Rosa Blimline Herstein
Portrait of the three eldest Herstein Children, Bettie, Lina and Monroe, circa 1864, painting by William Frye |
Business woman
Notes:
• "The first Jewish settlers known to have come to Huntsville and remain were my two paternal great grandfathers, Morris Bernstein and Robert Herstein. Both were permanent residents of Huntsville by 1859, according to the Huntsville City Directory, which lists them as residents and owners of businesses. The names of Robert Herstein and Morris Bernstein are the only ones that appear in both the Directory and in the minutes of the organizational meeting on July 30, 1876 of Congregation B'Nai Sholom, the first Jewish religious congregation established in Huntsville. Among the earliest deaths recorded in the old Jewish section of Maple Hill Cemetery are those of Robert Herstein in 1878, Henrietta Bernstein in 1896, and Morris Bernstein in 1898."
Robert Hemstein was born in 1831, Grand Duchy of Hesse, Darmstadt, Germany and immigrated to America as a teenager. He settled first in Leesburg, Virginia, where he worked as a clerk in a mercantile business. H e moved to Huntsville in 1855 and by 1959 had acquired the resources to become established as a merchant of dry goods. In 1859 he married Rosa Blimline of Baltimore, Maryland. A small silver flower basket that belongs to my father bears the inscription, 'Presented by the Har Linai Congregation of Baltimore to Miss Rosa Blimline on the day of her wedding Feb. 23, 1859 as a token of gratitude.' Robert and Rosa had seven children. The eldest, Bettie, born in 1860, was the mother of my grandmother, Annie Schiffman Goldsmith.
According to the Huntsville Advocate, Robert was active in city affairs. He was treasurer of the city government for a number of years and a member of the city council from 1877 until his death in 1878. During the decade prior to Robert's death, Huntsville experienced the painful disorganization and financial difficulties that accompanied Reconstruction. As treasurer of the city government and member of the citycouncil, he played a part in the city's reorganization. His efforts, undoubtedly, contributed to the prosperity that Huntsville enjoyed following Reconstruction.
In addition to his civic and business duties, Robert was one of the organizers of the local B'nai B'rith chapter and served as its first president. He was also a founding father of Congregation B'nai Sholom During the High Holidays (the Jewish new year season) in September 1876, he served as Shamas (leader) of the Congregation. This was prior to the time that the regular services of a Rabbi (spiritual leader) had been obtained. Robert died, 'an untimely death in 1878 at his home on Monte Sano Mountain of pernicious billious fever .' His wife, Rosa, raised her family alone and continued her husband's business with Henry Lowenthal, 'Herstein and Lowenthal', a dry goods and notions store In the 1890's she operated with Lowenthal, 'The Trade Palace', also a dry goods aand notions store. Rose Herstein died in 1909." - 5 Generations
• Mother of:
Bettie Herstein (1860 - 1932)
Lina Herstein (1861 - )
Jacob Herstein (1869 - )
Abie Herstein (1871 - )
Joseph Herstein (1875 - ) - Ancestry.com
• Mother of:
Elizabeth (1860 - 1932)
Lina (1861 - 1930)
Monroe Crossman (1862 - 1893)
Jacob Robert (1868 - 1934)
Abraham (1872 - 1939)
Joseph Brickell (1875 - 1923) - Ancestry.com 2
• "In an article about the house at 601 Madison Street, Huntsville, William J. Stubno, Jr. includes the following information about the Hernstein family as he discusses the progression of ownership: Mrs. Rosa Herstein bought the house from James B. Turner. ""In 1862, the physician (Turner) sold it to Mrs. Rosa Herstein at a loss of $500.00, probably due to the uncertain economic conditions caused by the Civil War.
Born in Maryland in 1839, Mrs. Herstein was the wife of Robert Herstein, a prominent Jewish businessman. Though her husband owned considerable real estate, as well as other tangible assets, she owned the Madison Street home separate and apart from her spouse.
Rosa Herstein's husband was born in 1831 in the city of Darmstadt in the Grand Duchy of Hesse. While still in his teens, he migrated to the United States and eventually settled in Leesburg, Virginia, where he first became active in mercantile pursuits. In 1855, the young businessman moved to Huntsville and eventually opened a clothing store at the corner of Eustis and Franklin streets.
Herstein was exceptionally civic-minded. Serving as a member of the City Council, as city treasurer, and being a charter member of Temple B'nai Sholom were just some of his community interests. Moreover, he owned property consisting of 160 acres in the country, a store in New Hope, a house on Church Street, lots in Huntsville's Davis Addition, a lot on Monte Sano Mountain, and various other properties, all valued at over $10,000.00.
As a real estate investor and businessman, Herstein occasionally traveled. While returning from one of these trips to New York in 1878, he became ill, and a short time after his arrival home, died of pernicious bilious fever. Besides his wife Rosa, he left seven children, including Bettie, Lina, Monroe, Miriam, Abraham, and Joseph.
After her husband's death, Mrs Herstein made a will directing that her Madison Street property be given to her children. Upon her passing in 1909, it fell into the hands of her heirs who sold it to J. William Turner in 1913."" (We are not sure if this Turner was related to the Turner that sold the house to Rosa Herstein.)" - Stubno
• 601 Madison Street owned by Mrs. Rosa Herstein: The home remained in the Herstein family from 1862 until 1913. - AAUW
• Mrs. Robert Herstein (Herstein & Lowenthal) residence 19 Franklin. Herstein & Lowenthal (Mrs. R. Herstein & H. J. Lowenthal), notions Exchange Row. (Dry Goods) - Huntsville City Directory, 1896
• In the 1870 Census, Robert Herstein was 40 years old and is listed as the head of house. He was born in Germany and his occupation is listed as Merchant. Also living in the home was Rose, his wife (age 31) and five of their children Bettie (10) Lina (9) Monroe (8) Mirian (2) and Jacob (1). There is one more woman listed. Her name was Lizzie Momehunt she was 19 years old, born in Ireland, and her occupation was housekeeper. - 1870 Census
• In the 1880 Census, Rosa was 40 years old, was widowed and was head of the house. Her occupation was listed as Merchantress. She was born in Maryland and her parents were both born in Prussia. Five of her children were living with her all of them were born in Alabama. They were Bettie Herstein (20), Lina Herstein (19), Jacob Herstein (11), Abie Herstein (9), Joseph Herstein (5). There was also a "Servant" named Jennie Drake living in the home she was 23 years old and was born in Alabama. - 1880 Census
Related Links:
The Following Pages Link to this Page:
• 5 Generations
• Bettie Herstein Schiffman
• Huntsville City Directory, 1896
• Robert Herstein
• Stubno
• The Goldsmith Family Album
| Born: | Feb. 8, 1839, Baltimore, Marland |
| Died: | 1909 |
| Buried: | Maple Hill Cemetery |
| Mother of: | Bettie Herstein Schiffman |
| Wife of: | Robert Herstein |
Notes:
• "The first Jewish settlers known to have come to Huntsville and remain were my two paternal great grandfathers, Morris Bernstein and Robert Herstein. Both were permanent residents of Huntsville by 1859, according to the Huntsville City Directory, which lists them as residents and owners of businesses. The names of Robert Herstein and Morris Bernstein are the only ones that appear in both the Directory and in the minutes of the organizational meeting on July 30, 1876 of Congregation B'Nai Sholom, the first Jewish religious congregation established in Huntsville. Among the earliest deaths recorded in the old Jewish section of Maple Hill Cemetery are those of Robert Herstein in 1878, Henrietta Bernstein in 1896, and Morris Bernstein in 1898."
Robert Hemstein was born in 1831, Grand Duchy of Hesse, Darmstadt, Germany and immigrated to America as a teenager. He settled first in Leesburg, Virginia, where he worked as a clerk in a mercantile business. H e moved to Huntsville in 1855 and by 1959 had acquired the resources to become established as a merchant of dry goods. In 1859 he married Rosa Blimline of Baltimore, Maryland. A small silver flower basket that belongs to my father bears the inscription, 'Presented by the Har Linai Congregation of Baltimore to Miss Rosa Blimline on the day of her wedding Feb. 23, 1859 as a token of gratitude.' Robert and Rosa had seven children. The eldest, Bettie, born in 1860, was the mother of my grandmother, Annie Schiffman Goldsmith.
According to the Huntsville Advocate, Robert was active in city affairs. He was treasurer of the city government for a number of years and a member of the city council from 1877 until his death in 1878. During the decade prior to Robert's death, Huntsville experienced the painful disorganization and financial difficulties that accompanied Reconstruction. As treasurer of the city government and member of the citycouncil, he played a part in the city's reorganization. His efforts, undoubtedly, contributed to the prosperity that Huntsville enjoyed following Reconstruction.
In addition to his civic and business duties, Robert was one of the organizers of the local B'nai B'rith chapter and served as its first president. He was also a founding father of Congregation B'nai Sholom During the High Holidays (the Jewish new year season) in September 1876, he served as Shamas (leader) of the Congregation. This was prior to the time that the regular services of a Rabbi (spiritual leader) had been obtained. Robert died, 'an untimely death in 1878 at his home on Monte Sano Mountain of pernicious billious fever .' His wife, Rosa, raised her family alone and continued her husband's business with Henry Lowenthal, 'Herstein and Lowenthal', a dry goods and notions store In the 1890's she operated with Lowenthal, 'The Trade Palace', also a dry goods aand notions store. Rose Herstein died in 1909." - 5 Generations
• Mother of:
Bettie Herstein (1860 - 1932)
Lina Herstein (1861 - )
Jacob Herstein (1869 - )
Abie Herstein (1871 - )
Joseph Herstein (1875 - ) - Ancestry.com
• Mother of:
Elizabeth (1860 - 1932)
Lina (1861 - 1930)
Monroe Crossman (1862 - 1893)
Abraham (1872 - 1939)
Joseph Brickell (1875 - 1923) - Ancestry.com 2
• "In an article about the house at 601 Madison Street, Huntsville, William J. Stubno, Jr. includes the following information about the Hernstein family as he discusses the progression of ownership: Mrs. Rosa Herstein bought the house from James B. Turner. ""In 1862, the physician (Turner) sold it to Mrs. Rosa Herstein at a loss of $500.00, probably due to the uncertain economic conditions caused by the Civil War.
Born in Maryland in 1839, Mrs. Herstein was the wife of Robert Herstein, a prominent Jewish businessman. Though her husband owned considerable real estate, as well as other tangible assets, she owned the Madison Street home separate and apart from her spouse.
Rosa Herstein's husband was born in 1831 in the city of Darmstadt in the Grand Duchy of Hesse. While still in his teens, he migrated to the United States and eventually settled in Leesburg, Virginia, where he first became active in mercantile pursuits. In 1855, the young businessman moved to Huntsville and eventually opened a clothing store at the corner of Eustis and Franklin streets.
Herstein was exceptionally civic-minded. Serving as a member of the City Council, as city treasurer, and being a charter member of Temple B'nai Sholom were just some of his community interests. Moreover, he owned property consisting of 160 acres in the country, a store in New Hope, a house on Church Street, lots in Huntsville's Davis Addition, a lot on Monte Sano Mountain, and various other properties, all valued at over $10,000.00.
As a real estate investor and businessman, Herstein occasionally traveled. While returning from one of these trips to New York in 1878, he became ill, and a short time after his arrival home, died of pernicious bilious fever. Besides his wife Rosa, he left seven children, including Bettie, Lina, Monroe, Miriam, Abraham, and Joseph.
After her husband's death, Mrs Herstein made a will directing that her Madison Street property be given to her children. Upon her passing in 1909, it fell into the hands of her heirs who sold it to J. William Turner in 1913."" (We are not sure if this Turner was related to the Turner that sold the house to Rosa Herstein.)" - Stubno
• 601 Madison Street owned by Mrs. Rosa Herstein: The home remained in the Herstein family from 1862 until 1913. - AAUW
• Mrs. Robert Herstein (Herstein & Lowenthal) residence 19 Franklin. Herstein & Lowenthal (Mrs. R. Herstein & H. J. Lowenthal), notions Exchange Row. (Dry Goods) - Huntsville City Directory, 1896
• In the 1870 Census, Robert Herstein was 40 years old and is listed as the head of house. He was born in Germany and his occupation is listed as Merchant. Also living in the home was Rose, his wife (age 31) and five of their children Bettie (10) Lina (9) Monroe (8) Mirian (2) and Jacob (1). There is one more woman listed. Her name was Lizzie Momehunt she was 19 years old, born in Ireland, and her occupation was housekeeper. - 1870 Census
• In the 1880 Census, Rosa was 40 years old, was widowed and was head of the house. Her occupation was listed as Merchantress. She was born in Maryland and her parents were both born in Prussia. Five of her children were living with her all of them were born in Alabama. They were Bettie Herstein (20), Lina Herstein (19), Jacob Herstein (11), Abie Herstein (9), Joseph Herstein (5). There was also a "Servant" named Jennie Drake living in the home she was 23 years old and was born in Alabama. - 1880 Census
Related Links:
• 1870 Census - As viewed through an Ancestry.com paid subscription (Originally found at http://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?db=1870usfedcen&indiv=try&h=13088076.)
• 1880 Census - As viewed through an Ancestry.com paid subscription (Originally found at http://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?db=1880usfedcen&h=39959733&ti=0&indiv=try&gss=pt&ssrc=pt_t2216997_p7025890158_kpidz0q3d7025890158z0q26pgz0q3d32768z0q26pgplz0q3dpid.)
• 5 Generations - Article titled "5 Generations of Life: 'My Family and the Huntsville, Alabama Jewish Community' 1852-1982" by Margaret Anne Goldsmith Hanaw for Huntsville Historical Review, Volume 12, #3 & #4, Jul-82, Huntsville-Madison County Historical Society
• AAUW - Glimpses Into Antebellum Homes of Historic Huntsville, Alabama, Ninth Edition, by American Association of University Women, Huntsville Branch, Huntsville, Alabama, 1999, page 34.
• Ancestry.com - Page owned by Jen White and can be viewed only with an Ancestry.com paid subscription (Originally found at http://trees.ancestry.com/tree/2216997/person/7025932243.)
• Ancestry.com 2 - Page owned by Jack Kaufmann and can be viewed only with an Ancestry.com paid subscription (Originally found at http://trees.ancestry.com/tree/65037380/person/30129930169.)
• Find a Grave - Page created by Jason Presely
• Huntsville City Directory, 1896 - Huntsville City Directory 1896-97, by Huntsville Directory Company, 1896-1897
• Stubno - Article titled "The White-Turner-Sanford Home: Legacy of an Elusive Virginian" by William J. Stubno, Jr. for Historic Huntsville Quarterly, Vol. XIII, #2, Winter, 1987, Historic Huntsville Foundation, page 15.
The Following Pages Link to this Page:
• 5 Generations
• Bettie Herstein Schiffman
• Huntsville City Directory, 1896
• Robert Herstein
• Stubno
• The Goldsmith Family Album