinnacle of heroism arid, out of obscurity, he became one of the most famous of American generals. The memorable event took place on the i6th day of February, 1862, at Fort Donelson, which was so gallantly defended by General Buck- ner; the fort, 15,000 men, 60 cannons and other ammunition were surrendered to Grant and the day was his. Grant fought against the enemy with a purely western army, among whom four Iowa regiments were conspicuous in every charge. The war now became spirited; the menace of defeat roused the Southerners to their feet, and the delicious taste of victory invigorated the Northerners, so that the next clash between the opposing forces was anxiously looked for by both con- flicting parties. General Lee was now to become the Grant of the South. He planned an invasion on the National Capital and fight a 26 THE JEWS OF IOWA decisive battle. Ma.cQellan was to oppose hiro. . The amuies met, 300,000 strong. Life was at a mucE lesser price than death. He that did the most killing was to become the hero, the idol of the coimtry, of the party for which he was fighting. Seven consecutive days of killing, killing and killing- elapsed before victory could be claimed by either party ; 20,000 lives were lost on the defeated side? wivement. Henry Clay Dean, with his Iowa-like gift of speech, brought about a good deal of concern for Lincoln and his associates, and contributed a goodly portion of uneasiness to the -great heap of troubles the patriots had to contend with. George W. Jones, although later exonerated from the charge of treachery by Governor Kirkwood, caused much comment about his letter to Jefferson Davis, the president of the Con- federacy, and many were the victims who turned their backs to the mission of the Union on account of ex-Senator Jones. Neither was Iowa in its own territtory at ease from the agi- tators, and, had it not been for the sound-mindedness and prompt action of its war governor, the disturbance caused by the "Copperheads" would have brought about a civil war upon its own soil. A certain incony baptist preacher, named George C. Tally, of Keokuk county, who had a powerful voice and few sting- ing words at his command, became a disturbing character in his neighborhood and gained many ignorant followers, who were ready to spite the administration and finally became de- fiant. On a certain day while driving through South English with a band of his sympathizers, he began to denounce the president publicly, and an open riot ensued which resulted in his death. His followers thereupon organized an army bear- ing his name, and concluded to wage open warfare against the whole district. But the governor suppressed their move by ordering out eleven companies of militia to march upon the 30 THE JEWS OF IOWA scene which was held under terror by the Tally Army. The latter, however, were calmed by an attorney named Negus, who discouraged the projected war by telling the leaders that the governor's soldiers would certainly shoot the first one of them who might attempt to make the least outbreak. And the Tally army was sorely afraid, and disbanded. Meantime the progress of the war w:as no better, if not worse, for the Union than hitherto; The first attempt, at the beginning of the year 1863, to check the march of L,ee's. army by General Hooker, with a part of the Potomac Army, ended disasterously ; the latter was overwhelmingly defeated and the Potomac Army became entirely unfit for action. Re^enforc- ment was badly needed. President Lincoln called on the states of New York, Maryland, Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Ohio for 120,000 volunteers in order to re-enforce the Potomac Army and let it try its fortune again under General Meade, who now undertook to restrain the advance of Lee if only enough men will be gathered at his command. The time for the turning point of the war was at hand ; the Potomac Army, re-enforced, with a new and courageous commander at its head, was to redeem itself shortly. General Meade, pictuiring the calamities of the past and foreseefng the possible ruin of the future, realizing that the fate of the Union depended upon his courage, became desparate like unto awouinded lion and, with him were carried the hearts of all his soldiers. General Lee, fresh from victories, looking with pride upon the splendid record his army had made, and picturing before him the garlands of a future victory, rushed to the battlefield as like unto a triumphant march without even con- PRESERVATION OF THE. UNION 31 side'ring' a possible defeat. The opposing forces met, and the greatest slaughter of the campaign began. Grettysburg was destined to become the Waterloo of the Confederacy ; there did the sound of Union overwhelm the shouts, of rebellion, and there the most patriotic battle, in the annals of nations was fought; Lee was defeated. Such a defeat even Napoleon could pride himself in. The colors of Confederacy were afloat as long as fighting could be of any avail — ^but mortals can only sacrifice their lives for their cause, not alter the decree of God. Defeat was admitted on thC: third day of July, 1863, but not before leaving the bodies of 30,000 patriotic heroes upon that famous battlefield. The Potomac Army, under Gen- eral Meade, redeemed itself gallantly but even their losses unmbered in the thousands, and upon the bloody ground the Blue and Gray shared one fate. Notwithstanding this, the joy and enthusiasm of the Un- ionists and the sorrow and disheartening of the Confederates, did not reach a real climax until July 4th of that memor- able year, when the victory of Vicksburg by Grant was heralded from Atlantic to Pacific, from the Potomac to the Gulf. The lat- ter victory was a greater blow to the Confederacy than the de- feat of Lee, although it took some time before Grant, received, the proper acclaitn of the people. But neither Meade nor Grant . discouraged entirely the Southern patriots, and the war was yet far from being at an end: -Defeats Avere also the lot of the Federalists in 1863 ; the loss of 18,000 men at Chickamatiga linder Rosecrans, who fodght a desparate battle against Gen-: eral Bragg, contributed no mean share in humoring the Con- federates. Only Grant sustained no serious defeats during 32 THF JEWS OF IOWA the greatest fighting* year, albiet he also was at times repulsed with heavy losses. But his victories were the most important ones ; one needs only recount his bravery in conquering Chatta- nooga, Lookout Mountain and Missionary Ridge, to learn his greatness in the art of war. Iowa's part during the bloodiest period of the Civil War was acted in the enemy's country under Grant and Rosecrans, and whenever bravery was to be tested the Iowa boys were first to appear. A volume of interesting reading could be filled by the writer of Iowa history describing the patriotism, sdlf- sacrificing spirit, zeal and enthusiasm displayed at every charge wherein Iowa soldiers participated. They should have been a disappointment had they proved otherwise; for they were all volunteers without having been drafted or urged to go to war, arid every one of them were of the best sons Iowa afforded. Till the end of the year 1863, which was also the closing period of Governor Kirkwood's administration Iowa had not resorted to drafting, every quota having been filled without a resenting voice against the chief executive. Governor Kirkwood arid General Baker raised, organized and mustered into the field forty regiments of infantry, nine regiments of cavalry and four batteries of artillery. Up till the year 1864, many disturbances occurred in different parts of the state; sometimes on account of local differences, but mostly because of invadirig rebels, lawless deserters or ravenous Indians; but the wise and upright ad- ministration of Kirkwood hindered all serious outbreaks and retarded much distress before it was spread to a point of danger. On January 14th, 1864, Stone was inaugurated into PRESERVATION OF THE UNION 33 office to succeed Governor Kirkwood and from that dgy Iowa had to resort to drafting in filling the quota of the president's calls, although actual drafting was not practiced before July 18, 1864, when the president issued a call for 500,000 addi- tional volunteers. The last year of the war witnessed many distressing scenes on both sides ; famine, lawlessness and pollution was very com- mon in many parts of the country, while discouragement, anxiety and anger prevailed even among the better classes, but this was to be expected; the evil the country was in- dulging was .only circumstantial and, seeing the good the country had derived, one must not censure or bewail the by- gone misconduct of a youthful country which was striving for the highest principle, sanctioned by'Almighty — for liberty. The preceding year had foretold the result of the war to war experts, but the masses on both sides were as changeable in their predictions as the fortune of war itself. Lee, mean- time, re-enforced his army and strengthened his confidence in final victory, notwithstanding the repeated defeats of his associ- ates and of the great defeat he himself had experienced. Grant, who had become the idol of the Union, was created Lieutenant- General and asstimed command of the Potomac Army on March ist, 1864, and from that day the cause of Confederacy, even amongst its former adherents, commenced to decline. Election time was now approaching and herein a fair test as to the endorsement of the people of Lincoln's administra- tion could be foreseen. Lincoln was renominated at Baltimore, Maryland, on June 8, and General MacClellan was nominated to oppose him. The contest was spirited throughout the Union and the opponents of the adminstration numbered in thousands 34 THE JEWS OF IOWA in every state, not only because of the inefficiency of the chief executive in conducting the war, but because of conducting the war at all. The "Copperheads" and all other "heads," block- heads included, swarmed everywhere, and the war, even the latest news of the battlefield, was read without comment, the chief issue of the country being the election. Iowa followed the current of the times and the footsteps of its sister states; or, still more proper, it originated many things unknown to other states in denouncing the president's policy. A peace convention was called at Iowa City on August 24th, and the war and the president were denounced, as danger- ous to liberty and happiness. But when election day came about and the votes were counted it was discovered that Iowa knew what it was fighting for. Lincoln received 88,966 votes to MacClellan's 49,586 votes. Thus did the voice of the peo- ple sanction every action of the president. At last came the final day which has united this glorious land never to be separated. The spring of 1865 dawned with crowning victory and brought forth garlands of glory upon the heads of thoEC who fought for Union against rebellion, for liberty against slavery, for principle against gain . On the 3rd day of April, came the end of the great war, and gladdened millions of hearts throughout the country, that peace will be established, that all Americans will again live together like brother and brother, that commerce and industry will again flourish, that the sword will be turned into a plowshare and the spear into a pruning hook, and the home shall again be blessed with the reign of peacefulness. The surrender of Richmond by General Lee to General Grant will live forever in the memories, aye, in the hearts, of all Americans. PRESERVATION OF THE UNION 35 Iowa's quota to the national army was 86,600 men of war, fourteen distinguished generals and many scores of other officers, most of whom have attained afterward national and international prominence. The list of great lowans is too great to be enumerated by name in this, chapter, which is only a sketch of the chief events during the Civil War. Suffice it to say that David B. Henderson, ex- Speaker of the national house of representatives, was only a colonel in the Union Army. Iowa in war time was as great as it is in time of peace, and greater yet, because it has then utilized all its resources of brain and muscle. This state was, therefore, first to rejoice and celebrate the happy end of the four years' fighting, first to re- sume a normal appearance upon its cornfields, first to regain tranquility at its public offices and — ^first to bewail the un- timely loss of the great leader, Lincoln, who was assassinated April 14, 1865, while at Ford's Theatre, Washington, D. C. The same metal-lead, which had struck down and blotted out the evil of slavery, killed the greatest champion of liberty since Moses. 36 THE JEWS OF IOWA CHAPTER IV. iowa's period of evolution. Constitution Amended — President Johnson — ^Iowa's Congress- men on His Impeachment — Rapid Reconstruction in Iowa — Grasshoppers — State Politics — Grant's Administrations — Iowa Gypsum — Growth of Population — Horace Greely — Woman's Suffrage — Grange Law — Hayes and Tilden — Prosperity in Iowa — ^Assassination of Garfield. Abraham Lincoln carried the divine mission of liberty to his country with the spirit of a heroi and saint combined; he delivered the heavenly message of freedom to the American people with sacred, words mingled with a thunderlike clamor of deadly cannons, and counselled his fellow citizens with a pro- phetic wisdom and patriarchal patience amidst distractions of an impetuous war. But no sooner was life quenched from him than many impediments obstructed the path of progress, and no sooner were his remains deposited beneath the surface of the earth, than many problems perplexing the minds of his fol- lowers were unearthed. Millions of freed slaves, a conquered eneiny who was to be dealt with brother-like, a controverting president, hundreds of thousands of orphans, widows and dis- abled soldiers, a national debt amounting to millions of dollars and a people reduced to poverty and demoralization were the IOWA'S PERIOD OF EVOLUTION 37 enigmas of the hour. Only Lincolnian doctrines, intrusted in the hands of Americans, with a republican form of govern- ment to their aid, could be carried to the summit of success, could withstand the terriffic opposition of all directions, and come out triumphant at the end. Congress convened, and the groundwork for the reconstruction of the Republic was, to amend the Constitution and prohibit slavery throughout the country, forever. Then, after many discreditable struggles be- tween Lincoln's successor, Andrew Johnson, and Congress, the country in general regained its tranquility and commenced on its forward march among the mightiest nations of the earth until it reached the topmost position. Iowa joined the ranks of the Lincoln forces in every na- tional question; its own constitution was amended by striking out the word white thereof, thus prohibiting slavery and grant- ing suffrage to the negroes at the same time. The Iowa dele- gation in Congress, even Hiram Price, a democrat, voted for the amendment, and when the President vetoed the "Civil Right" and the "Bureau for the Relief of Freedmen" bills, they voted to pass over his vetoing. In fact, Iowa was very conspicuous during the famous fight between the President and Congress ; for James Harlon, upon the failure of Johnson to carry out the wishes of the republicans, resigned from the Cabinet as Secretary of the Interior — a step which caused all patriotic republicans to rise in indignation against the Presi- dent. And, at the Twelfth General Assembly, a resolution was • passed in favor of President Johnson's impeachment, although when the vote was taken in the House, after it had been re- ferred to the Judiciary Committee, Allison, Dodge, Hubbard 38 THE JEWS OF IOWA and Wilson, voted against impeachment. Even at Johnson's second trial before the Senate, after the House had voted for impeachment by a margin of 128 to 57, James K. Grimes was among the nineteen who voted to acquit the unfortunate,, or stubborn President, although he knew that such an action would inflame his party in Iowa. President Johnson was bare- ly acquitted in lieu of a two-thirds majority for his conviction, but it well may be said that either his deeds or his enemies' misdeeds caused him to become an object of scorn as long as he was the incumbent of the executive chair. Meantime, Iowa at home, notwithstanding the political variance, made many strides forward to erase the stain left be- hind the war. The total war expense for this state was $1 ,046,- 739.99, and the total indebtedness was $622,295.75, and only about $300,000 was due this state from the Federal gov- ernment, added to this was the loss of thousands of industrious citizens and a general depopulation, all of which gave much concern to the administration of this state. All Iowa needed for its reconstruction were men with the plow, and to that end immigration was greatly encouraged, and happy was he who came to this state and a plow was in his stage. Science was heartily supported in order to promote the geological knowl- edge of the state, so that its resources might be discovered and unfolded for development. On the 3rd day of March, 1867, a Soldiers' Orphans Home was organized by a private corpora- tion with headquarters at Davenport, but the State Legislature appropriated $25,000 and levied a tax for the maintenance of the institution. In the same year it was also shown that the income for the first two years after the war amoimted to $1,- 365.IS8.57> and the debt of the state was reduced to $385,000. IOWA'S PEKIOD OF EVOLUTION 39 And, although many were the political strifes that year, Sam- uel Merrill, the republican candidate, was elected governor. The degraided condition of the poorer classes was gradually bet- tered and many items of benevoleiice, such as the erection of a reform school and an asylumi for the deaf and dumb, were recommended by Governor Stone before stepping out of office. During the year 1867, this state, for the first time in its his- tory, was visited by a plague, in the form of grasshoppers, which proved very unpleasant to about forty counties ; myriads of these gaudy-looking, hungry creatures swarmed wherever there were things d-igestable for them. And when they could not resist the Iowa winter climate they departed in the direction of the Rocky. Mountains, whence they came. At their first call the lowans wereonly amazed and but little angry because of obscuring the beautiful sunbeams and withholding sunshine from thousands of farm houses, but when they came again, in' 1873, fifteen of Iowa's prosperous counties were practically left without crops enough for the sustenance of their own in- habitants, and the good ajutant-general of the Civil War, N. B. Baker, had to organize a relief committee in order to allevi- ate the sufiferings of the stricken farmers; Politically, Iowa went republican, giving Grant 120,399 votes, and Seymour 74,040 votes, albeit the issues and candi- dates were numerous and the attacks upon the republicans very severe. As soon as the election was disposed of, Iowa busied itself in protecting the farmers from being extorted by the rail- road campanies in freight rates; the debates on the subject grew intensely hot in both branches of the Legislature, but owing to the fact that iowa needed more railroads, no final "measure was 40 THE JEWS OF IOWA taken and prosecution was deferred for a later period. Merril was renominated and as there were no new issues the campaign was a dull one, and he was elected over George Gillaspy, his democratic opponent, by 40,000 majority. Among Iowa Sen- ators quite a change had taken place ; Kirkwood filled the short term till March, 1867, and James Harlan, after resigning from the Cabinet, was elected for six years from that "date, but he now resigned and it was at this time that Wm. B. Allison be- came conspicuous in Iowa politics. He was a strong candidate to fill the long term in the United States Senate, but was defeat- ed by Geo. G. Wright, James B. Howell being elected to fill the short term. In 1871, C. C. Carpenter was chosen Gover- nor, over his opponent, J. C. Knapp, by a good majority and Wm. B. Allison was elected to serve in the U. S. Senate, a full term. The contest in Legislature was probably the most inter- esting one in Iowa, as his opponents were James F. Wilson and James Haitian, two of Iowa's favorite sons; but the younger republicans favored Allison and — they were right. The progress of Iowa during Grant's first administration was very remarkable; railroads were built, farms were on the increase, and the mgi, women and children were happy. In two years — 1867-69, — the wealth of the state increased by $38,000,000 and the total value of real property amounted to $294,530,199, and even then hardly one- third of Iowa's fertile soil was under cultivation. The pro- ducts of the farm were plentiful, but the difficulties came in when the farmers had to sell it. The transportation rates were extortionate and the markets far off, so that a general murmur could be heard, and a cry to improve navigation filled the air of the northwest. A convention, represented by delegates from IOWA'S PERIOD OF EVOLUTION 41 the states of Iowa, Illinois and Wisconsin, was held on Nov, II, 1869, at Dubuque, Iowa, and navigation between the Great Lakes and the Mississippi river was strongly urged, and an appropriation of Congress was demanded to improve the Fox and Wisconsin rivers and the Michig-an Channel. The 13th General Assembly created a State Board of Immigration to en- courage homeseekers from the east and from Europe to come, settle and work in Iowa, and all means of commodiousness were provided for the newcomers. High schools, colleges and other institutions were built and supported and every precaution was taken to utilize the people's money for their advantage. About that time (1870) the then village and the present picturesque city of Fort Dodge, furnished a good deal of entertainment for the whole country, and many were the ■ vicitms of the huge joke brought about by a couple of enterprising swindlers. In Cardiff, near Syracuse, New York, lived a certain Mr. Newell and on a certain day workrhen "found" an alleged "giant" while digging on his farm. A curious crowd, ready to believe ever3rthing, believed that it certainly was the embalmed re- mains- of an ancient giant. What followed might be justly at- tributed to the ignorance and superstition of mankind in gen- eral. For months crowds kept on pouring in thousands of dollars in the hands of the fakers for a mere glance at the "American Goliath" ("Newell's Creature" would sound bet- ter) and all those scientists, whose investigations were limited to the extent of pleasing the fancy of the everlasting believers only, busied themselves getting out volumes concerning the "petrified giant." It took lowans to describe the genealogy 42 THE JEWS OF IOWA of the alleged giant, for they knew that his nativity was Iowa, his cradle Fort Dodge and his antiquity, not older than the cunning plan of the subtile mind of that Cardiff farmer. The giant was made of the gypsum near Fort Dodge, and, since then, that precious clay became part of Iowa's wealth. Iowa's population in 1870 according to the national census of that year, was 1,191,720, and its rank among the great states was as follows: product of corn, fourth; wheat, fifth; in live stock, sixth ; and the value of its real property amounted to $302,515,418, while the aggregate value of farm products was $114,386,441. It is apparent that in less than five years the increase of the population of this state amounted to one- third, for, right after the census returns were published, the state Legislature made a demand to create three additional con^' gressional districts to the existing^ — six. No state or county of any other continent can boast of such splendid record and matchless progress, and no race on earth has ever gained as much by the implements of husbandry in a single decade. Liberalism is partly responsible for the success of Iowa and lowans in general, and it might justly be said that the Hawkeye State never suffered the want of broadmindedness. Corporal punishment was abolished (January, 1872) at the same session when the establishment of libraries was strongly urged and a woman's suffrage bill overwhelmningly defeated. Those legislators certainly knew the extreme point of radical- ism when they saw it, for they have refused to adorn the poll- huts with the goddess of the home. IOWA'S PERIOD OF EVOLUTION 43 Presidential year was now at hand, and the campaign was a promising one indeed. Horace Greely, the famous editor, was the democratic nominee to oppose President Grant, the eminent soldier, whom the republicans had renominated. That must have been the most lofty struggle between the "pen" and the "sword" in modern history. And, in addition to other min- or parties, the Labor Reform party made its initial appearance as a national factor, all of which added interest to the fight between the real stars. . Alas, it ended too sadly, the hero of the pen died before the electoral college met to cast their votes for the different candidates. Grant received a good sized major- ity throughout the United States, Iowa yielding him a plurali- ty of 45,000. In 1873, Governor Carpenter was re-elected against his opponent, Jacob Vail, who ran on a "woman's suf- frage" platform; but the republican majority fell to a much smaller margin than usual, while the democrats gained many members in both branches of the Legislature and a hot contest between the two great parties over the feminine emancipation question became imminent. When a speaker had to be chosen to preside over the Fifteenth General Assembly 152, ballots had to be taken before John H. Gear wes declared elected. In the early Seventies, a current organization known as "The Patrons of Husbandry" was founded in Washington, D. C, and, as its object was to promote co-operation among the peasants and laborers as well as among small mer- chants, its fame was spread throughout the land, lowans recognized in the organization valuable ma- terial for their protection and they commenced to organize "Granges," or branches in every place where 44 THE JEWS OF IOWA a sufficient number to constitute a Grange could be gath- ered. In 1870, more than 500, Granges existed in this state, and, having grown strong and numerous, they became a factor in state politics and selected their friends and sympathizers to represent them in Legislature. And it came to pass that when the Fifteenth General Assembly finally elected a speaker, the majority of the representatives agreed that it was high time to stop the railroad companies from taking advantage over the farmers. . G. R. Willet introduced a bill to check the tide of the magnates," and protect the humble classes. The bill gained prom*- inence and it finally became the famous "Grange Law." It was a hard fight against an abnoxious stonewall, but the leg- islators went from strength to strength and the railroad com- panies had to succumb. Strange indeedj the same Assembly adopted resolutions favoring woman's suffrage. Both of Governor Carpenter's administrations were com- mendable, for the state increased in wealth and in population, in order and education as well as in good government. Near- ly 500,000, children of school age, a permanent school fund of $3,294,743.83, and over 1,500,000 happy inhabitants were what Iowa could boast of at the end of his second administration. After him, Kirkwood, the "Old War Governor," reappeared up- on the scene of Iowa history. Many noted candidates were prc^ posed, but no sooner was the name Kirkwood mentioned before the memorable State Convention of 1875, than all delegates were enchanted and after defeating his chief opponent, General James B. Weaver, on the first ballot, his nomination was made unanimous. His democratic opponent was Shepherd Leffler, and Rev. John H. Loizier gained prominence as Temperance IOWA'S PERIOD OF EVOLUTION 45 candidates. Kirkwood was elected by a fair majority, but he resigned on March 4, 1877, to take a seat in the U. S. Senate, for he was the choice O'f the i6th General Assembly, leaving the executive chair for the Lieutenant-Governor, J. C. New- bold. His third administration was marked by the compile>- tion of the canal around the rapids of the Mississippi river near Keokuk, which the Federal Government had built at a cost of $4,281,000, and by creating a precedent to relieve convicts on parole. Financially that administration was a failure, for the appropriations of the Sixteenth General Assembly were im- mense, creating a debt of $90,000, in excess of the constitu- tional limit, notwithstanding the fact that the taxes for that year amounted to $10,699,762.39. During the year 1876, the American nation was engaged in creating issues, debating and combating the monetary sys- tem of the land, solving labor, prohibitionary and social prob- lems, and selecting candidates, standard bearers for the respec- tive parties, who might bring about party success, who might bring about gloiy upon the various constituents. It was elec- tion year, the most remarkable one in American history. The ante-convention days and ante-election monts were spent in speaking and listening, listening and speaking; some because of the good of their country, of their homes and fam- ilies, others because of gaining political fame, ncteriety, a fat job, a pull and the like. The cunning voice and the magic gesture of the politician, of the statesman, of the candidate, charmed the voters from Golden Hill to Devil's Lake, from' the Hudson to the Buffalo bayou; every nomination, every speech of acceptance, every gain, every estimate was heralded from the Cripple Creek hills to the 46 THE JEWS OF IOWA Horse-shoe Valley, from the St. Croix river to the Apache mountains. Ruthford B. Hayes and Samuel J. Tilden were the stars of the political stage, besides many lesser lights who were created to give light in those habitations which were pos- sessed of naive ideas and innovating issues notwithstanding their forlorn hopes. Election day appeared and disappeared; its creation was a monstrous image of hope and doubt. Who is elected? Tildon. Who is elected? Hayes. Tildon, Hayes, Hayes, Tildon, were the ringing notes of the political harps the day after; doubt and hope mingled and swelled the heart of each candidate. Blows, names, slang, drinks, bets, accusa- tions, denunciations, peace, reason, pleading, counsel and conir promise were turned into a gigantic whirl and swept the coun- try. Was it fun, sport ? Was it the fruit of intoxicated hap- piness, of too much liberty? Or was it the voice of the people, their right, that was demanded ? It was all combined. Back in Iowa lived George W. McCray and his friends had sent him to Congress. His common sense brought about a final settlement; or rather, a partisan decision; in Congress, Hayes received the majority of one, and the Supreme Court, al- so by a partisan vote, sustained him and he was declared Pres- ident. Tilden had a popular majority of 250,950 over Hayes and it well may be said that the democrats of the land never behaved better nor proved themselves more philosophical than when that partisan decision was respected. Such is the great- ness of America. George W. McCray was fairly remunerated. Hayes ap- pointed him Secretary of War. Nevertheless the President found little grace in the eyes of Iowa republicans, as the next IOWA'S PERIOD OF EVOLUTION 47 -State Convention defeated a resolution to endorse his admin- istration, chiefly due to personal disfavor than inability of fill- ing the office. John H. Gear was the next Iowa Governor. During a convention in 1877, a very significant and some- what whimsical resolution was offered by the Woman's Suf- frage Society, part of which was as follows : "Whereas the bal- lot is necessary to uproot many evils which afflict society and Whereas, women are deprived of this potent, silent power, ' therefore. Resolved, that it is not the duty of woman to con- tribute to the support of the clergy who oppose their enfran- chisement" It is not on record whether some minister in Iowa, . on the following Sunday after that conventioiij cited Isaiah III, 12, where the prophet counsels Israel, saying: ."As for my people, children are their oppressors, and women rule over them, O my people, they which lead thee cause thee to err, and destroy the way of thy path." Surely our children would op- press us if we had to watch them while. our wives would exe- cute their "potent power" at the polls. The Seventeenth General Assembly repealed the Grange Law, and, this time it was for the benefit of the ruralists, who, by the force of strong organization of r.ailroad magnates, were rendered helpless. It was a fierce strife between boastingcap- itailists and struggling toilers and the latter had to yield in or- der to be spared. The companies threatened to withdraw from this state and even to abandon the roads already uoder progress of construction, and the producers, being in sore want of means of transportation, could do no better than bear their trials meek- ly. They were forced, either by circumstances or by a well organized machine, into submissiveness. 48 THE JEWS OF IOWA The general condition of the state prior to 1880, was mark- ed with nothing out of the ordinary to stir the people,, excepting a great rainfall (August 28, 1877) the kind of which lowans never witnessed, a loss of about $3,500,000, from a cholera in swine and a great decline in sheep raising. The steady growth of the population and the increase of wealth as well as railroad mileage continued uninterruptedly, and educa- tion kept pace with the general spirit of the age. Every new implement and invention of merit was patronized in Iowa, and every means of reform and diminishing of crime was prompt- ly adopted in every municipality. ' Politically everything went along republican lines despite the presence of a minority which was always creating new issues, sometimes of extreme radicalism and sometimes of a very ancient nature, but they never changed the history of the state in the least, they faded and disappeared like soap bubbles. A Greenback party arose in 1876, and it was very conspicuous in its days, having succeeded once in aiding the democrats to elect General James B. Weaver to Congress, but that party had but a shart carreer in this country although it was very bold in its days. Free coinage of silver at the ratio of 412J4 grains, was inserted in a democratic platform at a state con- vention held in Council Bluffs May 21, 1879, and, although the distance is very short, it took almost 16 years before one town in Nebraska, Lincoln, became famous by a free silver platform. Governor Gear succeeded himself, and it was during his second administration that an lowan was distinguished to be a Presidential nominee. General James B. Weaver was nominat- ed by the Greenback party of the United States and he made IOWA'S PERIOD OF EVOLUTION 49 that party famous in its days. He received the largest vote ever given to any minor candidate in this country and his fame as an orator of high rank became known throughout the land. The principal candidates were Gen. Garfield on the republican ticket and W. S. Hancock on the democratic ticket. Garfield was elected, but another tragedy was to cast a gloom over the American people. Again the hand of an assassin murdered an American President. And, unlike Lincoln, Garfield suffered between life and death from the 2nd day of July till the 19th day of September, 1881. Queer, indeed, are the ways of God, but His command must be obeyed! 50 THE JEWS OF IOWA CHAPTER y. GOLDEN AGE OF IOWA. Rapid Progress in Iowa — Issues — Liquor Problem — Gover- nor Boies — Iowa Legislation — Cleveland and Hard Times — Iowa Statistics — Iowa Statesmen — Senator Allison — • — -Triumph of Republicans — ^Governor Cummins Ardent Friend of Israel. The last two decades of the Twentieth Century ratified the almost fabulous assertion that there are no impossibilities un- der the sun, and permanently established the belief that every- thing of the universe, excepting the tree of life, which is still guided by heavenly cherubim with a revolving sword, rnight be conquered by the human mind. Never before has the tree of knowledge appeared in such w^holesome blooming, or its fruit in such abundant quantities, as today. Never before was the presence of an immortal soul in the human body more appar- ent, or the infinite power of God more revealed, than when the chosen creature of Jehovah fathomed the depth of the sea, measured the length of the earth, and harnessed the vast space of the expanse to transmit his thought throughout the four corners of the world, with steam, steel and electricity. Happy are they who were created in this wonderful age, to behold the glory of their Maker, the mysteries of Nature, and the craft O'f GOLDEN AGE OF IOWA 51 their fellowmen, incorporating the whole world into one im- mense paradise where the communicableness of the entire hu- man family might lead them to friendlier intercourses and finally to one brotherhood. Indeed, France, with her romantic attractiveness and revo- lutionary zeal, England with her poetical picturesqueness and imperialistic tendencies, and Germany with her philosophical brains and endless love for the fatherland were first to take the initiative in marching forward after the trend of the age; nev- ertheless, were it not for American inventions, commercialism and republicanism, Paris, London and Berlin, with all their radicalism, would have gone no further than Athens, Rome and Jerusalem, in their days, did go. In the prusiit of individ- ual and communal happiness America easily leads all nations, and the world's indebtedness to this country can, and will, be paid when Americanism will head the program of every educational institution on the globe. America itself is the greatest of all wonders; the entire human race, with every kind of habit, custom, mannerism, ■dress and language, is represented in. every metropolis, and the confusion of speech and radical prejudices are plentiful, and yet, how wonderful is the change between father and son, mother and daughter! Classification is confined to the passing generation only, for all the young ones mingle together in the schools, on the streets and amusement places, and finally pursue the common happiness of their na- tive land; hence, but in one generation all differences disap- pear. 52 THE JEWS OF IOWA The greatness of America — if it might be attributed to any particular cause — undoubtedly lies in the power of self- government of every municipality, county and state, of having local executive,- legislative and judiciary control of ever3d:hing pertaining to the weal of the governed, so that every group of people might govern themselves according to their own wishes. It, therefore, occurs very frequently that one community will take exception to a certain institution or principle which an- other approved of, and vica versa. Local issues vary in every state and only such issues as are apt to figure in national poli- tics are ever brought to light before a convention of an inter- state character. Nevertheless, most paramount issues of every national campaign were born in distant towns, sometimes even of insignificant minds ; a farmer sees the necessity of a certain change, talks about it to his neighbor, instructs his county del- egate to secure all honorable means to push it to the front and — the issue grows. Thus, since the inauguration of Chester A. Arthur, in the chair of the lamented Garfield, this country was confronted with numerous issues touching the very vitality of the Repub- lic. The rapid increase of the population, wealth and foreign influence created the problems and issues, and every import- ant question was to be dealt with promptly and accurately. In Iowa, the issues, after Buren R. Sherman became gov- ernor, were numerous, but the main question of the hour was, "to drink or not to drink," around which all other problems revolved. And, although the same question was fascin- ating the minds of all sober minded lowans for almost a gen- eration, no decisive measures were taken by any preceding GOLDEN AGE OF IOWA 53 session of the Legislature to read it. But now it was prosecut- ed vigorously and the final step was made when the Constitu- tion was" amended to prohibit the decoction of spirit from rye or grapes and the sale thereof within the boundaries of the Hawkeye state. But the law appeared too rigorous in the minds of the judiciary authorities of Iowa and, in 1883, a Court decision annulled the amendment by declaring it un- constitutional and, ever since, the prohibitory laws were grad- ually abrogated. And, the liquor problem — that monstrous evil which destroys the happiness of the home and ruins the careers of the great and small alike — is still the curse of mothers and children, of the repentant criminals and fallen women. But it will require a stronger force and greater unanimity than the anti-Saloon League and temperance so- cieties to deliver the helpless victims from the mighty grip of alcoholism. Sherman was re-elected, but with such reduced plurality as to cause alarm among the leading republicans of the state, because of having inserted a temperance plank in their last platform'. About that time the capital was completed, and the first vote taken, in the new and magnificient headquarters, by the 20th General Assembly, was to defeat a womans' suffrage bill which had been approved in the previous Assembly, thus doing away with woman politics indefinitely. A general political revolution was the next chief event of this country; Grover Cleveland, the most successful democrat since the overthrow of Confederacy, won a decisive victory over James G. Blaine, his superior in grace of oratory and statesmanship. Even Iowa's usual republican inajority in 54 THE JEWS OF IOWA national elections was comparatively reduced and much per- plexity- reigned among the republican ranks the day after. But local politics as yet suffered no decisive loss, for William Larrabee w^as elected governor over his democratic opponent, Charles F. Whiting, who was backed by the combined forces of the democrats and greenbackers. A noteworthy example of justice, which might serve as a specimen of legislative forebearance in endeavoring to bring the truth to light, happened in Iowa during the session of the 2 1 St General Assembly; J. L. Brown, Auditor of State un- der Governor Sherman, neglected his duty in lapsing a short- age of the treasury, and, after his inefficiency appeared to be beyond a reasonable doubt in the eyes of the governor, he was unceremoniously impeached. Now his cause, - for he still claimed his right of office, was taken up in the Legislature. Thirty articles of impeachment were brought in against him, but when every article was considered and analyzed, his hon- or was restored,' and accordingly his reinstatement was ordered at once. The progress and prosperity of Iowa continued uninter- ruptedly and its increase in population was remarkably heavy, and, with the exception of a violent tornado on June 17, 1882, and havoc stonns during the fall and winter of that year, caus- ing much damage to property and orchards, nothing out of the ordinary came to pass to check the march of progress pursued by the enterprising lowans. Railroads, factories, machine shops, wholesale establishments, all sorts of modern inventions and agricultural implements, institutions, benevolent and oth- erwise, churches, hospitals, and private colleges became num- GOLDEN AGE OF IOWA 55 erous, above all the school houses and teachers— the founda- tion of modern bliss — were very conspicuous and told the greatness of Iowa. In 1885, an educational census was taken and the following result was obtained:. Children of school age. . . . 638,156 Children attending school. . 480,788 No. of school houses 12,444 Teachers > 24,675 School fund $4,187,839.94 The above figures spealc volumes for Iowa, and although much may be said in censuring some branches of Iowa laws regarding railroads, divorces and the like, one cannot find, anywhere in the world, a group of over two- millions of peo- ple with such an abundance of prosperity, happiness and civil- ization. During the next gubernatorial campaign, the laboring men appeared in a political garb, and a local ticket was nominated and placed for consideration for the first time in the history of this state. William Larrabee was re-elected governor, not- withstanding the general democratic tendencies of the country at large. The office of Railroad Commissioner was created at the 22nd General Assembly and the result was a closer rela- tionship and better understanding between the railroad mag- nate and the state; but even unto this.day the railroad influence is always predominating the election of state officers, as well as the selection of Congressmen. A sudden change in Iowa politics came to pass at the end of Larrabee's second term, and all republican leaders amazed, angry and preplexed, had to retire and watch the progress or check the tide, of democratic triumphs. And, although, in 56 THE JEWS OF IOWA national politics, the democrats sustained a defeat, for Cleve- land was badly beaten by Benjamin Harrison, yet were all Iowa hopeful office-seekers, as well as the thousands of honest republican voters, sadly disappointed when the majority in the gubernatorial race was yielded to Horace Boies. It seems to be the general opinion of lowans till this day, and it is even recorded in history, that Boies' success was due to the fact that he had promised to fight the rigorous liquor laws; but in justice to the Iowa voters, the historian will not err in attri- buting the election of Boies to his personal popularity rather than ascribing it to his anti-temperance inclinations. A still greater disaster to the republicans of Iowa was the election of a majority of democratic Congressmen in 1890, and the re- election of Boies with an increased majority, notwithstanding the defeat by the legislature of his local option scheme. The country in general seemed to turn democratic long before the national convention took place, the result was, therefore, fore- casted favorable for the democratic nominees. And it was so; Cleveland was elected. Nevertheless, Iowa politicians saw a spark of delight in the 23,428 majority, which was yielded by this state for Harrison, and "machine politicians" found hopes for their bread and butter once more. The hitherto republican prohibition policy was accordingly abandoned so that the strength of the democratic enemy might be weakened and ar early campaign was inaugurated to overwhelm the democratic hopes and i-egain the lost power. The democrats, placing the strength of Gibraltar upon Boies, handed him the Her- culean tack of carrying their standard to victory a third time and thereby blot out the last spark of hope of the commor GOLDEN AGE OF IOWA 57 enemy — the republicans. But even Boies failed. Frank D. Jackson repulsed him and outflanked the democratic party in Iowa. The loss proved to be irreparable to the democrats in this state, and ever since, democracy became a helpless min- ority, while the republicans went from strength to strength and their power has since been irrevocably established. During the panic, "hard times" were generally attributed to democracy, and Cleveland's policies were denounced from Maine to California; but even here the historian cannot pass judgment in harmony with the general public, half of which was at variance with President Cleveland even on the day of his election. He was a democratic president with a limited constitutional power against a republican Congress which might have deprived him of any executive power whatsoever when his views were not favorable. Iowa suffered but little, and if any aid was needed, it was supplied in a noiseless way. Now Iowa's greatest statesman, Wm. B. Allison, was a favorite with all lowans, and when presidential year approach- ed, his name was mentioned in many sections of the country as the logical candidate for the presidency much to the de- light of his constituents. The Iowa delegation to the repub- lican national convention was instructed to place the favorite son's name before the convention and secure all honorable means for' his nomination. But the meek Senator, at the last minute, declined the honor and another great American, Wm. McKinley, was the choice of his great party. The campaign between McKinley and Bryan was the most conspicuous one in the past two decades, for many questions, touching the very vitality of the land, were at issue and the heroism and self- 58 THE JEWS OF IOWA sacrificing spirit displayed by the democratic Bryan stand matchless in the history of political campaigns in America, But the great McKinley was destined to occupy the executive chair during the days which have altered the map and changed many policies of this great country. General Francis M. Drake was the next governor of Iowa, and it was his administration that witnessed the panic-, but he conducted the affairs of the state during these perilous days with marked ability and courageous discipline; he proved him- self master of the hour in meeting all demands and his name will everlastingly shine among Iowa's immortal sons. Leslie M. Shaw succeeded him and served the state two terms, until his fame was spread throughout the country and he now is the able Secretary of the United States Treasury. During the Spanish-American war lowans distinguished themselves upon the battlefield as well as in their patriotic ef- forts at home. The state in genei-al presented a holiday-like appearance during the brief struggle, for the reports of contin- uous victories echoed the air after every engagement and there has been no occasion for earnestness even once a month. In- deed, it should have been a world-wide holiday for mankind in general when the inquisitionary, superstitious and tyrannicaJ Spain, received the lesson of her life, at the hand of the most humane, civilized and free country ever known to any race or creed. As soon as the power of the country was wrested from the democrats, Iowa statesmen were demanded to fill cabinet and other offices of national repute, and it well may be said that no GOLDEN AGE OF IOWA 59 other state in the Union can produce such a long list of illus- trious sons as Iowa. Cummins, Allison, Shaw, Dolliver, Hen- derson, Wilson and Cousins are familiar names throughout the United States and its dependencies, and it is safe to say that Iowa will continue on its forward march and become the lead- ing factor of Americanism. This state has an area of 55,045 square miles, is divided into eleven congressional districts, ninety-nine counties, 1,192 school townships and 4,913 school corporations; its population in 1900, was 2,231,853. The following statistical table will furnish an idea as to what Iowa might be in the future and speaks volumes of what it is today : Bushels of corn raised annually . 345,055,040 Bushels of oats 138,83.3,330 Bushels of wheat 21,293,350 Head of cattle 4,442,012 Head of horses and mules 1,010,621 Miles of railroad .... 9,201 No. children enrolled in public schools . . . 550,202 No. school houses .... 13,968 No. school teachers . . .29,287 Annual salaries paid out to teachers $6,242,926 No. colleges and private schools 307 Students in attendance 48,149 6o THE JEWS OF IOWA All it remains to add to the above figures is, that in 1848, Iowa school census was as follows : School houses 105 Children enrolled 7f^77 Salaries paid to teachers $5)737 Number of teachers 124 Population ' 97.588 The present Governor of Iowa, Albert B. Cummins, whose fame as the champion of the "Iowa Idea" is known all over the country and whose administrative ability is unquestionable, is an ardent friend of the Jewish people. On June the 28th, 1904, the following was received from the Governor: "The Jews of Iowa bear their citizenship in the Republic and in the commonwealth with dignity and honor. When the wonderful evolution of this country is considered, it is a high compliment to any race to say that it is holding its own in the rapid march of progress and development, and this can be well said of the Jews of our State. Patient, persistent in- dustry has been one of the -characteristics for which the Jew, for centuries, has been distinguished, but with us he has still higher credit, for he advances with the spirit of the times and keeps pace with the swiftly moving column which reaches into the future, which unfolds events which carries the banner of enterprise, which makes history and betters civilization.. It gives me great pleasure to say for the Jews of Iowa that they- are potent factors in our business, faithful defenders of peace and order and staunch advocates of all the principles of good government." The Governor's utterance undoubtedly conveys the opin- ions of all Iowa citizens, a fact which elevates the lowans to' the highest summit of liberalism, and makes the ancient wan- derer feel at home. And, as the purpose of this volume is to narrate extensive- ly of the Jews of Iowa, attention will now be directed to relate briefly the chief events which led Isreal to cross the ocean and search a home in the land of the free. GOLDEN AGE OF IOWA 6i GOVERNOR A B. CUMMINS GREAT JEWISH FRIEND 62 THE JEWS OF IOWA. CHAPTER YI. JEWS IN MODERN TIMES I492-160O. Expulsion of Spain, .Navarre, Genoa, Naples, Rome, Fez, Por- tugal and Northern Africa — Fate of Refugees — Brabanel — Turkey, Palestine and Poland — Germany — The Talmud and the Dominicans — Luther's Reform and the Jews — Jew- ish Learning — Kabalah — Sulchan Aruch — Beginning of Spain's Ruin. The stage whereon the most hideous tragedy in Israel's history was acted has been constructed upon religious ground and sketched by medieval theologians ; the heart-rending' scenes were laid out in Sicily, Aragon, Valencia, Sardinia, Catalonia and Castile — all picturesque and attractive since creation, but now painted with human blood; the villains were; a hellish woman, disguised in a veil of preternatural superstition, nam- ed Isabella; a malignant tyrant, crowned with iron and anoint- ed with blood of infants and sucklings, Ferdinand ; a satanic disciple, masked with a shield of Catholic holiness, Torquemada and a number of friars, priests and hangmen, The victims were, grizzled men and women, mothers and sisters, fathers and brothers, sons and daughters and countless children of JEWS IN MODERN TIMES 63 Israel. Author of the bloody century, Ferdinand Martinez; (i) time, Thursday, August 2, 1492, (2) (9th day of Ab, 1422, after the final triumph of Rome over Jerusalem.) The blood and tears, brains, marrow and fat, bones, sinews, limbs and skulls, sighs, groans, shrieks and lamentations — • had all these been collected when they were shed, broken, torn, dashed and dismally exclaimed, and brought before the Heav- enly Throne, the Author of the universe could have created a new Pacific, could have constructed enough ships and supplied sufficient steam, to convey the eternal wanderer, the world's scapegoat, within those steamers upon that ocean to a land of safety and rest ! Indeed, if hell is only what the ancients have pictured it to be, then medieval men, in rage of fanaticism, holding an in- quisitionary torch in one hand and a blood-stained crucifix in the other, must have outdone the very devil in mischief, Satan in device, and the witches and evil spirits of Hinom and To- pheth in ferociousness. About 300,000 of the most noble sons of the God-chosen people, after having witnessed the nameless and indescribable torture, atrocities and plunder inflicted upon their kindred, af- ter having endured themselves the limit of human forbearance, after being rendered defenseless, hopeless and helpless, were (1) Archdeacon of Ecija, whose venomous agitation and continuous columnies inflamed the populace to massacre, pollute and plunder Jewish communities soon after the death of Don Henry 1\, (1379) Torqemada was a direct follower of his. Hence the reason why Ferdinand, at the last moment, declined the proposition offered to him by the famous Ahra- banel to repeal the infamous decree for the price of 300,000 ducats. (2) On the following day, Friday, Columbus set sail for the West on his voyage which led to the discovery of America. It is related by Columbus himself that his Heet met with the vessels conveying the expelled Jews. A more striking incident was never produced in the history of the world. Surely the God of Vengeance planted the seed of punishment for the wicked Spain on the same day her bloodiest deed was executed. 64 THE JEWS OF IOWA forced to become homeless and wander between sea and firma- ment on vessels until, peradventure some human tribe, some spot on God's earth would welcome them, either to live or die so that their bones might not become prey to fishes but to beasts, aye human beasts, instead. The seaports of Barcelona, Gibraltar, Port Maria, Valencia and Carthagena reproduced the scenes of the Babylonian rivers and Israel again had to re- sort to his historic staff, adorned with the map of the world, for his companion — if that staff could only talk! Their farms, homes, stores, gold, silver and money which . they could not, or heinous laws forbade them, to carry along in exile, were either disposed of, during the four months' grace extended to them after the infamous decree was proclaimed, for a mere trifle, or left as an inheritance to the followers of Satan, Martinez, and Torquemada. Thus did the princes of the House of Jacob, the most cul- tured of the Jewish race and the most learned of Israel em- brace exile as the only means of safety, and banishment as the only means of the preservation of their faith, race and purity, and thus were the aristocratic Spanish Jews, after having en- riched that land with their craft and brain, after having spent there for almost fourteen centuries of their existence, after having become part of the country themselves, compelled to lift their eyes heavenward in search of a home and bread. England's gates were shut against them; Germany fol- lowed, on a minor scale, the footsteps of the depraved Spain ; France refused to tolerate them in her cities, nay even on her JEWS IN MODERN TIMES 65 soil, and aJl other countries of Europe, which were predomina- ted by CathpHcism would rather not grant the Jews, with the doctrines of Moses, David and Isaiah in their minds and the ever-living words of Jehovah upon their lips, the use of their fields, markets, meadows, rivers,, wells and sepulchres. And- since the aristocracy of the world's Jewry had fallen, a general exodus took place at the end of the fifteenth and at the dawn of the sixteenth centuries; and every other vessel with any destination in view conveyed Jews, homeless Jews, whom the great monsters o'f the earth had cast into the seas. Thou- sands became prey tO' pirates, cannibals and semd-barbaric tribes of Asia and Africa whereunto they drifted for safety. A rumor was afloat that the Jews, having been forbidden tO' carry out of Spain gold or coined money, have swallowed pieces of the precious metal; the African islanders, hearing it, placed credence upon the hearsay and ensnared many unfortunates by means of false promises and, taking the victims toi a safe distance, have eviscerated their bowels in search of the sup- posed gold. Thousands were also slain by the Black Pesti- lence which fell upon them with its deadly grip through their congested quarters within the ships, lack of clothes and fresh victuals and the means of sanitation. In Genoa a few vessels filled with famished, skeleton-like refugees, begged admittance and were promptly refused, but, upon learning that the hundreds of men, women and children were practically without provisions, "generous" friars with hearts of "brotherly-love," went out to meet them with morsels of bread in one hand and crucifixes in the other and those who 66 THE JEWS OF IOWA kissed and paid obeisance to the cross were the happy re- cipients of morsels of bread and — what will starved human beings not do for the sake of a piece of bread ! An excellent piece of rascality, indeed, of a heartless gang of alleged soul- saving agents of the dale of Hinom ! In Navarre, the neighboring state of Spain, some 12,000, forlorn sons of Judah sought refuge, either temporarily or permanently, for they were the less fortunate ones possessing no funds to migrate to distant lands, and at first some con- sideration was shown them, but no sooner was intelligence of their intent obtained in the Spanish court than a proclamation, offering them the choice between baptism and banishment, was handed to them. Most of them^ heaped their young ones upon their backs, encouraged their wives with prayer and song and started on an aimless wandering anew, but some of them, eager to save the lives of their young ones, were overcome with grief and consented to be dived in the holy fonts and became pseudo- christian for the price of home and bread. The same outcasts and miserable wretches unfit to be inhabitants of Navarrean forests became equals to the aristocracy of that little kingdom as soon as they promised to ?-dhere to the cross — what a speci- men of hypocrisy ! In Venice, several hundred families were permitted to estab- lish a ghetto and exist. In Corfu, Candia and other Greek islands many thousands of homeseekers found homes and bread, if not independent homes, for a majority were sold thither as slaves, but homes under roofs, on land, they had, which was much more than JEWS IN MODERN TIMES 67 scores of thousands of their brethren upon the seas could boast of. Much was, soon after, done for the relief or the unfortu- nate slaves by the wealthier Jews aiidPidyon S'buyim (redeem- ing of the captives) money amounted in the thousands of du- cats. In Rome the strangest and most unexpected came to pass ; the native Jewish community offered a thousand ducats to Pope Alexander VI to prohibit the immigration of Spanish Jews into Rome, the pontiff, although covetous for money, not only refused to accept the bribe but threatened to drive them out of Rome instead. History might repeat itself, and cursed be those Jews who might encourage anti-immigration against unfortunate brethren who are driven in exile from the lands of their captivity ! In Naples, a host of Jews were admitted and tolerated by King Ferdinand I, and, as the great sage Isaac Abrabanel was among them, their condition was gradually bettered after the king appointed him head of his financial department. Fez excelled in atrociousness every merciless community of that bloody period; there the exiled children of Israel were shut out behind the gates of the city and no provision was sold unto them and no water to quench the thirst of fatigued women and famished children was given unto them ; there the Jew was forced to forget that he must not have any master besides his God and gladly sold himself for bread and water into slavery, and these human beings, with no other sin than faithfulness upon their heads, were forced by hunger and thirst to eat grass like cattle and drink of the miry marshes like crocodiles. 68 THE JEWS OF IOWA But all the preceding alongside the fate which overtook the 100,000 (i) Jews in Portugal fade into insignificance. At first they were promised protection and a permit to sojourn in that land till they find a secured home was granted to them, and the youthful King Manoel seemed to possess a somewhat kind- ly feeling toward the homeless people and nothing was de- manded of them to yield in return for the hospitality ; but the dissembling Spain, serpent-like in her device, planned a mar- riage between Infanta, (Isabella II) daughter of Ferdinand and Isabella, and King Manoel which the latter eagerly em- braced. One clause in the contract provided that as soon as the princess will touch Portuguese soil not one of the Hebrew race shall remain in Portugal (2) Volumes could be filled, all hearts would melt, babes and soldiers alike would weep their eyes dry, women would denounce religion as the most miserable disease of mankind if a literal account would be given of the crimes, horrors, atrocities, pollution, remorseless- ness, bloodthiirstiness, .vmchast'ity, comimjitted jajgainst and inflict- ed upon those unfortunate Jews who could not hurriedly leave Portugal after the heart of the youthful Manoel was in the hand of the daughter of Ferdinand and Isabella. And all these in the name of the Jew, Jesus, for the sake of the doctrine of love ! (i> Professor Grartz (London, 1892, Volume IV) places the number of refugees in Portugal to 20,000 fa^nllles or 200,000 souls, but there surely must be an error in this statement for there can be no 200.000 souls in 20,000 families. Lady Magnus (outline of Jewish History, Philadelphia, rSgo) conservatively estimates their number to have reached only 80 000 it is therefore greatly probable that 100,000 are the more correct figures provided there were io 000 families. ^iV .The Rev. H. C. Adams, in his History of the Jews, (London, t887> asserts that Spain expelled the Jews on economical grounds, being due to the "fact" that they "gathered the fat of the land. ' A more fabulous statement could not be expected had the history of the lews beeu written b^ Torquemada himself . The very assertion detects his ignorance in Jewish history of Spain. Ferdinand, proclaiming the bloody edict, mentions only religious differ- ences, and this clause of the marriage contract plainly reveals the designs cf the inquisition ^^JEWS IN MODERN TIMES 69 Yet the God of Israel slumbereth not, and He appeared once more to guide his chosen sons. Seeing that in the lands which were under the influence of a hypocritical Catholicism, presided over by monsters of bell, no rest was given to them, the Jews fled to Egypt, Northern Africa, Turkey and even Zion, although desolated, its magnifi- cent structures dilapidated, its glory razed to the ground, ap- pealed to them. Indeed, there was not a mountain or dale, river "or ocean in Europe, Asia and Africa which was not pen- etrated and fathomed by foot and vessel in search of home and bread, by the wandering Jews in those days. Soon, flourishing Jewish communities sprang forth in Tur- key, Palestine, Egypt and Poland. In Palestine, Jerusalem and Safed under the leadership of Obadio de Bartinora and Joseph Saragossi, became centers of Jewish scholars and wisdom. Tunis, Cairo, Constantinople, Salonica, Padua, as far as they were apart geographically, were united in elevating Judaism., in preserving what was added to Jewish learning during the ipany centuries of sojourn in Spain, and in spread- ing the knowledge of the Torah and Talmud. German immi- grants established a Talmudical college at Padua, Sipanish in Solnoica under the able leadership of Judah Benvenisti, Samuel Franco and Joseph Teisak. Samuel Abrabanel, Isaac Aboab, Judah Chayit, Joseph Zapateira Abraham Zac cuto ( i ) Moses Kopsali and others were among the exiled scholars whose- wisdom and learning, after the expulsion, illumined the four (i) Author of the Sepher Juchsin. an-1 according to excellent authorities all the navi- gators and explorers of that age and for decades after followed bis doctrine in astronomy. Columbus first perceived the idea of a new hemisphere from the writings of Rabbi 2accuto 70 THE JEWS OF IOWA cornel's of the world. For they were scattered throughout all the lands and established themselves in connection with their brethren upon whatsoever shore they were permitted to land. Wonderful, indeed, how during such crisis, a homeless people without a friend, without a government, without a uni- form language, have succeeded in preserving their faith, litera- ture and even their physiognomy and mannerism till this day. Poland was next in importance to European Turkey as a Jewry and center of Judaism ; there have the' German Jews brought along their learning, wisdom, zeal and enthusiasm and soon they became great factors throughout Israel. The study of the Talmud was pursued vigorously by the Polish Jews under the tutorship of German Rabbles, and the German language, which was then a mere jargon, became sacred next to Hebrew among all the- Polish Jews through the influx of German Jews as was the Spanish language in the Orient through the overflow of Spanish Jews. The Sultans of Tur- key and the nobles of Poland were favorable to the Jews, and commerce and industry in those lands sprang forth rapidly and the Jews became potent factors upon the world's market. Hardly two decades have elapsed since the expulsion of Spain before Judaism, or, properly speaking, Talmudic Juda- ism, occupied the minds pf all eminent Europeans and a general uprise against the rule of Catholicism was brought about by an incident which finally resulted in the reforms of Luther. A Jewish convert, Pfefferkorn by name, inflamed the Dominicans of Cologne against the Talmud which he, as an ex- Jew, alleged to know that it contained dangerous teachings and groundless JEWS IN MODERN TIMES 71 heretical dogmas unfit for study or existence. Hochstraten, a dangerous fanatic of the Dominacans, undertook to bring the" matter before King Maximilian and have the voluminous work consumed. John Reuchlin, a liberal thinker and lover o,if Kabalism which Jewish Rabbis had taught him, compiled a pamphlet in defense jof the Talmud which gained a very large circulation. A great controversy, matchless in vigor and stub- bornness, ensued and two great parties were fighting each' other in palaces of kings, courts of princess and vestibules of cardinals even before the Pope. The Jews had the fine taste not to interfere and to watch, very closely the proceedings. The final decision was in favor of the Talmud and right then rays of daylight commenced to appear in those days of gross- darkness, for soon after Luther appeared and the yoke of Catholicism was shattered in the more enlightened states of Europe. But the condition of the Jews in the countries which Luther carried upon the wings of liberalism received no material change, for Luther himself, albeit liberal, fond of Jewish learn- ing and once their great friend, turned against them, so to speak, for he carried not his liberal thinking far enough to ben- efit them' as was anticipated by their friends and by tliemselves. There was no more such atrocities, massacres and wholesale slaughter as in the days of old, but a gulf still existed and no bridge could be constructed to make the two ends meet, not- withstanding the open secret that Luther and his followers were staunch admirers of Kabalah and most fervent exponents of the doctrine of Kabalism. 72 THE JEWS OF IOWA Kabalah was at its summit in the sixteenth century, the mysterious philosophy charmed the wearied sage and bewitched - the fatigned commoner. The daily expectation of Messiah was a hopeful comfort, more so than during the preceding centuries since the heavens were darkened with flame and smoke of the burnt Temple and Jerusalem. Seeing that this world, to them, is a vale of tears, its pleasures, its charm, its very life is a cursing unto them, they hid themselves into the depth of mysterious thought, dreaming of the future world where no bread, no homes, no liberty will be required, where the company of Seraphim and Ophanim will entertain the have- been mortals and eternal rest and contentment will hold sway. In great men and Rabbinical literature, the sixteenth cen- tury was to the Jews, what the seventeenth century was to the English, for not alcme in Kabalah were the Rabbis of that age great and not to Rabbis only was the scholarship of that period confined. The Sulchan Aruch (Religious code) in four parts containing air kinds of Jewish laws that have, are and will exist among the Jews, was compiled (1542) by Rabbi Joseph Cairo and a uniform practice in all religious rites, cere- monies and laws were established; historical works, by the eminent schoars, Joseph Cohen, Solomon Vergo (Ibn Vergos) and his son, Joseph, and the Usque family were also compiled. In Italy Leon Medigo of Abrabanel, Dei Rossi, (Azarya of Adomin) in Poland, Rabbi Foses Issarles (Ramo) Samuel Lurie, the historian David Cans (Zemach David) and many others flourished and illuminated the dark countries with the lights of their learning, the greatest Kabalist, however, was Rabbi Isaac Liurie (Ari.) JEWS IN MODERN TIMES 73 In Jerusalem an attempt was made by Rabbi Jacob Berab to establish a Jewish hierarchy, or Sanhedrin and, although many great Rabbis, among whom the illustrious Cairoi was foremost, were in favor of the project. Rabbi Levi ben ChabiT) of Jerusalem opposed it and he succeeded in defeating the pro- posed Sanhedrin. Politically the Jews at the end of the sixteenth century were still far from being tolerated in European countries and of those ghettoes which were assigned to them, many talesof woe are written indelibly upon the blood-stained pages of their tragedical history. Particularly lamentable was their condi- tion in Rome under the despotic Popes who were Jew-baiters without an exception. Meantime the Jews in Turkey went from strength to strength, occupying many positions of trust in the various departments of the Sultanic government and representing the different Sultans in nearly every European court. Poland became the center of Jewish learning, and from there authority on all religious questions was looked for. Cheerfulness as to their future prevailed and a turning point for the Jews in Europe was foretold even by those who hither- to were in dismay. And the God of Vengeance began to give Spain measure for measure; the intrigues among the clergy, among the offi- cials, among the nobility, were the seeds of her do^ynfall ; her commerce was on the declining road and her entire career was downward. The Netherlands, Holland included, wrested their beautiful states from its beastly mouth and the Dutch estab- 74 THE JEWS OF IOWA lished a liberal government of their own. Amsterdam now (1598) became an attractive point for all such Jews who still lived, in disguise of Christianity, in Spain, particularly the Marranoes (Anucim, forced converts) eagerly embraced the opportunity of migrating to Amsterdam, where, without change of dress, mannerism, language and habit, they could openly practice Judaism without being in constant fear of a sudden appearance of an inquisitionary agent. And from Amsterdam came the Jewish pioneers in Amer- ica, hence the foundation of American Jewry was laid by the- most noble sons and daughters of Israel. And having- traced the history of the Jews since the dis- covery of the Golden Land till the period when, Israel again crossed an ocean in search of a home and rest, the future chap- ters will relate briefly the adventures of the Jews in this coun- try and sum up their fortunes in the Old World till the "Jews of Iowa" will commence to be the feature of this work. JEWISH PIONEERS IN AMERICA 75 CHAPTER YII. JEWISH PIONEERS IN AMERICA ^TIDINGS IN THE OLD. WORLD^ 1 600- 1 700. Jews With Columbus — ;Brazil — Mexico — Peru' — Portuguese Jews in America — -Fate of Pioneers Amsterdam — M'nasseh ben Israel and Cromwell — Pesudo-Messianism- Sabbatai Zebi — Jews in Europe — Dutch in Brazil — Exodus of the New World — Scholars of the Seventeenth Century — First Jews in New Amsterdam — Levy and de Lucean — Jews in Newport. When the news of the discovery of a New World was spread abroad, it appeared to most Europeans as a tale in an- cient legend and, as a dreadful uncertainty prevailed, only those, whose anxiety, ambition, or desperateness over-ruled the natural fear of mankind for things and objects fabulous and supernatural, ventured a voyage across the mighty waves of the restless Atlantic to behold the wonderful Fairyland, its islands and forests, its copper-colored children. But the Jew, being habitually a wanderer, defying fire and water, whirl and gale, having no fear for tokens of the heavens, or tricks of the evil spirits and witches of strange abodes, em- braced the opportunity of adding a magnificent negative of a new continent to the long list oif seas and lands already en- graved upon his wander-stafif. 76 THE JEWS OF IOWA Two Marranos, (i) (forced converts) Gabriel Sanches and Louis Santangel, being influential in the Spanish court because of their eminence, wealth and late conversion to Cath- olicism, were a source of deliverance to the almost perplexed Columbus, for they importuned the probable outcome of the gigantic undertaking upon Isabella, and, her consent was des- tined to unseal the fates of many persecuted races of the earth. Barring the assertion that the latter pledged her jewels with a Jew to defray the expenses of the expedition, one thing re^ mains certain that the confiscated wealth of the Spanish Jews was used in fitting out the most famous fleet in history and — Jewish money was never invested to better advantage. Thus before, and at, the exploration of America, Jews were con- spicuous, and many historians have it that Louis de Torrer, one of the five Marronos who accompanied Columbus upon his perilous voyage, zvas the iirst one to touch Americc^s soil. But settlements in North America were meager and coloni- zation was scant during the sixteenth century, so we find the Jewish pioneers of this hemisphere amidst the roaring Atlan- tic, with their faces turned toward Brazil and other Southern territories. Most of them were Marranos deported from Port- ugal together with other convicts — hence to have been a descendant of Abraham and Solomon was equal to being a criminal in those rapacious lands of the Liquisition. Brazil (i1 Those converted Jews continued tp practice ludaism for generations, and their fidelity and faithfulness stand matchless in the annals of religious persecutions. They were Anucim, and having been of noble character and high standing, they have intermarried with the highest nobility of the countries of Spain and Portugal. It is related that once King Joseph asked his minister Pombal to make a design for a certain kind of hat which the de- scendants of the Tews shall wear and thereby be distinguished from the pure blooded citizens. The minister, after a gen^logical invest'gation, brought three hats of special de- sign in the Palace aad cheerfully remarked to the King; "Here is one for your majesty, one for myself, and one for the Inquisitor-Gereral." JEWISH PIONEERS IN AMERICA 77 was first discovered by Pinzan, A Spanish navigator, but one year later (1500) Alvarez de Cabral, a Portuguese explorer, assisted by a Jewish mariner named Gaspar, discovered it independently and the land fell under Portuguese suzerainty, though some colonies belonged to Spain. The Jews were mostly agriculturalists, chiefly sugar-cane planters, and became prosperous, until, in 1557, the Portuguese government consifl- ered the land too good for them and issued an edict prohibiting Marranos to migrate thither. In the Spanish colonies of Bra- zil a decree was proclaimed forbidding the Jews to settle amongst them, but the price of 1,700,000 cruzados,or $714,- 000, paid by the Jews redeemed their temporal existence and the sunbeams of the land of Palms and Coffee were permitted to break through the window-panes of the Jewish habitation in those colonies also. From this fact it appears plainly that the number of Jews in Brazil must have been great indeed, for they have come in large numbers from the whole Peninsula where the dread of the Inquisition raged most, and also' from Madeira they came and transplanted the sugar-cane in their new abode. Mexico appealed next to the Anucim during the first cen- tury after the discovery of America and quite a number of them were gathered in the colonies of that land even in the first half of the sixteenth century, but as it was wholly iinder Spanish suzerainty and most pioneers were the followers of Torquemada, the Inquisition was soon introduced (1571) and the helpless Jews had toi continue in disguise. They how- ever, continued to live there until 1650 and mention is made that Jewish men and womeni have occupied prominet positions 78 THE JEWS OF IOWA in every branch of; labor, commence and industry and that at one time they have dared and celebrated the Passorver festival publicly. But the Inquisition gave them no rest, and their lives were in constant danger. At one time eighty-six of their num- ber were tried for daring to maintain that God is God and one God. And between 1650, and 1820, when the Inquisition was disestablished, no trace of a Jewish community can be found, and very likely none existed during that time. In Peru also the unfortunate Marranos looked for a spot where their faithfulness would not be considered a crime and their faces an offense, and, from the fact that they were among the six thousand Portuguese who purchased the right of set- tling in that land for 200,000 ducats, they must have repre- sented a notable number, but even there the rage of the Inqui- sition was poured upon their heads. They settled in Lima about 1575, and in 1639, twelve Jews among whom was a millionaire named Manuel Bautista Perez, were burnt. Thus was even' the new world, the cradle of brotherly- love, of liberty and inAjention, stained with blood of Israel and Judah, but, who can count the ways of God and explain them ? The dawn of the seventeenth century to the people of Israel resembled a March morning a few minutes before the bright star appears to herald the news of the approaching sunrise ; it is twilight, a biting, northerly wind, field, forest, mount and dale, covered with a deadly garb — snow; no singing of birds, no murmuring of brooks, barking of a dog here, crowing of a cock there, smoke from a chimney in this cabin, a torch JEWISH PIONEERS IN AMERICA 79 through a window of yon hut, and a prevalent dreadfulness all over heaven and earth and yet, soon sunshine will bring all to life gain, the May of Nature is barely three months hence. Holland was the morninig star of Israel's March in his captivity. And North America became the Sun of Judah's May since daylight in Jerusalem was eclipsed by the clamor of Roman shield and spear. Twilight began to disappear before the shining rays of the bright star when the Dutch ex- torted their liberty from the deadly grip of Spain, and sun- beams cheered all hearts when the Bell in the city of Brotherly- love tolled the sounds of perpetual liberty. Amsterdam, under the protection of the Dutch nation, became a refuge of safety for all the Marranos of the Peninsula and thither they fled to declare to the whole world that they were Jews, faithful to the God of Israel, until its fame was spread as New Jerusalem and occupied the foremost position among the Jewries of the world. Soon immigrants from' Germany, where they were subjected to exclusion and ostracism, began to stream into the Dutch capital and owing to their disadvantageous mannerism acquired in the baired ghettoes, their Spanish and Portuguese brethren looked upon them with disfavor from a social view- point and the great parties in Israel, Sephardim and Ashke- nezim, ( i ) had their initial appearance in Jewish history. Irk- some intolerance grew forth, at the outstart of the division, out of the somewhat lofty ideas of the Sephardim and their (.1) Sephardim is Hebrew for Spanish and Askenazim for Germans. Subsequently the two parties grew mighty and the Chassidim follow the Sphardic rituals while the Missnag- dim are the direct successors of the Ashkenazim, 8o THF JEWS OF IOWA exaltation, and their pride and endless love for the religion they saved from the bloody Inquisition led them to rash deal- ings with those who gained their disfavor by attacking even the most insignificant ceremony. A famous instance is the famous Uriel de Costa. He was a marrano like unto them- selves but he varied from them as regards many ritual laws and put those laws or customs which displeased his fancy to ridicule. . An excommunication was accordingly inflicted upon him: Seeing that he was not considered a Jew, and dearly loving his faith, he repented and applied for re-instatement into the synagogue. His petition was appreciated, but the penalty which he meekly received at the hands of his brethren proved too shameful for him to continue among the living and he shot himself. (April, 1640.) Meantime the Jews in Brazil grew numerous and when the Dutch invaded the land to wrest it from the Portuguese they were first to form a column of hostility against their op- pressors, and their column struck the very vitality of Portu- guese predomination in Brazil and their new home was deliv- ered into the hands of their friends — the Dutch. The Dutch West India Company was also assisted by the Jews and the friendship at that period between the two peoples was of- mut- ual benefit. Brazil under Dutch suzerainty became a source of joy to many htmdred of homeless Jews or wearied marranos and many noble families migrated to the New World to pro- claim to the new heavens the name of Jehovah. Many flour- ishing communities sprang forth in Brazil between' the years 1531-1654, chief amongst them were Pernambuco, (Recife) Bahia, Parahivah and Rio de Janeiro. Quite a few illustrious JEWISH PIONEERS IN AMERICA 8i names appear among the Jewish pioneers on this hemisphere of whom the names of Ephraim Sueido, step-brother of the famous M'nasseh ben Israel, Rabbis Isaac Aboab and Moses Raphael, Jacob Lagarta and the poet Elijah Mochorro stand foremost. But the golden period of the Brazilian Jews vanished too soon, the Portuguese finally vanquished the good Dutchmen and again an exodus in Israel's history was chronicled (1654.) And the gates of England were as yet shut up and barred up against the children of Israel. Oliver Cromwell reigned as Protector, the Stuart dynasty was overthrown and the time for England to draw a breath of relief from blood, treachery and rebellion came to pass. It was, indeed, the turning point of mankind, for the English-speaking people illumined the world with tolerance and love for liberty and led all people since then in the principles of good government. The media- tor was the Amsterdam Rabbi, a descendant of Spanish Jews, M'nasseh ben Israel; his fervent love, endless zeal and inde- fatigable efforts for his downtrodden people brought him' be- fore Cromwell pleading the cause of his forlorn race, petition- ing the repeal of the edict of banishment issued against his brethren 365 years before, and defending his people against the malicious accusations that they were usurers and. the like. A Gentile champion, Edward Nicholas, had published (1648) a pamphlet entitled "An Apology for the Honorable Nation of the Jews and all the Sons of Israel" wherein he declared the Jews as the God-chosen and God-protected people and re- 82 THE JEWS OF IOWA minded his countrymen that "God will charge their sufferings upon us, and will avenge them on their persecutors." The dis- tinguished Nicholas — ^blessed be his memory — was a person of no mean authority, for he held the office of Secretary to the Parliament under Charles Stuart and also under Cromwell. A council was called and ben Israel's petition was argued. Fanatical clergymen cited "biblical authority" to prove how dangerous it was to re-admit Israelites in the kingdom found- ed by mighty Caesar — what excellent news to Bible students ! — and jealous merchants opposed the re-admission on economical grounds. Cromwell's plea for the Jews before that council will live as long as his name will; to the merchants he said; "Can you really think that so despised a people should be able to secure the upper hand in trade and credit over the merchants of England — the most honorable in the world?" His attempt failed, the council voted against the petition of the great M'nasseh ben Israel, but his open friendship encouraged the Jews who were eager to settle in England and, from that very day, Jewish immigrants began to land upon the shores of Britain. It is important, indeed, to relate in connection with M'nas- seh's undertaking that he was inspired to pursue the gigantic scheme after hearing an account by the famous Jewish trav- eler, Antonio de Montezinos, of the American Indians whom he had recognized to be the lost Ten Tribes. Believing it, M,- nasseh commenced to compile his most famous work "The Hope of Israel" where he readily convinced that the theory of the American natives being the ancient Jews from the time of Nabuchadnezzar was true and that as soon as England will re-admit the Jews in her territory Messiah will come, for, JEWISH PIONEERS IN AMERICA 83 then, Jews will indeed be scattered throughout the four cor- ners of the earth whence they are to be gathered by the anoint- ed deliverer of God. Messiah, during the seventeenth century, was the hope of all European Jews, and when the book of M'nasseh appear- ed thousands upon thousands expected him daily and, although pseudo — Messianism was a plague that Israel was stricken with repeatedly, that period stands matchless in the annals of the Jews as regards the trouble caused by a fake' — Messiah. Or- dinarily the Jews, are least of all people to believe in a man, — Moses was born and died like every other mortal — and they continually rely upon God, but the centuries of persecution, ostracism, poverty, degradation, wandering, homelessness and mysterious dogmatism preached by many cabalistic authori- ties, in connection with the pure belief in God that a Messiah will come — in itself a fundamental principle in Orthodox Ju- dahismi — caused hundreds O'f thousands of Jews to be misled by the notorious Sabbatai Z'bi. He was indeed, a prince in ap- pearance, learned, cunning, and of excellent speech and more than all these, a people surrounded by myriads of enemies, in daily expectation of a deliverer. What else could be expected of one quick in device like him than to come into a synagogue and exclaim; "Here I am," and, standing upon an obscured hill to charge the countries of the globe "toi yield the God-chos- en children back to the Widowed daughter of Zion?" His name was soon upon the lips of young and old and his follow- ers increased daily until he became a menace, to the Sultan, for he was born in Smyrna, Turkey. He suffered before he died more than his glory was worth, embracing Mohammed- 84 THE JEWS OF IOWA anismi he was left like unto, the bat in legend which was re- fused by the fowls because of his animal-like feet and by the " mice because of its birdlike wings. But his followers con- tinued in their blind adherence even after his death and the Jewish people suffered much because of him for over a century; for, from the time of his appearance ( 1648) until Rabbi Jacob Amdon suppressed the last group of his followers (1776) many were the strifes in the ghettoes and synagogues on ac- count of the corrupted son of Israel. But he is not the only historical character who caused his people endless grief, not in vain have Israel accepted the ghetto maxim; "Guide me O Lord from my friends, and from my enemies I will watch myself out alone." Conditions in Europe during the seventeenth century chang- ed for the worst to the ever-suffering Jews. Germany leads in atrocities of that century, for in 16 14, the Jews of Worms and Frankfort were massacred and expelled, although two years later they were re-admitted and it was then that the famous Frankfort ghetto was founded. In all other cities, they were compelled to live in airless, filthy, narrow streets which were called ghettoes and subjected to open degrada- tion and ostracism. Every official quickly learned to be rapaci- ous in extorting money from the Jews for his alleged protec- tion. Italy was next with her ghettoes and ferociousness. Poland which offered protection and liberal treatment to the Jews was visited by a ravenous uprise of Kossacks under the leadership of the merciless Chmelnitzki, and the Jews were JEWISH PIONEERS IN AMERICA 85 first to suffer the consequences. The massacres, pollution, plunder and debauchery of 1648 encouraged by that bloody Cossack were indescribable. The only comfortable spot, so to speak, was Amsterdam. The Sphardim and the Ashkenazim were continually re-en- forced by new immigrants and the community was a flourish- ing one indeed. But even there a strange and lamentable inci- dent marred the happiness of their golden period. Their greatest philosopher, Baruch S^pinoza, born in their midst^ of whom every nation would have been proud, was excommuni- cated because of his new theory concerning the universal God which subsequently gained myriads of followers and did honor to his race. Much, however, was said in defense of the Amn sterdam community as well as in that of Spinoza, yet it is a lamentable fact even unto this day that the least step a Jewish scholar takes which appears contrary to the established rules, he is being talked of as an epicurien by the pious. But time will cure Israel from' this disease also. Among the most learned of that century were Sabbatai Cohen (Sach) Lipman Heller (Tospheth Yomtob) Levi ben B'zalel (Maharil Me Prague) M'nasseh ben Israel and Baruch Spinoza, besides scores of illustrious Rabbis in Poland, Salon- ica, and Germany. When the sun was set in Brazil, God said to New Amster- dam, "Let there be light," and there was light. The dis- tinguished fortune of being the first Jewish settler in the New Netherlands belonged to one Jacob Barsimson whoi came to New Amsterdam on November 9th, 1654. Then refugees 86 THE JEWS OF IOWA begun to come from Brazil, from the West Indies and from Europe. At first the Dutch "objected to increase their numbers by thrifty merchants and excellent planters, but by the direction of the Dutch West India Company they were given the free- dom of the village, (now New York) but only to exist there, for the privilege to build a synagogue, or to hold public ofiSces, or be employed therein, was denied them. Asser Levy appears to have been the foremost of the sturdy Jewish i>ioneers ; he was determined to become equal in every privilege with his Dutch hosts and gain equal rights for his brethren as well. He must have been the Jefferson among the few Jews whose fortunes, or misfortunes, brought them to the secluded village on the sandy shore of the Atlantic. He fought to be permitted to guard in person the alleys or streets of the present New York, this was denied and a tax was levied upon him together with the other Jews instead. But he was persistent and through courts and appeals to Holland he conquered his opponents and became a soldier equal to the Dutchmen. Abraham de Lucena was another fighting Jewish pioneer, but he fought for the dead. A petition to grant a site for a cemetery was not tolerated — the Dutch seemed to think that that piece of God's earth was not destined to become a Jewish burying-ground — ^but the Abraham of New York like unto the Abraham of Heth succeeded at the end to purchase a place where Jewish dead wei-e laid to rest. After the capture of New Amsterdam^ by the British (1664) the Jews appear to have been prosperous and sixteen years later the Shaarith Israel congregation was organized. JEWISH PIONEERS IN AMERICA 87 But there can be no record found of their progress until the dawn of the eighteenth century, excepting that Newport was enriched by the presence of ninety f amihies oi Jews who' immi- grated thither from Curacao^, and it is also said that in 1658 about fifteen Jewish families came to "Newport and introduced Masonry. The close O'f the seventeenth century left the people of Israel past the month of March and at the dawn of April. During the century we met a cloud here, a storm there, but it was no longer that cloud nor that wind which kills the life of Nature, but which destroys the snow, the ice, the frozen ground, and calls forth the plants and the grass, the trees and the birds, which parts winter from summer, which brings light by day and cheerfulness by night. 88 THE JEWS OF IOWA CHAPTER YIII. ANTE-INDEPENDENCE PERIOD IN AMERICA, AND PRE-EMANCI- PATION YEARS IN EUROPE AMONG THE JEWS, 1^00-1776. Conditions in Europe — Kabalah and the Rabbis — ^Judah Chas- sid — Querido Z'bi — Chayim Malach — Moses Chayim Luz- zato — Jews in New York. New Port, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Maryland, New England, South Carolina — Three Stars in Europe — Reconstruction of Judaism — The Frankists. The dawn of the century of "Philosophy and Revolution" found Israel sunk in a deep lethai-gy, indifferent to his fate, woes and lack of progress, demonstrating no desire. to keep pace with the advanced ideas of the age, caring but little to uphold his claim oi primogenitureship in civilization and learn- ing among the nations of the earth, exhibiting no zeal to en- hance his journey along with the swiftly moving column of the human i^ace toward the summit of progressiveness, and aiming at no destination which might put an end to the everlasting misund'erstanding between him and the rest of mankind. Is- rael fell in a slumber because he sorely was in need of rest. His feet were swollen strolling across the globe for countless generations; his hands became i>owerless, nay parilized, car- rying his wander staff night and day and fighting continually against enemies, animals and fate; his head was bent beneatli ANTE-INDEPEiNDENCE PERIOD 89 a yoke of a lamentable past and a burden of a gloomy future; his heart became faint witnessing- the most hideous scenes of tortures perpetrated against his ancestors, and overfilled with sorrow because of his own distress; his body wounded, bruis- ed, bearing numberless scars received at the hand of every creed and race, so, involuntarily, he fell asleep and sunk into sweet dreams. He rested toi accumulate strength, to invigorate himpelf, to gain power for new struggles, to be prepared for new exiles, martyrdom, massacres and expulsions, or, perhaps, to get ready for a new epoich, new tidings, which, peradven- true, will shortly come to pass and regenerate mankind, which, probably, will restore unto him his youthful strength, infuse him with new enthusiasm, which might divide the future from the past with a fence of liberty, equality and brotherly love, which might erect a ladder for mankind to ascend to an era of peace and then, all human families will incorporate themselves into one great brotherhood. Thus did Israel sleep because of fatigue, and was charmed with happy dreams. Only an occasional expulsion, an incidental massacre, a token of shame attached to his topmost garment and quite fre- quent accusations stirred the otherwise tranquil ghetto^ life and marred the happiness of the dreamers, else a deadly absence of consciousness was apparent in every ghetto. Even the ravaging soldiers of Peter the Great and Charles of Sweden., the very booming of deadly projectiles which greet- ed the eighteenth century were insufficient to bring Israel to his feet and awaken him from his slumber. Kabalah of the strangest kind, amounting, almost, to an- thropomorphitism, was predominating Israel, and many new go THE JEWS OF IOWA. ideas foireign toi Judaism were introduced. The Rabbis, who hitherto were the pillar of science and learning, turned their attention wholly to mysticism and planned continually haw to adopt new methods of life according to the teachings of Kabal- ism. They were successful- in the latter, for soon Kabalah be- came, not only the main fountain of Juduaism, but even the very vitality O'f Jewish thought and the foothold O'f Israel's temporal existence were based upon it. Healing- of the sjck, bestowing blessings upon the distressed, driving out evil spirits (Gilgtdim) from the possessed and solving enigmas among Srophin and creatures of Lilith (Queen of demons) became part of the Rabbis' duties, and the ever-believing masses fol- lowed them blindly without a resenting murmur. Messiah was their daily subject, and every war, every dis- turbing element which appeared upon the surface of Europe was welcomed as an omen forecasting his approach. Indeed, the hope for the re-es^ablishmait of the glory of Judah and the reign of righteousness upon Mount Zion was never more anx- iously expected. A general chaotic gloom was prevalent throughout the first half of the eighteenth, century. Here we behold the sainted Judah Chassid with a host of 1500 Polish Jews strolling across Europe on his famous march ( 1 700) to Jerusalem where he expected to witness the appearance of Mes- siah, and we are stricken with sorrow that fate was so unkind to him, for even he, like unto Judah Halevy, died the day he touched the holy ground of Israel's land ; and there we indig- nantly turn our faces from the inpudent wife of Sabbatai Z'bi who brought her brother, Jacob (Querido Z'bi) and passed him off as her son by the notorioiis pseudo — Messiah, ANTE-INDEPENDENCE PEKIOD 91 causing once more a revival oif shameless psevidoi — Messian- ism in Israel. At one end of Europe we are struck with admir- ation for Rabbi Yechiel Heilpeim of Minsk, Lithnania (Sader ha-Doroth) and at another end we are, preplexed to behold a Chayim Mallach carrying a pillar of darkness through the Jew- - ries of the world and quenching the last spark of Israel's light. From one comer sings the heavenly muse of Moses Chayim Luzzato in the language of Moses and Isaiah, and from^ an- other breaks forth the dismal voice oi Nehemiah Chiya Chay- an's fanaticism and causes a pestilence of degradation toi strike upon Judah. Only the English, Dutch and Italian Jews made some gain during those dark days; names of millionaires, great merchants and learned Rabbis, fit to represent Judahism before the na- tions, appear. But Poland, Turkey, Germany and Lithnania were over filled with a matchless fanaticism, and the Kabalis- tic dogmas dragged them backward. They appear to have lost all their traditional love for everything progressive, and become accustomed to exist in this world as a passive element, doing no harm and striving for nothing good. But soon con- ditions were to be changed and in less than two score years and ten Israel stood foremost in the activities of that memorable century. The progress of the Jews in North America, prior to the Revolutionary War, continued somewhat slow. The largest Jewish colony, Newport, did not exceed one thousand souls (200 families.) But the adventures of those pioneers are full oif interest and bear every characteristic semblance of the early days of Am,erican history. 92 THE JEWS OF IOWA NEW YORK : The British sentiment was strongly anti- Jewish when the Dutch were conquered and the New Nether- lands became English territory^ for the Jews, as yet, had no political recognition in the British Empire, but at the very dawn of the eighteenth century, a noteworthy incident became a happy omen for the Jews under the English government In 1700, Lord Bellmond, the Governor of New York, ran short in cash and was greatly distressed because of being unable to pay up his soldiers their wages which the latter pressed sorely upon him ; being preplexed, he determined to go about the town and find some one who would advance him money on an official voucher and of all of the New York inhabitants, three Jews cashed his vouchers, and he remembered them in his report to the English authorities. At that time the most prominent merchants among the New lYork Jews were, Abraham Lucena, Nathan Levy (son of Ash- er Levy) and Louis Gomez, who were, indeed, of vital import- ance to the commerce of New York. In 1727, the General Assembly of New York manifested consideration for the Jews by striking out the words "upon the true faith of a Christian," from the oath which a witness in court had to take, this is easily recognized to have been the most liberal measure taken by any legislative body in favor of the jews in those days when only scorn met their appearance in any lajad. Their number miust have been reinforced during the first quarter of the century, for, in addition to the Shaarith Israel synagogue, the congregation of Mill street, organized in 1682, erected a synagogue and dedicated it in 1727, which shows that the community must have been quite large. ANTE-INDEPENDENCE PERIOD 93 The authorities were very Hberal in their treatment toward the Jews, in fact the Jews enjoyed more privileges than the Cathohcs, but as yet no suffrage was granted to the enterpris- ing Jewish pioneers. Their number must have been increasing gradually as it appears from a very unhappy report by Lord Qinton, Gover- nor of New York, in 1749. The report reads, that a Jewish family, who had lately arrived from Holland, suffered much from a gang of disorderly neighbors; for the latter, disliking their mannerism', fell upon them, broke their windows and doors and smashed their furniture to pieces. Those were "heroic" days, indeed. The community in general became wealthy and influential before the outbreak of war and miany Jewish names, worthy, indeed, of being the ancestors of the greatest Jewry in the world, appear between the years 1745- 1776. The most prom- inent pioneers, however, were Uriah Hendrikos, whose grand- children were the first Jewish millionaires in America. Hymon Levy, (who employed the great-great-grandfather of Ex- mayor Seth Low, of New York, as bookkeeper, and the father of the Astor family in America, as clerk,) Solomon Simson, Moses M. Haas and the heirs of Asher Levy. Abraham Lu- cena and Gershom Mendes Seixas were the two most noted Rabbis of New York prior to 1776. NEWPORT : Besides the few Jews who fled from New York during the rigorous reign of Peter Styvesant, but few others aippear to have settled in Newport between 1677- 1745. Those who continued under Roger Williams appear to have been successful, for in 1705, mention is made of the first soap manufacturers in Rhode Island to have been Jews, and 94 THE JEWS OF IOWA quite a few of them were prominent merchants and bankers as early as 171 5. During the years 1720-50 liberal treat- ments were accorded to the Jews and many prominent families were even' granted distinctions no other inhabitants ai joyed. This was probably due to the invaluable services rendered to the government by Moses Lopez in translating important docu- ments from the Spanish into English, and to the real greatness of the families Rivera, Pollock, Hart and Aaron Lopez whose enterprising spirit elevated the commerce of Newport and made it the commercial center of the New World. It is recorded that at one time, Aaron Lopez, owned as many as thirty vessels, and that through their merits the Jews have gained a reputation unequalled by any race who fathomed the Atlantic to establish itself in the land of "Gold and Indians." In 1760, the Newix>rt community was enriched by the ar- rival of Rev. Isaac Tonro, father of the famous Touro family in this country. He came thither from Jamaica together with a few other Jews, and finding in him a spiritual leader of no mean ability, the Newport community placed him at the head of its congregation Jeshaut Israel. Two years later the most famous of American synap-ogpes, which adorns Newport till this day was dedicated to the God of Israel. Jamaica, at the begimiiing of the eighteenth century, was a flourishing Jewish center and from that island came the charm- ing -verses of the first Jewish poet in the New World, Daniel Israel (Lopez Leguna.) Originally the Jews came to Jamacia from Surinam. Surinam, during the seventeenth century, was adorned with a wealthy Jewish commiunity. When England surrendered Surinam to the Dutch (1662) a tlause in the ar- ANTE-INDEPENDENCE PERIOD 95 tide of surrender provided the liberty for all British subjects .to leave that colony. The Jews who were the organ of vitality in S'Urinan wanted to withdraw to Jamacia, but the Dutch, see- ing that the island would be ruined if the Jewish resources were removed from it, refused to grant them the permission to leave. The Jews resented the ill treatment and finally they were recognized as English subjects and part of them departed for Jamacia. Hence were the Jews on this continent recogniz- ed as British citizens long before their brothers in European England were even tolerated. In 1873, another Rabbi who appears to have been schlarly indeed, became connected with the Yeshaut Israel congregation of Newport. His name was Chayim Isaac Karigel, a native of Palestine. Hebecame famous as. a preacher and enjoyed the friendship of many Gentiles among whom was the famous Ezra Stiles who admired him and mentioned his name many times in his writings. On May 28 of that year, Rabbi Karigel delivered a sermon in the Spanish tongue which was subse- quently translated into English and from^ it the progressive- ness of those who left the Asiatic or European boundaries is easily distinguished. Close to the outbreak of the Revolution the Newport community numbered 200 families who were wealthy, progressive, loved by their neighbors and friendly to each other. Maryland is also numbered among the early Jewish colo- nies, although it is not likely that any Jewish organization ex- isted there prior to the Revolution. Remarkable, indeed, was the law that anyone who would openly deny his faith in the Trinity shared the fate of a murderer, for he was to be put to 96 THE JEWS OF IOWA death. Dr. Jacob. Lumbrozo, a Jerwish planter and physician, was the Jewish pioneer in that state and at one time was con- victed for daring to beheve in Monotheism, and, had it not been for a manifesto in honor of Richard Cromwell he would have been put to death. In New England, the mention of a Jewish convert, Judab Monis, who was professor of Hebrew in Harvard college, and of Jacob Lucena (probably a brother to Abraham Lucena, of New York) is made during the seventeenth century, but no other Jews seemed to have ventured an establishment in those states before America was conquered by Americans. Philadelphia and Lancaster, in Pennsylvania, were the next Jewish communities in this country prior to 1776. In the form- er Jewish services were held in 1747, and in the latter a Jewish cemetery was purchased during the same year. Joseph Simon was the pioneer in Lancaster (1740) and J. Aaron was the first Jewish settler in Philadelphia (1703.) Meyer Hart appears to have been one of the founders of Easton, Pa., (1750) and Jewish inhabitants also appear at an early date in Schaefers- ville of that state. The Sunny South cast its rays of light upon 40 unfortunate Jewish families who landed at Savannah just on the day Gov- ernor Oglothorpe was dividing plantations, town lots, gardens and farms to those who consented to locate in Georgia (July 7, 1733.) Two congregations, one succeeding another, were founded in Savannah before the outbreak of the Revolution. The culture of grapes was introduced in Georgia by Abraham D' Lyon, and the first physician in that state was also "a Jew, Dr. Nunisi, whd came together with the 40 families. ANTE-INDEPENDENCE PERIOD 97 Several of the Savannah Jews left for Charleston, South Carblina, and services were held in that city as early as 1750; later, in 1757, a cemetery was also bought. Hardly 5,000 Jewish souls had the fortune of witness- ing the day of America's Declaration of Independence and lo, how scattered were they ! Meantime a spirit of regeneration swept the ghettoes of Europe, and a general resurrection took place in every seclud- ed colony of Jews, and while Frederick the Great was shaking the very foundations of the European countries, a revolutionary spirit in the camp of Israel became current, but it was not a call for arms, bloodshed, conquest or overthrow of an enemy. It was the storm which parts one season from another the conquest which the sick experience over death and remain among the living and the call for volunteers to join the for- ward march which leads to a period of activity, life and pro- gress. Israel ceased to sleep. A spark of day light broke through the iron bars of the ghettoes and incited the passive inhabitants to rise and take a firm stand in temporal matters. Israel Baalshem (born 1698, died 1759) put an end to the misinterpreted doctrines of Kabalah and founded the great party in Israel known as Chassidim. Berr Mizricz champion- ed his doctrine throughout Poland with marked success. The new creed became very lively in its preaching and the hitherto quiet and slumbering element in Israel began to display signs of life. Noble, indeed, and great was Israel of Miedziloz (Baal- shem) the father of Chassidism in Israel, but his followers 98 THE JEWS OF IOWA have not carried his doctrines to the point he aimed at. They entered to deep into the mysteries of devotional prayers in ex- pectation of discovering the spiritual within themselves and — as a class they have failed. Another light appeared upon the horizon of Europe and it may safely be said that his birthday ( 1720) marked the period of reconstruction in Israel's life. They had ceased to be the "people of the book" until Elijah Goan begun to flourish in the city of Vilna, Lithuania. He was strongly opposed to Chassidism; his followers were, therefore, named Misnagdim (opponents) and they were, in but a short time, the major part of the House of Jacob. From one end of the world even unto the other his fame was spread and his doctrines were embraced eagerly by all lovers of learning and science. His disciple, Rabbi Chayim, established a seat of learning (Yeshibah) in the beautiful townlet Valozin and from there the law came forth. The Goan were wont to say: "How can one under- stand God and his greatness if the magnificence of the universe which is displayed in science will be hidden of man ?" So far the spiritual revival. But Israel still had everything but recognition, liberty and a secured temporal existance, he still was the object of scorn, his religion misunderstood, his tradition misrepresented and- his holiest feelings trampled beneath the feet of every, creed and denomination. He needed an able exponent, a pat- riotic spokesman, who might represent him in the courts of Europe and call forth respect for his old age, tolerance for his presence and rest from his enemies. ANTE-INDEPENDENCE PERIOD 99 Such a one on a still broader scale was born unto Israel. He was Moses Mendelssohn. He came unto Israel with a torch of light and led him to an epoch of sunshine. He was a philosopher, patriot, statesman, scholar, orator and poet — all for the sake of his people, for above all he was a Jew filled with endless love for his oppressed people and he became the mediator between Israel and the nations, like unto Moses in the days of Egyptian bondage. He was the real star of the eighteenth century among Israel. He brought about the pe- riod of emancipation and equalization of the Jews in Europe. Among the other scholars who flourished contemporaneous- ly with Israel Baalshem, Elijah of Vilna and Mendelssohn and took active parts in all Jewish matters were Jonathan Eibshicz of Prague and Naphtoly Vizal of Konigsborg. But the list of Israel's great men during the ante-emancipation days were too numerous to enumerate them by name, for Vilna alone could boast, at the close of the eighteenth century, O'f a hundred Goanim. Simultaneously with this glorious event in Israel's exist- ance, during that memorable century, a considerable amount of mischief and misfortune was brought about upon the Jews by Jacob Frank Levkoivitz, the founder of the Frankists (1757) and countless are the victims who fell into his snare of heretic ideas. But this was natural for the age, for a general reconstruc- tion had to take place in Europe and the world over ; Washing- ton and Napoleon were yet to appear and a new era was yet hidden beneath the mouth of the cannon and the sharp edge of the sword. THE JEWS OF IOWA CHAPTER IX. Israel's naturalization among the nations^ 1776-1825. Declaration of Independence and the Jews — George Wash- ington, Israel's Friend — His Letters — European Jews — - Their Emancipation in Austria — Equalization in France — Germany — Napoleon and Synhedrion — ^Judaism in America — The War of 1812 — Mordecai Emanuel Noah. The declaration promulgated by the first Congress of the New World that "the United Colonies are and of right ought to be free and independent states," echoed the cry of the entire human race for freedom and independence and marked the dawn of the final triumph of liberty over tyranny, of freedom over slavery and of republicanism over autocracy. Never before was the mouth of a cannon or the edge of a sword filled with so much miercy, righteousness, justice and liberty as when it brought about destruction upon the monarchical arms of George III, and extorted liberty and independence from his uncompromis- ing clutches; never before was mankind engaged in a better tause than when patriotism incited them to shatter the yokes of oppression and slavery with their own flesh and blood, and never before has man offered better sacrifices to please the heavens than when his blood formed rivulets on the streets of ISRAEL'S NATURALIZATION his cities for the sake of saving the future generations from sinking into the depths of monarchical absolutism. That his- torical moment, when, on September 3, 1783, England recog- nized the independence of her former territories arid subjects, was indeed the most sublime one in the annals of govern- ments, as well as the framing of the United States constitu- tion was the most advanced step yet taken by the human race. For Israel it meant a new era, an omen of final recogni- tion, toleration and equalization throughout the world. For the first time in the histoiry of his wandering has the foothoW of the Jew been firmly established and his sacred traditions wholly protected from future attacks. And, notwithstanding the small number they had representing them in this country during that famous period, they have gloriously shone in every direction and patriotically distinguished themselves upon every footstep they have made during the days of war and gloom. Rabbi Gershom' Mendes Seixas, when the British occupied New York, displayed his zealous patriotism in gathering many members of his congregation and carrying along all the necessities for the establishment of congregation, fled tO' Phil- adelphia and founded the famous "Mikevey Israel" synagogue in that city. The Newport community, seeing that the English were overpowering the patriots and fearing a final British victory, not only yielded all its able-bodied men to the cause of inde- pendence, but out of patriotism many removed their families from thence, although it was the most desirable location for their thriftiness and commercial inclinations. THE JEWS OF IOWA George Washington not only recognized the Jews as a use^ ful class in the republic, but even had a -wafm friendship for them socially. Most of the able-bodied men of every Jewish colony joined Washington's forces and one of his aide-de-camps was the Jewish hero and patriot, Col. David S. Frank. Visiting Easton, Pennsylvania, he was en- tertained at the home of the most prominent citizen of that flourishing town, who was a patriot, a noble man of esteem and fortune, Michael Hart, the Jew. George Washington's affection for the Jewish people is best- displayed in his letters to the Jews of Newport, Savannah, New York, Philadelphia, Charleston and Richmond, Va., a full text of which is here reproduced because of the great good their circulation promulgates wherever they, are read. One year after George Washington was inaugurated as the first President of the Republic he founded, the Jews of New- port, upon his visit to their community, presented to him a very warm address, and the following is- his reply : GEORGE WASHINGTON TO THE JEWS OF NEW- PORT, 1790. "Gentlemen : While I receive with much satisfaction your address replete with expressions of esteem, I rejoice in the opportunity of assuring you that I shall always retain grateful remembrance of the cordial welcome I experienced on my visit to Newport from all classes of citizens. "The reflection on the days of difficulty and danger which are past is rendered the more sweet from a consciousness that they are succeeded by days of uncommon prospei-ity and sc- cnr'ty. ISRAEL'S NATURALIZATION 103 "If we have wisdom to make the best use of the advantages with which we are now favored, we cannot fail, under the just administration of good government, to become a great and happy people. "The citizens of the United States of America have a right to applaud themselves for having given to mankind ex- amples of a large and broad policy, a policy worthy of imi- tation. All possess alike liberty of conscience and immunities of citizenship. "It is now no more that toleration is spoken of as if it were by the indulgence of one class of people that another enjoyed the exercise of their inherent national right, for, happily, the government of the United States, whivh gives to bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance, requires only that Ihey who live under its protection should demean themselves as good citizens in giving it on all occasions their effectual sup- port. "It would be inconsistent with the frankness of my char- acter not to avow that I am pleased with your favorable opin- ion of my administration, and fervent wishes for my telicity. "May the children of the stock of Abraham who dwell in this land continue to merit and enjoy the good will of the other inhabitants, while everyone shall sit in safety under his own vine and fig tree and there shall be naught to make him afraid. "May the Father of all mercies scatter light and not dark- ness upon our paths and make us all in our several vocations useful here and in His own time and way everlastingly happy. "G. WASHINGTON." 104 THE JEWS OF IOWA To the Hebrew Congregations of Philadelphia, New York, Charleston and Richmond. "Gentlemen: The liberty of sentiment toward each other which marks every political and religious denomination of men in this country, stands unparalleled in the history of nations. , "The affection of such a people is a treasure beyond the reach of calculation, and the repeated proofs which my fellow citizens have given of their attachment to me and approbation of my doings, form the purest source of my temporal policy. The affectionate expressions of your address again excite my gratitude and receive my warmest acknowledgement. "The power and goodness of the Almighty, so thoroughly manifested in the events of our late glorious revolution, and His kind interposition in our behalf, have been no less visible in the establishment of oui- present equal government. In war He directed the sword and in peace He has ruled in our council. My agency in both has been guided by the best intention and a sense of duty I owe to my country. "And, as my exertions have hitherto been amply rewarded by the approbation of my fellow citizens, I shall endeavor to deserve a continuance of it by my future conduct. "May the same temporal and eternal blessings which you implore for me rest upon your congregations." "G. WASHINGTON." George Washington to the Jews of Savannah. "Gentlemen: I thank you with great sincerity for your congratulations on my appointment to the office which I have ISRAEL'S NATURALIZATION 105 the honor to hold by the unanimous choice of my fellow citizens and especially the expressions you are pleased to use in testi- fying the confidence that is reposed in me by your congrega- tion. "As the delay which has naturally intervened between my election and your address has afforded me an opportunity for appreciating the merits of the Federal Government and for communicating your sentiments of its administration, I have to express my satisfaction rather than regret at a cir- cumstance which demonstrates (upon experiment) your at- tachment to the former as -well as approbation of the latter. "I rejoice that a spirit of liberality and philanthropy is much more prevalent than it formerly was among the enlightened nations of the earth, and that your brethren will benefit thereby in proportion as it shall become still more extensive; happily the people of the United States have in many instances ex- hibited examples worthy of imitation, the salutary influences of which will doubtless extend much farther if gratefully en- joying those blessings of peace which (under the favor of heiven) have been attained by fortitude in war, they should conduct themselves with reverence to the Deity and charity toward their fellow creatures. "May the same wonder-working Deity, wl.o long since 3elivered the Hebrews from their Egyptian oppressors, planted them in a promised land, whose providential agency has lately been conspicuous in establishing these United States as an independent nation, still continue to water them io6 THE JEWS OF IOWA with the dews of heaven and make the inhabitants of evfry denomination participate in the temporal and spiritual Wcss- ings of that people whose God is Jehovah. "G. WASHINGTON." Surely, when God breatheed into the nostrils of Washing- ton the breath of life, the thrones of all tyrants trembled and the angels of peace cheerfully smiled. One day, Jehovah, from Heavenly throne, The saintly cherubim thus addressed : "For earth's tyrants, blows, not feasible to shun Do plan, and by aye by mankind blessed. "A man, yea, for men a man, O good Lord, Create, among purest be he most chaste, Peaceful, yet a lion when arm'd with sword; Let him' raze tyrants' pomp, put them' to waste." " 'Well,' said God ; 'Moses, Isaiah, Caesar, Incorporate will I you three in one. Who shall between king and slave, create par, And name will I him — George Washington.' " The magic power of the equalization of mankind so wisely inaugurated by American statesmen speedily crossed the At- lantic and commenced to destroy tyrants, overthrow dynasties and infuse consciousness and self-respect among the hitherto lethargical classes. And, along with the roaring stream of all creeds and denominations, a crimson rivulet, representing the blood-stained pages of Israel's history, was conspicuous. Men- delssohn had filed the protest of his afflicted people and his voice echoed with an abrupt blast in the courts of all Eu- ISRAEL'S NATURALIZATION - 107 ropean monarchs which sounded in the latters' ears like a voice breaking through the night air from the midst of the restless North Sea. But five years after the declaration of American indepen- dence the Austrian ruler, Joseph II, issued a toleration edict (October 19, 1781), shattering the wall of CathoHcism and granting important concessions to the Jews of his kingdom and establishing a religious emancipation among the various creeds and denominations of his dominion. These were indeed the first rays of sunshine to remove the folded obscurity from the Germanic horizon and show Israel the path of future de- light and recognition in those lands. Nevertheless, Germany proper, under the rulership of Frederick the Great, continued to treat the Jews rigorously, and only the great Mendelssohn had the distinction of becoming a "protected Jew," while the remainder of his brothers could almost on any day be expelled from the land of the philosophical king. France, itself drenched in blood of revolution, was next to ;hampion the cause begun by Mendelssohn. Berr Isaac Berr, an ardent admirer of the latter, pursued the mission of equal- izing all the Jews of France, and the illustrious Mirabeau in- troduced the project in official circles. Many hours of dis- turbance reigned in the French chamber of parliament, many heated debates pro and con have occupied the valuable time of the liberators of France, and many stormy scenes were wit- nessed at each session when the Jewish question was the sub- ject of the day. Until, on November 13, 1791, the equaliza- tion of the Jews in France was irrevocably established, the unfortunate monarch, Louis XVI, who was but a mere shadow io8 THE JEWS OF IOWA. of a king dufitig these days, had the good fortune and remark- able distinction to affix his signature to that famous document, ment. Remarkable, indeed, how the fortune of Israel followed closely the destruction of autocracy and the downfall of tyranny ! After the death of Israel Baalshem (1759), Elijah of Vilna (1797) and Mendelssohn (1786), the Jews were divided into three great divisions, and unfortunately, each division, encouraged by the somewhat liberal trend of the times, ex- hausted, its strength pulling to extremes, which very soon created a period of chaos in the camp of Israel, and an intel- lectual degradation brought about an internal disruption which led each division to a climax of anything but temporal happi- ness. Chassidism was excommunicated, Meridelssohnian doc- trine was condemned and Elijahism was refused to be enter- tained outside of Lithuania and Jerusalem. The Berlinite;. with monstrous steps of assimilation, led by David Friedland, who alleged to be a genuine follower of Mendelssohn, started a movement of anti-rabbinism, and being re-enforced by the lusty youths of Austria, who partook of the fiuit of equaliza- tion, created a Judaism which was dreaded even by members of other religious denominations. The Baalshemites spread their net throughout Galicia and Vohlin, and, because the Misnagdim (followers of Elijah) studied the Talmud and loved learning, they embraced the establishment of Chassidic Rabbis, or Zadikim, who were devoted to prayer and kabalah, and refused to tolerate science or even the study of Hebrew literature. The Elijahites also deigned not to follow the foot- steps of their leader, for they had become addicted to rabbinical literature only, and even they refused to tolerate any sign of progress. Nevertheless, because of their love for study and ISRAEL'S NATURALIZATION 109 knowledge, the Lithuanian Jews in but a short period were considered the mcist learned and scholarly group in Israel, for soon the dawn of Hashkolaiu (progress) was heralded and the most enlightened era in the history of the Jewish people was at hand. Napoleon, standing on the lofty hills of Palestine, looked backward on the glories of Israel and beheld what the ages have left of the conquering soldiers of David and Judah the Maccabean, and saw a vision similar to that of Ezekiel in the "Valley which was full of dry bones," and he let forth a cry that the bones be resurrected, that Israel's nationalism be reviv- ed, that the kingdom of Judea be given to the Judeans. But there came no response. Long since has Zachariah ex- claimed : "Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of Hosts." Yet was that mighty soldier impressed with the Jewish virtues, and. when he became President of the French Republic the Jewish question was brought before the State Council, and after many months of debate and continual discussion (30th of April, 1806, to the 20th of October, 1807) Napoleon rein- stated that great institution of Israel, which lost its power in the burning flame which consumed Israel's Temple; he or- dered that a Sanhedrim' to be re-established in Israel. What dreamer was this great Napoleon! Before Napoleon's Waterloo the German Jews gained their equalization and many concessions were granted to them'. On February 22, 1812, the Jews of Mecklenburg were emancipated by the Duke Frederick Franz, allowing intermar- THE JEWS OF IOWA. riage between Jew and Gentile — the first concession of that kind in Europe — and Frederick William III issued an edict of equalization on March ii, .1812. It is a conceded fact that during the wars for freedom the Jews played a conspicuous part, and their influence carried great significance along with it, not to speak of the great in- fluence exerted by the Rothchilds during the final climax of European struggles. But no sooner was fortune parted from the heels of Na- poleon than the Jews of Europe were again thrown into a pit of horror, which is called unto this day anti-Semitism. The few thousand of Israel's heroes in America, meantune, carried the secret of enterprise and commerce from one end of the United Sitates even unto the other. Besides those in New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Maryland, South Carolina, Virginia and Georgia, communities sprang fortln and stragglers were to be found in many other states and territories of this country at the time of the war during 1812, and it is safe to say, although no definite account is obtainable, that even the Northwest was touched by Jewish feet at the dawn of the nine- teenth century. In religion, up till that time, every congregation was Sphardic, with a touch of medievalism, for in those days, dis- tinguished for the absence of a vigorous press, of communi- cableness between nation and nation, of all modern inventions, • the pioneers could not be carried by the tide of Berlinism, Chas- sidism or Talmudism, could not follow the evolution of Ju- daism of any sort except the rites and laws handed down to ISRAEL'S NATURALIZATION them by their fathers. It is hard to assert whether or not the American Jew had ever seen a copy of Cairo's Sulchan Aritch prior to the arrival of Pohsh Jews in Philadelphia, which was in the second half of the eighteenth century. They were strict followers of many ceremonies and customs inaugurated by Maimonides, while Judaism in Germany and Poland had taken a new aspect in all Jewish matters long since. The fathers of the American Jew, as appears from traces left behind them, and no training for their children in Judaism- beyond the instructions received from the early rab- bis, which consisted only of oral lessons in the principles of Judaism, with possibly instructions in reading Hebrew, but there was no school for Hebrew, or Talmud, or the later codes of Jewish laws. They were too few to acquire all these, and the times were altogether far from being favorable to the es- tablishment of schools of such nature. Be it said to their cred- it that as little as there remains of the Sphardic stock in Ameri- ca, they are even unto this day staunch adherents of Judaism as expounded 'by the great sages of Spain and remain firm in their convictions despite the general trend of reformation. During the war of 1812, we find once more Jewish patriots heading the list of heroes and self-sacrificing citizens of the new republic ; again we behold Israel redeeming himself from the false accusations of his enemies that he is not fit for de- fense or aggressiveness in time of war, for they denounce him as a coward. The most distinguished Jewish citizen during those days, and for many years after, was Mordecai Emanuel Noah. He THE JEWS OF IOWA was born in Philadelphia on the 14th day of July, 1785, and studied law in Charleston, S. C, whither his parents had sub- sequently removed. He was a genius, endowed with every faculty of becoming one of the greatest men of his age. He was a splendid jurist, endowed with a fine literary taste, a diplomatist, and above all a patriot. At the age of twenty-six he was appointed by President Monroe to represent the government of the United States in Riga, Russia. And he, indeed, was the first great American Jew who, learning the condition of the Russian Jews, had the good sense to appreciate the fact that the Jews of the land of the czar will have to work out their destiny and solve their problem^ outside of that accursed czardomt The first quarter of the nineteenth century witnessed many changes throughout the world and it also aflfected the Jews in so far as their relationship with the nations is concerned, but, as yet, no Jewish concentrated power existed in any land strong enough to protect them in time of distress, and as yet they were merely tolerated among the nations of the old world, while their number in this country was very insignificant to play a great part in political matters — all of these were yet to come to pass. DAYS OF REGENERATION 113 CHAPTER X. DAYS OF REGENERATION AND ACTIVITY IN ISRAEL, 1825-1885. Causes of Anti-Semitism — ^Judaism in England, France, Ger- many and Austria — Russian Hashklah and Political Condi- tions Among the Jews of the Czardom^ — Transition of Judaism in America^-The Philadelphia Platform; — A Reply. The mark of the grandest century in the world's history is' most indelibly impressed upon the Jewish people, and the gen- eral evolution and transformation of the world is most con- spicuous upon the Spinx-like people whose history is traced as far back as the days of Paradise. A homeless, persecuted, nay, almost enslaved people, who enjoyed no liberty for count- less generations, a people subjected for nearly nineteen cen- turies to the frenzy of every tyrant and despot, a people with- out political or social recognition, which wandered from one land to another as an object of scorn and hatred, as a toy upon the mighty waves of a stormy ocean, a people stricken by every cruel hand and besmirched by every heretic and_ fanatic, a people which was forced to live in seclusion and ostracism, in a.irless quarters and lightless dungeons, has in but few genera^ tions, aye, in scarcely a century, become an object of pro- found respect and dread among the mightiest nations under 114 THE JEWS OF IOWA the sun, has distinguished itself in every walk of life, has given the world genii who managed the affairs of nations, sealed the destinies of races, charmed mankind with song and verse, chisel and brush, arid made so many enemies, among whom are the heroic sons and fair daughters of the Ayran race of Europe. For the latter the Jews are indeed to be loved and admired, since their former oppressors, who could, almost at any time, bring a band of Israelites and mock them even as the present sport amuses himself with his dogs, are now their enemies, call them forth on duels, dread their competition and engage themselves agitating and denouncing the former in- habitants of the ghettoes. In Europe* the financier, the phy- sician, the jurist, the journalist, the playwright, the statesman, the craftsman, the mechanic, the constructor, the artist, the sculptor, the orator and the soldier dread their superior — the Jew. It is no longer the pitiful, helpless, miserable human be- ing whO' is despised, but it is "the people of the book," the men with brains, who are dreaded; and while original anti- Semitism was mingled with scorn arid mockery, prejudice and bigotry, it has now become a fort of defense against a superior force, out of economical reasons. Hence, the coward,, the weak, the unskilled, the idler, the impoverished aristocracy and the remaining store of medieval fanaticism; compose the anti-Semitic forces in Europe. Surely there can be no Jewish question -in a land willing to give a fair play to all classes, in a land whose pride is ziwrkj whose greatness is derived from competition. The Jewish people, in relation to its own life, to its inner problems, has exceeded all expectation. New rituals, new DAYS OF REGENERATION 115 forms, an entire new culture, new aspects in religion — a new kind of life in every avenue of Jewish learning and Jewishness. A century of movements, ideas and reforms it was with the Jewish people, and judging from the splendid groundwork of the past, the future will bring about a gigantic structure such as has never been built by mankind. The Berlin Jews, with their assimilation policy, have quickly recognized their mistake; it was too valuable a sur- render to their new friends, the common enemy, for so little gain, too great a price for a miserable temporal existence. The convert was embraced by the Germans as an ex- Jew, which meant only little advantage over former conditions, besides the ancient tie between Israel and his faith was too strong to be broken by mere flattery. Heine and Borne, with biting wit and convincing argument, were a living protest against the extreme wing of the German Jewry and a death-dealing blow to the ancient form of Jew-baiting. Yet the progressive ideas of Mendelssohn continued on a forward march, which turned the much despised German Jews into the present aristocracy of Israel in that country. True, the Talmud, the Hebrew lan- guage and much of Jewish learning generally was neglected by the German Jews. They have, nevertheless maintained the purities of Israel's law — the Torah — and preserved every sa- cred principle of his sublime tradition. Samson Raphael Hirsh, Zunz, Rapeport, Gedger and a host of others founded the so^ called German Jewish Orthodoxy, which was practically ideas of Judaism adapted to the present conditions of life. A strict- ness in the observance of all Jewish laws according to the Ii6 THE JEWS OF IOWA Sulchan Aruch is maintained i^ Germany till the present day, and nothing of the exalted principles "Oif Judah was affected since the Liberation Year (1848). England, meantime, became dependent upon the Jewish people, not only because of their wealth, but because of their brain. Lord Beaconsfield (Benjamin Disraeli) has made England what it is tpday, and the Jews of England are indeed what the Jews of Spain were, in so far as nobility is concerned. Orthodoxy is continued in all English- Jewish homes and syna- gogues, and the menu at every function of a Jewish noble is strictly Kosher, according to the Mosaic dietary laws. For the Jewish people, England, during the nineteenth century, be- came a land of milk and honey, and the English-speaking peo- ples have become, collectively and individually, deliverers. of the persecuted nation. France ceased to be what it was to Judai'smi in former cen- turies just after die dis-establishment of the Sanhedrin, and many Jews have left that country since the overthrow of the Napoleonic dynasty. The home of Solomon Izchaki (Rashi) has ceased toi be a center of Judaism, and the higher classes — wealthy Jews — ^are carried upon the tide of French radical- ism. In Jewish philanthropy, Germany, France and England stand foremost, for in those countries dwell the wealthiest Jews in the world, and the self-sacrificing spirits of Mounte- fiore and Judith, Baron Hirsh and Clara de Hirsh and scares of other benevolent sons and daughters of Israel, remain matchless in the annals of the philanthropy of the world. The DAYS OF REGENERATION iiy T. C. A. of France, the Board of Guardians of England and the Berlin Charities remain a pyramid of humanity possible among the descendants of Abrahami only. Austria distinguished itself with its great Jewish scholars and Orthodoxy was maintained throughout Hungary, Austria proper and Galicia — ^very much so in the latter. The great rabbis, Akiba Aiger and Moses Sopher, were the most illus- trious sons among the rabbinate, and Krochmol among the secular scholars. Later in the nineteenth century the Galician Jews were greatly impoverished, and a Jewish question in its full rigO'r appeared upon the surface of that part of ancient Poland. Hungary was a great center of Jewish learning, par- ticularly Buda-Pest, but at present the Jews of that country are few in number and very little study in rabbinical litera- ture is resorted to. Galicia has over 1,500,000 Jews, greatly in need of all modern conditions and sorely in want of a separa- tion from that sort of Chassidism whith keeps them in a con- tinual dream and constant fear. But the rising generation is gradually revolting from the Tsadikim, and Zionism has al- ready created a progressive movement and inaugurated the initiative which will lead them to' the universal road of pro- gressiveness. The dawn in Russia among the Jews (if it might be called daylight) might be traced back to the accession of Nicholas 1 to the throne of Russia (December, 1825), when the Russian government recognized the need of public schools among the Jews outside of their or\vn chadarim (schools for the instruction of Hebrew and Jewish religion) and encouraged that move- ment by establishing such schools in Kishineff, Riga and icf S'phardic Orthodoxy was set, the news came that another Orthodoxy far more convincing and forcefuj will arise from among the Russian Jews and eclipse the shooting star of radicalism. Hitherto most American Jews were of Spanish descent, with the same lofty spirits as their brethren in Amsterdam and France, who refused- to tolerate the society or intermarriage with the German or Polish Jews. But the world grew older, Germany was as much advanced in culture as the most enlight- ened country on the globe, and the Jews of that country had gained the benefit of having in their midst a Mendelssohn, a Heine, a Borne, a Hirsch Kalish, a Samson Raphael Hirsh, and scores of others, so it came to pass that when they beheld the proud countenances of their Sphardic co-religionists they returned the stern looks with scorn, and in but few years they recognized each other's mistakes and abilities and now most of the ancient Jewish families of America are inter- mixed with Spanish blood of Israel's nobility of yore. During the Mexican war, in 1845, the sturdy young Jewish men are met on the battlefields displaying heroism and patriot- ism second to none throughout that campaign, and because that war caused many to journey southward, many of the Jewish soldiers as well as civilians settled in the south, and very soon communities sprang forth in the larger southern DAYS OF REGENERATION 123 cities, while the countries were settled with straggling Jews, peasants, peddlers, merchants and some professional m«n from amongst them. Conditions, religiously, were favorable to the projectors of the Reform' movement, who based their arguments on the ground that religion cannot be forced upon the Jews whose habitations affords no communal organization, and in the 00111- munities it must be modified that its observance will not hinder the Jew in his pursuit of temporal happiness. And the masses who still remembered the faith of their fathers and were un- willing to yield that which their fathers died for, for a pack of notions or a shop in the slums, of the cities, or even for a bank- ing establishment, for, as the Reformers were pleased to call it, "a missionary Judaism as interprted by the prophets of old." The tale of some of the southern Jewish pioneers is told by some well bred sons of the south, whose fathers or grand- fathers were Jews and who proudly admit the fact and crave for a look at a piece of maszah (unleavened bread) of which their ancestors smacked the lips relating about. Indeed, much was done for the southern Jew by the Re- formers. Much also might be said in defense of Lesser, Wise, Lilenthal, Einhorn. and the others of the radical wing, who were the compromising element in Am^erican Jewry between total assimilation and Judaism. They co'uld not come to the self-assimilated son of Israel and charge him to adhere to all of the TaJmudic laws or threaten him with excommunication; neither could they find an. audience to Usten to their pitiful pleadings, even though each one of the reformers 124 THE JEWS OF IOWA could weq) as much as Judah Chassia. They had to offer some liberalism, some consideration for the trend of the age. Yet who lived and led and made no mistakes, whose liberal ideas are not misrepresented? Prom the conference at Cleveland, Ohio (1855) it plainly appears that neither Lilenthal nor Wise were ready to sur- render Talmudic Judaism. They have only suggested such changes as would be more in accordance with the trend of .the age, but they have plotted no danger, laid no mines under the paths of Israel's tradition. Only Einhorn, together with the congregation Emanuel of New York deemed it advisable to drop the authority of the Talmud as a legal commentary upon the Bible, but as yet no one ever dreamed of seeing the present Judaism Oif the wealthier classes of American Jewry. The pro- gram of the short-lived "Zion College" at Cincinnati (1855) shows that they have only had in their minds certain improve- ments such as the Jewish history is rich in, but be it far from any historian to assert that the fathers of American Judaism intended to abolish the Sabbath, the dietary laws without dis- tinction,, etc., which is the present platform^ of Reformi Juda- ism. Conditions, natura.Ily, changed continually for the better, and — what can be done to those who have waxed fat and feel strong enough to approach the holy of holies and shatter and upset and demolish everything which was constructed by Moses upon the connmand of God ? Meantime, large Jewish communities sprang forth east and west, north and south, and the flow of immigration stead- DAYS OF REGENERATION 125 ily continued with renewed forces for both Orthodox and Re- form elements, and the Jews already had organizations, pub- lications and leaders of their own to cheer their every walk of life, and a demand for liberalism from one side and restriction from another was echoed throughout the land. The German Jews have long ceased to be a social menace to their S'phardaic brethren, for they have outnumbered the latter ten to one. The Polish Jews, whose immigration in large numbers is traced back to the stirring days of reform agitation, became an object of dislike tO' them, because of their Yiddish language and strange mannerism. Their ortho- doxy, however, was much more disliked by their German brethren than their dress jv speech. In charity all classes were united, in distress they were one; the pain of the Polish Jew was deeply felt by his German brother, and the misfortunes of the latter was the occasion of mourning for the former. When the American nation was confronted by the Civil War the Jews were first in the Union and second tO' none in the Confederacy. Over three thousand Jewish soldiers, from every- denomination, were among the boys in blue, and who does not know what Jadah P. Benjamin did for the Confederacy? The Jews of the Civil War have primarily observed Jeremiah's instructions to the exiles of Nebuchadnezzar: "And seek the peace of the city whither I have caused you to be carried away captive and pray unto the Lord for it." Those of the south prayed for the gray and those of the north entreated for the blue. But this was the first time in the history of Israel m 126 THE JEWS OF IOWA exile that his sons fought against one another for a country worthy of sacrificing their lives and shedding their blood. •Many Jewish generals on both sides have distinguished then- selves in numerous engagenments and the bravery of the Jew- ish soldiers was most creditable. The heated blood of a conquering people might also be ap- plied to the leadei's of Reform Judaism^ Einhorn called to- gether a conference at Philadelphia (1869), and in that city the rabbis of Israel in America have boldly voiced the first platform, which was indeed after the manner of American de- mocracy, of men, by men and for men, which is as much as saying that God cannot be accused of ever having sanctioned their measures. Can those men be censured for their boldness in overthrowing long established principles for which millions of their ancestors suffered indescribable tortures arid willingly cast their lives before the feet of their oppressors? No, they cannot be censured by mnn; the responsibility was thrown upon them by their constituents, who numbered in the thousands: they expected a proclamation of Muthor Loch (thou mayest.) Had it beeU' delayed Israel would have been filled with wilful transgressors ; it was therefore high time for the leaders to be outspoken. The following is the Philadelphia declaration of principles, alleged to be of reed Jewish origin : A. I. Israel's Messianic goal is not the restoration of a Jew- ish state and its seclusion from other nations, but the reunion DAYS OF REGENERATION 127 of all peoples in the knowledge of the One Supreme God, ti.e unification lomon, and more than that a land which knows noi distinction o^f race or creed, which sees no difference between Jew and Gentile, a land which has onlv One set of laws for all classes, a land which has no princesses nor princes, but all are said to be sovereigns if they only work eight hours per. day six days out of every week — indeed, a fairy land — by the name of America. Toward that land did Israel lift his tearful eyes in search of a spot where his chil- dren, his wife, his sister, his aged mother and his grizzled father will find a secured home. Some who were more fortuntae, in that they had sufficient funds, left the accursed land where are buried the charms of their childhood, their sighs of love to their sweethearts, and lastly their groans of Russian bondage, and came to this coun- try; some, even though they had but scanty means, depended largely upon the help of their German bretliren, their hopes were indeed not in vain, and they suffered indescribal^le hard- ships before they finally succeeded in beholding the statute of liberty on this side of the Atlantic ; others, however, either be- cause of lack oif funds or on account of the great affection they had for their religion, which they thought would go tO' decay if they take out their children from the center O'f Judaism, left their families in Russia, pledging themselves to come back wealthy and defy the fury of the government with American cash, or as soon as the czar will have mercy upon the children of Israel and repeal the dangerous laws. But the latter knew better after they had partaken of American sort of life, and as soon as they could accumulate enoiigh money tO' send for their families they were only too glad to have them' come here. IMMIGRATION TO AMERICA 137 In but ten years after the exodus of Russia, it appears from various statistics, that the number of Russian Jews who set- tled in New York City alone exceeded by far the entire num- ber of the population which inhabited that city in the days of Mordecai Emanuel Noah, when the first plan ot colonizmg Russian Jews on this side of the Atlantic was inaugurated. The progress of the Russian Jews during the comparatively short time of their career in this country is certainly astound- ing. Who could have foretold that in less than one genera- tion the United States would shelter over a million of Russian Jews, that they will all be guided by the wings of prosperity, that the city of New York will become the greatest Jewish center in the history of the people of Israel, and that a new era will dawn for Judaism upon American soil? Who could have dreamt that the selfsame people, whose ambition at the outstart of their career in this country fifteen or twenty years ago, did not gO' beyond the limit of a safe existence, would become potent factors in the commerce and industry of this, the greatest republic ever owned by mortals ? Today the very Russian Jew of hardly two decades ago, with the heavy pack on his shoulder, the very m'an who came to this country under the most disadvantageous conditions, who became an object of pity the minute he landed on this shore, who did not own money enough for a single meal, not to speak of a suit of clothes, will, in such brief period, become an aggressive power upon the American markets, where he remains firm, second to none of the other great classes of the Republic in ability, credit and esteem. I3» THE JEWS OF IOWA But the progress of the Russian Jew in America is not wholly confined to labor, commerce and industry, for even in all other branches of civilization which build the great tree of modem life is he distinguished, and a goodly bulk of data to fill a very interesting volume of history can be collected, tracing his adventures in the United States. The number of Russian Jews in New York City equals the entire number of Jewisih population scattered throughout the land. It is, therefore, noteworthy to summarize briefly their progress in intellect and communal organization. To acquire the English language is the ambition of every Jewish immigrant, and the vernacular is making rapid head- way among the young and old or all of their classes. To un- derstand the form: of American government, as well as, its sa- cred principles, is hoped for even by the very grizzled man who comes hither to behold before he dies, the faces of his grandchildren, and to become Americanized, in every way and manner, is the sole aim of the individual as well as of the or- ganized community. But the transition of assimilating one's self to an entirely new life, entirely new conditions, strange language and absolutely foreign mannerism, cannot advance too rapidly, lest it be overthrown in a fortnight. It has, there- fore, become a necessity to countrify all those who come to this country at a matured age by giving them all the necessary in- formation in their own language, preserving at the same time everything sacred to them for ages. But Yiddish, the lan- guage spoken by all Russian Jews, was very poor and despised even by many Jews themselves, and Hebrew could only be of any service to the more scholarly element. The question, IMMIGRATION TO AMERICA 139 therefore, was centered upon the Jewish masses who needed help of that nature in order to enable them to make a living, to become good citizens of the only land which offered them^ protection, and to appreciate the value of having their children brought up on an entirely different system so as to make them faithful followers of the creed of Abraham and good Ameri- cans at the same time. In Russia, Yiddish was resorted to for literary purposes by Abraham Goldfaden, the veteran Yiddish poet and founder of Yiddish drama among the Jews, and by N. M. Scheikewich, the great Yiddish novelist, and a few others of much less merit, but even the aforesaid distinguished Yiddish au- thors were only appreciated by a small and insignificant class, among whom were servant girls, fantastic youths in love with someone beyond their reach and unable to give themselves away, or a small percentage of Yeshibah(seat of learning) boys who had a desire for secular knowledge and were unable to obtain it, but no Mashkil would ever have entertained the no- tion of reading a Yiddish book, even though it be written by a great scholar. Hebrew was called the mistress^ while Yiddish was mockingly styled as the servant. But in this country, where the press is second to bread only, the Yiddish problem took a different aspect soon after a sufficient number of readers could be found. A man named K. H. Sharason, (born in Poland, 1834,) of no literary ability, but with a distinguished ambition and enthusiasm and good business abilities, started a four-page Yiddish weekly (1874) in the city of New York, and he and his wife and children began 140 THE JEWS OF IOWA to roll the millstone of a career of hard work, struggles and final triumph. When, in 1882, the stream of immigration brought thousands of Jews weekly to this country, the little and . insignificant "Jewish Gazette" commenced to grow, arid very soon the Jewish population of this country demanded not only good weeklies, but even a first class daily was expected of the "news man." Today there are seven Yiddish dailfes in. New York City, two dailies in Chicago, arid numer- ous weeklies and periodicals, doubling the entire number of Yiddish and Hebrew publications the world over, and not only has Yiddish become a living language for the so-called ghetto- Jew, but even a good many Mashkilim have resorted to the Yiddish to reach the class they aim to speak to. One child of the ghetto, however, has picked up the much abused servant, the dialect which was called among its best friends jargon, and turned it, with his masterful muse, into a language fit for the angels to sing hymns before Jehovah. His name is, and will be as long as mankind will have love for the heavenly muse, Morris Rosenfield. He has entered into the , depths of the souls of the oppressed and brought forth verses which tell the tales of woe and describe the dreams of the far off future, which draw forth tears even from the heartless upon whom his curse rests, which speak volumes for the dfimb who are led by their masters even as the lamb is led by its owner to deprive her of her only riches, of her wool. A. Zunser is another singer of merit, belonging to the vet- eran school of Russian Yiddish, and he might well be consid- ered the only second of Goldfaden in folklore. Among the prose writers oif Yiddish, S. i. Abromovich, also of Russia. IMMIGRATION TO AMERICA 141 holds the foremost position. The best Yiddish writers in America are : Leon Zolotkoff , Jonas Paley, Max Bukanski, D. M. Hermahn, P. Krantz, M. Zeifert (who is also a novelet cr; some merit), A. Tannenbaum, G. Zelikovitz, Dr. M. Mintz, and numerous others who^ might be classified with the regen- erators of the Yiddish language in this country. The Yiddish stage, fathered by Abraham Goldfaden, is another new phase in American-Jewish life, and it is safe to say that despite its many evil-breeding ideas it has brought in the midst of the world's greatest Jewry, it is a great insti- tution, but yet in its infancy. The playwrights of the Yiddish theaters are certainly keeping pace with the trend of the age in creating "realism" at whatever cost, and the Yiddish man- agers are indeed not lacking in taste to even go few steps further than the authors themselves in staging the realistic plays. Besides Goldfaden, Jacob Gordon is the recognized dean of the American-Yiddish playwrights. However, Scheik- ewich, L. Korbin, A. M. Sharkanski, Prcif. Horowitz, J. Late- iner and a few others are among the good seconds of Gordon. Of the stars among actors, Adler, Mogulevski, Thomasevski, Mme. Kalish and Mme. Lipzin are conceded to be the greatest, although there are others who place themselves ahead of this list, and among them are really some good lights of the Yid- dish stage. Occasionally traveling companies of the lesser stars are organized for the purpoise of visiting the "country Jews" and give them a "show" to witness a Yiddish performance, which proves indeed of great delight to the Jewish youngsters of the country, who never beheld a Jew in his misery, and, at the same time of great benefit to the minor stars. 142 THF JEWS OF IOWA But the entire institution, up till the present day, is largely confined to the great Jewish centers where the majority can- not understand an American play and would not pay for it as their American brothers arid sisters do when a "French play comes to town." Social life among the Russian Jews was never beipre as interesting and as full of incidents as it is in this country. Little dramas and some very conspicuous tragedies, too, are features among the otherwise tranquil people, but such is the case only among the younger generation, who have as yet not learned to understand the sacred principles of the old code oi morals owned by their fathers and mothers. Societies of every kind and nature are rapidly increasing wherever there are Russian-Jewish colonies in this country, and there is no other class in America to take more advantage of the many systems of free education offered in this country. Charitable, educational, civic and purely social clubs are to be found in great numbers among them, and their progressive strides in keeping pace with the forward march of Americanism' is remarkable, indeed. However, many strifes, chiefly in large cities, ensue between different parties among them, particularly so where there happens to be a socialistic organization or two', but the latter are only regarded with scorn among the Orthodox adherents of Judaism and exert but little influence among their kindred. Other discreditable differences rise up occasionally among the various organizations, which at times seem to hinder the pro- gressiveness of the Jewish people in this country, but they are in most cases of short duration and are always settled amic- ably. IMMIGRATION TO AMERICA 143 The young generation born in this country of Russian- Jewish parents exceeds the utmost expectation. They not only become equal to their thrifty fathers in every respect, but even excel them in every walk of modem life. In the public schools they are a pleasure to the teachers, in the different professions they acquire they are second to none of their contemporaries, and in commerce and industry they stand foremost. Hence, in every avenue of temporal existence did the Rus- sian Jew succeed most wonderfully in the past twenty years of his career in this country, and his prospects for the future, when the great ghetto in the city of New York will be les- sened by a gradual removal into the rural districts of the land, when there will be a great percentage of Jewish farmers, and the hoe and the plowshare and the pruning hook will take the places of the second hand shop, the push cart and the sweat shop — ^and that day is not far hence — are indeed leading him to a golden period such as has not been experienced by the people of Israel since the Romans led them in exile. But there is still one problem of the utmost importance to Israel which remains unsolved, and which is not very likely to be solved in this generation nor in the next one to come, i. e. The problem of Judaism. The Jews in this country are commonly divided into two classes, Orthodox and Reform. The Orthodox, as is generally understood, consist of the Rus- sian, Polish, Galician, Roumanian ' and Sphardic Jews, while the Reform are understood to aggregate the entire number of German, French and English and all other Jews of T/vestern Eiurope who have long ago settled themselves in this country. But this prosaic theory is not sustained by the common^ fact. 144 THE JEWS OF IOWA Orthodoxy is not confined to the former neither can Reform wholly be accredited to the latter , One who seeks most of his temporal life in the way of comfort and pleasure must oe Typical :~>cond Hand Shop Wbich is Gradually Disappearing a Reform Jew. The one whose lo\'e for his sacred traditions and ties to his past is greater than his selfishness of temporal la\'ishness must be an Orthodox. The Russian Jew, wdiO' is tired of carr^-ing the load (if abstinence from all the forbidden IMMIGRATION TO AMERICA 143 things of the Bible, who can no longer continue to pray, or go to the synagogue three times daily, who can no longer be chained to the dead past and continue among the progressive class of the day, and who is unwilling to offer years of the lives, of his children in teaching them the Hebrew language, customs, rites and ceremonies, and, if in addition to his the- ory possesses a handsome bank account, is as apt to join a Reform congregation as his German brother, and he very frequently does it, tooi. Likewise is the very wealthy German Jew, who still remembers the martyrdoim his father, or he himself, had suffered on account of oteerving the laws which are as old as Creation, on account of daring to claim Jehovah, — the same God who yet lives in the selfsame heavens which have witnessed the Revelation upon Mount Sinai — as the God of his fathers, who was compelled to leave the land of his child- hood because of daring to remain what he was born, because of refusing to sell the sentiments of his sonl, — ^that immortal part which belongs to the Kingdcm of heaven — for his daily bread, as proud to remain an Orthodox as his poor brother of Russia and Roumania. In theory, the difference between the Orthodox and Re- form! is apparent throughout the land, but in practice not much difference prevails in the smaller communities of tne south, of the extreme west and of the northwest. There the difference is only confined to the observance of the dietary laws and the prayer book, with possibly one or two more prin- ciples, but in the oibservance of the Sabbath and many other things wherein economical questions are involved both parties do the same thing; that is, both do not do as their fathers did. 146 THE JEWS OF IOWA However, since the foundation of the Zionist movement Orthodoxy seems to gain ground continually, in that the or- ganization of modern Hebrew schools have been increasing daily, and the prevalent sentiment to dcop out the Yiddish and instead take up the vernacular to be a medium of trans- lating the Hebrew to the American born child, has helped con- siderably to check the great- tide of radicalism among the Jews in America. Rabbi Jacob Joseph,. one of the greatest rabbis Russia af- forded, was brought to this country, arid it was the hope of the eastern Jews to establish Orthodoxy in this country on an even footing with the Orthodoxy of Europe. Rabbi Joseph was a great man in his place, in Russia, but bis undertakings in this country, where there existed no established authority and no respect or dread for such authority even if it was es- tablished, failed entirely. His doctrines were too ancient to carry along weight in a material land like this, and his kind of Orthodoxy was of the severest type and, therefoi"e, could not find any sympathy either among the working classes of New York or among the peddlers or small merchants in the distant American towns, who, despite their difficult labors, would have gladly emibraced more liberal teachings. Besides, he was mis- led by the so-called ghettoi leaders of New York. They only urged upon him the necessity of establishing a firm base for the kosher meat markets and wholly neglected many other prin- ciples and great institutions in Judiasnii which are not wholly connected with the stomach. The result was a very discourag- ing one for the sentimentalists among the Orthodox Jews, who saw in the chief rabbi's failure the; rise of radicalism in IMMIGRATION TO AMERICA 147 Am.erican Judaism. The great sage suffered indescribable martyrdom before his temporal existence ended, for not only were the means of his livelihood cut off, but he even was sub- jected to personal denunciation by the socialistic element of the great ghetto, until, after a miserable career of over a de- cade, he yielded peacefully his soul and was thus relieved from all his earthly burdens. But his death had a remarkable effect upon the Orthodox Jews of this country. Tliey then recog- nized his sincerity, his self-sacrificing spirit, and it is safe to assert that all the good which was created in the world's greatest Jewry through the chief rabbi came after he was no longer with them. Another great force in Orthodoxy was Sabato Morals, founder of the Jewish Theological Seminary in New York City, but up till the time of his death (1897) the graduates of that institution would not be called to fill any pulpit among the strictly orthodox congregations, and his school also was regarded as a menace to Orthodoxy by most of the Russian rabbis, who still were sincerely prosecuting their mission to transplant the Russian kind of Orthodoxy in this country. But even the late Morals failed, while he was alive, in his fight against the odds of the radicals for nearly half a century; yet, remarkable, indeed, no sooner were his remains put to rest than the Jewish Theological Seminary became the sole instru- ment which furthers the cause of Orthodoxy in this coun- try, and not only were the plans of the late Morals wholly rea- lized, but his lifelong fight against the school of Einhorn and Wise was resumed by a great successor. Professor S. Schech- ter, who is backed by such men as Jacob H. Schif, P. Adler and numerous others. 148 JEWS OF IOWA Orthodox Judaism seems now more than ever before to be divided in many different branches. "Progressive Ortho- doxy," "Conservative Judaism," "Historic Judaisin" and Or- thodox Judaism without adjectives to it, are only a few of the different elements in American Judaism. The main difference, howevei", between the conflicting parties is, whether the Eng- lish speaking rabbis, most of whom are not as well advanced in the ancient laws of the Talmud, nor in certain parts of par- ticular kinds of laws which the European rabbis must know, shall be recoignized as authorities toi preach Judaism because there is no need for those laws; now or, because they cannot consistently be called rabbis in Israel on account of their lack of knowledge of those laws, they shall not be ad- mitted to the Jewish synagogues as heads of communities. The language, i. e. either to use the vernacular in delivering the sermons, because the young generation would listen to noth- ing else, or not to^ move even one iota fromi the established customs and continue the preaching in Yiddish, which is par- ticularly well liked by the elders, is another great problem). These problems are purely conditional, because there are numerous European rabbis, because there is' a majonty of Yiddish speaking people, these difficulties spring forth, but as soo'n as the rising generation will take the lead. Orthodox Jud- aism will become the standard for the Jews the world over, and as the tide of radicalism in this country is gradually being abated, the Judaism now in its infancy in this country will be- come a Judaism of compromise and all differences of sectarian- ism in Israel will eventually disappear. IMMIGRATION TO AMERICA 14^ As it is today, the Orthodox Jews are disagreeing among themselves. Each congregation has two parties. The income of all those rabbis, who know all the laws and who' speak only Yiddish, and are, indeed, as religious as were the rabbis in the days of the Goan of Vilna, is hardly sufficient to provide for their families bread and water, and the same miserable wages is being collected weekly or monthly from everyone who is willing to give a nickel or a dime, while all the graduates from Cinciimati who are free from the burden of feeding their brains with ancient Judaism, need but preach a very little and prac- tice still less, and for all that they do not do and for the little they do say, they receive annual salaries of from $1,800 tO' $15,000. There is, however, one reason which speaks volumes for the great difference between the Orthodox and Reform' rabbis, and that is, because most of the Reform Jews are rich, while most of the poor Jews are Orthodox. The present principles of Reform Judaism, are the most rational productions of modern theologians, and, if the whole world, whose missionaries they are purporting to be, would agree with them they would certainly deserve credit even from the most addicted Chassid whose father was burned to death because 'he refused to eat pork or pay respect to a Russian image. But as it appears, even they themselves do not fully agree upon everything that was said in the Pittsburg, Pa., platform (1885); neither are they contented to keep out of it all tha,t was not said therein. Upon that memorable confer- ence the rabbis took the responsibility upon themselves and approached the very holiness of the Bible and boldly said : "In 150 THE JEWS OF IOWA composition and literary arrangement the Scriptures are only the work of men, with the unavoidable limitations of their age." This is certainly the most anarchical theology ever pro- duced by clergymen of any creed. And, since the foundation of every religion was thus undermined, it was not more than consistency for them to destroy all the laws of Moses regarding divorce and marriage, to abolish all dietary laws, to deny au- thority of the past over the present and future iii matters of religion, to overthrow the ever cherished hope of the people of Israel to return to national life again, and even to assail the Jewish Sabbath, that great institution which is as odd as Crea- tion, under the pretext that economical conditions of modem life demand an immediate change in the day of rest, and that Sunday shall be instituted instead. An unskillful antique dealer, in treating an ancient paint- ing in such a disgraceful manner as those rabbis have handled the most sacred document of mankind would be guilty of an unpardonable offense:. But the Reform Jewis of this country are paying but little attention to the ringing phraseology of their spiritual guides, unless it be in the case of family distress ;otherwise they are as good and faithful believers in God and His command- ments as their fathers were, with the exception that the con- ditions of this great commercial country urge a certain amount of progressiveness and liberalism, which they take without consulting either the Bible or the rabbi. To their credit, they have erected orphans' homes, hospitals, charitable institutions and homes for the aged and infirm., they have organized ' soicie- ties which elevate their own kindred and mankind in general ; IMMIGRATION TO AMERICA 151 they maintain institutions at a cost of millions of dollars an- nually, and are displaying every characteristic of the children of Abraham on every occasion. Today there is but little difference, socially, between the OrthodoQc and Reformi, or Russian and German Jews. The institutions and societies founded and organized by the Ger- mans, because they were here first, are now contributed to and joined by the Russians, and every indication points to one brotherhood, at least among the American Jews. , Thus, having briefly narrated and summarized the chief events in the history of the people of Israel since the discovery of America, and also recounted in the shortest way possible the progress of the pioneers in this country, this work will be confined to the Jews of Iowa exclusively, out of which the reader and student might draw a comparison ^ between the Jews of this state and those of others states, for almost throughout the United States have the Jews experienced a sim- ilar process of transition and organized themselves under the same kind of conditions which will be found extensi\ely in lliis volume. 152 THE JEWS OF IOWA CHAPTEK XII. JEWS IN THE DAYS OF TERRITORIAL ORGANIZATION^ 1833-1846. A Jew Among the Founders of -First While Settlement in Iowa — First Jewish Farmer — Pioneers on Jewish Women — Ap- pearance of Peddlers: — First Jewish Office-holder in this State — Pioneers Admire the People of Israel — First Na- turalized Citizen in Iowa is a Jew — Intermarriage in Early Days. The history of the entire human race is based upon the groundwork laid out by the patriarchs, saints, heroes and rulers of yore, and dates back to the very outstart of man's career upon this planet, to the very days when the sons of man commenced to realize the need of progress, work, travel and communal organization in order to' make their temporal exist- ence happier, easier, brighter and manlier. And, ever since, it likewise became a necessity for the children oif Adam: to per- petuate the achievements of such individuals who have excelled others in their efforts to better mankind and uplift civilization, and to chronicle the deeds of a collective body of the human family who have distinguished themselves in elevating the standard of organized society. But not all the different groups of mankind have proved to be makers of history; for some TERRITORIAL ORGANIZATION 153 have continued without any program which might have been developed into progressiveness, while others deemed it un- necessary to take any action whatever to further the cause begun by their ancestors. They were the elements of man- kind which were moulded of passiveness., loved tranquility of the most strange type and, although continuing among the more active races, remained indifferent to the general trend which was continually drifting toward an initiative leading to the present civilization. All such tribes were common among the Semitic or other Asiatic branches of the human family. The least change in climate or mannerism, caused by an ap- proach of a western people, was sufficient to bring about a wholesale slavery and the final extinttion of an entire O'riental nation. All those colored races which have no established civ- ilization of their own, as soon as they come in touch with the European or with western culture, are losing their indepen- dence very rapidly and there remains no hope for them unless they are ready to assimilate wholly with their superiors. It would be almost an impossibility to distinguish even one Eu- ropean state and trace the genealogy of its inhabitants to a certain branch of the human family of ancient origin, because the different races of the earth have long since been fused to- gether. But sucli cannot be said of the people of Israel, notwith- standing its ccinnection with the Semite race. For Israel was foremost in making history arid in the preservation thereof; he heads the list of the world's greatest and through him the world has learned to discern good from evil. His patriarchs are recognized by all living, even unto this, day, as the found- 154 THE JEWS OF IOWA ers of everything useful for the elevation of humankind, and every progressive idea leading man to a summit of civiliza- tion was originated by him ; h^was firs,t to put an end to idol- atry arid first to believe in" God ; he was first to sing of the beau- ties of Nature and first to communicate with the Creator of this massive universe. If the history of the people of Israel be forgotten by man what will remain of the entire founda- tion of the present civilization which we boast of? Where will the origin of the sublimest creature, of man, be traced lo if the Bible be wholly forgotten ? Remove the songs of the Psalmists, the wise counsel of the prophets, the philosophy of all the Biblical heroes, the laws of God and the story of the evolution of mankind from the memory O'f man, and the whole world will be left in an immense babel, in a confusion of matchless demoralization. Ever since the founder oif the Hebrew creed, Abraham, left Ur of the Chaldees, the Jew became the thermometer of the world's civilization; through him have the degrees of human progress been registered. For, when Egyptian task- masters compelled Jewish slaves toi build everlasting pyramids to please the fancy of their tyrannical Pharoes, the other races of the world knew that in the greatest empire of their age men were as yet likened untoi the fishes of the sea — the greater swallowed the smaller — and that the creature in the image of God was as yet not much ahead of the brute. When Israel stood beneath the Mount Sinai, trembling with fear before the glory of the Master of the universe, the clamor of heavenly cannon heralded to the whole human race that the end of idol- atry had come, that God is one Go'd, and that He is a God of TERRITORIAL ORGANIZATION 155 vengeance. When the Romans, after razing to the ground the most sacred structure in history, amused themselves by throwing men, women and children of Israel to hungry lions, the rest of mankind knew that the very great empire had out- lived the period of its glory and that its future course would be on the downward direction, that a people possessed of so much mercilessness cannot continue to exert influence over the most humane branch of God's make, nor any longer command the affairs of the world and its civilization. When Spain wilfully burned tens of thousands and expelled hundreds of thousands of Israel's children, all other nations knew that the epoch of darkness had done its utmost, that that vast empire had sur- passed in everything inhuman and unnatural every cruel na- tion in the annals of the world, and that its fate wo'uld be re- corded with the same indifference as were the fates of all other such countries. When the Jews were readmitted into the territories of great Britain, all other oppressed . peoples knew that a new era dawned, that the poor mens' chance had come, and that henceforth rays of sunshine would guide the footsteps of the toilers, and no more would the few predom- inate over the millions without the latter's consent. When Jewish infants were killed in broad daylight in the streets of Russia because their fathers and their mothers were not born Slavs, the whole civilized world knew that darkness still pre- vailed in the kingdom of the czars, that in that land man and beasts alike are ruled with equal ferocity and that if the long night will continue for a few generations longer Russia will share the fate of Babylon, Rome, Spain and Pbland. When the first Jew could boast of being a citizen of the United 156 THE JEWS OF IOWA States of Amierica, every inhabitant of the globe knew what the great wings of America's eagle aimed to protect, what re- pLibHcanism was destined to do for the homeless and for the oppressed, what the whole world was- still lacking and what the future had in store for every tyrant. Today if there is any country which the Jew cares not to establish himself in, or is anxious to go out from, the whole world knows that that land must either be below the plane of modern civilization or its commerce is ruined. The Jews have been makers of history wherever they have chanced to penetrate, and, in the common pursuit of their pro- saic existence, or in endeavoring to attain the position which their ancestors aimed at when they started out on their march to carry Jehovah's banner to its goal, they have distinguished themselves with such remarkable achievements that the history of the smallest group of them is instructive to the whole hu- man race. For, notwithstanding the many disadvantages which the Jew meets at every new location, he always man- ages to climb to the topmost position, and from whatever point Oif view the Jew in history might be considered he always re- mains the most interesting subject of the sublimest events. The few thousand Jews who were fortunate enough to witness the dawn of the grandest century of the world's history in this country were located mostly in the larger cities, which afforded them easy access to and direct communication with the markets of the world. They were largely from Spanish, Portuguese and French origin, and therefore had a just claim of being counted among the nobility of the House of Israel. But it also appears that some of them, in addition to quite a TERRITORIAL ORGANIZATION 157 few who have come toi this country from every state oif Europe, ventured a journey farther south to estabhsh themselves in the distant rural districts. In but few years the latter have become a forceful element in the development of unbroken regions and in the establishment of new colo- nies in the southern states. From them quite a number have been wholly assimilated, and very frequently the traveler meets people who are proud to relate their genealogy and there- by boast that their great-grandfather or great-grandmother was of Jewish descent. The Northwest was no exception in any detail as regards the early Jewish stragglers, for names such as Israel, Jacobs, Abrahamson, etc., are frequently met with and the Jewish companion in most cases is informed that some one of that family "many years ago" was of Jewish descent. Hence it is very probable that as soon as a key was found toi unlock the mysterious West, its prairies, forests, rivers and lakes were penetrated and fathomeid by quite a few of the children of the wandering Jew. The beautiful stretch of territory now embracing the head state of the Louisiana purchase — Iowa — was, at the dawn of the nineteenth century, an unbroken desert, comprising nu- merous prairies, forests, mountains, dales, lakes, rivers, brooks and a few of the fiercest kind of Indian tribes. The famous chiefs of the Foxes, Sioux, Sacs and Pottawattamies were in those days the dread of all western explorers, and even the government soldiers could not, at that time, forsee such speedy downfall for their predomination on this magnificent spot of America's soil. Julian Dubuque, the first white settler in 158 THE JEWS OF IOWA Iowa, who woirked lead mines in the region where now flourishes the city bearing his name, at the. close .of the eight- eenth century, died, and there were none after him. who ven- tured to establish a permanent colony of whites among the savage tribes for more than a quarter of a century. About 1828, a number of adventurers of Illinois invaded the region where Julian Dubuque worked the lead mines and attempted to open it for civilization, but their efforts were repulsed by the savages, and they were forced to retreat. After the Black Hawk war ( 1832) a few of them returned, and to their amaze- ment found the entire region deserted. Soon those few were re-enforced, and a foundation for the future state of Iowa was laid, and the first white settlement west of St. Louis was organized. Among the pioneers of Iowa who added splendor to the patriarchal work of those romantic days was an Israelite, and he, of all others, was most conspicuous and distinguished. His name was Alexander Levi, and he landed, together with many other pioneers, on the first day of August, 1833. Mr. Levi was born in France March 13, 1809, and his ancestry was traced back tO' a most noble family of Spanish Jews, who, dur- ing the expulsion, fled to Portugal and thence to Prance. He opened a grocery in the newly organized village, which was named Dubuque, and whatever cheerfulness there was about the dreary little place was in his store. There the miners came and met together, and there were many scenes of early Iowa politics lined out. It also appears that he knew how to ap- preciate the value of advertising a business, for in the first Iowa newspaper, the "Dubuque Visitor," May 11, 1836, an ad., telling what he had for sale is found. TERRITORIAL ORGANIZATION 159 It was indeed natural for Jewish adventurers to go to newly broken territories and establish themselves in whatever -^^ <^C Founder Iowa Jewry, 1833 capacity they deemed best for their advantage and it is, there- fore, very probable that many more Jewish stragglers have settled themselves in the northwest during its early days. In- i6o THE JEWS OF IOWA deed, if any weight shall be put upon a name (and in Jewish history of this hemisphere we most often resort to- tracing a name) it is an obvious fact that among the crew of Father Hennepin, when he first visited Iowa while journeying with LaSalle ( 1680) , was a Jew, because among' them appears the name of one Moses de'Leon. Some would have it that even the name De Soto is Jewish, and the fact that those Jews who continued in Spain after the expulsion had to conceal their identity, bears witness that he was a descendant from a Jewish family bearing that name. One fact, however, remains to be chronicled, that among the United States soldiers serving under Zebulun M. Pike (1804) were Jews who formerly helped the cause of the revolution against George III. The year 1837, witnessed a most remarkable event in-the history of Iowa, and it was not until Iowa became a terriroiy that such an important incident could happen. It was then that the first foreigner became a naturalized citizen cf the Iowa territory and of the United States of America. Stranger than even the incident itself was that the first foreigner to be naturalized in Iowa was Mr. Alexander Levi, the first Jewish settler in Iowa. So far as it could be ascertained, Mr. Levi enjoyed the most remarkable distinction in the history of the Jews of America, for it is not on record whether or not any other Jew had the fortune of being the first citizen of any other state in the Union. In the history of Jefiferson county, Iowa, an account is given of one D. Morris, who had come from South Carolina and laid claim to a tract of land in the western part of that TERRITORIAL ORGANIZATION i6l county near Locust Grove, and he surprised all the neighbors by being the most favored white settler among the Indians^ though he never gave the latter a taste of liquor. Mr. Morris appears to have been a Jew from every trace which is left be- hind him, and the fact that even unto this day the traveler meets quite a number of families bearing the name of Morris, and most of them j,ssert to belong to one family which ijnic hither from England along with the others who landed in Savannah, Ga., removes the least doubt, and he certainly was the first Jewish farmer in Iowa. The early settlers of Iowa appear to have manifested great interest in the Jewish people (which in itself is an indication that they were quite familiar with some of them) particularly were the fair daughters of Israel great favorites of the Iowa pioneers. In "The Iowa Sun" (August 28, 1839) ^ writer of no mean ability endeavors quite elaborately to create a new theory about the Jewish women in the following language: "The unexcelled beauty of the daughters of Israel might be traced to the legend that Jesus the Jew gave his last glance up- on them, and, as they were not a,s stubborn in denouncing him, the rays of light which rested upon his fase reflected upon them and they remained beautiful forever." Strange as this assertion appears, yet it seems to have been well taken by the Iowa pioneers, for in the following year a steamboat was, for the first time in Jewish history, named "Jewess." And after being thus elated by the beauty of the daughters of Zion,,the early Iowa, paragrapher ventured a joke or. so at, the expense of the latter, of which the following is a fair specimen: ,"A man who had married a Jewess shortly afterwards joi^ied^.thje i62 THE JEWS OF IOWA Temperance Society, and never dared to kiss his wife from' that day because he considered himself prohibited by the pledge froim meddling with 'Jew lips' (julips.)" About the year 1840, the Jewish peddler, with a pack on his shoulders, appeared upon Iowa soil, and no sooner had the men with the hoe found out that Iowa was good enough for theni to invest their labor in than the footprints of the Jew- ish peddlers told the woe of the eternal wanderers a id re- minded the world that the wearied Israelite is ready at any time to go to the most remots places and embrace the first op- portunity of establishing himself anywhere if only a secured home is offered to him in return for his labor, skill -jnd great resource of brains. From; the Fort Madison Courier, October 3c. 1841, it ap- pears that Nathan Louis and Solomon Fine (apparently of Russian or Polish origin) were the first Je\vish peddler? in this state. They appear to have afterwards settled tliemselves in -Keokuk, and subsequently in McGregor, but no definite r.c- count can be obtained as to their final fortunes in this «tate. The first Jew to have served in an official capacity in this state was Mr. Samuel Jacobs, of Jefferson county. He was the surveyor of that county as early as 1840, and, considering the fact that Jefferson county was one of the most desirable locations, its pioneers were indeed of a splendid mould. Kence to have had the honor of being an officeholder among them -e- quired a man of influence and education, which certainly leads us to believe that Mr. Jacobs must have been there -it least three or four years prior to his appointment. From the va- TERRITORIAL ORGANIZATION 163 rious sources dealing with the history of Jefferson county and possible to throw light on Mr. Jacobs' biograp'^y, it appears that he was born in this country; that he came fiere and bid claim to a tract of land ; that he was afterwards a storekeeper, and that he was a man of education and honest principles. In 1842, the whole world was amazed at the prediction that the world was to be consumed by fire, and, as it appears, the danger point extended even as far as the solitary colonies of Iowa. It was a pity, indeed, to have those self-sacrificing pioneers, who had just commenced to reap the harvest of rnelr hard labor, frightened in such an outrageous manner, but be as it may, the astroiogian had to tell the "truth," even as the prophets of yore did when Almighty told them to fortell the downfall of Elgypt, Babylon or Jerusalem, and when such was the condition of certain stars he, too, was compelled toi tell the world to be ready for doomsday, even though they disliked it sorely. The Iowa papers devoted their best space in warning their patrons to "look out." The Mormon ideas, which at that time began to gain prominence in Iowa, were bitterly at- tacked for the same reason, saying: "What use can there be in multiplying upon this world when it is about to be doom- ed ?" Every cabin, every shop was consecrated for a tempor- ary church, and they were filled daily with eager worshipers, who bewailed their past and made vows for the future if they only be spared. In connection with this, a most beautiful story is still cur- rent among the "old timers," which is well worthy of being preserved as a specim,en of how the Jew carries along the purity of belief wherever he goes. "A certain peddler, named Louis 164 THE JEWS OF IOWA (probably the same Louis of whom mention^ is made in the Fort Madison Courier), who had an extensive acquaintance throughout Lee county, chanced at a cabin where services were conducted, and out of respect for the worshipers he wanted to pass on without stopping at the cabin, though he knew Uncle Henry, the occupant of the cabin and had dealt with him many times before. But Uncle Henry noticed. him and hallooed for him to come in. Louis came into the cabin and found a general handshaking, which was a sign that th« services were over. And the preacher came to the peddler and asked him why he is thus unconcerned over the terrible prediction of the stars, Louis answered that he believed not a word of it. Here Uncle Henry got angry and said a couple of uncomplimentary words to Louis and to the Jews in general. But the peddler was disinclined to let his host have the best of the argument, even though he had to resort to some- thing unusual, and, loosening his pack from his shoulders, he opened it and took out an Old Testament and called the preacher to read aloud Jeremiah, chapter X, paragraph 2. And the preacher fixed his spectacles with an. air of the highest authority on earth on the day of its doom, and read the fol- lowing: 'Thus saith the Lord, learn not the way of iV.e heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathens are dismayed at them.' Mr. Louis sold his entire pack oif goods to the worshipei's, and not a word more was uttered about the doom of the world for miles around, and when Loiuis came again next year Uncle Henry assured him that he was the only peddler he would ever buy goods of. TERRITORIAL ORGANIZATION 165 The sentiment of the Iowa pioneers seems to have been very favorable toward the Jews, and, searching through every county history in the state possible to have any relation to the early Jewish settlers, no trace can be found of any distinc- tion between Jew and Gentile from the very first colony even unto the time when the Jewish wealth and influence com- menced to be conspicuous all over Iowa. On July 8, 1843, the following article, which cannot be given too much circula- tion, appeared in "The Lee County Democrat" : "The present physical, moral and social condition of the Jews must be a miracle. We can come to no other conclusion. Had they continued from the commencement of the Christian era down to the present hour in , some such national state in which we find the Chinese, walled off from the rest of the human family, and by their selfishness on a national scale and their repulsion of alien elements resisting every assault from without, in the shape of a hostile invasion, and from an over- powering national pride forbidding the introduction of new and foreign customs, we should not see so much miracle in- terwoven with their existence. But this is not their state; far from it. "They are neither a united and independent nation, nor a parasitic province. They are peeled and scattered into frag- ments; but like broken pieces of quick silver, instinct with cohesive power, ever claiming affinity and ever ready to amal- gamate. "Geography, arms, genius, politics and foreign help do not explain their existence; time, and climate, and customs equally fail to unravel it. None of these are or can be springs of their perpetuity. i66 THE JEWS OF IOWA "They have spread over every part of the haHtable globe ; have Hved under the reign of every dynasty ; they have shared the protection of just laws, the oppression of cruel ones and witnessed the rise and progress of both ; they have used every tongue and have lived in every latitude. "The snows of Lapland have chilled and the suns of Africa have scorched them. "They have drank of the Tiber, the Thames, the Jordan and the Mississippi. In every country and in every degree of latitude and longitude we find a Jew. "It is not so with any other race. Empires, the most il- lustrious, have fallen and buried men that constructed them, but the Jew has lived among the ruins, a living monument of indestructibility. "Persecution has unsheathed the sword, and lighted the fagot; papal superstition, moslemi barbarism have smote them with unsparing ferocity; penal rescript and deep prejudice have visited on them the most unrighteous chastise- ment — and notwithstanding all, they survive. "Like their own bush on Mount Horeb, Israel has con- tinued in the flames, but unconsumed. "A Babylonian, a Theben, a Spartan, an Athenian, a Roman are names known in history only ; their shadows alone haunt the world and flicker the tablets. A Jew walks every street, dwells in every capital, traverses every exchange, and relieves the monotony of the nations of the earth. "The race has inherited the heirloom of immortality, in- capable of extinction or amalgamation. TERRITORIAL ORGANIZATION 167 "like Streamlets from a common head and composed of water of peculiar nature, they have flowed along every stream without blendingf with it or receiving its flavor, and traversed the surface of the globe amidst the lapse of many centuries distinct, alone. "The Jewish race at this day is perhaps the most striking seal of truth of the sacred oracles. "There is no possibility of accounting for their perpetual insolations, their depressed but distinct being, on any grounds, save those revealed in truth." The inhabitants of a country who, from the very begin- ning, have been friendly to the Jew and treated him brotherly can never become anti-Semitic, and in a land which is inhab- ited by people who pay such tributes to the most persecuted race in history, Israel could safely establish himself and join his new friends in all of their pursuits without the least fear of a sudden reverse. And Israel did so. About that time (1843) an incident of uncomomn signifi- cance came to pass in Dubuque, and the details thereof throw much light on the life of the early Jewish settlers. Mr. Sol. . Kuh, an old settler of this state and now (1903) a resident of Sioux Falls, S. D., who knew Mr. Levi, is still able to recount the whole incident and speaks veiy enthusiastically of it. A certain Jewish merchant, said to have come from; Alsace, but whose name cannot be learned despite many efforts, settled down in Dubuque a few years after Mr. Levi did; and, as he was still single, a courtship between him and a highly cul- tured Gentile lady, who was respected in society and very 168 THE JEWS OF IOWA prominent in church circles, sprang forth, and it ended in a marriage between the two. The wedding (this certainly was the first marriage of a Jew in Iowa) was the talk of the town for many months, and all the staunch chruch members were delighted indeed to have added to their number such a worthy convert. A year elapsed and the couple still continued to be the center of attraction for the best class of society folk in Dubuque, for their doors were thrown widely open for all kinds of social doings. Mr. Levi, though friends with all and a single man him- self, politely declined every invitation, beginning with the ur- gent request to attend the marriage ceremony, which was sol- emnized, in a church, but he made no, comment whatever. But the couple had enjoyed more than their share of tem- poral happiness during such comparatively short time, and, either because of miscalculated economy or reckless lavish- ness, the new church member had to resort to something very disagreeable to the pious in order to save himself from a crisis of financial distress; for, on a certain day he was discovered packing up some goods belonging to his creditors with inten- tions to ship it across the Mississippi. The creditors took action against him, and he was com- pelled to face serious charges, which was certainly a discredit to him; and his entire host of new friends cared very little about the result, for when he was placed in the county jail none cared to aid him in the least. A few days after, two preachers came to "see" Mr. Levi, who was, during those days, the most unconcerned person in TERRITORIAL ORGANIZATION 169 the whole community. The founder of the Iowa Jewry had nothing out of the ordinary to tell to the representatives of the gospel so long as they confined the interview to innocent talk, but when they told him> that they "never thought the Jew would prove so tricky, that they now believed some of the horrible tales told about the Jews and that henceforth they would look out," he replied in the following words, which speak volumes for the sentiments of the Jewish pioneers re- garding assimilation. Said Mr. Levi : "You have undoubtedly considered the Jew a very good man, else a prominent church lady would have refused to entertain and accept a proposal from him ; you have certainly been of the opinion that he was free from all bad habits, else you would not have accepted him as a member in your church; you have, I presume, considered him one of the best sons of Israel, else your joy of getting him across the gulf would not have been as great ; you have, as you know, thought him to be a gentleman of refinement and good stand- ing, else you would not have frequented his house and suffered yourselves to attend so many of the functions given by him. Now, how comes it, that continuing for but one year as a member of your church, he is no longer a gentleman, no longer honest, no longer successful and no longer fit to be either Jew or Gentile? That he was a good man prior thereto cannot be questioned, since he has been honest, successful and upright so long as he continued to be a Jew, so long as I could claim him as a brother in exile, so long as the conduct of his orthodox parents still appealed to his sympathy. Does it not, therefore, appear most strange to you that such a good I70 THE JEWS OF IOWA man shall fall so low in such a brief period? The truth is this: Till the last minute the Jews could yet claim him as theirs, till the last minute he yet claimed to belong to them;, he was that which he was destined to be, that which he was born for, and, therefore, cared not, to change the tranquility of his life — and as such, continued to be a credit to his people and a benefit to organized society. But the minute he joined you, the minute your environments pulled him out of his root, the minute he lost his originality, he was compelled to please a society, a church and a woman whom he did not understand and who could be contented with anything but his Jewishness. Thus he was no longer responsible for his deeds as a Jew. Hence, in this case you are the defendants, and all the more honor for those Jews whoi continue as such." Mr. Kuh, who is responsible for the above, was himself a pioneer in Iowa, and knew Mr. Levi pCTSonally. But as yet the number of the Jewish pioneers in Iowa did not exceed sixteen souls; the family Morris numbered five soiuls, the family Jacobs, four, Messrs. A. and J. Levi, and live peddlers, all of whom were scattered about in diiferent sections. And, during the territorial days, practically no at- tempt was made by any of the Jews to fo^rm. any sort of organ- ization; in fact, one knew not whether the other existed in Iowa. The final progressive strides taken by the Iowa Jews commenced after this state joined the Union and its fame as a rich region was spread throughout the country. EARLY DAYS OF STATEHOOD 171 CHAPTER XIII. JEWS DURING EARLY DAYS OF STATEHOOD, 1846-1855. The Peddler — Mr. Levi, of Dubuque — A Jew Among the Founders of Des Moines — WilHam Krouse's Story of Early Days — ^Jews in Keokuk, Burlington, Fort Madison, Musca- tine, Davenport and Sioux City — Foundations for Future Jewish Organizations — List of Pioneers. When Iowa was finally admitted int& the union it was still in its first stage of development. The absence of every equip- ment for a civilized life was as yet apparent in almost every locality wherein a group of people had deigned to establish themselves, and the want of everything which makes life pleas- ant to the human being was as yet felt by all the inhabitants of the youthful state. The rural districts at that time were possessed of every similarity to the world the day after Adam was driven out of Paradise — everything had to be started, every step was an initiative, every cabin was the first one on the particular spot to serve as a shelter for civilized members of the human family. The very rain never before fell upon the soil of Iowa to moisten it for the benefit of civilization. Vast prairies, beasts of the field, roaming animals of the for- 172 THE JEWS OF IOWA ests, fishes of the rivers and streamlets, birds of the air, reptiles fromi beneath the rocks and mounds, had hitherto been the only inhabitants of most of what is now the great state of Iowa, and all of these were left for the pioneers to till, to conquer, to have dominion over and to possess. And, indeed, all that which was before conceded to. be only a desert was turned into the garden spot of the Mississippi Valley. During the summer months, however, the tillers of the ground found some cheerfulness about .their solitary huts; the nimble foot of the youngster combating the greyhound, the songs of the maidens who yet remembered the airs of European peasantry, the solemn echo of the brook's murmur, the melancholy prattle of the leaves, of the corn stalks and of the wild buds, the heavenly chorus of the lark and nightingale, the buzz of the bee on its flight to the honeysuckle, the har- monious sounds of >Jature in her full bloom added to the picturesque landscapes which the immense prairies and long ranges Oif hills in Iowa afford were invigorating, indeed, to the farmer when, at eve, after a hearty meal, he sat down to watch the disappearance of the golden rays from the western hilltops and the appearance of a dense mass of mist, the dew oif heaven, from yon eastern forest. But ah, the dreary winter, the very death of Nature ! The watery snowflakes, the congealed air, the angry blast of the wind's sigh, the frozen window panes, the deadly mantle cov- ering the trees, the grass and the mounds, the night ravai's dis- mal voice, the dread of seclusion during the horrible long nights, the lonely feeling of being alone the minute Nature breathes her last, added to the lack of comfort about the little EARLY DAYS OF STATEHOOD 173 home, heaped dismay upon distress among the early toilers of Iowa, and laid out a scene resembling the Dead Sea the day after Israel was led in exile, around every cabin, which in those days was called home. Quite a welcome guest during the winter months was the peddler. For him the secluded peasant arid the eager villager were longing, and the day the peddler passed through a com- munity was a very cheerful one among the inhabitants of the stretch of territory he happened to penetrate. The young ones made it a holiday; they were permitted to look into his pack, to see so many pretty things. They got some presents from their parents arid a token from the peddler. The maidens, they also found delight in the appearance of the man with the pack. They got some jewels, handkerchiefs and the "latest fas- cinators." Ah, will the boys not die for them now ! Even^ the mother was well pleased with him, for she bought some linens and, "so cheap!" But picture the fate of the poor peddler! Behold him and see what life he led, what fate he met with ere he came to this blessed land. With a pack equaling in weight his own size upon his lean shoulders, every limb stiffened with cold, his clothes covered with many inches of snow, icicles clinging to his nostrils and freezing his breath, his staff — aye the staff with so' many tales of woe, of the story of Israel — covered with ice and snow, his eyes constantly on the watch, even like unto a hawk, lest he will miss a cabin, a hut, a smoke through some distant chim- ney, strolls the forsaken pack carrier. His mind runs back to a little room across the Atlantic, where are lodged his dear 174. THE JEWS OF IOWA Leah and little black-eyed Mosie and pretty little Sarah, and once in there a most pitiful scene was pictured before his mind's eye. He sees the beauty of his youthful wife faded away be- fore the cruel hand of fate, beholds her looking through the small pane nervously, he hears her exclaim in despair when the mail carrier passes by and stops not at her door, he lookj at his young ones, and lo ! they have nothing he wishes them to have, and, — suddenly this scene disappears and a new one comes in its stea,d. He imagines himself once more in the little synagoigue, adorned with fringes and phylacteries and praying to the God of Israel for the restoration oi Zion — ah, if that would come toi pass, would I not have a home! runs through his mind — for a good year for all peoples of the earth so that Israel might have something of what is left of all other people's mouths. He hears his own words uttered be- fore his departure to his grizzled father and aged mother, say- ing: "Do not weep, my dear parents, God will have mercy. His people will no longer continue in exile. Fear not, I shall not forget Him. I will continue as you have instructed me, even though I be cast away in a strange land,- 1 here vow my- self not to seek other gods, not to forsake my people, even though I shall possess great wealth." He also hears his wife's pleadings not to forget her and her little ones; to remember that she was left without the least means to live upon. The part- ing scene which must be left sacred within his heart is again pictured before him, and ah, as yet he could do nothing for themi! It was his first day's experience in the "golden land." With a beaming smile does the lonely inhabitant of a small cabin open the door for him. "Indeed," says the fanner to himself, "the peddler brings along a store of information; EARLY DAYS OF STATEHOOD 175 he surely_ knows the markets of everything I have for sale; he will tell me 'all. about town,' besides he will sell me all I must have fof Mai-y, for Mike, for Maggie, for Johnny, for Jim and for myself — on credit — of course I'll pay him when I sell everything." The poor peddler, the minute he stepped upon the farmer's premises, forgot all about his own troubles and concentrated his mind only on one subject, that is, to sell the farmer as much as possible Then, of course, he will have made a Sollar or two which he will have to send to his wife. Unfortunate peddler! dismayed farmer! One could not understand the other; one spoke Yiddish, the other Irish — one needed goods on credit, the other was praying for a cus- tomer with cash. They loved one another, perhaps better than at another time, for the tie of mankind is best knit together when it is stricken with suffering, but they could not help one another, "Indeed," said the farmer to his wife after the peddler's departure, "Mary, we are happy ; we have bread and wood and a cabin wherein to lodge during these dreadful days and nights." The feelings of the poor peddler can be imagined better than described. Such were the prevailing conditions among the early settlers of the poorer classes of whom the Jew- ish peddler suffered most. And during the first ten years after Iowa became a state the number of Jewish peddlers was not less than one hundred. But they were sufferers for but a short period, and no sooner had they acquired the language than we find them established in the miercantile or other pursuits of a commercial nature. 176 THE JEWS OF IOWA In the year 1846, the few Jews of Iowa could boast of hav- ing a worthy officehoWer in the city of Dubuque, and he was none other than the esteemed Mr. Levi. He wis honored by MRS. A. LEVI First Jewish Woman in Iowa who is Still Among the Living his fellow citizens, with whom he struggled together from the very minute the foundation of Iowa was laid. They chose hira as their justice of the peace. In the following year, Mr. Levi EARLY DAYS OF STATEHOOD 177 went on a visit to his native land, and returning, he surprised his friends by bringing along a charming bride. He married a distant cousin of his named Miss Minette Levi, who was also a native of France and as faithful a Jewess as he was a faithful Jew. In 1848, a daughter was bom to Mr. and Mrs. Levi, whom they named Eliza. She was the first Jewish child bom on Iowa soil; but, unfortunately, she was an invalid most of her days and died in 1873. The present Mrs. James Levi of Du- buque, who is also the daughter of the founder of the Iowa Jewry, holds the record of being the oldest living Jewish lady born in Iowa. (December lo, 1855.) She has inherited her fath- er's staunch principles in Judaism and is one of the foremost ladies of Dubuque. In writing about the condition of Judaism in this country Mrs. Levi greatly bewails the lack of interest among the young American Jews in Judaism. "I have always instilled Judaisnn in my children the same as my papa had in me," reads one sentence of Mrs. Levi's com- munication. "But," she continues, "God hath punished me greatly; my son Jesse, twenty years old, a student in the University of Chicago for two years and a great violinist, went out swimming with my consent, but came home no more. Among those who have sent condolence was a personal letter from Dr. Harper^ the president of the University of Chicago." "My mother is eighty-four years old now ( 1904) ; she was well up to Jesse's death, but is almost broken down now." 178 THK JEWS OF IOWA Mr. James Levi is an Iowa pioneer himself and is one of the wealthiest Jewish merchants of Iowa. Mr. A. Levi was honored by the citizens of Dubuque till the MRS. JAMES LEVI day of his death, and when he breathed his last, a universal sorrow was expressed by every one who ever came in con- tact with him. He died Friday evening, March 31, 1893, and His funeral was one of the largest ever witnessed by the citizens EARLY DAYS OF STATEHOOD 179 of Dubuqiie. Many Masonic representatives from various sections of the state came to pay their last respects to their honored brother who was no more, and Rabbi Messing of. Chicago, a friend of the deceased, conducted the services and delivered the funeral oration. The next Jewish pioneer in Iowa who figured in the de- velopment of things at the very beginning was Mr. William Krouse. He enjoyed the remarkable distinction of being the founder of the largest Jewry of this state, and of founding the first public school in Iowa's metropolis — D'es Moines. Mr. Krouse was born in Detrimelsdorf, Germany, about 1823, and, as the conditions at that time were as yet anything but favor- able to the Jewish people in Germany, William came to this country when he was a youth of nineteen, bringing along a younger brother Robert, with him. He had quite an education, and had the benefit of some knowledge in Hebrew. He landed in this country in 1843, ^nd started out his career as a peddler. After remaining in the east for some time, he came to Iowa with a handsome fortune at his command. But it appears that he also penetrated the prairies of Iowa hunt- ing for customers among the newly built huts of the pioneers, and not until 1848, did he start, up in business. He must have been indeed a great peddler, for according to his own state- ment made to a writer of the history, of Polk county, he had an extensive acquaintance all over the state, and that helped him largely in furthering- the movement "to remove the Iowa capitol frorh Iowa City to Fort Des Moines." He was indeed the mpst strenuous Jewish pioneer on record, for not only was he a great promoter of his own business, but in every com- munity where he landed he left nothing good undone. I So THE JEWS OF IOWA In 1848, the present magnificent city of Des Moines was a deserted spot, possessed of everything but favorable prospects for a large city. Its name at that time was "Raccooni Forks," -f-^^l^SV- THE LATE MR. KROUSE and the entire number of inhabitants was from twelve to four- teen, without even a single business establishment, or the least idea of what it might turn out to be. In that year Mr. Krouse, in pursuit of finding a suitable lo- cation, came to Raccoon Forks, and after looking over the EARLY DAYS OF STATEHOOD field arid finding it attractive, he came to the conclusion that he could make something out of the forsaken hamlet. He de- parted for a large market, bought a good stock of goods, and came to the delighted villagers to sell them goods and live among them. He at once gained the confidence of the people arid his name attracted many newcomers, and in but a short while they had organized a town and named it Fort Des Moines. Mr. Krouse's account of the early days of Des Moines follows verbatim: "Although it is many years since I left Des Moines, the incidents of the early days are still fresh, in my mind. When I first stepped upon the soil of your, or rather of my city, it was. called Raccoon Forks, and I don't think that we could have counted, more than fifteen or twenty inhabitants. Later, in the fall of 1848, people commenced to come in, and upon taking the census at the end of that year, we mustered up the great number of forty-eight souls, and in order to make a large showing, we stepped over the town limits and counted in a large, respectable family by the name of Rathbun, thus raising the number to fifty-three. A little later on we organized and made a town of it arid called it Fort Des Moines. From that time on we commenced to grow very rapidly. A great many of the old settlers, as I believe, are no more, but some, such as Hoyt Sherman, P. M. Casady, Frank Allen and others, are still in our midst, and long life to them. In those early days I was one of the founders of a public school and was a director in it. I also aided in build- ing churches, and their completion came in the following or- der: First the Methodist, then the Presbjterian, and some i82 THE JEWS OF IOWA years after the Catholic. To each and every one I was a lib- eral contributor. Thus you will see the great progress we were making even in those early days." The above was written in 1898, by Mr. Krouse, and was furnished upon request by the writer of the history of Polk county, Iowa. Mr. Krouse's mercantile establishment proved to be both useful to the pioneers of Des Moines and profitable to. him- self. He was indeed, the organ of vitality in the little town, for not only has he been distinguished as a promoter of com- merce, but he also was most conspicuous in the avenues of civ- ilization. In 1849, I^ort Des Moines became important enough to seek statewide recoignition and as it appears, Mr. Krouse was the projector, or one of the projectors, to have the cap- itol removed from Iowa City to Des Moines. Accordingly, Mr. Krouse, Judge McKay, Dr. Brooks, Mr. Hoyt Sherman and Mr. Berkley were appointed as lobbyists to go to Iowa City and influence the legislature so that the latter might give con- sent for the removal of the capitol. Thus we learn that the Jew, wherever he went, has made his mark, and in whatever community he chanced to locate himself he at once became a potent factor in its affairs. Mr. Krouse married Miss Minna Maur, and his five chil- dren who survive him are influential in Jewish affairs as well as in the commercial circles of the city of New York. Meantime his brother, Mr. Robert Krouse, settled himself in the then unorganized village and the present city of Thven- EARLY DAYS OF STATEHOOD 183 port, and was a sucessful merchant among the German pio- neers of this state. The latter was bom in 1833, and came to this country in 1843, ^"d while yet a child he utilized his time in different pursuits of a commercial nature. He married ■ Miss Louisa Steinhilber, of Wheeling, W. Va., in i860, and two daughters were bom unto them. In 1 85 1, another, pioneer of considerable merit came to Iowa, but he was at first less fortunate than the others men- tioned in these pages. He was Mr. C. W. Schrieber, later of the firm of Schrieber and Strinsky of Dubuque, who were the first junk dealers of the Jewish people in Iowa. Mr. Schrieber was a peddler for many years, and it is probable, that he was the first Jew to have penetrated the region where a few years after flourished the Jewish community of Mc- Gregor. It appears that he was a remarkable man among all the Jewish pioneers,, particularly so because of his physical strength. The largest number of Jews, however, were to be found around Keokuk, Fort Madison, Buirlington and the entire stretch of territory known as the "river front towns." Of those who peddled around Keokuk, Mr. S. Gerstle was the most noted one. It appears that he was the first Jewish mer- chant in Keokuk, and some clairn that he was the first pro- prietor of a Jewish organization in Iowa. In Muscatine the Rothchilds have established themselves, and there was laid the foundation of the family of Roth- childs in Iowa. But even they appear to have peddled before they started up a business in that town, for it appears from a stateinent by their nephew,, Mr. D. Rothchild, of Davenport,' that they did not go into business in Iowa before 1856. i84 THE JEWS OF IOWA Burlmgfton at that time sheltered quite a few of the Jewish pioneers, but only E. M. Bisfeld and Jacob Epstein appear cq have settled down permanently in that town. In all, there must have been at the beginning of the year 185s, not more than one hundred and seventy-five souls in Iowa, most of them, however, were in Keokuk. In Sioux City, Messrs. Godfrey Hattenbach, Isaac Haas and one Simon laid the foundation for the future Jewry of that flourishing city. Mr. B. M. Samuels, of Dubuque, another pioneer of that old city, was elected to serve the town as alderman, and in the same year S.. Lesser came to Dubuque and established himsdf as a physician and surgeon. Possibly the latter was the first Jewish doctor in this state. The :fe>llowing is a list of Jewish names found in the first minute book of the first Keokuk organization, which was founded in 1855, and it appears that they all must have been in this state at least from' five to ten years on an average. John Blum, Abe Cohen, H. Frees, Simon Hirschstein, S. Gerstle, M. E. Hirsh, L. Hirsh, I. Hofifheimer, Nathan Hoff- heimer, Louis Moore, I. Levi, Henry Straus, E. Stern, I. Schwabacher and Solomon White. Of these most seem to have been single men, and all they aimed at in creating a movement to organize themselves was to have a benevolent society and a Jewish organization for the purpose of raising funds to purchase a cemetery. EARLY DAYS OF STATEHOOD 185 Suffice it to say that but very few of the whole number of Iowa Jewish pioneers, who came here as strangers, without a language, without a penny, have beeen lost to Judaism, and no sooner were they of sufficient number, in one locality than they commenced to build the foundation for a future Judaism upon the soij of Iowa. i86 THE JEWS OF IOWA CHAPTER XIY. STRUGGLES OF FIRST JEWISH ORGANIZATION IN lOWAj 1855-58. First Passover Observed in Iowa — Benevolent Children of Jerusalem — Keokuk Gentiles Contribute to Jewish Society — First Mynion in fowa — Congregation B'nai Israel Found- ed — Chassidim and Misnagdim' — Disagreement — ^Tempor- ary Dissolution of B'nai Israel Congregation. The picturesque spot, geographically situated within the limits of Iowa, which has been destined for ages to have echoed Israel's first prayer in this State to Jehovah his Grod, was named after a self-made Sac hero whose name was Keo- kuk (the watchful fox.) Nature endowed it with all the magnificence which make a region desirable and attactive to build homes upon, and God blessed it with all the treasures which provide the necessities for the support of its inhabitants. Keokuk is situated on the "Father of all Rivers," close to its confluence with the Des Moines river, at the foot of the Lower Rapids, about two hundred miles above St. Louis : and because the head of navigation for large steamers begins be- neath the foot of the hill where flourishes Keokuk, the sur- name "Gate City" was added to the fame of that beautiful spot. FIRST JEWISH ORGANIZATION 187 The town was laid out in 1837, and owing to its geograph- ical position it soon became an important point and hundreds of working men as well as enterprisers flocked to its gates. Its name became known throughout the middle west and its im- portance reached the ears of rich and poor alike; its in- dustry extended far and wide, until, at one time, just at the outbreak of hostilities between the North and South, it ranked fourth as a pork packing point in the United States. Thus it was but natural for the Jews to flock to that point of commerce and industry. Indeed, they have carried along but little wealth, but they have brought muscular shoulders and Jewish brains with them; they were well fortified -against hard work and competition, and therefore, needed but the opportunity. True, they were but peddlers when they came to Iowa, but, for how long? No sooner have they been capable of naming things and objects in the vernacular than we are met with amusing stories, how with but few dollars a business was established, a path was created which was destined to lead the hard working pioneer to final triumph upon the battle^ field of existence. Aye, they were forced to become peddlers upon their ar- rival to this country, conditions for many centuries kept the Jew narrowed down to certain trades or professions and did not permit him to spread his facilities over all branches of hu- man enterprise. For centuries their ancestors were forced to live off the bread which was supplied by other producers, and were only permitted to dream about the vine and the fig-tree, about milk and honey. They were not permitted to live in fresh i88 THE JEWS OF IOWA air; the open expansion of heaven was seen by them through iron bars and stone walls of airless, filthy ghettoes; their nar- row streets were never covered with a hue of green unless it was after a massacre, when blood, brain, marrow and mire have mingled together and formed an abcess of green at the mouths of the gutters ; the sweet voice of the lark never broke through the air of the ghetto, unless, perhaps, it was the scream of a babe in the hand of a human beast ready to cast it through the window. But notwithstanding all these, they were in full possession of themselves; they were meek, submissive, for ages and even that was a part of the secret of their eternity; they sorely needed a breath of fresh air, liberty and opportunity and, no sooner have their feet brought them into an erivironmait where all these were in store for themi, than they were once more on the road of temporal success. It was from Poland — mainly from that portion of Poland which now belongs to Russia — that mcst of the early Jews of Keokuk came; they brought along with themi hearts full of love for the Chassidic Rabbi, the strongest adherence to the severest type of Orthodox Judaism, and an unending fidelity to their traditions. But, alas, circumstances forced them' away from everything so near their very lives; they could not observe Orthodoxy, even in its liberal sense, ped- dling around as they did; they could not be strict with the holy Sabbath, with the dietary laws, with the morning, after- noon and evening prayers, etc., even though' they put forth all their efforts; and being thus dragged away from everything sacred, ai spirit of a new tendency overtook some while others FIRST JEWISH ORGANIZATION 189 silently regretted their departure from the European ghettoes, and more than one would have gladly embraced the scene he left behind him rather than remain in the land of the free — all on account of his religion, the religion the Jew suffers for and derives hope, strength and courage from. It was during the Passover of 1855, (5615) that they discovered their number, which was, indeed, more than nec- essary to constitute a Mynion, (ten Israelites over thirteen years of age) and celebrating together the "Feast of Liberty," they were once more remnided of Israel's past and a longing for a Jewish life overtook them. They came to the conclusion that Judaism must be demonstrated in Iowa in the best way jpossible under the circumstances. And, as it was impossible to establish a congregation, to engage the service of a Schoe- het, (one skilled in killing beasts and fowl according to Mo- saic laws) to build a Mikvah (a water font, in accordance with Leviticus, XII-XV) to purchase a Sepher Torah (Pentatench written by a scribe on parchment) and pay rent for a meeting place besides, it was decided to organize a charity society, to aid the sick and needy and to bury the dead, and when possible services, according to Minhdg Poland, (Ritual of Polish Jews) shall be conducted. "^ That was the first Passover observed in Iowa by a sufficient number of Jews to constitute a Mynion: in one town. A meeting was called together, at the residence of Mr. S. Gerstle, on Sunday, April 29, 1855, with fourteen men in at- tendance. Mr. Gerstle was the unanimous choice to preside over the first Jewish meeting held in Iowa, and Mr. N. Hofff- hdmer was appointed secretary pro tem. igo THE JEWS OF IOWA "Benevolent Children of Jerusalem" they named themselves, a name characterizing the true spirit of Judaism, a name illustrating the zeal of Israel to carry the principles of himianity from one end of the globe even unto the other. Following is a list of the first officers of the organization : S. Gerstle, president; M. E. Hirsh, vice president; N. Hoff- heimer, secretary; L. Moore, treasurer. But as Mr. Moore at that time was a non-resident of Keokuk his election was an- nulled and Mr. Henry Strauss was chosen in his place. Committees to find a suitable piece of ground for a ceme- tery, to draft a constitution, to advertise about the vicinity the existence of the organization and to look for a meeting room, were appointed ; and after having brought to life a Jew- ish society on the spot where some of the imaginary lost "Ten Tribes" of Israel were strolling about for ages, the meeting adjourned. Now the Angel of Death came as a death-darting messenger, to visit Keokuk, for a cholera spread its Hack wings and. brought death upon, many people without distinction, and it even touched the doorpost of a Jewish habitation. A Jewish lady named Mrs. Weil died of the cholera. That was the first death on record among the Jews of Iowa. The lady was honored by Jew and Gentile alike, and the $30 she willed for the benefit of the "Benevolent Children of Jerusalem" society, was accepted with appreciation. The society started upon a strenuous career, strict laws were enacted and fines imposed upon those who violated them. The first one to gain the disfavor of the laws of their society FIRST JEWISH ORGANIZATION 191 was Air. John Blum, afterwards an active member and officer of the society. He "failed to appear at the second meeting of the organization and was fined twenty-five cents. But the gen- tleman appears to have been in possession of a store of ex- cuses, for he escaped paying the penalty. The society appears to have become prominent at its very outstart, for even Gentiles contributed towards its progress. Following is a list of Christian gentlemen who donated $33 to the "Benevolent Children of Jerusalem:" Ch. Parson, $10; D. Agne (?) $5;!. W. Clayton, $2; D. W. Pressel, $3; James Cox, $2 ; S. B. Syer, $1 ; I. Graham, $1 ; E. G. Baldwin, $1 ; I. T. Miller, $1 ; S. C. Estes, $1 ; G. W. Sanders, $1 ; S. Geiser, $1 ; R. P. Brill, $1 ; A. W. Scott, $1 ; W. Timberman, $1 ; and H. Fulton, $1. The first mention of an "uptown Jew" in Iowa is made at the time when Mr. K Straus joined the society ; the gentleman was one of the leading business men of the town and was a native of Bavaria. That the spirit of the ghetto was still predominative among the early Jews of Iowa is best learned from the following incident : A certain Cohen, in a strife — of words — with a certain Bachfach called the latter "Verdamter Yud," which was heard by an eye witness, Mr. H. Frees. At the meet- ing of the society following the "strife" Mr. Frees made a motion to have a fine inflicted upon the Aaronite for cursing his brother, the Israelite, instead of the blessing- which he is to bestow upon him. 192 THE JEWS OF IOWA Mr. Gerstele appears to have known well every character of the society, and he refused to entertain the motion, saying : "The chair cannot create a precedent to trifle with the tempers of the members of our society." During Rosh ha-Shanah (New Year) and Yom Kipur (Day of Atonement) services were conducted at the house of Mr. A. SindemKun, but it appears that they had no Sepher Torah, and the portion of the Bible was read out of a printed Pentateuch. That was the first hoUday observed with prayers by a Mynion in Iowa. The progress of the "Benevolent Children of Jerusalem" during its first half year's existence is described by the secre- tary, Mr. N. HoflFheimer, as follows : "Our society was organ- ized six months ago with eleven members who pledged them- selves to pay dues amounting to $3 annually; three of that number left town, but in their stead our membership was in- creased by eleven others. Recently two more left Kedcuk and two others of our membership are non-residents of our midst; thus, our total number is seventeen, fifteen of which are resid- ing within the city limits. "Total income from all sources . . $84.50 "Total expenditures for all purposes 10.75 "Balance in the hands of our treas- "rej" > 73-75 All the officers were re-dected and the semi-annual meet- ing was adjcwimed in a spirit of harmony." But the glory of the society as a charitable organizatioo was soon at an end; several active members who joined the organization during the fall of that year started a movement FIRST JEWISH ORGANIZATION 193 to change the name, adopt a new constitution and make a con- greigation out of it. And, at a meeting held November 25, 1855, the reorganizers carried every point and a congregation named Bnia Israel was called into existence. L. Eppinger was chosen president and John Blum vice president of the newly organized congregation; committees to obtain a charter , to rent headquarters, etc., were appointed and the new organ- ization commenced on its career. When a cemetery was bought, a congregation organized, and services held, Mr. S. Gerstle introduced a project to bring a Schochet and commence to live a Jewish life in reality. The movement was favorable to most of the members, but, as it appears, habit has withdrawn the genuine Jewishness from those pioneers, and the attempt failed. But surely not because of any radical tendencies. They came to Iowa singly, each one having carried a heavy pack and fathomed the depths of Iowa prairies for a number of years; they were still too young when they left their surroundings in Europe to realize the im- portance of any idea sacred to human kind, and when fate brought them tc^ether they had to start everythir^ from the bottom. Soon, however, geographical differences brought about in- ternal disruption and the difficulties, singular at the forma- tion of Jewish congregations in this country, seized also the very first Jewish community in Iowa, And every minute- bcx*: of every one of the older Jewish congregations in this country is filled with similar instances, and one account covers the whole field of that particular branch of American- Jewish history. 194 THE JEWS OF IOWA It was during the years 1856-57, that the Keokuk Jewry was reinforced by a few Jewish families of Western Europe, who were neither of the adherents of the Baalshem nor of Elijah of Vilna; they were far from Chassidism and still further frora Talmudical literature. They were Germans (Ashkenazim) following to a certain degree the Mendelssoh- nian precepts of Judaism. They were more cultured in world- ly affairs that their Polish brethren, and refused to be com- promising. Hitherto the Minhag Poland, largely of a Chas- sidic trend, was followed by the congregation Bnai Israel, but when the Ashkenazim came and with their superiority in man- nerism and, probably wealth, they put forth a persistent ef- fort to install the Minhag Ashkenaz in the services of the con- gregation. The matter becanre the question of the hour; one set of officers resigned (January 4, 1857) and many stormy scenes were witnessed, but finally the Chassidic element yield- ed before the sacred decision of a majority. But it appears that the factions could not well exist to- gether and, dtepite the hrad work of the few to whose hearts Judaism was most near, no progress was made; thejr had neither engaged the services of a minister nor bought a Sepher Torah prior to the reorganization which took place in September 27, 1863. Mr. Vogel succeeded to the presidency after Mr. Eppinger resigned, and for a time things looked very cheerful, but soon the congregation commenced to lose ground and its doom was predicted by the few who best knew its inside. Several of the charter members moved away, some of the wealthiest ones stepped out and the difficulties became greater. FIRST JEWISH ORGANIZATION 195 The last president of the congregation prior to its re-estab- lishment was Sam Rauh who appears to have been the Mjishkil of the community, but even he could not bring about the unity upon which rests the welfare of an organization, and after the holidays of 1858, it was decided to collect no more dues, and that was practically the last meeting held under the auspices of the first members of that congregation. Among the business men were most conspicuous the names of Vogel, Straus, Rauh, Eppinger, Hirsh and Younker. The latter, although at that time beginners, grew mighty and in- fluential in Iowa as mercantile princes. All other Jews who made their headquarters in Keokuk were peddling through that section of the state and many of those peddlers, after accumulating handsome fortunes, were scattered throughout the state and some of them even far be- yond its boundaries. It also appears that at the outbreak of the Qvil War and a couple of years prior thereto most of the polish Jews had re- moved from Iowa, some went to New York and other East- em points, and others to New Orleans and the South. But the community was in its first stage of develop- ment and its golden period was yet to come. 196 THE JEWS OF IOWA CHAPTER XV JEWS BECOME POTENT FACTORS IN IOWA PRIOR TO CIVIL WAR, 1854-1861. Signs of -Prosperity Among Jewish Pioneers — Peddling a School of Experience — ^Early Settlers of Davenport — ^Ar- rival of Moses Bloom to Iowa — ^Burlingtin Center of Ped- dlers — ^List of Jewish Merchants, Artisans and Professional Men in Iowa Prior to 1861. In the process of but one decade after the first Jewish ped- dler touched Iowa's fertile soil it came to pass that the influ- ence of the Jew was felt in every important community of this state, and whatever progress Iowa could boast of a goodly bulk thereof was fathered by Jewish brains. The "strange human being" who came to penetrate Iowa's prairies and fath- om its marshes on the pursuit of his share of good of thi^y world, commenced to disappear in but a comparatively short while after he made his trip westward, and, instead, a vigorous merchant laid an unshakable foundation for a durable career which was destined to become the wonder of generations. After acquiring the necessary information regarding the existing conditions of the large majorities of the masses, after thoroughly acquainting himself with their wants, demands and modes of life, after gaining their friendship, confidence BECOME POTiENT FACTORS 197 and patronage, the Jewish pioneer shattered the yoke of the pack from his shoulders, and, with what Httle savings -he TOuld gather at his disposal, he started to dimb the ladder to- ward the summit of commercialism. Peddling in general among the Jews of this country, was an acknowledged school of experience, and no sooner did the peddler feel himself adequately fitted out with the much want- ed store of information and experience than he was at the head of some establishment doing business with his newly made friends. Nearly all Iowa Jewish pioneers had one and the same school of experience and, with but a very limited exception, it has proved very helpful to all of them. Far above all they were sorely in want of, was the ability to name things and objects in the vernacular of the country, the chance to familiarize themiselves with the economical condition of the section their feet brought them to. Seeing the products of the farmer, the stock, the size of the various crops certain sections yielded, and hearing tlie peasants calling evervthing by name, the wanderers derived the double benefit from their very dis- agreeable vocation. Thus, by resorting to the very foot of For- tune's ladder, they have fortified their carreers against ignor- ance and posted themselves in everything helpful to keep a business man on the right path. Peddling, however, was not bom of Jewish ingenuity as is universally believed in this country; instead it must be at- tributed to the disadvantageous conditions of the pioneer days of this country. The very early ruralists, living scatter- ed abc«it, could not maintain close to them stores of necessary supplies, neither was there an abundance of prosperous mer- I9» THE JEWS OF IOWA chants ready to establish such stores wherever needed, and, as the means of transportation were as poor as possible, a demand was created for movable stores which were carried about the country in stages, and the first small dealer who could not fit himself out with a stage was compelled to carry his goods afoot — and he was the first peddler on this continent. The early Jews on the other hand, as has been shown in the proceeding chap- ters of this work, were the leading merchants of New York and Newport and the poorer class of Jewish immigrants re- sorted to farming and, surely not before the dawn of the Nine- teenth Century did the Jew appear with a pack upon his shoul- ders asking the patronage of the American farmer. The dis- appointment of the majority of the German Jews, after the first quarter of the last century elapsed and no equalization was in sight for them, brought a large influx of the more oppressed of the German Jewries, and, as not all of them were men of means, peddling was mostly embraced as an opportunity to become a merchant. After the lapse of two score and ten more years, when the Russian czar debarred the Jew from every opportunity, the Jewries of that country, too, sent forth tens of thousands of the most poverty-stricken among them and the latter inherited the pack with the broad straps from their German brethren. Today the Jewish peddler is a rarity on American fields, even the Russian and Polish Jew has no need for such yoke any longer, and it is very safe to predict that the next decade of years will also remove the push-cart, the characteristic sec- ond-hand shop and the rag picker, for all these have not come to stay, they gre existing for the sake of bread for large fam- BECOME POTENT FACTORS tgg ilies of little ones and as soon as the latter grow up, the father will no longCT need to fall back to the very bottom of poverty for a living. The early Jewish peddlers of Iowa who subset quoitly became the commercial princes of this state are a fair specimen of what the peddler is after he removes the burden from off his shoulders. The foimdation of everything good which this state was to derive from the brain and muscle of its Jewish pioneers was laid prior to the Civil War ; for, almost every name which was destined to become illustrious in the history of the ^owa Jews was to be found in some obscure node among the small merchants or even among the hard-working peddlers. The Jew in this state has witnessed the upbuilding of every im- portant city and with his thriftiness and ingenious commercial spirit he might justly be called the founder of commerce in Iowa. The large department stores, the great wholesale houses, the vast sums of money invested in manu- facturing merchandise, made the cities in Iowa \vhat they are, that is the finest in all the states beyond the ]\Iissouri river, and surely the Jew was at the front of Iowa's commer- cial enterprises from the very day Dubuque was founded and opened for civilization. Davenport was the next important point to attract some of the greatest Jewish pioneers of the northwest; thither have flocked mostly German Jews and there, among their country- men — for that city was populated by Germans from its very inception — ^they have invested everj^ing available in them and helped to build up what is now the Free Town of Iowa. THE JEWS OF IOWA Besides Robert Krouse and Henry Abel, who were the first Jews in Davenport, the following is a complete list of all the Jewish pioneers of that city who had the good fortune to contribute a goodly portion to its vivacity prior to the out- break of the Civil War : Michael Raphael, John Ochs, Louis A. Ochs, Lippen Ochs, M. Feder, Alex Feder — Pritz and Stein. Most of them came to Davenport in 1854, when it was yet a small village with but scarcely five hundred inhabitants, but it was not very long before the future of that solitary spot on the brink of the Mississippi commenced to show signs of vigor- ous vitality and the very few Jews played an important role in its initial steps to further its golden career. M. Raphael and John Ochs, however, were the most conspicuous ones among the few and, with their respective abilities, have infu.s- ed life and brought about many changes for the better "in the affairs of Davenport. M. Feder appears to have been the most scholarly Jewish pioneer in Davenport and he enjoyed the remarkable distinction of becoming the first Jewish minis- ter in Iowa, for, when the Davenport Jewery decided to or- ganize a congregation he was appointed to be their q>iritual guide. John Ochs was the first real estate dealer among the Jews beyond the Missouri river and subsequently his was the largest land agency in Iowa, a f uU account of which is given in the chapters dealing with the Davenport Jewry. M. Raphael was the first wholesale dealer among the Jews in Iowa, and al- so the first paymaster of the Northwestern railroad inJowa which was undoubtedly the first office of that kind ever held by a Jew in the Northwest. BECOME POTENT FACTORS The year 1854, in the history of the Jews of Iowa, was marked with the appearance of Moses Bloom upon the Iowa prairies, for he came to this state as a peddler. He located himself in Iowa City, where he became wealthy, beloved, and famous. He was the first Jew in the northwest to start a ca- reer as a peddler after he had grown to manhood and become a leader in state and national politics. A full account of his ad- ventures is given in the chapter dealing with the Jews in Iowa citizenship. , Glenwood, Mills county, was another spot which was des- tined to become famous in the history of the Jews of Iowa, thither have come I. and F. Heinsheimer, uncles of D. L. Hdnsheimer, the noted financier and republicaui politician, ar account of whom is also given in the above quoted chapter. Hence it is an obvious fact that most of those Jews who have subsequently become leading factors in the affairs of this state have settled in Iowa during the early days and like unto their Gentile brethren assisted in the making of Iowa. The somewhat important events among the Jewish com- munities of Iowa who could boast of having a sufficient num- ber to constitute a Mynion sum up as follows : The first religious services conducted in Dubuque, Iowa, were held during the Passover of 1862, Mr. A. Levi being the projector of the movement, and that community could pride it- self on being the first one in this state to have bought a Sepher Torah. * Iowa City was the cradle of one of the most prominent Jewish citizens of New Yorls state. Mr. Simon Fleishman, president ot the Buffalo Board of Conncilmen and president of the Erie County Bar Association, was bom in Iowa City, September i, 1859. His father, Bmanael Fleishman, was the first Jew in that town, and was prominent as a merchant for many years. At the oatbreak of the civil war he removed to Adel and thence to the Bast. THE JEWS OF IOWA Burlington was distingui^ed in having been headquarters for the largest number of peddlers, which, in addition to its Jewish merchants and artisans, made it the largest Jewish com- munity in this state, but, it seems that the Burlington Jewry commenced to be particularly noted for its irreligiousness, and no congregation was organized there prior to 1873. Des Moines, which is now sheltering the largest Jewry in Iowa, had probably fifteen Jewish souls prior to the Civil War, and neither any form of organization nor special event can be accredited to it prior to 1868. Davenport Jews celebrated the holidays of the year i860, and it was during those holidays that a movement to organize a congregation and purchase a cemetery became current among them. McGregor which was subsequently a little ghetto in itself for almost a score of years could not boast of a single Jewish inhabitant prior to i860. But notwithstanding the slow progress of Judaism in Iowa, the Jews could well pride themselves in what they did ac- complish during the comparatively short period of their so- journ in the different localities; for, notwithstanding their small number which did not exceed five hundred souls, thay were conspicuous in the mercantile business from one end of the state even unto the other. The following table collate-^ after gathering data from numerous old newspapers, county histories and communications of pioneers, speaks volumes for the prc^ess of the Jews in Iowa prior to the Civil War and throws many rays of light upon the development of the several Jewries now existing in this state. BECOME POTENT FACTORS ao3 ADEL. J. K Fleishman Clothing BONAPART. Benjamin Blum Dry Goods Simon Freidman Clothing BOONE. SoJ Kuh General Store Raphael Greenbaiun Gents' Furnishing William Lobenstein Gents' Furnishing BLOOMFIELD. Abraham Hart Clothing BRIGHTON. Israel Freind Clothing BURLINGTON Greenbaum Shroeder & Co. Clothing S. Kohn Dry Goods Joseph Budiman Furnishing S. Adler & Bro. Clothing E. M. Eisfeld Clothing Joseph Lehman & Bro Dry Goods A. Kaiser Ladies' Goods Jacob Rosenthal Clothing Solomon Hershler Dry Goods Bei and Sig Eisicles Clothing Jacob Epstein Dry Goods BURR OAK. Frank & Friedman Qothing 204. THE JEWS OF IOWA CEDAR FALLS. M. Frank Clothing Henry C. Cohen . ., Dry Goods Solomon Geisman "Qothing L. Ellman Qothing CEDAR RAPIDS. D. L. Fidler Merchant Tailor L. Lobenstein . . Merchant Tailor CLIFTON. Rothschild & Co Dry Goods CLINTON. Nathan Hess Clothing David Stem Qothing G. Weiner General Store COUNCIL BLUFFS. Sol Bloom Qothing A. B. Bernard Dry Goods Henry K Eisman Dry Goods DAVENPORT. Raphael & Feder Clothing I. FleishnKm Qothing Samuel Heinsfurter Eh-y Goods S. K. Stone Clothing Tohn Ochs Real Estate Robert Krouse Qothing Joseph Levy Dry Goods Leopold Lowenstein Clothing Haas & Meyer Wholesale Dry Goods Abraham Straus Qothing Nathan Billstein Dry Goods Alex Lederer ,. . . .Dry Goods Solomon Hersgberg Diy Goods G. Rosenberger .Watch Maker BECOME POTENT FACTORS 205 D£S MOINES. Hymon Herzberg Clothing Joseph Kuhn Dry Goods and Clothing Isaac Kuhn Dry Goods and Clothing Jacobs & Weissman Dry Goods Nathan Goldstone Clothing Theodore Wolf General Store Leopold Simon Qothing Leopold Straus Clothing DE WITT. A. Bloom . ., General Store DUBUQUE. A. Levi Lead Miner Abraham Grunwald Clothing James Levy Dry Goods Moses Leppman Qothing L. & B. Rauh ...... Clothing and Furnishing I. D. Weil ^ Qotliing Charles Brezinsky General Store FORT DODGE. L 'M. Baum Clothing C. C. Smeltzer Qothing FRANKLIN CENTER. Jacob Weber Tailor GLENWOOD. I. & F. Hensheimer Qothing J. Solomon Real Estate 2o6 THE JEWS OF IOWA. IOWA CITY. Moses Bloom Dry Goods and Qothing Rothschild & Co. (branch) . . Clothing KEOKUK. Younker Bros. Dry Goods and Qothing J. & I. Spiesberger Dry Goods Simon Frank & Co. , Qothii^ L Solomon Qothing Raphael Vc^ • • • • Clothing Adolph Weissman Physician Jacobs & Weissman (branch) Qothing ST. CLAIRE. Wm. Newman Fancy Goods Henry Rotschild Saloon LANSING. Freind & Eisen Qothing F. W. Hahn & Co. tlothing LYON CITY. Julius Bernstein Clothing MARSHALLTOWN. M. Rosenbaum Variety Store M. Stem Qothing MUSCATINE. Morris Kahn Commission Merchants M. & D. Block Qothing Leopold Wintner Commission Merchant Silverman Bros Qothing Jacob Oppenhdmer , Qothing BECOME POTENT FACTORS 207 MARENGO. Abraham & Leopold Shauerman . General Store OSKALOOSA. J. A. Abram China and Glass I. Frankel Dry Goods and Clothing L. Levi Clothing Emanuel Bach Dry Goods and Clothing OTTUMWA. Jacob Kohn Qothing ROCHESTER. Abraham Izenhart Dentist 8ABULA. Lichtenstein & Guttle General Store SIOUX CITY. I. Haas ." Dry Goods WAVERLY. L. Geisman Clothing A. Israel Qothing Isaac Tobias General Store WASHINGTON. Leon M^er Dry Goods Silverman & Co. Qothing 2o8 THE JEWS OF IOWA Thus it is gleaned that the Jews were represented in, thirty- five different towns geographically situated in every latitude and longitude of the state, that they were the most inqxHtant element in the mercantile business of Iowa and that notwith- standing their scattered position and sniall number they have been potent factors in the affairs of Iowa wherever they dianced to establish themselves. The above table also shows that the first Jewish tailor was settled in Cedar Rapids, the first Jewish watch maker in Davenport and the first Jewish dentist in Rochester. Of those who were considered among the wealthiest of the merchants were: the Rothschilds, Jacobs & Weismann, Hess & Stern, Levi of Dubuque, Kuhns of Des Moines, Bloom of Iowa City and the Heinsheimers, albeit all other Jewish busi- ness men were considered well off. Soon, however, the rigor of bloody war struck this state with its unavoidable plagues and a general change took place in the Iowa Jewries from the day hostilities broke out within the boundaries of the United States. BECOME POTENT FACTORS 209 CHAPTER XVI. THE JEWS OF IOWA IN WAR TIME, 1861-1865. The Jew in War — ^Jewish Patriotism Displayed During Civil War — List of Iowa Jewish Soldiers — ^Davenport Jews Es- tablish a Congregation — First Schochet in Iowa — Short Career of First Congregation — Bnai Israel of Keokuk Re- vives — Inaugurate Novel Orthodox Custom — Services for Lincoln. The American Jew with his undaunted courage and zeal- ous patriotism exhibited during the Civil War, whether sac- rificing his life upon the battlefield to liberate the enslaved, or championing the right of prc^)erty in slaves together with his neighbors of the South, has redeemed himself and exon- erated his entire race from the malignant accusations hurled up- on the heads of his people by countless enemies for countless generations. The minute the first stream of crimson, flowing from a wounded soldier of the Jewish faith, reddened some spot of America's soil, the charge of being, habitually or nat- urally, plagued with cowardliness could no longer be laid at the door of a Jewish home; and the day, the greatest American Jew of his age, Judah P. Benjamin, accepted a position in the cabinet of Jefferson Davis, the assertion that the Jew never as- similates, or as Rennan, the historian has it, "never becomes a citizen of any land," received its death blow. THE JEWS OF IOWA The Southern Jew, enlisting in the Confederate army, knew that his bullet will probably pluck off the head of a Jew- ish father fighting for the North, he also knew that slavery in itself is wholly anti-Jewish, and, yet, how cheerfully did he submit his very life to fight the cause of his Southern neigh- bor! He lived there, assimilated himself with the ideas and sen- t'ments of the people and he himself became like one of them, and every one of his efforts was certainly sincere. Judah P. Benjamin was indeed a great man — "the brain of the Confederacy," as he was justly styled — ^his speech on "The Property Doctrine," delivered in the United States Senate March ii, 1858, will unquestionably outlive any anti-Semitic agitation ; he was loved and admired by all the Jews the world over, nevertheless, should he even have tried it, he could not have changed the idea of even a single Northern Jew on the slavery question. Nor could any prominent Northern Jew, even though he were the greatest rabbi of the country, alter the determination of the Southern Jew. In their patriotic efforts the Jews, if only an opportunity is given them, act independent- ly, and no power under the sun, vmless it be their own convic- tion, is strong enough to bring about a transition of senti- ments within their hearts. True, "Jew fighting against Jew," was the tragedy of Is- rael since he was scattered in all the four comers of the globe, but in those cases, he was compelled to die because there was no chance of life for him, he was forced to go to war because no peace was left for him and, what could he do if his brother in another such land was smitten by the self-same hand of a cruel fate! But the Jew of the North in fighting his brother JEWS IN \yAR TIME of the South and vice versa, has had the opportunity, for the first time in the history of his exile, to demonstrate the fact that to him the love for his country, whether adapted or na- tive, is even stronger than the love for his, people. The Jews of Iowa, as has been shown in the precedirig chapter, have not numbered above five hundred souls, five- sixths of whom were possibly not of military age, and yet, how glad have the young and able-bodied ones amdngf themi flocked to the headquarters and offered themselves for service! How" cheerful appears the record of one Leopold Rosenberg, of Davenport, who offered himself for the preservation of the Union, and he had to be rejected from the 8th Iowa Infantry because of his tender age ! How gladdened is the heart of the patriotic American Jew to find on record the name of a soldier, sounding wholly Jewish, who was thirty-eight years old when he enlisted and had the honor of receiving a scar on the battle- field of Shiloh ! There was even such a one among the Jews of Iowa whose name is Lewis S9lomon and who yet lives (1904) in Keokuk. : How patriotic^ of one to forsake a splen- did business establishmenti^i|rdesp2te_rnany other hindrances, take up arms and fight for -the sake of liberating the enslaved, and receive a wound at the battle of Pleasant Hill! The very few Iowa Jews produced of among them even such a one, his. name was C W. Schreiber of the firm of Schreiber & Strinsky^ , Dubuque. 1- ■ Those who could not — ^there positively were none who would not — go to the front for various good reasons, displayed, their patriotism in contributing most liberally to the war fund. Some even went beyond the Kmit of their purse , in ■ taxing THE JEWS OF IOWA themselves toward the maintenance of the Iowa regiments, and all the county histories particularly those of Dubuque, Des Moines. Johnson, Lee, Mills, Pottawattamie, Polk, Scott and Woodbury counties, bear witness that every merchant bearing a Jewish name was the most liberal contributor to the war fund, the contributions ranging from $25 and upward. Moses Bloom, of Iowa City, was probably the most liberal con- tributor among the Jews of Iowa, judging his very limited means in those days. M. RAPHAEL The most popular Jew in Iowa during the war was Mich- ael Raphael of Davenport, who had the distinction of being appointed Horse Inspector by the Federal Government. Mr. Raphael was bom in Oberslessing', Prussia, in 1837, ^"<1 when but a mere youth of sixteen he left his native land and came to seek his fortune in Davenport during the spring of 1853. He became a peddler, penetrating the newly brc^en territories of Iowa for almost four years, at the end of which JEWS IN WAR TIME 213 he had accumulated a small fortune sufficient to see himself established in business. Prosperity visited his door, and soon he became a partner to the wholesale grocery establishment of Brown, Feder & Raphael, besides horse trading, which he had as a side issue. When the war broke out he was one of the leading citizens of Davenport and his honesty, sound judgment and extensive acquaintance made his way clear to receive a government appointment. As a government servant he was most distinguished, and as his was the first Federal office held by a Jew in Iowa, he certainly honored himself and his des- cendants with the imimpeachable record he made during his connection with the government. Of those Jews who have enlisted and gone to the front the following account has been collated from different county his- tories, from records at the office of the Iowa Adjutant-General and from oral narrations of Jewish pioneers living in different sections of this state, and whatever light possible to throw upon this subject was obtained while personally traveling through Iowa in search of data for this work. FIRST INFANTRY. The first Jewish youths who were seized by the fever of war were the brothers Heury and Theobald Klein ; they served in Company D, of this regiment from May 12, 1861, till the expiration of their term. SECOND INFANTRY. Henry Straus enlisted in Company A, May 4, 1861, which practically makes him the fiirst Jewish soldier of Iowa; he sacri- ficed his life upon the battlefield, having received fatal wounds during a skirmish. He died July 10, 1863. 214 „ The JEWS OF IOWA -^ Joseph Meyers enlisted May 28, 1861, in Gompany G, ^ this r^ment and he also met with a heroic death diiriij^' the battle of Fort Donndson. "-■'■'■ '-'■ Henry Krouse serVed also in the same regiment, but he was mustered' otit of service, unblemished, at the expiration of hfe term. Mr. Krouse was thirty-six years oid-when. he en- li^ed. ' ,.!..•".":■ ; .. -: ■■.-' SECOND: CAVALRY. , ^, . , ■ ' ■William Krouse: eijUsted in Company H, August 30, 1862, and disting^shed himself in many fierce cavarly charges and had the fortune to return without a scar at the end of his term, THIRD INFANTRY. :, : .; - -John A. Levin, the only Jewish engineer in Iowa prior to the Civil War, enlisted in this regiment and was of good service.-:; . , - FOURTH INFANTRY .... , ThfSt regiment had- a distinguished Jewish-soldier, who en- -hsted in; Company. D, at the age of thirty-eight. His name, was TwCwis Solomon, -of Keokuk. Mr. Solomon .was wounded, at the battle of Pine Ridge and suhs^uently discharged for dis- ability. He returned to Keokuk, where He has been a leading factor in the Jewry of that town ever since," arid even now (1904) is enjoying good health. SIXTH CAVALRY. A. Glazer, trumpeter, enlisted in Company C of this re^- ment and it appears that he was promoted to some official charge and was left in the South. Samuel Levinstein served in Company G. 'knd was mus- tered out of service at the expiration of his term, when he re- turned to Iowa. JEWS IN WAR TIME 215; SEVENTH INFANTRY. Charles Bloom enlisted in Company H of this regiment and was at the front of the battle of Belmont defying- death for almost a whole day ; after being fatigued he was sud- denly struck down and fell dead- on an advanced spot near the enemy. EIGHTH INFANTRY. Henry Shauerman enlisted in Company I of this regiment at Davenport, and returned without a scar at the expiration of his terra. . :: ■ NINTH INFANTRY. Joseph and Fred Levy (not related) have served with marked credit in Company I of this regiment, and it appears that both remained in the South after they were mustered out of service. TENTH INFANTRY. 'In Company C, Henry Levin enlisted during the year 1862, at Burlington; simultaneously Joseph Glasser enlisted at Dav- enport in Company E of this regiment. Both returned unhurt to Iowa. FOURTEENTH INFANTRY One Jewish soldier, named William Hershberger, served in Company B of this regiment. He was mustered out of serv- ice at the expiration of his term. 2i6 THE JEWS OF IOWA FIFTEENTH INFANTRY. A youth who had lately come from that part of Poland which belongs to Germany, therefore giving his nationality as German, enlisted at Keokuk in Company D of this regiment ; his name was Jacob Goodman, and for bravery he is to be praised second to none of his regiment; for, during the battle of Corinth, after having been once wounded, he was persistent in renewing his attacks upon the enemy and not until he fell again with a fatal wound did he retire from the battlefield. He died June 12, 1862. SIXTEENTH INFANTRY. In this regiment, which so bravely distinguished itself during the battle of Shiloh, (i) have served the following Jewish soldiers : Company B : Jacob Jacobson, enlisted December 3, 1861, was wounded at the battle of Shrloh. Charles Weissman, en- listed December 18, 1861, was promoted commissary sergeant "November 24, 1862. Company D: Abraham Meyers, enlisted December 20, 1861, participated in Shiloh battle with marked courage; Jacob Lehman, enlisted December 17, 1861, was wounded at the battle of Shiloh. SEVENTEENTH INFANTRY. The only Jew in this regiment was W. Davidson, who en- listed March 2, 1862, and was taken prisoner at Tilton, Ga. He returned to Iowa at the conclusion of the war. ( I ) "Commenting upon the resnlt of the Shiloh battle the Weekly NoRh low* Times of May 14, 1862, has the following: "Beauregard calls the recent battlefield "Shiloh ■ We presume that his Secretary of State, Jubah P. Benjamin, will abdicate now, for the pro phecyof the patriarch, Jacob.thalthesceptreshallnot depart from Jadah until ^Az'/M come " JEWS IN WAR TIME 217 TWENTY-SECOND INFANTRY. Charles Abel enlisted Augxist 9, 1862, in Company F, and Fred Bloom enlisted the same date in Company G of this reg- iment. They were mustered out of service at the expiration of their term. TWENTY-FIFTH INFANTRY. In this r^ment Jacob Kline enlisted in Company D, July 21, 1862, and G. Levi in Company G during the same month. I TWENTY-SIXTH INFANTRY. A. Meyers enlisted in Company E, August 22, 1862; D. Metzger enlisted in the same Company August 13. In Com- pany H, of this regiment, William Marks enlisted August 9, of that year and was killed on the battlefield of Arkansas Post June II, 1863. TWENTY-SEVENTH INFANTRY. C. W. Schreiber, a wealthy iron dealer of Dubuque, and a middle-aged man, left every other care behind him and enlist- ed in Company C of this regiment. He saw actual war and came out victorious during many engagements, but was wound- ed during the battle of Pleasant Hill. THIRTY-FIRST INFANTRY. Nathan Click and Jacob Glaser enlisted in Company F of this regiment, and were mustered out at the expiration of their term. 2i8 THE JEWS OF IOWA THIRTY-SECOND -INFANTRY; Henry Vogel, of Keokuk, enlisted in Company G of this regiment, August ii, 1862, and served with distinction. He returned. home unhurt and continued as a prominent figure in Jewish circles for many years. THIRTY-THIRD INFANTRY. In Company" G,. John K. Fidler enlisted during . 1862; he returned, to Iowa at the expiration of his term. THIRTY-FIFTH INFANTRY. Jacob Block enlisted- in Company C, August 20, 1862, and Jacob Hess enlisted in the same Cc«iipaJiy two days later. They were both mustered out of service at the end of -their term, which was one hundred days. FORTIETH INFANTRY. In Company K, L. 'Isaacson enlisted during the latter part of 1862, and he also returned to Iowa at the end of one-hun- dred days. Nearly all of the above names have been verified, and it is, therefore, certain that not less than the above number of the Jews of Iowa offered their service to free the slaves-; but it is very probable that even a greater number of Jews than this could be found among the Iowa regiments, for, many names sounding very Jewish appear upon the records, but, because they could not be identified they had to be left out. However, suffice it to say that although the number of Jews in Iowa JEWS IN WAR TIME prior to the Civil War was very insignificant, arid although their quota could not have been very large; the Jews have, nevertheless, proved themselves equal, if not sup erior,- in- pa- trioism, at home and upon the battlefield, to any foreign class which has inhabited Iowa during those perilous days.' They wJere, indeed, equal. to the Germans, whose couhtrymeni most of them were, in every patriotic effort to show their affection, love' and. integrity for their adopted country. Meantime the number of Jewish population in Iowa began to increase-^-the flow of immigration mostly being from Mis- souri and the South — and soon new coinmumties sprang forth. Davenport was-the first one in line to make forward strides' in Jewish direction's, arid, as'the huriian being during the time of a crisis -JcK>ks more frequent toward his Maker than when everything appears to be tranquil, httle hesitatioh was wasted Ijefore a Jewish congregation was called into ex- istence by the Jews of Davenpoii:. The first meeting, held December 7, 1861, decided to name the congregation Bnai Israel, to 'conduct it upon Orthodox principles, to purchase a cemetery and engage a Scochet and Hebrew teacher. They entered upon a successful career from the -very inception of their congregation, and it was not very long before its in- fluence was felt even across the Mississippi, at Rock Island, Illinois. The Father of all Rivers never created a difference between the Jews of Iowa and the Jews of Illinois, excepting that the latter always had to follow the former. The first officers of the congregation Bnai Israel of Dav- enport were: Isaac Bemis, president; A. Straus, vice pres- ident; L. Lowenstein, treasurer, and S. Berlosheimer, secre- THE JEWS OF IOWA tary. The prcKeedings and minutes were all in German, and the spirit of culture and refinement which marked the con- duct of the newly organized congregation is as yet easily dis- cerned. Above all Mr. Bernis appears to have been very intelligent if not quite a scholar. On March 3, 1862, an important meeting was held — ^the most important yet held by Jews in Iowa, and Rev. H. Low- enthol was elected to serve the congregation Bnai Israel as Chazen, Schocket and M'lamod, (teacher.) He was to at- tend to slaughtering cattle twice a week during the summer and three times a week during the winter, to teach six hours per day, four "days out of every week in the year and to of- ficiate as reader whenever services were held by the congre- gation; for all that he was voted a salary of $350 per annum! How much does this innocent accoimt of forty-two years ago tell of the progress every branch of the human family has made ! Can any pessimist, always predicting ruin and despair for the future, always telling of the great chances that now rest in the dead past, constantly speaking of bygone oppor- tunities and finding nothing in this world to live for today, face this dry fact without being amazed? For three hundred and fifty dollars did a man of unquestionable ability hire himself out to work as a public servant and yet he apparently, was happy at the opportimity ! Time, thou art indeed the master of wonders! The following is complete list of tl.e charter mem- bers of congregation Bnai Israel of Davenport: Isaac Bernis, A. Straus, L. Lowenstein, L. Blatt, S. Heins- furter, M. Billstone, H. Aaron, S. Berolsheimer, I. Fleish- JEWS IN WAR TIME man, M. Feder, John Ochs, M. H. Heidenheimer, M. Raphael, G. Rosenberg', Henry Zimmerman, I. O'bemdorfpr, L. Wolf, M. Diesenberg. But like the first congregation in Keokuk, the Bnai Israel of Davenport seems to have sunk into oblivion for almost twelve years, for no meetings were held, or at least no record was preserved, between then and September 6, 1874. The war also witnessed the resurrection of the Keokuk congregation, and this time it was to stay and become a source of religious strength for all the Jews who have ever since deigned to locate in that beautiful town. And, it seems, that before the sun of the Bnai Israel of Davenport was set, the , sunrise of the Bnai Israel of Keokuk was marked. On September 27, 1863, a meeting to reorganize the con- gregation of Keokuk took place, and those who came to its rescue have indeed played an important part in the course of events among the Jews of Iowa. Lewis Solomon, with a fresh wound received at the battle of Pine Ridge, volunteered to keep the records of the congre- gation, and men such as L. M. Younker, Manassa Younker, Marcus Younker, Samuel Younker and R. Vogel joined the ranks and took up the task of making a success of what oth- ers have made a failure. An election was held and the first officers of the reorganized Bnai Israel of Keokuk were: R. Vogel, president; L. M. Younker, vice president; Samuel Kline, treasurer; L. Solomon, secretary and S. Frank and M. Spielberg, trustees. THE JEWS OF IOWA During the holidays of that year L. M. Younker, M- Spielberg and Joseph Boehn officiated, and the headquarters of the Mynion was at a hall over Younkers' store. On April 9, 1864, the Keokuk Jewry did at last the right thing for the preservation of Orthodox Judaism and a Mr. J. Falk, of New York, was chosen to be schochet at an annual 'salary of $300, payable quarterly. Indeed, orthodoxy in those days was very cheap, something an Orthodox Jew cannot boast of today. ■ During the holidays of that year, the number of Jews in^ Keokuk seems to have doubled and the officers of the con- grefgation grasped the opportunity of i"entiing oiit pews, of selling by auction the several honors during the services and of setting a fixed price for certain honors all year around. The following is an interesting price list for the different hon- ors in the Keokuk synagag^e during the year 1864-65: Haghah, (lifting the scroll of the Pentateuch, after reading the prescribed portion therefrom) 50 cents; Glileh, (helping the lifter to roll and tie the scroll") 5P cents; Maphfir (honor- to grace the last few paragraphs of the Torah and read a chapter of the books of the Prophets according to the time of year) 50 cents; on holidays, Hagbah was $1.00; Gelileh, $1:00, and Ma;phtir, $2.00, while all other Alyioth (bdng> called to grace the Pentateuch) on hoHdays, ■ they were sold by auction and during the year every Saturday, Monday "and Thursday it was left to the discretion of the president and vice president to honor any one they deemed fit for the honor. Selling those honors was a custom arnong the Jews in many lands for centuries , for it was the main source of the congre- JEWS IN WAR TIME 223 gational income, but in Iowa, the Keokuk congregation was first to install it as medium of raising funds. But the Bnai Israel of Keokuk has subsequently abolished that custom, as it ceased to be orthodox and volimtary contributions during holidays was inaugurated instra.d. On October 13, 1864, Mr. Falk handed his resignation as Schochet of the K'hilah (congregation) and Mr. Herman's application was taken in consideration. It Was decided that if Mr. Berman would prove his authority and show his chalif (knife used by the Schochet) to Mr. Falk, and if the latter proved that he could sharpen the knife so as to remove from it all pgmioth (rough aiges) making it sharp and smooth, he would be elected to fill the unexpired term' of Mr. Falk. Mr. Berman was successful and received the appointment. Rev. J. Falk died a few weeks after, for his resignation was due to inability to perform his duties because of sickness. APRIL IS, 1865. "A special meeting was called this day, L. M. Younker in the chair; on motion of S. Kline it was unanimously voted to have our S5magogue draped in mourning for thirty days (an orthodox period for lamenting after the most beloved one) in memory of our late president, Abraham Lincoln." How much love, devotion, mourning and sincerity does this paragraph of the minutes of the Keokuk congregation express ! Let posterity, if only familiar with Orthodox Juda- ism, judge. 224 THE JEWS OF IOWA Indeed the seal of death closed a great period in the his^ tory of America, when Abraham Lincoln was no more, and it even affected the scattered children of Israel in the state of Iowa; for, from the day the oldest congregation ordered thirty days' mourning after the lover of the oppressed, God has been with all the Jews in Iowa and new tidings of a more cheerful nature came to pass upon them in the various places of their sojourning. AFTER THE WAR 225 CHAPTER XXIl. EVENTS AMONG IOWA JEWS DURING AND AFTER THE WAR PRIOR TO THE ESTABLISHMENT OF PERMA- NENT ORGANIZATIONS^ 186O-1873. McGregor, "Newport of Iowa" — Isaiah Frankel — ^Jews Be- gin to Settle in Des Moines — Germans and Russians — How First Peddlers of Among the Russian Jews Came to Des Moines — ^List of Prominent Men — First Mynion in Des Moines — Keokuk Advancing — ^Burlington Awakens. The picturesque little city, McGregor, situated on the Mississippi, in Clayton county, might justly be styled the Newix>rt of Iowa Jewries, and, had the small but flourishing Jewish commimity of that town been careful in preserving a record of their experiences, they certainly would have done an invaluable service to the cause of history. But, alas, as it is today, all that can be transmitted to posterity is a mea- gre account collected from oral communications, dry bic^jraph- ical sketches and scattered fragments in the form of a name. "Old timers" claim that the Jews settled in Mc- Gregor "very early," but as the town itself was laid out on a tract of land belonging to James and Duncan McGregor in 1846, there was no possibility for any Jew to have been there az6 THE JEWS OF IOWA "very early," besides, there appears no Jewish name on any record prior to i860. Possibly some stragglers have been in McGregor at intervals during 1846-60, but of them no men- tion is made. The first Jewish settler of that town was Mr. B. Strauss, a prosperous' and prominent citizen ; his name appears upon a Masonic record, for he was one of the founders and a char- ter member of Clayton Chapter No. 27, which was organ- ized October 29, i860. In 1862, Mr. Louis Hirshfield, .who subsequently became one of the formost citizens in Qaytcm county, came to McGregor and established a large clothing house. Mr. Hirshfield was born in Sehneidmuhl, Prussia, September 19, 1833, 3"^ came to America at a tender age. His adventures bear the stamp of those days. Peddling, frequent change in headquarters, a start with less than nothing — having pawned a suit of clothes for $5.00 to buy Yankee notions with — and final success. On July 12, 1857, he mar- ried Miss Rosalia Summerfield, and succeeded in making a handsome fortune and in preserving a good name.. He, as .the author of Clayton county history has it, "was a member of the Bnai Sholem congregation of Chicago and secretary of the McGregor Lodge I. O. B. B. Daniel No. 128." Hence, it appears that the little McGregor Jewry was well equipped with the institutions marking the progress of a Jewish com- munity. In but five years the little town could boast of the follow- ing Jewish merchants: B. Strauss, Louie Hirshfield, Abra- ham Cohen, Louis Metzger, Leopold Isaacs, B. Rosenthal, AFTER THE WAR Bended Cohen, A\"illiam Cohen, S. Rauh, (^secretary of the Keokuk con^egation during the fifties) D. Abrams, M. Katzky, L. G. Levy and Charles Stearn. They have had a ^lynion for several years, and Mr. Leo- pold Isaacs (subsequent!}- of Xew York") volunteered to act LEOPOLD ISAACS ,In Possession of Mrs. %\"eil. Des Moines/' as the minister, for he was well qualified for the position. It seems that they were the first "reformers" in Iowa, for at no time was there made an eft'ort to bring a Schochet or to estab- lish all other orthodox institutions, although the Ashkenaz ritual was adhered to. 228 THE JEWS OF IOWA The wealthiest Jew of McGregor, who probably was the wealthiest of all Jews in Iowa at the conclusion of the war. was Abraham Cohen. His large wholesale establishment, of which L. G. Levy and Charles Stearn were partners, employ- ed, besides clerks, ten travelling men, besides this he had a large store in Prairie du Chein, Wisconsin, which is situated opposite McGregor. Mr. Cohen was born in Baden, Ger- many, and had the same career as all other Jewish pioneers during the first half of the nineteenth century. It also appears that the Jews were most prominent in the affairs of the city and county, although they have refused many tenders of responsible offices. Three of them, however, have served as councilmen of the town. They were Jacob Strouse (1866), Louis Metzger (1876) and A. Samuels (1872-73.) When the river front towns commenced to decline most of the McGregor merchants removed to larger cities, some going to Wisconsin and the millde west, others to New York and the east, while but a small number of them were scattered in dif- ferent parts of Iowa, and today none of the old settlers or of their children are to be found in the beautiful little town of McGregor. What is to be regarded as the first real orthodox wedding in Iowa was solemnized at Davenport on January 20, 1864. The contracting parties were Mr. Isaiah Frankel and Miss Bubette Shauerman. Rabbi Kunrinter, of Chicago, officiated. The facsimile of the Kethuhak (orthodox Jewish marriage contract) is herewith reproduced, for it certainly is the old- ? V:::_V!)^->'1_V)«' \y'" \''%^ Vi'-»«' \-?Vi. -^,_-,i'_r^2:_;r9K' Vvv* ■^vdo «^£)K ^Jf i J-""' ''^Ji' i"ff-^*^ '^ntr^p WW Vp .y o»^) ^T ttC/i-^olOl Ha l(l/>p>Oy •''i<^ 'd((*? M'y, FIRST KTHUBAH WRITTEN IX IOWA Ff:££ TKAXSLA TIl 'X This is to certify, that on the... -. day of the week the day of the month in the year the holy covenant of marriage was entered into in between the Bridegroom and the Bride Tiie said Bridej;room made the following declaration to his Bride: ■■ Be thou my wife according to the law of Moses and Israel, I faithfully promise that I will be a true husband unto thee; I will honor and cherish thee; I will work for thee; I will protect and support thee, and will provide all that is neces- sary for thy due sustenance, even as it beseeiueth a Jewish husband to do. I also take upon myself all such further obligations for thy maintenance during tliv life-time, as are prescribed by our religious statute And the said bride has plighted her troth unto hi ni, in affection and in sincerity, and has thus taken upon herself the fuUfillment of ill the duties incumbent upon a Jewish wife. This Covenant of marriage was duly executed and witnessed this day according to the usage of Israel. Witnesses: 230 THE JEWS OF IOWA est document of its kind written on Iowa soil. Of course there were Jewish marriages in Iowa before, but most of them, from what it appears, have been solemnized without the usual orthodox ceremony, and some, chiefly in McGregor, have employed a justice of the peace and made a "legal wed- ding." The family Frankel today is one of the foremost Jewish families in Iowa and the middle west in so far as wealth is concerned. The founder of the distinguished family was Isaiah Frankel. He was born in Essenhausen, Bavaria, Oc- tober 14, 1832, and in 1855, he came to seek his fortune in the Hoosier State. His efforts in Indiana- proved futile. He then moved to Missouri, but even there Fortune refused to favor him, and the result was that he came to Oskaloosa, Ma- haska county, Iowa, and here he began to watch his chances. When he married he had but good hopes and a little store which he had started after peddling for almost three years. But his wife, who was herself a distinguished lady of rare re- finement and chaste character, brought him fortune, courage and everything necessary to start on the direct road to success. In but nine years the little store was converted into a small banking establishment and a large store, and from 1873, till the day of his death (April i, 1897) he was the fore- most citizen in Mahaska county and many counties around. He was a devoted orthodox Jew most of his life time, and never till the day of his death did he put "the air of a new millionaire" upon himself. He really lived a simple life, be- coming a Jewish pioneer of the patriarchal age of Iowa's de- velopment. AFTER THE WAR 231 Hfj wife is yet among the living (1904) and is doing charity in the old fashioned Jewish way, that is, she gives as much as is needed in real needy places and makes as little noise as possible about it. Mrs. Frankel is a sister to the Shauermans, who constitute a large and influential, family in Des Moines. The young Frankels are now all in Des Moines, and are among the wealthiest of the Jewish commun- ity of Iowa's metropolis; but the bank which Mr. Isaiah Fran- kel had established in Oskaloosa is yet flourishing in that town and is one of the safest houses of finance in Iowa. Besides the mercantile and banking business Mr. Frankel was a great stock raiser, and his Xorman and Clydesdale horses were among the best in that part of Iowa. Politically he was a democrat, but mixed himself in politics as little as possible, yet as his neighbors urged upon him to represent them in some political way, he consented to serve them in the city council. His partner for many years was Mr. Bach, who subsequently removed to Chicago. Great, indeed, were and are the opportimities of this country, particularly for the Jew who, alas, is deprived of every opportunity among his ene^ mies abroad! Meantime signs of a future Jewry in Des Moines began to appear. Fate had destined the Jew to be carried away to unbroken regions more than once in his history, yet, when he came to assist in upbuilding American cities, the Jew was not only rewarded with a fair share of the general prosperity of the land, but he even was made a leader in msny avenues of temporal importance hitherto shut against h . Such was the making of the Jewish history of America in 232 THE JEWS OF IOWA general and such were the fortunes of those Jews who came to Iowa. And, although the development of every Jewish com- First lewibh Banker io Iowa munity in Iowa, particularly that of Des Moines, was marked with problematical enigmas, discouraging incidents, discoi»- forting draw backs and numerous disappointments, it has, nevertheless, resulted in ultimate success. AFTER THE WAR 233 As it has been pointed out in the preceding chapters, the presence of a Jew witnessed the dawn of the history of Des Moines, and as it also has been shown, Jews were among its loading merchants before, and at the outbreak of the Civil War; but the influx of immigration which marked the close of the war brought many Jews to this state and a good- ly portion of them came to Des Moines. Unlike all other communities hitherto mentioned in this work, has been the Des Moines Jewry from its very inception ; no account can be given of them collectively, for geographical differences of their respective countries, and of the city of Des Moines itself, made it impossible for the Jews who came thither to organize themselves into one community.- The first Jews who landed in Des Moines were mostly of German provinces; some were of Bavaria, Saxony and western Prus- sia, others of. Poland, which belongs to Germany, and of eastern Prussia, while still others have come from Austria, Alsace and Hungary, and became Germans by "adoptation" or "choice." Nearly all of those ha^'e located themselves in West Des Moines, for during the early sixties what is now East Des Moines was a vast prairie drowned in mud on rainy days and in sand during the days of sunshine. Those who were and are styled as Polish or Russian'Jews, came here after the war, and as most of them were green, poor and peddlers, they hired headquarters on the East side, which is now East Des Moines. Practically all of the Rus- sian-Jewish pioneers of Des Moines were of the Province Suwalk, which is situated close to the Lithuanian line on the 234 THE JEWS OF IOWA River Niemen. Some of them were of Kalvary and Volkovisk of that province while most of them were of the little town Pilvissok. They were, indeed, one people sentimentally. They. were on common ground: — ^Jews — believing in the same Jehovah, who proclaimed all of them to be one God-chosen people; but lo, how varied have been their intellectual development, their mannerism, their language and very thinking! The former were Germans although some spark of ghetto life still was at- tached to their bearing in a new country. The latter, were the real children of ghetto with a jargon as a means of com- munication among themselves and with their fellowmen. The former had the benefit of a German culture, although mixed with a taint of Jewishness. The latter had inherited the very ghetto manners with all their disadvantages indelibly imprinted upon their countenances in addition to their common poverty. From the very beginning it was easily discerned that the for- mer have the Mendelssohnian stamp in the bottom of their hearts, and that the latter were in full possession of the strict- ness O'f Orthodoxy as expounded by the Goan of Vilna — in short the final division between Orthodoxy and Reform was obvious the very day both classes were permitted to breath the air of liberty. The same was true in every other community of thi§ country, which were the primary reasons for an ulti- mate movement of Jewish, radicalismi. Materially neither the German nor the Russian Jew could boast of any wealth, and, because the former were in the ma- jority prior to 1873, they had a large number of merchants among them. Yet, notwithstanding the inevitable hardships AFTER THE WAR 235 which every pioneer had to endure and which also came to pass upon them, most of both classes were on the path 0/ success. Practically all the polish Jews who came to Des Moines between the years 1867 and 1869, have first lived for a brief period in and about Rochester, N. Y. There, two townsmen of theirs established a "peddler supply" and "gave" them goods on credit. About that time there came a youth named Ben Co- hen to Rochester, and, as he also was of Pilvissok the mer- chants were glad to give him a pack of goods on credit. The young lad demanded a bill of the wholesale merchants — something very strange toi the latter for they were only prompt in handing them statements as soon as they came to town, but the peddlers never knew the exact price of goods. The other peddlers opened their eyes and looked very strange upon their benefactors, and young Cohen gave them a lesson or two in how to be peddlers. The merchants subi- mitted their own bills, proved their honesty and "made up" with their customers. Yet, the little Cohen was much between them and large profits, they have, therefore, concluded to have the entire headquarters removed far away, where the green" Cohen lad could not find the way. Benny had but few dollars worth of his own goods when he left on a trip through the New York fields and, alack, when he returned, he found none of his friends about the place, for they had all disap^ peared to parts unknown to him. He had about $37.00 in cash and about five or six dollars worth of goods when he was left alone deserted by his tntstful chums. But, he, however had something more than that, that is good common sense. 236 THF JEWS OF IOWA He went to the depot and asked the agent to inform,' him where a band of peddlers, green looking fellows, went to. "To Iowa City, Iowa," was the prompt reply. He left the same day for the strange place, and when he got to Iowa City he met all his friends unpacking the cases of goods which had just reached the place from Rochester. For a long time it was a mystery to the peddlers how Ben found Iowa City, and now when Mr. Cohen is the largest real estate dealer among the orthodox Jews in Des Moines, he recounts the story with a pleasant smile, remarking that he likes to see fair play all around. But these peddlers could not well adapt themselves to the climate of Johnson County, and, soon they removed to Des Moines. One of them, a Mr. Harris Franklin, also born in Pil- vissok, became a millionaire, and now is interested in the mines, railroads and banking establishments of Deadwood, South Dakota. Among them was also Mr. Wolf Frank, bom at Sydarg, Poland, in 1820, who, in a way, was the founder of Orthodoxy in Des Moines. He was the oldest among them, having beai a business man in Kalvary before he came to this country, and besides, he was the most scholarly one among the Jewish pioneers of Des Moines for a number of years. He opened a boarding house, imported a Schochet, and enjoyed the respect of all peddlers during those days. He is now (1904) ex- tremely old, and the most pious Jew in Iowa. A man whomi all the peddlers have agreed to call the "hon- est and truthful" was Abe Cohen, brother to Ben, and he also made quite a success in life retaining his honesty and truth- fulness even unto this day. AFTER THE WAR ■:j7 The German Jewish colony on the West side could boast of a number of prominent men who subsequently became the leading merchants of Iowa's metropolis. Successful among MR. WOLF FRAXK the rest were Joseph Kuhn. N. Goldstone. S. Redstone, J. !Mandelbaum, A. Lederer. S. Joseph. D. Goldman, L. Samish, Moritz Riegelman. L. Hirsh, Joseph Riegelman, and young 238 THE JEWS OF IOWA Henry Reigelman, son of Moritz. Practically all of these gen- tlemen were heads of distinguished families among the Jews of Iowa. In 1869, Mynion was held on both sides of the river, which was practically the foundation for the two oldest congrega- tions in Des Moines, the Bnai Israel on the East side and the Bnai Yeshurun on the West side of the river. In Keokuk the Bnai Israel congregatian went from strength to strength until it became an institution of the town as well as of the Jewish colony, for the ladies have taken a hand in congregational matters and put forth every effort to raise funds for the erection of a synagogue. During the years of 1865-73, the number of Iowa Jews was doubled and signs of progressiveness were marked upon every Jewish colony of the state. They have invaded every branch of commerce and industry and have become leaders in the affairs of the state as well. Even Burlington awakened from its religious slumber during the year 1872, and was at the verge of establishing a Jewish congregation; but for some reason (maybe Satan chained the projector) they waited yet another year to estab- lish their only and short lived congregation. Suffice it to say, for sooth, that thus far the Jews whether German or Polish, Orthodox or Reform kept pace with the trend of the times in Iowa. JEWS IN IOWA'S METROPOLIS 239 CHAPTER XYIII. ADVENTURES OF THE JEWS IN IOWA's METROPOLIS, 1873-1885. Life Among the Ghettoites — Religious Spirit Predominative Power of Pioneers — Social Life During Early Days — ^West Des Moines Jewry — Struggle at the Departure of Ortho- doxy — Splendid Work of Jewish Ladies — Congregation Bnai Yesurim-— Congregation Bnai Israel — -Progress of Both Divisions — Charity on the East Side — Synagogues Planned for on Both Sides. As the days of Iowa's progress rolled on the advancing column of her Jeivish citizens became more and more conspic- uous and, as the general procession was headed toward Des Moines, the aggressive Jewish wing was easily distinguished among the heroic host even in the Capital City. The peddler of a decade ago became a prosperous mer- chant, an ingenious manufacturer, a shrewd financier, all of whom invested their time, money and energy in improving the commerce and industry and in upbuilding the streets of Iowa's beautiful metropolis. The very Jew, who but a cou- ple of years ago dreaded the sight of an Iowa City constable as he did the appearance of a Zinovenick (revenue collector) in Pilvissak, could now boast of a little fortune, could con- 240 THE JEWS OF IOWA verse with his neighbors in the vernacular of Polk county, could feel and enjoy the happiness of a free country. The very newcomer, even for him' there was ready a store of in- formation, a host of friends, plenty of advice, some one to teach him' a few English words, such as how to ask for lodg- ing, for a meal, for a drink of water, besides a Ko\sher board- ing house, a mynion and many chums. Indeed, the immigrant of 1873, was fortunate; he was spared from passing through the seven gates of Hinom; he was at once furnished with a geopraphical and topographical description of several coun- ties, and even a list of the names of all such farmers who were apt to refuse goods in exchange for board and lodging was fur- nished to him. Those were the golden days of the Iowa ped- dler; he was at ease from, the legislative authorities, at rest from, attacks of competitory country merchants, and at liberty to pursue his sort of vocation without being called a pauper, a degenerator and an unnecessary evil. Life in the little Jewish colony on the East Side was any- thing but progressive, in a modern sense of the word, during the first decade of their sojourn in Iowa. The six working days were spent in the country which was, indeed, a hard- working, cheerless existence, and when they came to town but little pleasure was in store for them; they spent most of their time in selecting new goods, settling accounts and plan- ning a route for the next trip. Probably their greatest joy was during the couple of hours they would congregate in a little room which they named schule (synagogue) ; there they would forget all their temporal cares, all their earthly bur- dens and deepen themselves into sweet thoughts of the great JEWS IN IOWA'S METROPOLIS 241 future in store for the people of Israel, of the eternal life so strongly hoped for by every pious man and woman in Israel, of - the final deliverance of the scattered race. From 1869, till April 25, 1876, when the congregation Bnai Israel was chartered, services were held during intervals only, when one had to commemorate the anniversary of the death of a parent, (Yahrzeit) on holidays and on fast days, particularly on the gth, day of the month Ab, the anniversary of the destruction of the Temple, mynion would be held, either at the house of some one among them, or at the little schule. It cannot be said that they lived up to the letter of Orthodox Judaism, for conditions were largely against strict observance of Orthodoxy; but no sooner have they found themselves to- gether than the spirit of Judaism^ would prevail over them and whatever Jewishness there could be practiced none hesi- tated even though time and money had to be sacrificed for it. Social life, so to speak, was altogether unknown to thenl, notwithstanding the fact that most of them were single men and even the married folks were still young. The ghetto spirit was still moving about their tents, and nothing to dis- credit young people has, therefore, occurred. There were no Jewish girls, either from abroad or born in this country, and all the pleasures of the youthful hearts were, therefore, absent from the little Jewish colony. In this respect every other Jewish community throughout the state suffered the want of the society of their kind of women, and, from whatever records there could be traced, about a score of the young Iowa Jews have told their woes to the daughters of the Hibernians and the 242 THE JEWS OF IOWA latter listened to their sighs attentively and subsequently were proud to adopt Jewish names. But none of the Des Moines youths resorted to inter-marriage for even like unto the manna in the wilderness the charming daughters of Judah came hith- er, and happy was the sturdy pioneer who found grace in the eye's of a newly arrived damsel. Whatever amusement the East Des Moines Jewish colony indulged in, took place in their little schule, and it consisted of but very little profanity, indeed. It took place chiefly on joy- ous occasions, such as Purim, Simchath Tor ah (the last day of the feast of Tabarnacles, when the last chapter of the Bible is read) and the like. Then, all of their troubles would be for- gotten and the day would be celebrated in a good old Jewish fashion. But it oftentimes happened that in the midst of their glee a sudden meloncholy would overtake them, and more than once it happened that such gay gatherings would end in silent tears. A feeling, peculiar to the afflicted people of Is- rael only, would invade their hearts, and a spirit of longing for that something Israel suffers would depress their joy, and many fantastic scenes would dazzle their eyes so that tears would roll down their faces without realizing the cause thereof. Among the German Jews on the West Side, life was some- what more progressive, more Americanized, although even they had as yet not wholly forgotten their homes, their strug- gles, the fate of their relatives abroad. Their sort of life was as godly and pure as that of their East Side brethren, but their Jewishness was not possessed of so much of the gheitto •pirit. JEWS IN IOWA'S METROPOLIS 243 Socially they were among the aristcx:racy of the Des Moines pioneers, and whatever good Des Moines has today a goodly share of it must be accredited to them. They were the promoters of modern life in the growing town, as were all other Jewish pioneers in the other fair cities of Iowa, and whatever prosperity there came in their way was the just re- ward of upright and thrifty workers. When their number was increased, the first thought was their religion, and after the holidays of 1873, a meeting was called together and the congregation Bnai Yeshurun was or- ganized. The following were the first officers of Bnai Yesh- urun: Joseph Kuhn, president; J. Mandelbaum, vice presi- dent; S. Redstone, secretaiy; G. Jacobs, treasurer; A. Led- erer, D. Goldman and S. Goldstone, trustees (October 12, 1873-) The services were to be conducted in accordance with the Orthodox ritual, and every encouragement was given to pro- mote the strict observance of all Orthodox laws possible to maintain under the existing conditions of this country. The constitution was originally drafted in the German language, but it was subsequently thranslated into English by Mess. H. Reigelman, J. Mandelbaum: and S'. Redstone. The progress of the newly organized congregation was remarkable, for with- in the space of one year's time a cemetery was purchased (Jan- uary II, 1874), the need of a minister was recognized and a certain Jacobs was elected to preside over their spiritual aff9.irs with a salary of $25.00 per month (June 8, 1874), and the Union of American Hebrew Congregations was joined. The 244 THE JEWS OF IOWA latter act was the first step toward a gradual reformation, and that was also the first initiative of that kind taken by any Jewish congregationi in Iowa. For, notwithstanding the. fact that the U. A. H. C. never intended to go as far as it did when the project of a union was first promulgated, it, never- theless, was the aim. of its promoters to drift as far as possi- ble from' Orthodoxy. The first minister of the Bnai Yeshurun was retained but for two months, and, as it was close to the holidays of 1874, Mr. L. Samish, who was the most learned in the Jewish re- ligion among the West Siders, was requested to officiate dur- ing the holidays and he did it much to the satisfaction of the worshipers. Mr. Samish was a successful business man and considered among the foremost members of the West Des Moines Jewery all his lifetime; he died in 1875, leaving an everlasting impression upon his friends. The next minister of the Bnai Yeshuran was a Mr. F. Shauer of Milwaukee; his salary was $400 annually, and he introduced many "reforms" such as not to smoke in schule, not to whisper, talk, or laugh while the services were going on, and, indeed, he put new life in the career of the little congregation. Besides these, actual Reform Judaism began to invade the headquarters of the Bnai Yeshuran, for on November i, 1874, tt was decided unanimously to inaugurate the Minhag America m their services. The 'first public function given under the auspices of the West Side Jews, was a Purim ball (1875) and it was a success from every view point. That was really the foundation for JEWS IN IOWA'S METROPOLIS 245 Jewish charities in the city of Des Moines. The net profit of the ball was $230, which was handed over to the treasurer of the Bnai Yeshurun congregation. Mr. M. Riegelman was the president tluring 1874-75, and it was during his administration JULIUS M.^NDELBAU.M that so many eventful changes took place in the congregation. During the year 1876-77, JMr. Julius Mandelbaum was the president of the Bani Yeshurun, and it appears that the con- gregation made marvelous steps forward, for, in but a few 246 THE ]£WS OF IOWA months after his installation. Mess. A. Lederer, I. Kuhn and D. Goldman were appointed as a committee to look for a suit- able site where a permanent synagogue might be erected. Mr. Julius Mandelbaum is also the present president of Temple Bnai Yeshurun, ( 1903) and in this respect he has made a record for himself among all those Jews of Iowa who have served their co-religionists in religious matters. And, al- though several other gentlemen have worked as hard to ac- complish the ultimate success of the foremost Jewish congre- gation in Iowa, none, however, have worked as long as he did. Mr. Mandelbaum. was born in Nurenburg, Bovaria, March 13, 1837, and landed in New Yory City in 1852. Struggles, disadvantages and disappointments overtook him and troubled him for several years, until, as in most cases with all other Iowa successful Jews, his career was crowned with wealth, esteem and honorable success. As the parting of the seasons, of life from death, of mother from child, appears the parting of Orthodoxy from the Bnai Yeshurun. Many strenuous efforts wei'e made to retain the dietary laws and many other of the endeared ceremonies of historic Judaism.. The fight appears to have been a noble one. But the general tide of radicalism, which swept the very- germ, of Orthodoxy from every wealthier community in the country, struck also the prosperous West Siders and everything conservative was eventually cleared off of the way. Yet were their efforts sincere. They have established a Reform congregation, not for mere boastfulness, not to satisfy the whim of mimicry which phgued so many denomin- JEWS IN IOWA'S METROPILIS 247 ations in this country as the nineteenth century grew older and the world was continually appearing, younger, prettier and more fashionable. They have thought, — such was their argument — that their way was the best to preserve and secure the perpetuity of Judaism in this country. Great gooid was accomplished through their fight for ultimate reformation. Their children have at least had the benefit of knowing the spirit of Judaism, of becoming familiar with the fundamental principles of religion — something the Orthodox children of those days could not possibly learn to know. During the month of July, 1877, the West Side communi- ty sustained a great loss in the death of one of their co-work- ers, namely, IMrs. Joseph Kuhn. Lengthy resokitions in the lady's praise were offered and adopted unanimously, and it appears that she was a great help during her lifetime to every good and charitable cause. During the year 1878, the Bnai Yeshurun lived through a crisis which was apparently from no other source than the prevailing Orthodox sentiments of many members. A. Led- erer, J. Alexander and M. Schloss, president, vice president and secretary respectively, resigned and I. Kuhn, S. Gold- stone and Samish filled the vacancies. But, be it said to their credit, that none of the kind of diflficulties and divisions which have marked the formation of Orthodox congregations in this country, has ever happened among the reformers, no matter how bitter the feelings of some members were. The next ministers prior to the inauguration of an English preacher in the services of the Bnai Yeshurun were. Mr. Pol- 248 THE JEWS OF IOWA lock and Mr. Ehishner, but the gradual demand for a preacher left no more room for that sort of ministers among the Re- form Jews in 'Des Moines and on December 4, 1881, Rev. Davidson, of Ottumwa, la., was elected to serve the congre- gation as teacher and preacher. But the real spirit of the Jewish community were the la- dies ; they have not only been the helpers of the poor, the de- liverers of the distressed, but have even been foremost in perpetuating Judaism in their newly adopted country. They have kept their houses piure, and godly and open for every one who needed help; they have braved every weather, and dared everything righteous in their efforts to col- lect money for the sake of a sacred cause, for the sake* of alleviating sufferings and for the sake of maintain- ing what they thought was sacred to Israel. Indeed, if a detailed account be given of every good Jew or Jewess in Des Moines from the foundation of the Jewry of this city, a volume could be filled of the many beautiful tales connected with the story of every one's adventures, something impossible even to attempt in a collective history of all the Jewries of this state. Practically all the ladies whose husbands have been mentioned in the preceding paragraphs have been prominent- ly identified in religious and charitable work; in the latter, however, there was no denominational line drawn, for they have helped all the needy and distressed, and every pioneer even unto this day bears witness of the heroic work of the Jewish ladies. The congregation Bnai Israel of Elast Des Moines \\as chartered April 25, 1876, and the following is a list of those JEWS IN IOWA'S METROPOLIS 249 Upon the charter: Joseph Blotcky, M. Franlt, Wolf Frank, Ben Cohen, Samuel Arenberg, David Cohen, Isaac Goldberg and Moses L. Levin. But, as it has been pointed out before, the congregation was founded in 1869, when services were first held in East Des Moines. The progress of the Bnai Israel prior to 1885, when a site was purchased and the building of a synagogue commenced, «ums up with but very little interesting event to narrate. There IS a good deal of sameness in the formation of every Ortho- , mLA m. % m E^ li 1 ^1 mm^^^^ P--T -«« W00^ 1 flpi l^^P ' -.ii"'^--~J ■feriir ^ ^^0^-^^^y^.,,y^yy,r*.v.^f,Jil TEMPLE EMANUEL Davenport On August 25, 1889, a new law in Judaism was enacted by the Bnai Israel, although they were not the originators of the project. It was unanimously voted that the established law in THE DAVENPORT JEWRY 281 Judaism that a Mynion is constituted only of ten males over thirteen years of age was too much against civilization and, in- stead, they have made it a law in Israel that ten persons, male or female, over thirteen years of age, shall henceforth be con- sidered a mynion to conduct services with. Such decree had ah-eady been promulgated by the Conference of Reform rabbis in the famous Pittsburg platform, but in Iowa the Davenport Jewry was first in agreeing with the modem sages of Israel The reason for enacting that law is more because of lack oi attendance in Reform. Temples during services than for plac- ing the Jewish ladies on equal footing with their husbands, fathers and brothers in Judaism. Women, originally, were thought to occupy themselves more with domestic matters, added to that was the fact that Jewish services were to be con- ducted by ten Israelites who were to wear phylacteries and fringes during week days, and fringes (Talith) during Sab- baths and holidays, which women were excused from wearing for several reasons, and good ones, too; but modem Jewish the- ologians have cast all those symbols away and decided that women were capable of performing religious services equal to men. But history must pass over such steps peaceful- ly so long women were not advised to go to war. After the equalization of women by the Bnai Israel, it was discovered that Rev. I. Fall was too old for the congregation, and even his music, although assisted by a hired choir, was thought too ancient, which were good grounds to discharge him before the holidays of the year 5650 (August 5, 1890) notwithstanding his pleadings and protests and claims. But 282 THE JEWS OF IOWA God had in store a course of purgatives for the Bnai Israel; He inflicted upon them a product of the chaotic period as the successor of the peaceful and meek Mr. Fall. He was a stray- sheep, knowing no road in Judaism, having in his mind that everything hitherto forbidden was now free to partake of, and, once having come to that conclusion, no fence to check his de- moralizing speed was lejFt. He was a Mr. Freuder, originally from Minneapolis and an Hungarian by birth. No sooner has he assimied charge of the Bnai Israel than disagreement dissension and discontentment arose among the members and it threatened to overthrow the entire construction built with the sweat and blood of the pioneers. Freuder was soon dismissed,' but his last act which was to declare himself a convert to Christianity, caused still more uproar in the Jewish commun- ity until a repott of one meeting reads that not a single mem- ber would pledge himself to contribute toward the salary of a minister. He did it to spite the Jews of Davenport, but many even of the sound-minded among them, at the time, would not consider the fact that it was for the good of Judaism that he has thus exposed himself, and, instead, their indignation was directed against the religion of their fathers. But' that was only a whirlwind which lasted but a few moments, and no sooner did the sun appear than the entire horizon looked as bright as ever. The climax of the unpleasant event was reach- ed on September ii, 1892, during Mr. I. Rotschild's admin- istration, who had filled the unexpired term of Louis A. Ochs after the latter resigned. That meeting was the most disorderly one in the history of the Davenport Jewry, for no business could be transacted and no officers were possible to choose. THE DAVENPORT JEWRY 283 Mr. M. Raphael, though old, undertook to pacify the disturbed minds and that great pioneer succeeded most remarkably in his undertaking, for soon the Jewish horizon in Davenport was brightened and the cloud disappeared. Another great champion to fight the cause of justice to everybody was Mr. D. Rotschild, Sr., and, while the cloud was hanging to overshadow the glory of the commtinity, he was the bright star to herald the future dawn of the golden period of unity and concord. Hitherto all such members who lived in Rock Island and Moline, Illinois, have not received an equal share of benefits in the Bnai Israel congregation, although they have paid dues as well as their Davenport brethren. When the Temple was built they also have contributed accord- ingly, and when they were not permitted to serve on the school board, etc., a general murmur was current among them and they were about to sever their connections with the Bnai Israel. Mr. D. Rotschild, Sr., took up their cause and championed it ^vigorously until he succeeded in gaining for them final equal- ization. Among the prominent members of the Illinois side of the Mississippi who assisted every undertaking of Bnai Israel are: W. A. Rosenfield, A. Rosenfield, Joseph Rosenfield, Mrs. Julia E. Rosenfield, M. A. Loeb, M. C. Rice, Rock Is- land, and Sol. Hirsh, Simon Hirsh and L. Rosenstein, Moline. The Rosenfield family, although geographically living in Illin- ois, are, and have been identified in all matters of religion and benevolence of Iowa, and theirs is another great name which has been glorified with wealth, honor and philanthropy during the course of events among the Jews of Iowa. 284 THE JEWS OF IOWA On February 19, 1892, Rev. J. Kahn was elected to" direct the spiritual affairs of the Bnai Israel and from that day the congregation continued to proceed from strength to strength until it has become the leading Reform Jewish community in Iowa. Rev. Kahn served the Bnai Israel for three years, and after him, Rev. Maurice Thorner was elected. During the latter's first year Mr. D. Rotschild was chosen president of the congregation and Mr. Martin Silberstein became a factor in the Davenport Jewry. During the years 1897- 1900, Mr. Joseph Ochs presided over the congregational affairs and his administration was marked with great success. The present minister. Rev. W. H. Fineshriber, who is still a young man, leads his flock, with extraordinary ability, according to the Cincinnati platform and enjoys the esteem of Jew and Gentile alike. In commerce and industry the Davenport Jewry even ex- cels Des Moines, for, according to the size of the population, the former has more merchants and men of wealth than the latter. There is a remarkable absence of artisans among the Jews of Devenport, for most of the newly arrived immigrants are resorting to peddling, although some of them are tailors, shoe makers, bakers and carpenters. The most prominent one in the Davenport Jewry to exert some political influence is Martin Silberstein, but there is, however, not one among them who cares for political jobs. In their relationship with their Gentile brethren they are equal to the Des Moines and Sioux City Jews and even closer, for they frequently exchange min- isters and pulpits and the brotherhcod of man cannot be closer THE DAVENPURT JEWRY 285 together than when the Jews hsten to a sermon delivered in their synagogue by a Gentile preacher and when the Gentiles invite a Jewish Rabbi to preach in their churches. Orthodoxy cannot gain any strorighpld in Davenport, and the few orthodox Jewish families, who are uncompromising and are living in Davenport have to cross the Mississippi to Rock Island in order to enjoy good old fashioned Judaism.' It is as hard for a Davenport Jew to be an orthodox as it is for a Rock Island Jew to be a reformeir, and, whether Iowa or Illinois has the best of Judaism the future will chron- icle. Rock Island is a unique little Jewish community. It is a ghetto in the full meaning of the word. All keep Sabbath. Friday evening puts a holy garb over that part of Rock Island where stands the beautiful little schule. Through every window of a Jewish habitation lurk the Sabbath can- dles. Every maiden wears the identical blush of her ghetto sister in the hands of exile. One forgets he is in the rushing center of the Trio Gty when he comes into the little synagogue and beholds young and old gracing the Sabbath in a most orthodox way. Here again the European Jew sees the sacredness of ancient Judaism winking unto him from every bench, from the almemer, through the candlesticks — but, be- hold, the tapers of electricity which burst through the chande- liers marks the great change! The Jewry which now numbers about five hundred Jewish souls, was founded in 1881, by Mr. < M. Morris, who came fromi Slabody, Province Suwalk, and when the outbreak in Southern Russia left so many of the Jews THE JEWS OF IOWA homeless, quite a number of them came to Rock Island in search of a home and bread. Mr. Morris became the dealer, while all other Jews were "his peddlers." Since, Mr. Morris be- came an influential business man, while all the other Jews of ISAAC ROTHSCHILD Rock Island are faring quite prosperously. They teach their children as they were instructed themselves and for Jewishness Rock Island remains matchless among the smaller Jewish com- munities in America. Among the others who have taken care of THE DAVENPORT JEWRY 387 the weal of the Rock Island Jewry are, Simon Louis, Jacob Taxman, A". Baker and S. Silverman. The latter is of the old type Jewish teachers who sacrificed his health in his efforts to perpetuate Judaism among the young Americans. MRS. ROSA ROTHSCHILD There was not a single Jew, since the Davenport Jewry was founded, sentenced for any felony, and only four Jews were in- mates of the Scott county jail during the years 1848-96. The 288 THE JEWS OF IOWA family love, singular to Jewish, life, holds sway in Davenport also, and only three divorce cases appear on the records be- tween the years 1865-1893. Only one case of insanity aiq)ears during the entire history of the Jews of Davenport and not a single Jew or Jewess were ever sent to a county or state asylum. The Davenport Jewry has in its midst a niece of the late baron Berthold Auerbach, the ppet^ — the only Jewish lady in Iowa connected with a titled family — ^whose name is Rose Rothschild (born 1846). Her husband, Mr. I. Rothschild (born 1844) is one of the foremost Jewish citizens in lofwa, and at one time was one of the wealthiest merchants of Dav- enport He of all the Davenport Jewish pioneers, has the most romantic career back of him, but, notwithstanding the triumph of fate over his wealth, he retains his unimpeachable reputa- tion and is, even today, one of the influential and most dis- tinguished members of the Davenport Jewry. Mrs. Rosa Rothschild, besides her remarkable distinction, is a lady of great esteem and very useful in every noble under- taking of the Davenport ladies. On the whole the Davenport Jewish community is a model in itself and there are many families in Davenport, who, in the future, will be leading factors in the making of Jewish history in this glorious land. THE SIOUX CITY JEWRY aSg CHAPTER XXI. THE SIOUX CITY JEWRY, 1869-1903. Sioux City — Classification of the Jews— Cemetery Was First Thought of Pioneers — Godfrey Hattenbach — Founder of Cities — The Cer Zedek of Iowa — Second Rally of a Relig- ious Nature — Disinterment — ^Arrival of Persecuted Jews — Adventures of Orthodoxy — Ladies Inaugiuate Movement to Build a Temple — Sioux City Jewry Starts on a Golden Career. After the Civil War it came to pass, that zeal, indefatig- ableness, sound-mindedness, steadfastness, civilization, labor and craftiness formed an amalgamation and invaded the rocky hills, dreary valleys and cheerless plains round about an in- signficant townlet bearing the name of a savage tribe and, in but one score and ten years, turned the entire dreadful pano- rama into pleasant heights, kingly dales and picturesque . avenues adorned with palatial residences, magnificant structures rising far above the level of the Missouri ; busy working plants producing fabulous wealth, prosperouis business establishments combating each other in affluence and magnitude, immense school houses accommodating thousands of fairy-like young- sters in their pursuit of knowledge, tens of thousands of sturdy 290 THE JEWS OF IOWA men and beautiful women — all of whom testify the greatness, progressiveness, wealth and happiness which hold sway in the fair municipality known on the map as Sioux City, Iowa. In that city, among sixty thousand others, dwell close to two thousand souls of the House of Israel. Some of them proudly bear the stamp of Americanism, others are still climb- ing to reach that summit, while still others are as yet in full possession of the token of the wandering Jew. Some enjoy the pleasure of purchasing and disposing of Sioux Cit/s treasured soil, others are numbered among the princely merchants and captains of industry, while still others are happy to mend the cast off garments of SSoux City's privates and hire 'out the strength of their mjuscles for bread and home. Some worship Jehovah after the latest fashion, others are scheming a new de- sign to suit the taste of the rising generation, while still others are continuing to. worship even as the lark sings, without art, without a fixed scale. The Mount Sinai Temple lurks through the fashionable residences on the heights, and the Adath Yeshurun synagogue is hidden among the plain dwellings on the brink of a dale. It is very remarkable that the few Jewish pioneers of Sioux City should have thought of death before ever any form of an organization was considered. In Keokuk we have met the early Jews struggling to plant the seed of benevolence in their midst ; in Davenport, we found them craving for Kosher meat ; in Des Moines we beheld them longing for prayers and, strange indeed, in Sioux City we have to chronicle their anxiety about sepulchres. For, in 1869, when their entire number did not THE SIOUX CITY JEWRY 291 exceed twenty-five souls, a meeting took place among them and its prime object was a cemeten\ Mr. Godfrey Hatben- bach donated a certain lot, in "Coal's Addition" of that city, for the use of a Jewish burying-place, which was accepted and used as a cemetery till October 29, 18S4. This incident, how- MT. SINAI TEMPLE-SIOUX CITY ever, was of great importance to the ;\Iount Sinai congrega- tion, for it actually traces back its history to that year, not- withstanding the fact that no formal organization existed prior to 1884. Through a chain of incidents connected with the romantic career of ^Ir. Hattenbach the Sioux City Jewry — although verv small in number during the entire period of activity 292 THE JEWS OF IOWA among other Jewries of Iowa — has been making Jewish his- tory in several different ways. Thi« fact also places Mr. Hat- tenbach among the leading Jewish pioneers of Iowa and the northwest. THE LATE WM HATTENBACH Godfrey Hattenbach was born m Darmstadt, Hess-Cassel, Germany, March 13, 1813, and at the age of twenty-six he landed in Baltimore, where he commenced his career in this country as a peddler and laborer of all manners of hard work. THE SIOUX CITY JEWRY 293 Finding but little prosperity and still less delight in his various enterprises he came to Missouri (1848) and made a handsome fortune by peddling and subsequently by conducting a general store in St. Joseph, the town he assisted in laying out. During 1S52-53, he was engaged in auction and commission business in Cincinnati, Ohio, but, havinge met with several reverses he came out West and settled himself in Council Bluffs, Iowa, where he established a general store. He was a genuine specimen of the wandering Jew and could not forbear too much sameness and tranquility, and whenever he could find something to invest his genius in he was ready for action with- out hesitation. He left Council Bluffs and came to a piece of territory on the bank of the Mississippi river about ten njiles below Sioux City where a town was about to be founded. He plunged into the project at once and invested his entire capital as well as his en- ergy, time and hard labor in building up the town which was named Omadi, Nebraska, (1855.) But even there he re- fused to remain longer than two years, and in 1857, he landed opposite Sioux City, on the Nebraska side of the Missouri river, and laid out the town of Covington, Neb. There he was greet- ed with bright prospects and, relying upon good hopes, he built a hotel and made preparations to establish himself per- manently. But the natural elements were very cruel to him, for no sooner was he at ease that a storm swept his plant clear off of its foundation. He rebuilt the hotel and continued in Cov- ington persistently. And another storm struck his inn. Cruel, indeed. He was left without means, disheartened and dis- 294 THE JEWS OF IOWA mayed. But his undaunted courage did not yidd to fate's blows and, no sooner was he able to realize the shock than he was determined as ever to fight his battle for existence. ' The fate of Omadi was inundation, a havoc storm lifted the Missouri above its shores and washed away the entire work of men. Covington was subsequently merged into the pres- ent South Sioux City, Neb. Mr. Hattenbach became a fisher, out of which he made , money enough to start the first billard room in Sioux City (1858.) Having again acquired a handsome fortune he con- cluded to return to Cincinnati, which he did. There he was engaged in the cigar manufacturing business for three years and, for some reason, again returned to Sioux City, where be remaine until his death. (August 12, 1879.) While thus moving around, building, struggling, suf- fering, and triumphing, Mr. Hattenbach was blessed with six sons and one daughter, and that fair daughter of Judah was destined to honor the Iowa Jewry in a unique way. A most worthy young American', a des- cendant of a prominent Gentile family, named D. A. Ma- gee, fell in love with her and, seeing no other way to make the young Jewess his own, Mr. Magee went to Cincin- nati and became a full fledged Israelite according to the laws of Moses and Israel. Having entered the covenant of Abra- ham, he came homle and imparted the news to all of his friends and relatives and told them' that within their midst will he con- tinue as a Jew. He might justly be styled the Ger Zadek (righteous proselyte) of the Iowa Jewry, for not only has he THE SIOUX CITY JEWRY 295 proved his sincerity at the time he married Mr. Hattenbach's only daughter, but from the very first minute the Jews of Sioux City formed an organization even unto this day he con- tinued to take an active part in all Jewish matters. Subsequently the citizens of Sioux City honored Mr. Ma- gee and chose him as the mayor of their fair city, for he be- came wealthy as a packer, and influential among Jew and Gen- tile ahke. Appreciating this fact, the Iowa Jewry might well boast itsdf of the most worthy Ger Zedek in the whole history of the Jews of the United States. During the years 1869-84, several prominent families lo- cated themselves in Sioux City, and most of them' were success- ful in every one of their undertakings. No services were held, nor Orthodoxy in any form^ was resorted to prior to the arrival of a sufficient number of Russian and Polish Jews to constitute a mjmidn which, however, did not come to pass before 1892. The first meeting held under the auspices of the majority of the Sioux Qty Jews took place on June 27, 1884, when the Mount Sinai Cemetery Association was called into existence. Those who took an active interest in forming the organization D. A. Magee secretary, while Sig Shulien and Ch. Wise Magee, J. M. Cohen, J. Feldenheimer, S. Greenwald, H. Hey- man and M. Wise. Joseph Shulien was chosen president and D. A. Magee, secretary, while Sig. Shulien and Ch. Wise were appointed to secure suitable ground for a cemetery. On the 5th day of August following the, association was incorpor- ated and, as they have purchased a tract of ground adjoining 296 THE JEWS OF IOWA the Floyd Cemetery, the city council, on the above date, passed an ordinance giving the right to the Mount Sinai Cemetery Association to pass over and use in common the main avenue in that cemetery. Between October 29th, and November 2nd, of that year the bodies of the old cemetery were disinterred and laid to rest in newly dug graves upon the new one, although at that tinte, as it was yet before th Pittsburg Confrence, disinterment was not practiced even among the radical wing of American Jewry. The Orthodox law permits it only in cases where to leave the dead in their original sepulchres would mean a de- secration to them, otherwise the dead are not to be disturbed. The ground work of Reform constructed by the Sioux City Jewry commences deep, indeed. A still greater record in the annals of the Iowa Jews was ^broken when the Jewish ladies have organized themselves (1884) with a view of raising funds and inducing their hus- bands to erect a house of worship. The Deborah-like women were quite a few in number wjien their Hebrew Ladies' Aid Society was formally declared ready for existence. The lead- ing spirit of the wise movement was Mrs. J. M. Cohen and the charter members were: Mesdames J. Shulien, J. Marks, D. A. Magee, M. Wise, Sig. Shulien, (deceased) Ch. Wise and J. Feldenheimer. The main object of the ladies, however, was' to help the poor and needy. The second rally of the Sioux City Jewry, although full of vitality at its appearance, did not succeed in infusing the need- ed amount of life in it, for it soon sunk in a deep lethargy and Judaism was only thought of when the Kadish was recited over THE SIOUX CITY JEWRY 197 the grave of a parent, brother, sister, child or relative. The Jewish spirit which kept them together was a mere ghost of little more consequence than a shadow. Everything they had gained during their childhood, everything their parents had im- bued within them vanished form their memories, and nothing new could come and knock at their gates since no effort was endeavored prior to 1898, to form a congregation and engage the services of a minister. But, how wonderful has their inden- tity been preserved, notwithstanding all these ! , About 1888, some of the Russian refugees, who were still penetrating the globe in groups searching work, rest and peace, chanced to land in Sioux' City, and from' that time on- ward the Orthodox Jewry of that city kept pace with all the larger Jewries of Iowa. There possibly could not have been any form of compromise between the Americanized Germans or Germanized Lithuanians and the pauperized Russians or Russianized paupers at the time of the latter's arrival; for, although all of them were Jews, they, nevertheless, were as far apart as the poles in their religious convic- ions, mannerism and dress. The Chassidic immigrant would no more }'ield to partake of a meal which was not prepared according to the Mosaic dietary laws than would his more fortunate American brother consent to go to Russia and become prey to the remorseless mob of the czar's domain. They could neither eat nor worship together. Deep in the bottom of their hearts, however, began their unity. The Chassid pitied his American brother because the latter failed to wear fringes (Ziceth) or phylacteries (Tphiliii) as much as he himself was pitied for not having a place where to rest his head upon. 298 THE JEWS OF IOWA But the Russian, Polish and Roumenian Jews did not de- pend themselves upon the aid of their wealthier brethreni — ^they have at once, went to work. And while they cannot boast of great wealth, they can, nevertheless, pride themselves in what they have accomplished in but one decade. The Orthodox Jews of Sioux City, on the average, are the poorest Jewish inhabi- tants in Iowa, yet they all are happy because of the liberty and concord they enjoy, because they are all making their livings without being in danger to be deprived of the little they have got, because they have considera:bly more than they ever could have in the lands of persecution. Yet, there are some of them who figure prominently among the business men of Sioux Cily, and if all who are from the same lands of torture and de- privation would not Germanize themselves, their average wealth would increase marvelously and among them would be found quite a numter of the aristocracy of the Sioux City Jewry. But despite of all the disadvantages, they are existing under one congregation and are climbing the steps of the ladder of progress with remarkable courage and steadfastness. In char- ity and in helping new comers who met with a fate similar to their own, they are foremost among the Orthodox Jews in Iowa, and their sincerity in retaining Orthodoxy as their standard cannot be questioned. Prominent among them are: the Krugers, Brodky, Barons, Prusners, Isaac Go;ttstein, son of Simon Gottstein, one of the pioneers of Des Moines, Hymon Levin and quite a few others. Most of the younger element are working in factories, shops, packing houses and the like, while some have resorted to farming and are doing quite well. THE SIOUX CITY JEWRY 299 There are also many clerks, stenographers, tailors and shocf- makers among them. Yet there is quite a large percentage of peddlers and more than a few second-hand dealers of all kinds among them. On the whole only praise can be bestowed upon their short career when their condition at the time of their ar- rival is taken under consideration. The have, as small as their community was at that time, managed to maintain quite a scholarly Rabbi, whose name is S. H. Kaversky, now Rabbi at St. "Paul, Minn., for several years. Their second minister who served them in the capacity of schochet and chazan is a son of the late Rabbi Rabbi Robin*- owitz of Chicago, 111., who was considered among the greatest Yiddish-speaking Rabbis that ever came to America. But the more pcogressive element is endeavoring every effort to induce the congregation Adath Yeshurun to engage the services of an Eilglish-speaking' Rabbi who could perpetuate Judaism among the young who were bom in Woodbury county and know neither of ghetto Judaism nor. of Chassidic jargon. ■ Reform Judaismi in 5ioux City begins with the dawn of the Jewish year 5659, (Nov. 11, 1898) and during the com- paratively short time it has invaded every prosperous Jewish house in that city, and its effect upon the young generation is most wonderful. The Mount Sinai congregation belongs to the radical wing of Reform, having inaugurated Sunday services and sheltering not a single Sepher Tovah (scroll of the Pentateuch) in their Temple. Strange, indeed, that the Law of Moses should be banished from Mount Sinai. Yet there 300 THE JEWS OF IOWA can be found no other community where the Jews exhibit more proudness of their ancestry, more thoroughly Jewish traits than the Reform Jews of Sioux City. Their temple was built largely through the efforts of the ladies, and the man frankly admit that had it not been for the heroic efforts of the Jewish women no such place for Judaism in Sioux City would as yet have been made a matter of fact. Their first services were conducted at the Masonic Temple? which is, indeed, very complimentary to bothj the Masons and the Jews. During the years 1899- 1902, Rabbis Ellinger and Leiser have officiated, both of whom resigned much to the regret of their constituents. But, forsooth, the golden period of the Mt. Sinai congregation dawned when Rabbi Eugene Manheimer, son of Professor Manheimer of the Hebrew Union College, was chosen as its spiritual guide. The youthful Rabbi has even gained the admiratiojii of the Orthodox Jews and he, in- return, takes care of the lattef's children, for the Orthodox Jews have no Hebrew school whatever. The officers and leaders of the congregation since its in- ception were; Sig. Shulien, Ch. Wise, A. L. Frieberg, the anly Jewish attorney in Sioux City, J. M. Cohen, Julius Pappe, B. Davidson, D. Davidson, I. J. Trauerman, Dr. M. K Silver and D. A. Magee. Mr. Ch. Wise was bom in Cincinnati, Ohio, September. 28, 1848, and is quite a pioneer in Iowa, having come to Sioux City in March, 1867. He was also the first Jew in Iowa THE SIOUX CITY JE'WRY 301 to take up the packing industry as a vocation in life. He is blessed with wealth and honor and belongs to the Jewish aris- tocracy of Iowa, for the late Senator Bloom of Iowa City, was his brother-in-law. CHARLES WISE Mr. Sig. Shulien is the most prominent Mason among the Jews of Sioux City, and the entire Shulien family hold an hdnorable position among the wealthy class of the Iowa Jews. 302 THE JEWS OF IOWA Mr. Julius Pappe is one of the remaining few pioneers of the Jews of Iowa, whose career has been a credit to the Jews at large. He was born in 1852, and came to his uncles at Fort Madison when but a mere youth. He was the Grand Chan- celor of the Order K. P. of the state of Iowa, and served three JULIUS PAPPE terms on the Sioux City school board, four years of which he was president of the board. The Jewry of Sioux City is as yet in its infancy, but it has plenty of mettle to make for itself a stronghold of both Or- thodox and Reform' Judaism in the northwest. OTHER ORGANIZATIONS 303 CHAPTER XXII. KEOKUK, BURLINGTON, DUBUQUE AND OTHER ORGANIZED AND SEMI-ORGANIZED JEWRIES IN IOWA, 1873-I9O3. Decline of Oldest Congregatioo — Judaism Suffers in Burling ton — Cradle of Iowa Jewry Holding Its Own — Muscatine — Centerville — Cedar Rapids — O'skjaloosa — Otturawa— Council Bluffs — Unorganized Myniionim — Religious Sta- tistics of all Iowa Jewries. KEOKUK, at the conclusion of the Civil War sheltered the largest Jewry in Iowa, and, in everything Jewish, it has, at that time, excelled its sister cities of Iowa, Nebraska, Colo- rado, Minnesota, both of the Dakotas and Kansas. In fact the history of the Jews west of the Missouri river begins in Keokuk. But, "everything is depending upon fortune, even a Sepher Torah in the temple," runs a Talmudic maxim, and the truth thereof is best illustrated in the career of the Bnai Israel congregation of Keokuk today. The "golden age" of the Keokuk Jewry comprises the space of time between the years 1872-95; the same period marked also the flow and ebb of that city's commercialism'. The soul of the Keokuk Jewry were the godly ladies, who, immediately after the reorganization of the Bnai Israel, form- 304 THE Jews of iowa ed a benevolent society, aiming, at first, to leave on that field of humanity nothing undone. But, as God bestowed His bless- ings upon all of the children of Israel virho lived in and about Keokuk, the Jewish mothers concluded to inaugurate a move- ment with another sacred mission as its stronghold, which was to establish a permanent House of Gkxi. About that time (1872) the ladies had a fund of $800 in their treasury and. KECKUK TEMPLE realizing that that sum was a handsome start for a successful result, they voted to purchase a lot whereon to erect a syna- gogue and present it to the Bnai Israel congregation. Their husbands embraced the golden opportunity of setting them- selves to work earnestly and give Judaism a suitable home. Their broad-minded and big-hearted neighbors, the Christians, too, responded most liberally to every invitation extended to Ihem to attend charjtoble gatherings given under the auspices of the ladies of the Bnai Israel congregation. And, thus, the task was most successfully carried to a happy conclusion. OTHER ORGANIZATIONS 305 The Bnai Israel Temple was completed in 1874, and dedi- cated during the same year. The cost of the magnificent struc- ture was $12,000, and is, even unto this day, the finest syna- gogue in Iowa. The following ministers have filled the pulpit of the Bnai Israel s)Tiagogue since it was erected : Marcussohrii, Suggen- heimer, Blaut, Swede, Strauss, F. Becker, Joseph Bogen and Tesler. The latter while in Keokuk, studied medicine and subsequently married a daughter of Mr. Lguis Solomon the Civil War vet^an, and is now a physician of prominence in St. Paul, Minnesota. Dr. Tesler was also the Hebrew teacher of the short lived Talmud Torah of Des Moines. In tendency and conduct the Bnai Israel has continued on a conservative platform although many drifts away from Or- thodoxy were taken in recent years. However, when the tide of radicalism inundated the historic Judaism of many commun- ities, Keokuk also comes in for a goodly bulk of the flow. But Time and Fate dealt overwhelmingly cruel with the historic Jewry of the northwest, and, alas, much of the old glory of that community has disappeared along with the by- gone days. As soon as the Iowa prairies, hill and vales were harnessed by belts of steel and iron, as soon as the whistle of ' steam and the current of electricity have brokrai through the inland air of the Hawkeye state, the river-front towns yielded their birth-right to their younger sisters; and, no sooner have those towns lost their prestige as centers of commerce and in- dustry, than many of the Jewish merchants and artisans had to seek other fields on which to spread their industrious wings. 306 THE JEWS OF IOWA Many Jewish familijes, who had raised their children in the picturesque Keokuk, to their deep sorrow, had to tear away their young ones fromi their playmates and nativity; for, the town had absolutely too many merchants with but remarkably few chances to increase in commercial and industrial import- ance. But this, by no means, is illustrated to reduce the town to insignificance, for it is a city of nearly twenty-five thousand inhabitants with quite a number of enterprises ; yet it is mostly looked upon as a residential city, and for that, Keokuk is, in- deed, most excellent. Today the number, of Jewish souls in Keokuk, including two Russian- Jewish families who lately settled there, does not exceed eighty. And, because of their small number, no regular minister has been engaged for the past several years, and it is, indeed, a pitiful sight to go through the magnificent synagogue and realize that the work of so many pioneers, of so many heroic efforts, is at the verge of doom, because of the lack of numbers. The artistic synagogue, the old Sepher Torahs, the old M'gilah (scroll of the Book of Esther) half eaten by rats, the two wooden tablets with the inscription of the Ten Com- mandments thereon, (which is the masterly handwork of Henry Hirsch, the only Burlingtonian taking an interest in Judaism) as well as the sad but picturesque little cemetery including all other belongings of the Bnai Israel, tell many valuable tales, and an interesting chapter of the Jews and Juda", ism in America. The dumb articles speak volumes unto us; from them we learn about the dreams, sentiments, taste, in- tellect, progress, woes and joys of the heroic sons of Israel who OTHER ORGANIZATIONS s 307 have braved every element, defied every danger, climbed every height, crossd every depth in making a path, aye, a secured path, for their successors ! BURLINGTON has kept up its irreligious sentiments and radical disposition most remarkably, and any compromise be- tween its Jews and Judaism ended in ultimate futility. They, too, have fortified themselves against death by purchasing an acre or so of Des Moines county soil and consecrated it by depositing the remains of those who were bom Jews. Outside of a Jewish grave yard there is no sign of Jewishness among the living sons of Israel in that busy city. They seem to have rooted deep in their hearts an antipathy for Judaism, and, while very cordial, talking of everything else, they are apt to turn their shoulder upon everyone who might approach them' on the subject of Judaism. The contrast between Keokuk and Bur- lington is most striking. . In the former we meet a handful of Jews bewailing the fate of Judaism, and struggling to do their utmost in preserving it, while in the latter we find quite a prosperous community of pioneers and their children who would not even join the Bnai Brith society which Mr. Henry Hirsh is struggling to keep up; in the former we hear expres- sions of hope that, in some future day, when thrifty Russian and Romanian Jews will settle themselves there, the Bnai Israel will again flourish, while in the latter the only hope entertained is, that in some future day, when the old will be laid to rest in eternity, the young also will remember to keep the cemetery in good order. But even Burlington, once upon a time, had a congregation, Judaism and^a minister which fact must not be ignored. It 3o8 THE JEWS OF IOWA was in 1873, — ^^'^^^ eventful year in the history of the Jews of Iowa — when Messrs E. M. Eisfeld, J. Shroeder, Solomon Hershler, Ben and Sigraund Eisicles, Jacob Epstein and a few more- have gathered themselves together in solemn conference and organized a congregation. The purchase of a cemetery and the oirganization of a B. B. lodge followed during the subse- quent two years, and for a while the sudden rally seemed to contain vigorous vitality. The services of a Rev. Hecht were also engaged, but everything was short lived, and only the cemetery was left to tell the tale. Recently an effort was made by Miss Florence Hirsh, daughter of Henry Hirsh, to conduct a "Sunday Sichool" for the benefit of the Jewish young who have no sort of religious training, but even that failed. There are many among the grown-up children of the pioneers who would feel much happier had they had the opportunity of gain- ing some knowledege concerning the sublinnty of Judaism. Alas, the straying sons and daughters of Israel seek the path of God, but find it they can not ! Yet, notwithstanding all these, the Jews of Burlington] are, and have been, successful merchants, patriotic citizens, good neighbors, charitable, honest, leaders in politics, lovers of edu- cation, brave as pioneers, potent factors throughout the history of that flourishing town, prominent in social circles, large con- tributors to every public institution, law-abiding, peaceful, fore- most in every reform movement, patronizers of music and art, admirers of genii and beauty and fair in their dealings. About 1890, several Jewish families of Russia settled them- selves in Burlington, and, as soon as they could number ten males over thirteen years of age, they have organized them- OTHER ORGANIZATIONS 309 selves into a congregation and chartered it under the name 6i Anshai Isaac. A kind of a schochet, who also conducts a meat market and grocery store, is their spiritual leader; but so far but very little progress was made by the Anshai Isaac, for they are still un- Americanized and their conduct among themselves is anything but creditable to them. The only sensational trial among, the Jews of Iowa that ever came before a court was in Burlington among the recent Jewish immigrants and the records preserved in the Burlington Press is indeed a slain upon the career of that Iowa Jewry. However, things among the new Jewish settlers are becoming more favorable. Materially and in relation to their neighbors, the Burlington Jews are doing quite well, and Messrs. Naiman., Kabaker and Gross are numbered among the leading merchants of the town. Burlington shelters the most distinguished Jewish physician in Iowa; his name is Dr. H. A. Lerpziger, originally from New York. He enjoys the esteem and friendship of all citizens and his reputation as a physician and art of oratory is admired by a host of friends. Captain Charles Willner of Company H, Iowa State Mili- tia, is another Jew who does credit to the Iowa Jewry. By profession he is a lawyer and has an immense acquaintance throughout his district. Edward L. Hirsh is also a promising young: attorney and, in addition to his flattering start, he, of all other Jewish young men, expresses hope that Judaism would some day come to stay in Burlington. 310 THE JEWS OF IOWA Indeed, Burlington has mettle enotigh to create a Jewry of no mean consequence, and, if they only would take the initiative step, their mistake of the past would be lost in the glory of a golden future. DUBUQUE, though the cradle of the Iowa Jewry, how- ever, could shelter no Judaism in its midst, because of the lack of numbers; but be it far from.' drawing a parallel between her arid Burlington. The Dubuque pioneers founded a congrega- tion' in 1862, and for a time it was a vigorous elemtent among the rest of the Iowa Jewries. The Levi's and several other prominent pioneers were the leaders of the short lived congre- gation. It lasted for about seven years and had the good for- tune of engaging worthy ministers. Among the three gentle- men who guided the spiritual welfare of the Dubuque congre- gation was Rabbi H. J. Messing, who subsequently had a gol- den career in St. Louis, Mo. Since 1869, the Dubuque pioneers held services during many holiday seasons and have managed to give their children as much knowledge of Judaism as their fathers and teachers had instilled in themselves. In wealth and esteem the Dubuque Jewish, pioneers stand second to none of the loAva Jewries, and from among their children there arose none to discredit their fathers and mothers. But the Dubuque Jewry will have to be, what the Russian and Polish Jews will make of it. A goodly number of them are already making headway toward a division, that is to have two congregations. During the flow of immigration a score of families landed in Dubuque and, as it has been the mission of the Russian Jews in all other towns where they have a sufficient numiber. OTHER ORGANIZATIONS 311 they have organized a congregation and named it Knesseth Israel. (1894) At the lapse of a few years their number in- creased so that they could count twenty males above thirteen years of age — a sufficient number to establish two Mynionim — and being fromi different sections of Russia and Poland they deemed it best to have two congregations, two schooltim and two sets of officers. The name of the second K'hilah suggests a lack of police force in the oldest Iowa city, and, more than that, it is the most unique name among the 760 Jewish con- gregations of the United States and Canada, for it is: "The Jezvish Protection Club." An orthodox Rabbi, who recently was called upon by the Dubuque Jewry to get things in shape among the Schachtin, however, claims, that the latter congregation needs that name for its protection against the more numerous Knesseth Israel. Thus we have a fair illustration of the development of the Russian Jewish communities in this country; for, there are many more new communities in Iowa and elsewhere through- cut the United States, which have religious differences of sim- ilar nature, which history cannot pass over without chronicl- ing the fact that such conditions exist only for a brief period and never lead to seriousness. They that come from the lands of persecution are the last to be a mischief making element; but, their sole comfort in exile was during the hours of prayer and devotion, during Sabbath and holidays, they are endeavor- ing every effort to preserve their religion in this country also in an identical manner. MUSCATINE has an organized Orthodox Jewry with all the necessities belonging thereto. Charles Fryer, L. 312 THE JEWS OF IOWA Rubenstein and Oscar Weintrauber landed in that beautiful little city in 1882, and when their number increased they have organized the 'congregatictti Bnai Moses (1890) and, notwithstanding their common poiverty during the "early days," they have managed to build a little syna- gogue, buy two Sepher Torath and engage the services of a mini&ter who acted as schochet, chazan and teach- er. They number about fifty families and are blessed with many and goad children. For a time nearly all of them continued as peddlers, but now a number of them are engaged in various business enterprises, and are doing quite well. Mr. J. Bleeden, whose services were engaged im- mediately after the formation of their congregation, continues amiong them as their schochet even unto this day. S. L. Cohen, Charles Fryer and Greenblatt Brothers are among the leading merchants of Muscatine, while M. Isaacson, L. Diamond and B. Goldstein are the leaders in congregationaJ^ ; and charitable work among the peaceful, hard working Jews of that growing city. CENTERVILLE, too, comes in for its share of glory among the Iowa organized Jewries, and it certainly deserves a goodly bulk thereof. That honorable little Jewry was founded in i88r, by Messrs. A. Greenspon, H. Chapman and Sam Friedlander, and, after the lapse of a /decade their force was strong enough, to organize a congregation. In 1892, the con- gregation Bnai Israel was chartered and funds for a syna- gogue were raised. Mr. R. Israel was the first minister of Centerville, who remained there several years, and was suc- ceeded by a Mr. D. Cohen. Their present minister is Mr. M. OTHER ORGANIZATIONS 313 Levinsohn, and the little Khilah is growing in every branch of usefulness. They number about thirty families and are blessed with the largest percentage of school children of all the Jews of Iowa, for they have fifty children in the public schools, five in high school and two in college, something no twenty-five or thirty families of any other community can boast of. CEDAR RAPIDS has made quite an aggressive move during the past decade and shelters a well-to-do little Jewry in its midst. Some Jewish stragglers came to that town as early as i860, but Oscar Solomon holds the record of being its first permanent Jewish settler. The Wolf family, which is -figuring largely among the Jewish manufacturers of Iowa, are quiet pioneers in Cedar Rapids; so are the Wilner Broth- ers. But there was no form of a Jewish congregation among them, because of lack in numbers, prior to 1895, when a dozen 4>r more Jewish families, mainly from Poland, reinforced Uieir number. In that year a congregiation bearing the signi- ficant name of Eben Israel was chartered, and ever since they are growing in numters and wealth. They have a schochet, who is also the Hebrew teacher, and constitute a handsome little Jewry of families. Most of them are in business and occupy prominent positions in several branches of the commerce and industry of Cedar Rapids. OSKALOOSA, the home of the Frankels, is quite a Jewish center of late. During the years 1890-95, a score or so of Jews of Southern Russia established themselves in that town as peddlers, junk dealers and second-hand dealers, and have organized a mynion. Later on several Lithuanians and 314 THE JEWS OF IOWA other Jews of the Ashkenazic branch came there and, as the geographical and religious differences kept them separated in the land of their captivity from' their Southern brethren, they have, here too, remained -separate and formed a mynion for themselves. They, however, manage to keep one schochet. As regards religion they are pious and have not yet moved one iota from' their early training. Some of them' have already ^ managed to form an amalg-ation with fortune and are at the heads of well-paying- enterprises, while all others are getting along fairly. OTTUMWA owns a unique Jewry. There are Russiaiis,. Lithynians, Romanians, Gabicians, Polish and Germans among them', and, yet, their entire number is less than a half hundred families. Among them are such who yet put on: two different phylacteries every morning, or at least, if their statemait is not mixed with hypocracy,' they believe in doing so. But what is still the strangest is that among them are individuals who believe in no Judaism at all. One individual owns a Sepher Torah and had built a mikvah in the cellar of his house, and whenever he takes a notion he leaves the entire congregation destitute of everything. The main trouble with this kind of Jewish communities is, that somie self-appointed au- thorities, who are out through the countries to gather funds for^ome Jewish institutions of Jerusalem, Russia or New York City, when they come to just such towns they will act as rabbis and decide questions of grave importance which practically undermines the welfare of the Jewry for the next generation. Such individuals have been the cause of the down- fall of many little Jewries in the northwest as well as the cause OTHER ORGANIZATIONS , 315 of much trouble among the Orthodox Jews of the larger cit- ies in this section of the United States. The Ottumwa Jews are mostly in the junk and second-hand business, but there are quite a few shoe makers, tailors and laborers among them. One of them, Mr. Friedman, is holding a prominent position among the leading merchants of that promising city. The German Jews at one time were quite numerous at Ottumwa and a congregation existed there for several years; but since 1884, most of the pioneers died and the young who were left after them, for various reasons, removed to other cities and towns where they established homes for themselves and thus does Ottumwa too, bear witness to a splendid record made by several Jewish pioneers. The S'ok and the Adler families appear to have figured quite prominently among the early Jews of Ottumwa. E. P. Adler, manager of the Daven- port Times, was born in Ottumwa and Jacob B. Sox is today one of the foremost merchants of that great Iowa town. COUNCIL BLUFFS, which has been the home of many Jewish pioneers, has, for a long time, looked for its Jewishness across the river to Omaha, Nebraska, and what Davenport was for the Rock Island Jewry, Otaaha was for the Jewry of Coun- cil Bluffs. Lately, with the arrival of many Russian and Pol- ish Jewish immigrants, a congregation was organized and a movement was inaugurated to build a synagogue. Their suc- cess in that resourceful town was remarkable during the past few years and the time is at hand when Council Bluffs will shelter one of the largesit Jewries in the state, if only their rate of increase from Omaha and other sources will not diminish. 3i6 THE JEWS OF IOWA Julius Chemis, S. Freidman, Louis A. Bergman, J. Stein, Samuel L. Maman, L. Rosenfield, M. Solomon, H. Gilinsky and several others are merchants of prominenece, while all others are tailors, laborers, junk dealers and peddlers — ^all, of whom have every reason to bless Iowa. Among the unorganized Jewries who conduct services dur- ing Rosh ha Shanah and Yam Kipur are : Marshalltown, Fort Dodge, Mason City, Clinton, Cedar Falls, Boone, New Hamp- ton, Waterloo and Grinnell. There are now nineteen organized Jewish congregations in Iowa, who maintain twenty-one ministers at a cost of $15,- 500 annually. The total membership of all Iowa congrega- tions runs up to 1,240, but usually among the Orthodox con- gregations there is a great percentage of Jews who are in sym- pathy with Judaism in every detail but are not members of any synagogue for one reason or another. The total membership of the four Reform congregations of Iowa is 169, but even the reformers have more than double that number of adherents who r^ularly visit their temples. The unorganized myniomm, which are scattered about in nine different Iowa towns and cities, comprise a Jewish popu^ lationof 1,000 Jewish souls, while the nineteen congregations are located in cities of which the Jewish population^ is a little over 11,000. The amount expended for religious purposes including religious schools, by the Jews of Iowa diuing- the year 1902-03, aggregated the gross sum of $31,575. This, however, does not include the expenditure of the unorganized communities of which no record is kept and no information possible to obtain. OTHER ORGANIZATIONS 317 Judaism in Iowa is yet in its stage of development and forms only a small fraction of the great American Jewry, but its influence will reach far and wide in the near future when more unity and a closer relationship will exist among the var- ious faction of all Iowa communities. 3i8 THE JEWS OF IOWA CHAPTER XXIII. JEWISH CITIZENSHIP IN IOWA. The Jew in Politics — Peer of Iowa Jewry — Career of Senator Bloom — ^Jewish Commissioner of Emigration — ^D. L. Heinsheimer — Other Jewish Office Holders in Iowa — First Orthodox Jewish Male Child of Des Moines Gains Prominence — The Only Jewish Captain of Iowa. The Jews, notwithstanding the disadvantages the world has kept them under for thousands of years, have always prov- ed themselves equal to every opportunity, and no sooner was the iron wall between them and liberty shattered than they have most wonderfully performed every task of righteous cit- izenship. The Hebrew nation was the first under the sun to recognize the rights even of the smallest minority, to inau- gurate equal rights for the stranger and citizen, to rule with the consent of the ruled, to protect the liberty of the individual as wdl as of the community and enjoy as much liberty as the word itself suggests. When the rights of human beings were taken away from' them by the sword of the cruel and sceptre of the tyrant, the Jews have managed to conceal their agom and continued to exist, knowing that no wrong has ever been invented for everlasting duration. When the first edict of CITIZENSHIP IN IOWA 319 equalization was read bef5re the deligihted host of Austrian Jews, it was only the sound of the first letter of the word Liberty, which echoed in the thoughtful minds of the free sons of Israel; they knew that, that was yet far behind of what the principles of liberty, promulgated by their ancestors of yore, provided for mankind. But their outward joy was equ"l to the sentiments of that age, and nothing in their manner sug- gested lack of appreciation, although deep in their hearts there was still lodging a pitiful longing for liberty in its entirety. When the first Jewish citizen of the newly inaugurated government of the Thirteen States, found himself once more, after having nourished the breasts of a people which had con- tinued in captivity for seventeen centuries, a new men, he was not. stricken with the reaction which usually follows the eman- cipation of an enslaved or subjected class- instead, he found therein a fountain of pure water to still his thirst with after an aimless wandering through numerous deserts. The same was true with every Jewish citizen of every newly organized state of this great land. The Jews of Iowa enjoy the distinction of having had one of their brethren to join Iowa citizenship during its ter- ritorial days, as it was pointed out in a previous chapter; and not only was he the first of among the Jews but even of all the whites who at that time sojourned' in its midst, was he first to be naturalized. This distinction belonging -to the late Mr. Alexander Levi of Dubuque, is the most remarkable and cred- itable in the history of the wandering nation in this land. 320 THE JEWS OF IOWA -As citizens of Iowa and the United States, the Jews are not Surpassed by any foreign class; for, not only are they .law-, abiding, peaceful and staunch patriots, but even iri taxation and in other points combating the morality and usefulness of a cit- izen are they most distinguished. Politically they are of a less noise making nature than any other class; neither are they office-seekers to a tiring degree as is the case among other foreign classes who are supposed to control certain amounts of votes. Practically all the Jewish business men, after performing their sacred duties of voting, and voting' after their own righteoiis convictions, have not a single moment to spare for political discussion, much less do they think of divorcing themselves from their businesses and hunt game in political forests and fields. The practice in some larger loiwa Jewries to organize "Hebrew" clubs is only the initiative step of some who have not yet acquired the full mean- ing of citizenship. Naturally there are always several sot- called leaders who rival to boss the "members," but even they are harmless to the cause of citizenship in Iowa, for they know not yet the thousand and one different ways of the American "ward politician" and, therefore, can produce but amusement. However, even their influence is felt in political quarters, and are sometimes controlling a' city job worth $40 or $50 per month. But, as already stated, the Jewish business man, man- ufacturer, or financier, is entirely a stranger to any political ' organization of questionable motives. Notwithstanding all these, during their career of three score and ten years, the Jews of Iowa can well boast of several CITIZENSHIP IN IOWA 321 sons who were honored by their fellow-citizens, and who, with- out exception, have been worthy of the honor bestowed upon them. The peer of the Jewish public men in Iowa was the late THE LATE HON. MOSES BLOOM Senator Bloom) of Iowa City. He was a true model of the golden career of Israel in America, and his adventures are as full of interest as the romantic incidents which marie tht: subHmity of the history of the Jewish people. 322 THE JEWS OF IOWA Moses Bloom was bom at Westhaven, Alasace, March -28, 1834, and, as his father was a merchant oi moderate means, the lad was given the benefit of a common school education and some knowledge, in Hebrew. At the age of sixteen the youthful adventurer left his native land arid his kindred and ^crossed the Atlantic with but a store of hopes to his name. ILanding in New York, his thoughts were at once concen- trated on one subject — the subject of miaking a living. For one year he struggled in the great metropolis in several differ ent enterprises, but he only could count himself as his sole pos^- session of America's good. He was proud of his French nativ- ity, and the thought of yielding his shoulders to the weight of a heavy pack was very displeaising to his fancy ; but he c6uld see ' no other way, could find no other opening for some sort of a promising future. Hagerstown, Maryland, was his headquarters for nearly three years, and while there he penetrated several counties of that state and of Pennsylvania, carrying a heavy pack and study- ing at the same time, the mannerism', language, condition and prospects ctf the American ruralists who practically constitute the greatest and foremost class in this country. He had no other kind of schooling in this country, but that was suffici- ent for his genial mind, and in the future it came in very handy.' His manhood was shaped close to nature, and his habits were acquired in the greatest section of morality and abstinance in America — on the American farm'. When the temptations of youthfulness are most apt to drag the youth downward, he found himself in most stern and sincere en- vironments, where infidelity has no home and evil finds no rest. CITIZENSHIP IN IOWA 323 But he claimed more than common sense, morals and hon- esty in return for his ceaseless toil, he was aiiibitiuos to partake of earthly bliss as well, and he was determined to get it, hon- estly, too. About that time he heard of the great openings in the West - — ^the section where but recently the savage was hunting for prey. Thither . he concluded to direct his steps, with but little hesitation, and, soon his feet fathomed the pathless prairies of the youthful Iowa. And, he was just the kind of man Iowa pioneers looked for to trade with. The old Iowa capital, Iowa City, he selected as his future home, and there, amidst the Johnson county early tillers, he built his nest and made himself comfortable. His modesty, honesty, fidelity and fairness soon attracted more than local attention, and the path of a glorious career was cleared for him. He married in i860, but hardly a year of joy elapsed be- fore his heart was filled with the burden and care of doing his utmost as a patriot in preserving the Union. Hitherto he was known to the people of Johnson county as an honest, up- right merchant, who strove for their good opinion as well as for his business, but how astonished were they to see him for- sake every one of his thoughts and devote himself entirely to the cause nearest his heart, to the cause his country began to pursue. The patriotism! of Mr. Bloom was an inspiration to thousands of others, and not a murmur was heard, in and about the immediate vicinity over which his in- fluence had been spread, about the strenuous policy of the ad- 324 THE JEWS OF IOWA ministration, notwithstanding the numerous dissensions which sprang forth in many other places of Iowa during the Civil War. And, he was, politically, a democrat, which added more to his glory in being such a staunch Federalist. His political career, which, be it said to his glory, he never aimed at, dates back to 1873 — ^that memorable year in the history of the Jews of Iowa. In that year his townsmen elect- ed him by a big majority to the mayorality of their city — an honor singular in itself, this being the first time an -office of that kind was held by a Jew in the northwest. Mr. Bloom was indeed, equal to the situation, and Iowa City was ready to thrust the honor upon him again. But he modestly refused to accept the honor. In 1875, he was the unanimous choice of his party to rep- resent themi in the State Legislature, but his republican oppo^ nent was chosen by a majority of 17 votes — ^that being the otily defeat sustained during his lifetime. In 1877^ his party again nominated him, despite his repeated protests, and, this time, he was elected by a flattering majority. That Mr. Bloom was at once recognized as a leading fac- tor in Iowa affairs is best illustrated in the fact that as soon as he entered the Legislature he was appointed' to serve on four different committees, namely: on Public Buildings, In- surance, Police Regulation and Suppression of Intemperace, He was determined and steadfast in his convictions, for, on one occasion, he vqted with the smjall maority of 3 against 97. To the struggling Jewish peddler he was a source of pro- tection and deliverance. Whenever some member, upon the CITIZENSHIP IN IOWA 323 request of the rural merchants, introduced a bill to inflict a heavy license upon the peddlers, Mr. Bloom championed the cause of the latter and always succeeded in his efforts. Mr. Bloom was not an orator, so to speak, but his charm- ing personality, his modesty, his convincing expressions and impressive gestures gave him at once the sympathy of his hearers and he carried every heart with him. Now it came to pass that the democrats of Iowa convened at Council Bluffs to nominate executive officers for the state of Iowa, and the entire convention hall echoed the name of Bloom, and cheer upon cheer followed when he was nomin- ated Lieutenant-Governor of the head state of the Upper Mississippi Valley. Never before in the history of the Jews in the northwest did any member of the people of Israel figure so prominently before a state convention of a great party. But Mr. Bloom, for reasons best known to his silent grave, declin- ed the great honor at the very minute his career reached the summit of success. In 1887, he was elected to the State Senate, where he was one among the prominent members of that distinguished body of Iowa's representing citizens, and where he succeeded in compromising many strifes of grave importance. Mr. Bloom was a prominent Mason, the founder of the Teutonic lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Grand Chancellor of" the Odd Fellows of Iowa and a director of the Johnson County Savings Bank, of which Governor Kirkwood was president. As a philanthropist Mr. Bloom made no distinction be- tween Jew and Gentile, race, or denomination and, while his 326 THE JEWS OF IOWA attention was mostly directed toward the weal of the common- wealth of Iowa, he, nevertheless, managed to take care of as many charitable and 'benevolent matters as w:ere of sufficient importance to call for his attention. As a Jew he was liberal in his .views, for as he came to this country at a tender age and followed so many different branches of hum^an enterprise, he has left nothing behind him to suggest his conservatism or radicalism in practicing Juda- ism. He was married twice and was blessed with a family of twelve children, seven of whom survive him. On June 14, 1893, amidst flowers and sunshine, when Na- ture is at her best, he yielded his soul most peacefully and was gathered unto his fathers. During the days of development in Iowa, there was an- other Jew who gained prominence and received an appoint- ment to an office of trust in 1871. The gentleman is now one of the prominent members of the Davenport Jewry, and his name is Louis A. Ochs. It was when Iowa was sorely in need of people, of people who were capable of becoming good tillers of the ground and useful members of the commonwealth that the Governor appointed Mr. Ochs Commissioner of Emigration for Germany. His field of labor was confined to 'Northern Germany and he, therefore, m|ade his headquarters in Hamburg, where he did splendid service for about a year. After returning to Davenport he was re-appointed to represent Iowa in the eastern states with headquarters at New York. Mr., Ochs continued to serve Iowa in that particular branch of usefulness till the office was abolished by the State Legis- lature. CITIZENSHIP IN IOWA 327 Another noted member of the Iowa Jewry is Mr. D. L^ Heinsheimer of Glenwood, Mills county. He is a great finan- :der, probably equal to the late Mr. Frankel, an influential re- ' MR. LOUIS A. OCHS ■publican politician and a m^an of considerable knowledge and abilityt He was born at Eppingen, Baden, March 19, 1847, and his parents brought him to Cincinnati, Ohio, when he was 3*8 THE JEWS OF IOWA but six years old. He received a common educatian at the Ciijciniiiati schools and at the tender age of fourteen - was left an orphan. Having to work his own ivay, he canie to Glenwood, where his uncles were established in business' and MR. HEIMSHEIMER Started to clerk for them. His resourceful mind was soon dis- covered by his uncles and by all who watched his progress. After ten years of work and experience, he started a smalF business for himself (1871) and later he took in his brother. CITIZENSHIP IN IOWA 329 Albert, as a partna-. Since then he has been prosperous in every one of his undertakings: he is president of the Mills County National Bank ; has been a stock raiser and horticul- turalist for the past twenty years and owns a large business , establishment besides. Politically he is a republican-— something very rare among prominent Iowa Jews — and has had a long and glorious career in Mills county, and even in district and state politics. He was a councilman, president' of the board of education for twelve years, the mayor of Glenwood for one termi and also filled other local positions ;which his fellow-citizens could honor him with. In 1892, he commenced to gain state- wide recognition and be- came a factor in Iowa republican, circles ; he was chosen unani- mously to represent Iowa in the Republican National Con- vention in that year, and was elected presidential elector for Iowa in 1896. Mr. Heiiisheimer continues to hold a prominent position among the foremost Iowa citizens and,> among the Jewish pioneers of Iowa he figures most promlinently. There were several more of the Iowa Jews who have been distinguished politically, but, as some of them have figured mostly in other fields, mention' has already been made of them in preceding chapters of this work. The Des Moines Jewry was never craving for political honors, and, besides Mr. Krouse, who was the first school di- rector of the first school of that city, there were only two oth- ers who held political offices, neither of which, however, was the gift of Polk county or, of the Des Moines miunicipality. It was during Cleveland's second administration that Mr. Moritz 33(' THE JEWS OF IOWA Stern, brother-in-law to the Sheuermans, was appointed Rev- enue Collector, and the late LO'Uis Arenberg, Postmaster of East Des Moines. Mr. Henry Riegelman of Des Moines, however, is the most HENRY REIGELMAN widely known politician of the Iowa Jewiy today. He has a state-wide reputation and was the late unsuccessful candidate of the democratic party for the office of State Treasurer. He CITENSHIP IN IOWA 331 was bom at Marion, India,na, April lo, 1854, and received a libo'al education. In 1870, he came to Des Moines, where he continues to be a leading factor in its West Side Jewry. The first prominence Mr. ^Riegelman^ gained among the Iowa democrats was during the Boies campaign, when he was made chairman of the Polk -county democratic committee. During that campaign he showed remarkable ability in poli- tics which led to his appointment to the Democratic State Central Committee. During the Bryan campaign of 1896, he was chosen Chairman of the State Central Committee, but, indeed, Mr. Bryan dragged all the greater or lesser lights to a never-to-be-forgotten Waterloo, and, with the rest, Mr. Rieg- elman participated in the glorious \def eat of that remarkable "silver year." Mr. Riegdman is interested in local philanthropic work, is president, of the local lodge of the Bnai Brith and is a very popular man among Jews and Gentiles alike. His father, Mr. Moritz Riegelman, who was; a leading miembej- of the Bnai Yeshurun, during its early days continues yet among the living, much to the delight of his prominent son as well as of his entire family. The present assistant city solicitor of Des Moines is a young Jewish attorney bom of Orthodox Jewish parents, be- sides this, he enjoys the distinction of having --been the first Jewish male child of among the Polish Jews of Des Moines. His name is Moses H. Cohen, son of Ben Cohen. He complet- ed his course of education in Iowa schools, and has a 332 THE JEWS OF IOWA bright future before him. Pohtically he is on the right side of Iowa, that is, a repubhcan, and during the last campaign he was chairman of the Seventh congressional district of Iowa. MARTIN SILBERSTEIN The most distinguished foreign young Jew of Iowa is Captain Frank E. Harris, who is now stationed at Fort Mon- roe, Virginia. His father is a peaceful and hard-working old gentleman, who once upon a time was also a Talmudic student named Morris Harris. CITIZENSHIP IN IOWA 333 Frank Harris was bom at Orlie, Pt-ovince Grodno, Russia, November i6, 1868, and came to Des Moines in the fall of 1877. His days of study were marked with unusual hard- ships, a detailed account of which would be a repetition of a biography of some Lithunian poor boy who made his way through the greatest Eu'ropean schools. But young Frank was possessed of a military frame and genial mind, and to develop and combine them both was his sole ambition. His teachers advised him to enter West Point, and, indeed, he wanted it, too, but how could he, without political influence, receive the appointment? Minister Conger of China, who is an lowan, and at that time was in Washington as a congress- man from the Seventh Iowa district, heard of the lad and recommended him very favorably, which ended in his final appointment. Captain Harris has succeeded in gaining , the friendship of his superiors as well as the esteem of his subordinates since he entered upon his active career, and his future is, indeed, still brighter. Thus, after a glimpse in the lives of several Iowa Jewish citizens of all grades and conditions who have managed to make for themselves a clear way to the greater avenues of hu- man undertaking, it is at once convincing that in every * instance the Jew has had to start, from the very bottom, and when he has once cleared a small path and remioved the thorns and thistles therefrom., he continued steadfastly without being corrupted by the bewitching temptations which are in great abundance on every step of the public men of America — a fact which is a credit to themselves, a benefit to Iowa cit-' izenship and aniionor to their fellow-citizens and co-religion- ists — ^the Jews oot Iowa. 334. THE JEWS OF IOWA CHAPTER XXIV. PHILANTHROPY IN THE IOWA JEWMES. Charity Versus Z'dakah — Scientific Charity — Peer of North- western Philanthropists — Ladies' Societies — Zionism — Sta- tistics. The subhmest characteristic of the people of Israel is its charitableness. "Even those who are themselves depending upon society for support must give alms to the still less for- tunate," is an ancient law in Judaism. The hope of a Jew, in wishing himself to be blessed with wealth, is to be able to distribute more charity than the other fellow. With the Jews charty is a duty as much as tax paying. The Hebrew for charity in comimon use is — Z'dakah, but the word literally means righteousness. If one is a miser and refuses to give tx> ■ the poor he is severely "blamed, but if he gives accordingly he is not praised. He simply performs his duty. The one who gives and the one who does not give are likened unto two in- dividuals, one with a nose and the other without a nose. "Scientific charity" in a modern sense, was something un- kriown to the Jews, although the ancient systqpi of taking care of the poor according to the accounts of the Talmudists was PHILANTHROPY IN IOWA JE"WRIES ' 335 much better and more helpful to the poor than the subsequent plant adopted in the various ghettoes. The highest grade of charity among the Jews at all times was, that neither the donor nor the beneficiary shall know where the money goes and whence it came. (Mathan B'saither.) In the ghettoes, charity was a matter of course, and no form of boastfulness or fashionableness was attached to the trail of poverty. Israel has never danced or masqueraded in order to help widows, orphans, sick, hungry and distressed. He never had to unpack the entire amount of lavishness the human be- ing is still in possession of, in order to fed like throwing away a coin for the sake of the needy. The distressed mother in Israel whose babe sickened and needed medical attendance was never sent to "see the lady of the investigating committee." Every Jewish woman with a Jewish heart, was a benevolent society in every sense of the term, although she could not by herself play cards, call "meetings," read and listen to papers on "the failure of organized society to avert poverty," arrange and be present at "sociables," "musicals," "fairs," "dances" and "teas" for the sake of alleviating earthly sufferings. All these she attended, when the occasion called for such, for the sake of pleasure and amusement, which was, indeed, coming to her. The Jewish mothers and sisters have always had a tear, a smile, a kind word and above all an helping hand for those who were stricken by the cruel hand of fate. But, are we not progressing? Can the world remain in its ancient garb? What "fun" would there be if everything should continue in the same monotonous, dreary way? In- 336 THE JEWS OF IOWA deed, shall we not flee on our forward march with the swift- ness of the flash of an electric current? "We shall and we must" was the cry of modern civilization, and, indeed, we did. Today everjrthing- is fashionable, or, rather, mimicry. The society which spends mostly breath, attaches as much impoct- ance and pomp to its proceedings as the organization which governs a nation. The individual who belongs to a chari- table organization, oi; happens to be its officer puts on the air of a Caesar resigning the thrice offered crown when he answers a call for help. Such is universal in this blessed land, and the ever-as- similating Jew is no exception. There are in this country thousands of local Jewish organ- izations of every description and nature and the goo4 accom- plished, notwithstanding, the unique motives emp'loyed by them., is certainly great. There are dances, masquerades, and every other sorts of gayety for the sake of charity among the Jews, too. And, as the years roll on, it is quite becoming to see a Jewess perspiring in a latest dance for the sake of aiding those of her sisters and brothers who need coal, bread, medi- cine, shelter or clothes. The Iowa Jews are no excfeption in this respect, and every- thing commendable, or reprehensible, can be found in the larger Iowa Jewries as well as in New York, Chicago, Philadelphia, Baltimore and Boston. Yet there remains one fact to be chronicled, that, notwithstanding the numerous innovations' which were introduced throughput the American Israel in raising funds for charity, the Jewish people has retained its liberalism and the Jews, even unto this day, are ambitious to be able to give, and to give plenty. PHILANTHROPY IN IOWA JEWRIES 337 The Iowa Jewry was erected upon a foundation of benevo- lence, and its members are even unto this day the beloved child- ren of Zion. The first Jewish organization, as it was pointed out in a previous chapter, was, "The Benefvolent Chrildren of Jerusalem" of Keokuk, and today there are more charitable organizations among the Jews of Iowa, though their number does not exceed 15,000, than in the city of Boston which has a Jewish population of more than thrice that numjber. Besides there are individuals whose charitable contributions annually amount to thousands of dollars. - The peer of the Jewish philanthropist west of the Missouri river, Mr. A. Slimmer, lives in an Iowa town. The latter is a philanthropist with genuine Jewish ideas. He gives because he considers himself the trustee of a certain amount of money given to him by Almighty for the sake of the real needy. The ' biography of Mr. Slimmer would, if a detailed account of all his doings and adventures was given, fill a volimie of interest- ing literature; but, as this work is limited to history only, nothing but a glimpse in his career can be given. Mr. Slimmer is a pioneer of IcAva and his business was chiefly confined to stock raising and dealing, and other pur- suits of agricultural nature. He was successful, chiefly be-^ cause of his sterling honesty and unimpeachable truthfulness. There is not another man in the entire state of Iowa who has enjoyed as much of the confidence of the people whom he dealt with as Mr. Slimmer. His first philanthropic effort was to alleviate the sufferings of the aged and infirm. To that end he contributed a sum of money toward the erection and maintenance of a Home for Aged in the city of Des Moines. !-■■'■ -' '.» \f ''.»■ ■'.) '.* '.* 7 '.* \r '.>■ •.>■ ■'.) \) ■■) 7 '.* \r '.>■ •.>■ \i ■ 338 THE JEWS OF IOWA lowi Jtwry'i Pbilanlhropist PHILANTHROPY IN IOWA JEWRIES 339 Since that time he has established a Moshab Z'kanin (home for aged) in Chicagp, and bequeathed his own mansion and a suf- ficient sum of nloney to maintain a hospital for the sick of Waverly, Bremer county, Iowa, where he resides. Mr. Shmmer was never married, but he certainly leaves a name, better than sons or daughters. Thus far his donations to various institutions aggregate an approximate am(ount of $250,000. Mr. Slimmer has a store of philosophic utterances at his command which he never conceals. From the numerous let- ters received of him the following extracts are well worthy of preservation : "The world is not very largely interested in the limited work aiid act of any one person, for, at best, all any one can do will furnish but the smallest portion of the grain toward filling the great responsibilities we owe to our fellow-men." "To moke life a success, a few cardinal principles should be adopted and strictly adhered to, and all other good points will then follow in the wake of such course without any fur- ther efforts." "Never hesitate to acquire an enemy for cause, as time servers have neither true friends nor real enemies." "Make punctuality to meet all your obligations one of the most sacred of duties, as no class of business can withstand the injurious effect from indifference to this rule." "Locate wherever you will, engage in any business you desire, you are liable to be benefited to the extent you will adhere to the afore mentioned." 340 THE JEWS OF IOWA. Mr. Slimmer seeks no credit for his deeds, boasts of noth- ing he does, knows of no distinction between race or denomi- nation, avoids fame as much as possible, blames the newspapers for giving him so much undeserved credit, gives to such insti-' tutions which are not generally in the habit of begging, loves the truth, offers advice freely and is interested to further the cause of humanity with everything at his comnKmd. He is now advancing in years, but he bears his age gracefully and has the good wishes of thousands of his fellow-men. There were, and there are, many Jews in Iowa who have, accordingly, benefited their immediate neighbors with their kind-heai^edness and philanthropic ideas, but- Jewish philan- thropy in Iowa is mainly confined to the good the different organizations have been, and are, doing. The formation of all of thu existing local charitable organ- izations in the organized Jeweries of Iowa has marked with the usual zeal, hardships, heroic efforts, little strifes, "benefis," "entertainments," "dances," and good work among the poor and needy. The burden of taking care of the local poor and needy rests upon the different ladies' .societies ; but such is the case in communities which are more or less in sympathy with Reform tendencies, while in several strictly Orthodox localities the poor are being cared for in a medieval fashion. On the whole there, is but very little poverty or distress among the Jews of Iowa," and the entire work, so to speak, commences when a new family moves in^ The wealth of the Iowa Jews, while not as fabulous as is understood to be, after a close investigation, is well dis^ tributed. In the city of Des Moines with a Jewish population PHILANTHROPY IN IOWA JEWRIES 341 of over 4000 souls, there is not a single family, living there for six months and over, which is not self-supporting; the same condition is prevalent in every Iowa Jewry. MRS. D. GOLDMAN The first ladies' society in Iowa was organized in Keokuk (1869) its leading spirits were: Mesdames, S. Klein, Marcus Younker (now of Des Moines) R. Vogel) and L. Solomon. 342 THE JEWS OF IOWA The second ladies' society was organized in Des Moines (1874) and, remiarkable indeed,' the same lady, Mrs. D. Gold- man, is its leading spirit even unto this day. Mesdames, M. Strauss, A, Shauerman (deceased) Tinie Younker, Celia Hirsh L. Hirsh, A. Pblasky and B. Apple have carried on the good work of the ladies' society which now is the oldest in the state.^ There are now in Des Moines two more ladies' societies mainly of OrthodoK Jewish ladies, among whom Mesdames J. R. Cohen, F. Gottstein, Sam Cohen, R. Marks, L. Davidson, L. Ginsburg and F. Brody are figuring prominently and do ex- cellent work. The Davenpof t ladies have, indeed,' been the leaders of the societies of the Iowa Jewry. They were organized, in 1883, and have a golden career behind -thenL Mes^ dames J. Raphael, Rosa Rothschild, F. Silberstein ' and H. Meyer were the first officers and continued to be active for many years. Mrs^ Silberstein continued as secretary for ten years and she with all the rest served the cause of benevo- lence most admirably. She died July 17, 1903. The present leaders of the Davenport society are : Mesdames D. Roths- child, J. Raphael, W. Fineshriber, H. Coffman ajtid many other ladies of the distinguished Jewry of Davenport. Of the Sioux City ladies, because of their splendid work for Judaism in their city, an account was given in the chapter dealing with Sioux City. But there is now another growing ladies' society among the Orthodox Jews of that city, and their work is very commendable. Besides their religious organizations the Jews of Iowa be- long to numerous fraternities of national and international PHILANTHROPY IN IOWA JEWRIES 343 fame as well as to social and educational clubs which are entire- ly inter-denominational, and yet, nothing in respect to Jewish organizations is left undone. Particularly strong among the MkS. SILBEKSTEIN Jews of Iowa appears the great Jewish order I. O. Bnai Birth, (Sons of the Covenant) of which trace is found in Iowa long before any other fraternity gained footing in its territory. The good which the B. B. has done for the American Jews 344 THE JEWS OF IOWA as well as for the cause of, Jews and Judaism the world over remains matchless in the history of Jewish organizations. To- day it is the greatest Jewish organization in the world, and its good work will yet play an important part in solving the Jew- ish question in Russia and Roumania. The workers of th B, B. in Iowa are : Martin Silberstein of Davenport, Moritz Stem, Henry Reigelman and S. Josph of Des Moines, Henry Hirsh of Burlington, D. Carvaloh of Keokuk and several others throughout the state. Zionism, that sublime movement which has the resurrection of the Jewish nation as its cardinal principle is most widely spread among the Jews of Iowa. Their work in that direction is purely philanthropic, but it has dene more good for the development pi the Orthodox Jewries than numerous other causes and movements could have done. It has roused the Jew of every grade to self-consciousness, to self-respect and to a higher standard of liit. It has awakened the slumbering love for Judaismi, for Jewish culture and for Jewish principles within the hearts of thousands, and has saved countless of young who otherwise were brought up indiflfierent to their sublime history and ancestry. Political Zionism founded by the sainted Dr. Theodore Herzle in 1895, has sent forth its rays of light into the most obscured ghettoes, and its ringing voice mixed with woe and exultation, fatigue and triumph, pleading and protest, reached the ears even of those whose ambition was to continue onward until no sign of Jewishness shall be left. Zionism has called the Jewish nation again into existence. PHILANTHROPY IN K>WA JEWRIES 345 The ardent Zionist workers of Iowa are: The Barons, Krugers and Prusnei-s of Sioux City; F. Brody, C. Silberman, R. Marks, Mrs. Kampinsky and Mrs. Levinson in Des Moines ] D. Grinspan in Centerville; I. Chtemiss, Council Bluffs; G. Cohen, Cedar Rapids; Mr. Kaplan, Burlington, and many others scattered throughout the state. There are thirteen Zionist societies, eleven fraternal or- ganizations, four social clubs and eight ladies' societies among the Jews of Iowa. The total cost to maintain the thirty-six organizations during the year ending 1903, was $6,242, in- "cluding the money raised for Kishineff . But the philanthropic work of the Jews of Iowa neither begins nor ends with these organizations; there are hundreds of Jews who belong to many institutions outside of Iowa and are interested in charitable work of the East, particularly in the Qeveland Orphan Asylum. Mr. A. Rothschild of Davenport is quite a philanthropist, and is greatly interested in homes and hospitals. Mr. Roths- child writes : "I was born at Eberstadt, Grand Duchy of Baden, Germany, March 10, 1852, and came to Muscatine in June, 1868. I made my home with my uncles, Rothschild Bros, who were established in business in that town since 1856. In 1887, I moved to. Davenport where the business of D; Roths- child Grain Co. was established." "I think the Jewish people is more fit for commercial or professional purposes than any other human pursuit, but, ow- ing to the overcrowded ghettoes in the East, agriculture is very commiendable for the new im|migrant." 346 THE JE*VS OF IPWA "I believe that orphan asylums^ homes for the aged and infirni and hospitals are the most deserving of our charities." D. hOTHSCHILD Mr. Rothschild is a trustee of the Cleveland Orphan Home, fyresident of the Bnai Israel congregation of Davenport, a man of magnetic personality and a prominent citizen in Iowa. PHILANTHROPY IN IOWA JEWRIES 347 The late A. Sheuerman of Des Moines was also a Trustee of the Qeveland Orphan Home and one of the philanthrouic Jews of the State. "The philanthropy of the Jews of Iowa can never be figured out minutely, for there are a number of Jews in Iowa who give alms and it never comes to light for those donors wish it to be ABRAHAM SHEUERMAN Courtesy of Register and Leader Mathon B'saither. One thing remains certain that no other fifteen thousand people in Iowa or anywhere in the world can boast of so miuch as the Jews of Iowa can, and no other class which has come with nothing to its name has accomplished even one-half in every branch of human pursuits as the Jews did anywhere in this country. 348 THE JEWS OF IOWA CHAPTER XXV EDUCATIONAL AND INTELLECTUAL PROGRESS IN THE IOWA JEWRIES. Ghetto Education — Products of Russian Hashkelah — Career of a Bard E^ds in lowa^ — ^Young Israel of America Pillar of Jews and Judaism — ^Jewish School Children in Iowa — ■ >■ Friendliness of the Press to Iowa Jews. Israel became "a people of the book" long before civiliza- tion broke through the wilds of the Occident, and ere the great races of today had learned to appreciate raiment and dwelling Judah had already bewailed the loss of priests, judges,,'- prophets, kings, heroes, poets and nationalism. Israel's "pillar of fire" was — Inspiration, the true offspring of godly wis- dom, and his "pillar of cloud" was — Reason, extracted from the essence of exhausted study. Tlie Hebrews, long before they beheld the scenes of the Holy Land, have fortified their souls ' against idolatry, and before ever they had a taste of the "milk and honey" they willingly digested the Torah. When cruel dispersion came and scattered the God-chosen'" ^^ nation throughout the four corners of the earth, there was still left a handful of sages to keep Israel together by saving ■ E DUCATION IN IOWA JEWRIES 349 the Torah frcMni the hands of its enemies, and, ever since, the . magic tie of Israel's sacred literature would not yield the wan- derers to the destructive elements to tear them asunder. An am ha Orets (illiterate person) was the object of scorn in every Jewish community, and the pious sages of yore placed him second only to a heathen. The lullaby of the ghetto was : Torah, ist die beste S'chorah, (Learning is the most profitable merchandise.) The dignity and rank of a family in Israel was esteemed according to the number of scholars it could boast of, not according to the amount of dollars it could count. A scholar, even though he be of illicit birth, was to be honored before an ignorant high priest; in the days of the Talmiudists, a heathen who studied the Law was equal to a high priest When the rays of sunshine were checked by iron walls and the window-panes of Israel's humble dwellings could only re- flect gloom upon the innocent faces of the children of the ghetto, there was still another light illuminating the genii of Israel, it was the light of learning, of knowledge and, it broke through the barred gates more than once to spread cheerful light throughout the Dark Ages. Illiteracy could possibly make no headway in the narrow streets of Israel's Hinom during the European persecutions, for every son of Israelitish parents had to be instructed in Hebrew that he might at least know to recite the Tphilofh; (prayers) but continual oppression, poverty, homelessness and seclusion have jeopardized Israel's traditional love for refine- ment and reduced the masses of the Jewish people to rudeness. 350 THE JEWS OF IOWA rusticity, coarseness and shabbiness. Superstition, too, found many adherents in the ghetto, and secular knowledge was/ for a lomg time, divorced from the Jewish masses. Thet Mendelssoihnian era in Germany and the dawn of Rus- sian Hashkolak put an end to the notion of the ghettoes that only anciait literature of a sacred source is to be pursued : everlastingly by Israel, and, at once, the Jewish youths directed ' their ambition.' toward the tree of secular knowledge. The Jewish woman, too, was emancipated, and their mission became something more than being brought up as a reproductive organism of the ghetta Life became more European-^like in ' the hitherto medieval quarters of the wonder-working people, * - and the cry from thence echoed a burning thirst for learning. ,* But anti-Semitism and hideous laws put a revolving sword at the gate of Israel's new paradise; only three percent of Jew- ish students could enter the higher institutions of learning in Russia, whereas the oytpour of the ghettoes could have taxed . the capacities of every college and university in that country. - The woeful stories of the disappointed and despaired Jew- ■ ish students is imprinted upon the stones of the streets of every European metropolis where the fatigued, famished and un- fortunate young heroes of Israel ,h^ve aimlessly -wandered^'; about in search of education and recognition. The next move of despaired Israel was — America. 'But, alack! in this vast land of activity and materialism but little delight greeted the idealists of the European ghettoes. Hun- dreds of the forlorn grand-children of the ghettoi have wasted thefr strength in sweat shops, in swamps, in prairies, in fac-- EDUCATION IN IOWA JEWRIES 351 tories and in hospitals. Those who drieamit of becoming jurists, physicians, journahsts, authors, mathematicians, professors and orators were compelled to confine themselves in dungeons of cobblers, tailors, cigarmakers, second hand dealers, butchers, paper^angers and all other mean work known to the crowded districts of New York, Philadelphia, Chicago, Baltimore, Bos- ton and Pittsburg, and yet, many of them. have survived every- thing and reached the summit of their ceaseless ambition at last. Aye, the martyrdom of the products of the Russian Hashkolah could not wholly be described even though a volume of adjectives, picturing tears, hunger, sickness, revolt, despair, .infidelity, vain efforts, exile, torture, failure, consumption, Denver and Death, be wasted in chronicling it. A distinguished specimen of that forlorn genei-ation has had the good fortune of being deposited beneath the surface of Iowa soil. He was a Mashkil of rare talents, and a poet, too. His name was A. Markson. His cradle was Pillvossok, (about 1864) the town which has contributed many good families to the Iowa Jewry. Like all other children of that townlet he was sent to chedar at the age of five and the Moloch (angel, ghetto Santa Claus) ivhose dwelling was above the ceiling of the filthy little room., which was kitchen, bed-room, dining-room, parlor, library and school, was very kind to little Markson and threw down a Kopek (Russian penny) upon his alphabet. Alas, the Malach never again appeared to him ! He studied the Bible, Talmud and Poskim (super-commen- taries upon the Talmud) for several years, but his ambition was directed to secular study, which was indeed a hard task 35i THE JEWS OF IOWA to undertake. He managed to^ master the Russian language and some of its literature in addition to acquiring the Hebrew and part O'f its new literature. Seeing that in Russia his case A. trARKSON was hopeless, he crossed the border line and settled in Koenigs- berg, eastern Prussia. But in that metropolis were scores of Jewish youths like himi and all they could manage to obtain EDUCATION IN IOWA'S JEWRIES 353 was, a garret, one meal a day, a constant dread for the Schuts- man (German policeman) lest his race and nativity be dis- ' covered, difficult study and final disappointment. He, never- theless, remained there several years and after finding out, like all others before him did, that Germany will not tolerate the presence of foreigners, particularly Russian Jews, he turned his face and lifted his hands toward America. Mr. Markson mastered, Yiddish, Lithuanian (a sanscritic dialect), Polish, Russian, German and Hebrew, and here, he found himself a mute, a greenhorn. He found America an Olam Hophuch (a world of contradictions). The great M'uchas (one of high birth) is confined fourteen or fifteen hours daily in a sweat-shop, while the Yungats (vagrant) dis- owns all his former acquaintances and looks proudly upcnr the greene from his large estiablishment on Broadway. The worth- less being is said to be zvorth thousands, while the real worthies are said to be worth nothing. But the stomachic problem was more enigmatic to the bard than any other puzzling questions and he soon forgot every- thing in his hunt for a piece of bread. He peddled, clerked, married, lived in Omaha, and finally kept books for Mr. Jacobs at Ames, Iowa. He wrote some good Hebrew poems too, but the little prosperity which Iowa showered upon him during his five years' sojourn upon her soil was insufficient to restore his ruined health, and, after being confined in Mercy Hospital of Des Moines for several weeks, his career was completed and death relieved him of all burdens. And on a very gloomy day, when snow, frost, wind, cloud and cheerlessness echoed the 354 ' THE JEWS OF, IOWA melancholy tune of Nature's harp, a handful of Des Moines, Jews laid him to rest, (1903) little realizing that his gravS marked the end of the most interesting chapter in Israel's" history. , * His poems were mostly published in a periodical named hd-Ihry (the Hebrew), which has now ceased to exist, and the; J few which are unpublished are of little merit. > In Iowa, -his death marked the end of the European sort of education among the Jews, and very soon the entire' general- tion who have witnessed the scenes of distress in Europe will make way for young Israel who were, and are being, brought up in America's public school. The young generation' of Iowa's Jews is a promising. one, indeed. Judaism will have to be what they make it, and. Israel will be respected according to the progress they will- be able to boast of when their fathers, the pioneers, will be no more. And, it is indeed, gratifying to Jews and Judaism that young Israel in America is a promising lot. Upon the counted nance of the boys and girls who were bom on Iowa soil and are nourished upon its fat, no traits of forced humblenessi^no sign of physical demoralization, no trace of ghettoism can be discovered. They are a sturdy lot, aggressive in every way and ; proud of Americanism. They are eagerly speeding to the Iowa' school houses; and their entire hope is concentrated on one subject— study. Their Jewishness begins with profound re- spect for authority, great desire for knowledge, with studiouS-ji ness, genius and endless love for music. All Iowa school prin- ciples, who were consulted for candid opinions on, the Jewish FACSIMILE OF MARKSON'S POEM ^ T i"^ MAN'S HEART TRANSLATION Unto a fiddle, man's heart is like A violin of strings but two ; One, jovial song, mirth, doth strike, The other — weeps, rends hearts in two. Upon the fiddle. Time's hand doth play, The odd bow, slfe moves with grace and speed ; One second, the air is joyous, gay, The second — filled. with woe, tears, indeed. 3S6 THE JEWS OF IOWA school children, when statistical data was being collected for this work, are unanimous in praising their behavior, studious-^'^ ness and brightness. There are twenty-four counties in Iowa where there appear?' not a single name of a Jewish school child on record; the' counties are : Audubon, Cass, Glay, Dickinson, Emmet, Greene, Hancock, Howard, Humboldt, Ida, 'Kossuth, Lyon, Monroe,- O'Brien, Osceola, Pocahontas, Shelby, Taylor, Union, Wayne, Winnebago, Worth and Wright. But there are a number of Jews in ^those counties who are engaged in commerciar pur- suits; they are mostly single men or late immigrants- whose! families are as yet in the lands of Darkness. In the seventy-five counties where the Iowa Jewry is scat- tered about there were enrolled during the school year 1903- 04, according to reports from the proper authorities, 2,343,'' Jewish school children, including those who are attenditig high schools, colleges and universities. Polk county (Des Moines)-: has 347 ijiales, and 368 females, or a total of 715, Jewish chil- dren in its public schools, high schools and colleges. The Bremer school in Des Moines had enrolled 119, and the Braynt.-; school 114, Jewish children. The above named schools are located in the center of the Jewish settlement on the East side, -• but practically speaking there is no ghetto to speak of in any " large Iowa city. Among the children of the pioneers whose sch(K>l days are past, are a class of educated men and women who are the pride ^ of the Iowa Jewry and figure largely among the intellectuaJg circles of Iowa. Among them are nine physicians, eight law-.) EDUCATION IN IOWA JEWRIES 357 yers, eighteen school teachers, and three college professors, most of whom were born in Iowa and more than half of them are of Russian and Polish Jewish parentage. * But the educational and intellectual progress of the Jews of Iowa was not wholly confined to the young, for even their fathers and mothers have advanced marvelously, and it would be in vain to search for ghetto types among the Jewfs who have had the benefit of Iowa environment for the past twenty or thirty years. With his habitual cosmopolitanism', the Jew has readily and willingly adopted himself to everything good in Americanism and, at the same time, retained whatever good there is in the traditional Jewish characteristics. The Jew has gained the dignity of an American gentleman and retained the prestige of his race most wonderfully. Iowa journalism was also a field for several, Jews whose ingenuity has contributed no mean share to elevate the stand- ard of the press. The foremost among them was Samuel Strauss, son of M. Strauss of the firm of Lederer, Strauss & Co., of Des Moines. He was most successful as the owner of the "Leader" and subsequently when he consolidated with the "Register," he succeeded in making "the Register and Leader" what it is today, that is, one of the most powerful and influential papers in Iowa. Mr. Strauss has recently removed to New York where he purchased the New York Post and, as he is a great manager, • Oneof the professors is Mr. Steiner, of Grinnell. He is a brother to the editor of the Zionist organ, "Die Welt" of Vienna, Austria, and the author of "Tolstoi, the Man." Mr. Steiner is the instructor of Christianity at the college and frequently occupies the pulpits of the most foremost churches in Iowa. 358 THE JEWS OF IOWA a noted orator and above all a Jewish patriot, he will figtire prominently in making Jewish history in this country, for he is still a young man. There are several other Jewish young men and women in- terested in journalism and have very bright prospects. Among the foreign Jews are also several who at intervals contribute to the Hebrew and Yiddish press, but as yet none oi the talented men and women of the Iowa Jewrj^ have earned their bread from journalism with the exception of a very few. SAMUEL STRAUSS Courtesy of The Daily News Music and art is well represented in the Iowa Jewries, but only three young women have made a profession out of their accomplishments, one of whom broke away from her parents, friends and people in her zeal to follow music. But upon the rising generation rests everything. The press generally is very liberal in its treatment of Jew- ish subjects, and whenever a calamity befell upon the Euro- EDUCATION IN IOWA JEWRIES 359 pean Jews, such as the Dreyfus case, the Kishineff massacre, and all other important events, was treated with the utmost kindness toward the downtrodden people. In fact, the Iowa press, should it have been owned by Jews, could not have accorded better treatments to the people of Israel generally. Indeed, in every walk of life, in every avenue of human enterprises which the lowans have been fortunate to pursue with distinction, the Jewish citizens were alongside of them and assisted in rolling the mill stone of Iowa's golden career, upon the summit of happiness and concord. There possibly can be found no better example of the brotherhood of mankind than when we behold men and women of different country and clime, race and belief, working in harmony to enhance the commerce and industry, to purify the community from vice, to uplift the standard of morality, to promote the welfare of society, to protect the principles of good government, to propagate concord, to eliminate prejudice, to alleviate sufferings and to create, the most happiness. ' ■ Surely, Providence destined DeSoto, a son of the irtquisi- tionary Spain, the country of blood and flame, to die searching lands for the free and homes for the poor. The End.