Cohen (Wolfe Household)

Wolfe Cohen

Born 1847

Born in Poland

Occupation: Clothier and Saloon Owner

Married to Leah

Leah Cohen

Born 1848

Born in Poland

Married to Wolfe

Rachel Cohen

Born 1827

Born in Poland

Mother of Wolfe

Jacob Cohen

Born 1866

Born in Poland

Son of Wolfe and Leah

Sarah Cohen

Born 1870

Born in New York

Daughter of Wolfe and Leah

David Cohen

Born 1876

Born in New York

Son of Wolfe and Leah

Isaac Cohen

Born 1879

Born in Indiana

Son of Wolfe and Leah

Wolfe Cohen and his family were active in Leadville from 1880 to at least 1882.  Wolfe was born in Poland in 1847.[19]   Little is known about his life in Poland, except that his mother was Rachel, who was born in 1827.[20]   In Poland Wolfe married Leah (surname unknown), who was born in 1848.[21]   Prior to immigrating to the United States, Wolfe and Leah had a son, Jacob, in 1866.[22]   By 1870, the family, including Rachel, had immigrated to New York where Sarah was subsequently born.[23]   The next addition to Wolfe and Leah’s family occurred in 1876 with the birth of David.[24]   In 1879, while the family was living in Indiana they had another son, Isaac.[25]

The Cohen family arrived in Leadville in 1880.[26]   Wolfe started his Leadville life as a tailor, working with his mother, Rachel, at 106 Toledo Avenue.[27]   It appears Rachel may have been active in commerce, since she also appeared in the Leadville Weekly Herald regarding a transfer of funds to “Richard E. Whitaitt, one-eighth of the Smasher, for $800.”[28]    In 1881, Wolfe is listed as running a saloon at 103 E. Chestnut Street.[29]   The next year, 1882, Wolfe was active once again in the clothing industry with a shop at 218 W. Chestnut Street.[30]   After 1882, Wolfe’s family ceases to appear in the city records and newspapers.  It seems they left town, although it is unclear where they relocated.[31]

George Cohen

Brother of Maxine

Maxine (Cohen) Goodman

Married to Robert

Robert Goodman

Married to Maxine

Maxine and Robert Goodman were only in Leadville very briefly in the early 1900s.[32]  However, while in Leadville and when they returned to Denver, Robert had his wife pursue a “questionable calling for a livelihood.” The couple returned to Denver in June, 1906, and George Cohen learned of his sister’s plight. The Herald Democrat reports what followed:

“Robert Goodman was shot and killed tonight by George Cohen, in a restaurant in the lower part of the city.  The shooting followed many threats made upon the life of Goodman by Cohen, it is said, because the former compelled his wife, who is Cohen’s sister to engage in a questionable calling for a livelihood.

Cohen surrendered himself to the police immediately after the shooting declaring that he had no regret for his action as he did only what he thought was right in justice to his sister.

Cohen further claimed that Goodman’s conduct had brought shame upon his (Cohen’s) family and caused the death of his father, Morris Cohen.”[33]

In September, 1906, George Cohen was charged with “a verdict of voluntary manslaughter, with recommendation of extreme leniency.  Cohen’s defense was that he killed Goodman because the latter ruined his sister.  Cohen is in the last stages of tuberculosis and testimony was introduced to show that he might die at any time and certainly could not live a year.”[34]  George Cohen did in fact die of tuberculosis shortly after the trial.[35]   It is unclear what became of his sister, Maxine.

Isaac Cohen

Born 1836

Born in Massachusetts

Occupation

Miner

Isaac Cohen was a miner who lived at Iron Hill near Leadville during 1880.  Isaac was born in 1836 and was from Massachusetts.  The census lists him as married, but his wife did not live with him in Leadville.  The only Leadville record which Isaac appears on is the 1880 census.  Accordingly, not much is known about Isaac Cohen, the miner.[36]

Marcus Cohen

Born 1857

Born in Alabama

Occupation Clerk

Marcus Cohen was born in Alabama during 1857.[37]   He was the son of immigrants from Poland and Germany.[38]   Marcus arrived in Leadville in 1880.[39]   He was one of the employees of Fred Butler and Henry Frankle, two successful Jewish merchants who owned the Palace of Fashion, where Marcus worked as a clerk.[40]   While in Leadville he resided at 113 and 111 E. Chestnut Street in 1880 and 1881 respectively.[41]

Lillie Cohen

All that is known of Lillie Cohen is that she died on August 24, 1885.[42]   There were multiple Cohens in Leadville during this time so it is unclear to whom she might have been related.

Mable Cohen

Mabel Cohen is in a similar predicament to Lillie.  All that is known is that Mabel died on June 25, 1880.  It is also unknown who her relatives were.  She was interred in the Hebrew Cemetery.[43]

Infant Cohen

There is not much information on Infant Cohen.  She passed away in February 1905 and was only three months old.  She is listed as the daughter of Gus from Buena Vista.  Infant Cohen was interred in the Hebrew Cemetery.[44]