Samuel Kirschberg
Occupation: N/A
Born: 1850-1852
Birthplace: Germany
Died: N/A
Emanuel Kirschberg
Occupation: N/A
Born: N/A
Birthplace: N/A
Died: N/A
Joseph Kirschberg
Occupation: N/A
Born: N/A
Birthplace: N/A
Died: N/A
Samuel Kirschberg was born sometime between 1850 and 1852 to unknown parents, the year variation coming from his responses to census enumerators in 1880 [1] and 1920. [2] Though he similarly gave variations in his birthplace, with Germany in 1880 and Poland in 1920, he most likely was born in Germany but changed his responses after World War I. [3] His date of immigration is not known; however, before arriving in Leadville he briefly resided in Denver in 1875 [4] and Omaha, Nebraska in 1876. [5] Samuel did have two relatives, presumably brothers, who joined him in Leadville: Emanuel and Joseph. Unfortunately, very little in the way of historical records on the brothers have been uncovered.
While in Omaha, Samuel involved himself with the Rawitzer family, headed by William and Sophia. [6] William was a Civil War veteran [7] and trustee for the Congregation of Israel in the city, incorporated in 1873. [8] Among the Rawitzer family was Eva, the eldest daughter, whom Samuel married on July 10, 1876. [9] The couple had three children all born in Nebraska: Joseph in 1877, [10] Sigmund in 1881, [11] and Florence in 1887. Samuel temporarily left Omaha and his family sometime after Joseph’s birth to try his luck in the burgeoning city of Leadville. There is no evidence to suggest that Eva or the children ever followed Samuel to reside in the city, however. Samuel’s 1880 census listing showed him living alone, though noted as married. [12] Eva was still living in her parents’ home in Omaha in that year. [13]
The earliest record of Samuel’s presence in Leadville is the 1879 city directory, the first published for the city. He was living and working at the liquor and cigar house of M. Gosline, located at 33½ Harrison Avenue. [14] Emanuel arrived in 1880 and purchased the Colorado Beer Hall located at the northeast corner of Chestnut Street and Leiter Avenue. [15] The 1880 city directory lists Samuel as the manager for the business. [16]
Samuel was the only Kirschberg who had a recorded, though quite minimal, social presence in local newspapers. He [17] and his father-in-law, William Rawitzer, [18] attended the organizational banquet for Leadville’s B’nai B’rith Rocky Mountain Lodge no. 322 held on November 9, 1879. Aside from a business-related listing in 1882, the article covering the banquet is the only other newspaper reference found on the Kirschbergs while in Leadville.
Eva and her sister, Fannie Rawitzer, visited Leadville in January, 1881, presumably to see Eva’s husband. [19] Samuel likely returned to Omaha and his family soon after, coinciding with the birth of his and Eva’s second child, Sigmund. [20] Emanuel remained in Leadville that year, running a saloon at 222 W Chestnut Street and living at 308 W 2nd Street. [21]
In 1882, the third Kirschberg, Joseph, arrived in Leadville and joined Emanuel in a new business venture advertised as a dollar store located at 609 Harrison Avenue. [22] The pair lived at 308 W 5th Street that year. [23] The Kirschberg dollar store did not last long, although there is no reported reason for its demise. The Leadville Daily Herald briefly described a dispute between Emanuel and Shoyer & Co., a tobacco distributor from Chicago. [24] The article did not report on the details of the conflict, but it is possible that it may have had an impact on the store’s closing. The 1883 city directory no longer listed Kirschbergs living in Leadville. Joseph relocated to Denver by 1884, [25] but Emanuel’s whereabouts after departing Leadville are not known. Samuel and Eva were last recorded in Alameda, California in the 1920 US Census. [26]
Listing of Samuel Kirschberg in the 1879 Leadville City directory.
The listing states: “Kirschberg, S., works M. Gosline, 33½ Harrison ave.”
1 "United States Census, 1880," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MFDJ-Q9P: accessed June 21, 2022), Samuel Kirschberg, Leadville, Lake, Colorado, United States; citing enumeration district 75, sheet 340A, NARA microfilm publication T9 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), FHL microfilm 0091.
2 "United States Census, 1920," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MHS1-1Q6: accessed June 21, 2022), Samuel J. Kirschberg, Alameda, Alameda, California, United States; citing enumeration district 16, sheet 1A, NARA microfilm publication T625 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), FHL microfilm 87.
3 It is not uncommon to see German, Austrians, and Hungarian immigrants giving different responses to census enumerators in the 1920 US Census when compared to pre-World War I censuses. Two examples among Leadville Jews were Michael David Phillips, who referred to his birthplace as Hungary prior to the war and Czechoslovakia after; and Bertha Farkus, who originally stated Hungary and switched to Romania after. Bertha’s family also changed their Hungarian name “Farkus” to the English form “Wolf” around the same time.
4 T. B. Corbett, W. C. Hoye, and J. H. Ballenger, Corbett, Hoye & Co.’s Third Annual City Directory of the Inhabitants, Institutions, Incorporated Companies, Manufacturing Establishments, Business, Business Firms, Etc, in the City of Denver for 1875 (Denver, CO: Corbett, Hoye & Co., Directory Publishers, 1875), P157.
5 C. Exera Brown, Brown’s Directory of Omaha, Nebraska Comprising a Complete Index to All Societies, Associations, Corporations, Resources, &c., &c., Also, the Full Address of All Residents, Their Occupations, Professions, Pursuits, &c., &c., Also, a Detailed Business Directory, an Exhibition of the Various Classified Kinds of Business Pursued in and about Omaha, Neb. (Omaha, NE: Omaha Daily and Weekly Bee Steam Book and Job Printing House, 1876), P6.
6 "United States Census, 1880," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M8YZ-TSX: accessed June 21, 2022), Wm. Rawitzer, Douglas Election Precinct, Douglas, Nebraska, United States; citing enumeration district 25, sheet 351C, NARA microfilm publication T9 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), FHL microfilm 0748.
7 U. S., Civil War Soldier Records and Profiles, 1861-1865, database with images, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/1971941:1555?ssrc=pt&tid=63748796&pid=42110559785: accessed June 21, 2022), American Civil War record for William Rowitzer; citing American Civil War Research Database (Duxbury: Historical Data Systems, n.d.).
8 Carol Gendler, “The Jews of Omaha: The First Sixty Years,” Master’s thesis (University of Nebraska at Omaha, 1968).
9 Iowa, U. S., Select Marriages Index, 1758-1996, database with images, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/5183629:60284?ssrc=pt&tid=63748796&pid=42110559801: accessed June 21, 2022), marriage record between Eva Rawitzer and Samuel Kirschberg, Council Bluffs, Pottawattamie, Iowa; citing Iowa, Marriages (Salt Lake City: n.d.) FHL film 1018501.
10 "United States Census, 1880," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M8YZ-TSG: accessed June 21, 2022), Josie Kirschbury in household of Wm. Rawitzer, Douglas Election Precinct, Douglas, Nebraska, United States; citing enumeration district 25, sheet 351C, NARA microfilm publication T9 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), FHL microfilm 0748.
11 "United States Census, 1910," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MVG6-HH3: accessed June 21, 2022), Sigmund Kirseberg, San Francisco Assembly District 42, San Francisco, California, United States; citing enumeration district ED 282, sheet 8A, NARA microfilm publication T624 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1982), FHL microfilm 1,374,114.
12 "United States Census, 1880," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MFDJ-Q9P: accessed June 21, 2022), Samuel Kirschberg, Leadville, Lake, Colorado, United States; citing enumeration district 75, sheet 340A, NARA microfilm publication T9 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), FHL microfilm 0091.
13 "United States Census, 1880," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M8YZ-TSL: accessed June 21, 2022), Eva Kirschbury in household of Wm. Rawitzer, Douglas Election Precinct, Douglas, Nebraska, United States; citing enumeration district 25, sheet 351C, NARA microfilm publication T9 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), FHL microfilm 0748.
14 W. M. Clark, W. A. Root and H. C. Anderson, Clark, Root & Co.’s First Annual City Directory of Leadville and Business Directory of Carbonateville, Kokomo and Malta for 1879 (Denver, CO: Daily Times Steam Printing House and Book Manufactory, 1879), P91.
15 T. B. Corbett, W. C. Hoye and J. H. Ballenger, Corbett, Hoye & Co.’s First Annual City Directory of the Inhabitants, Institutions, Incorporated Companies, Manufacturing Establishments, Business, Business Firms, Etc. in the City of Leadville, for 1880 (Leadville, CO: Democrat Printing Company, 1880), P217.
16 Corbett, Hoye, and Ballenger, 1880, P217.
17 B’nai B’rith (Leadville, CO: Leadville Weekly Herald), November 15, 1879, P3.
18 B’nai B’rith, November 15, 1879, P3.
19 Personal Points (Leadville, CO: Leadville Democrat), January 27, 1881, P8.
20 "United States Census, 1910," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MVG6-HH3: accessed June 21, 2022), Sigmund Kirseberg, San Francisco Assembly District 42, San Francisco, California, United States; citing enumeration district ED 282, sheet 8A, NARA microfilm publication T624 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1982), FHL microfilm 1,374,114.
21 T. B. Corbett and J. H. Ballenger, Corbett & Ballenger’s Second Annual Leadville City Directory: Containing a Complete List of the Inhabitants, Institutions, Incorporated Companies, Manufacturing Establishments, Business, Business Firms, Etc. in the City of Leadville, for 1881 (Leadville, CO: Corbett & Ballenger Publishers, 1881), P180.
22 T. B. Corbett and J. H. Ballenger, Corbett & Ballenger’s Third Annual Leadville City Directory: Containing a Complete List of the Inhabitants, Institutions, Incorporated Companies, Manufacturing Establishments, Business, Business Firms, Etc. in the City of Leadville, for 1882 (Leadville, CO: Corbett & Ballenger Publishers, 1882), P177.
23 Corbett and Ballenger, 1882, P177.
24 Dew Drops (Leadville, CO: Leadville Daily Herald), June 28, 1882, P1.
25 T. B. Corbett and J. H. Ballenger, Corbett & Ballenger’s Twelfth Annual Denver City Directory: Containing a Complete List of the Inhabitants, Institutions, Incorporated Companies, Manufacturing Establishments, Business, Business Firms, Etc. in the City of Denver, for 1884 (Denver, CO: Corbett & Ballenger Publishers, 1884), P399.
26 "United States Census, 1920," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MHS1-1Q6: accessed June 21, 2022), Samuel J. Kirschberg, Alameda, Alameda, California, United States; citing enumeration district 16, sheet 1A, NARA microfilm publication T625 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), FHL microfilm 87
Bibliography
B’nai B’rith. Leadville, CO: Leadville Weekly Herald. November 15, 1879.
Brown, C. Exera. Brown’s Directory of Omaha, Nebraska Comprising a Complete Index to All Societies, Associations, Corporations, Resources, &c., &c., Also, the Full Address of All Residents, Their Occupations, Professions, Pursuits, &c., &c., Also, a Detailed Business Directory, an Exhibition of the Various Classified Kinds of Business Pursued in and about Omaha, Neb. Omaha, NE: Omaha Daily and Weekly Bee Steam Book and Job Printing House, 1876.
Clark, W. M., W. A. Root and H. C. Anderson. Clark, Root & Co.’s First Annual City Directory of Leadville and Business Directory of Carbonateville, Kokomo and Malta for 1879. Denver, CO: Daily Times Steam Printing House and Book Manufactory, 1879.
Corbett, T. B., W. C. Hoye and J. H. Ballenger. Corbett, Hoye & Co.’s First Annual City Directory of the Inhabitants, Institutions, Incorporated Companies, Manufacturing Establishments, Business, Business Firms, Etc. in the City of Leadville, for 1880. Leadville, CO: Democrat Printing Company, 1880.
Corbett, T. B. and J. H. Ballenger. Corbett & Ballenger’s Second Annual Leadville City Directory: Containing a Complete List of the Inhabitants, Institutions, Incorporated Companies, Manufacturing Establishments, Business, Business Firms, Etc. in the City of Leadville, for 1881. Leadville, CO: Corbett & Ballenger Publishers, 1881.
Corbett, T. B. and J. H. Ballenger. Corbett & Ballenger’s Third Annual Leadville City Directory: Containing a Complete List of the Inhabitants, Institutions, Incorporated Companies, Manufacturing Establishments, Business, Business Firms, Etc. in the City of Leadville, for 1882. Leadville, CO: Corbett & Ballenger Publishers, 1882.
Corbett, T. B. and J. H. Ballenger. Corbett & Ballenger’s Twelfth Annual Denver City Directory: Containing a Complete List of the Inhabitants, Institutions, Incorporated Companies, Manufacturing Establishments, Business, Business Firms, Etc. in the City of Denver, for 1884. Denver, CO: Corbett & Ballenger Publishers, 1884.
Corbett, T. B., W. C. Hoye and J. H. Ballenger. Corbett, Hoye & Co.’s Third Annual City Directory of the Inhabitants, Institutions, Incorporated Companies, Manufacturing Establishments, Business, Business Firms, Etc, in the City of Denver for 1875. Denver, CO: Corbett, Hoye & Co., Directory Publishers, 1875.
Dew Drops. Leadville, CO: Leadville Daily Herald. June 28, 1882.
Gendler, Carol. “The Jews of Omaha: The First Sixty Years.” Master’s thesis. University of Nebraska at Omaha, 1968.
Iowa, U. S., Select Marriages Index, 1758-1996. Database with images, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/5183629:60284?ssrc=pt&tid=63748796&pid=42110559801: accessed June 21, 2022). Marriage record between Eva Rawitzer and Samuel Kirschberg, Council Bluffs, Pottawattamie, Iowa; citing Iowa, Marriages. Salt Lake City: n.d. FHL film 1018501.
Personal Points. Leadville, CO: Leadville Democrat. January 27, 1881.
"United States Census, 1880." Database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MFDJ-Q9P: accessed June 21, 2022). Samuel Kirschberg, Leadville, Lake, Colorado, United States; citing enumeration district 75, sheet 340A, NARA microfilm publication T9. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d. FHL microfilm 0091.
"United States Census, 1880." Database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M8YZ-TSX: accessed June 21, 2022). Wm. Rawitzer, Douglas Election Precinct, Douglas, Nebraska, United States; citing enumeration district 25, sheet 351C, NARA microfilm publication T9. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d. FHL microfilm 0748.
"United States Census, 1880." Database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M8YZ-TSG: accessed June 21, 2022). Josie Kirschbury in household of Wm. Rawitzer, Douglas Election Precinct, Douglas, Nebraska, United States; citing enumeration district 25, sheet 351C, NARA microfilm publication T9. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d. FHL microfilm 0748.
"United States Census, 1880." Database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M8YZ-TSL: accessed June 21, 2022). Eva Kirschbury in household of Wm. Rawitzer, Douglas Election Precinct, Douglas, Nebraska, United States; citing enumeration district 25, sheet 351C, NARA microfilm publication T9. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d. FHL microfilm 0748.
"United States Census, 1910." Database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MVG6-HH3: accessed June 21, 2022). Sigmund Kirseberg, San Francisco Assembly District 42, San Francisco, California, United States; citing enumeration district ED 282, sheet 8A, NARA microfilm publication T624. Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1982. FHL microfilm 1,374,114.
"United States Census, 1920." Database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MHS1-1Q6: accessed June 21, 2022). Samuel J. Kirschberg, Alameda, Alameda, California, United States; citing enumeration district 16, sheet 1A, NARA microfilm publication T625. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d. FHL microfilm 87.
U. S., Civil War Soldier Records and Profiles, 1861-1865. Database with images, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/1971941:1555?ssrc=pt&tid=63748796&pid=42110559785: accessed June 21, 2022). American Civil War record for William Rowitzer; citing American Civil War Research Database. Duxbury: Historical Data Systems, n.d.
To cite any of the information in this biography, please use the following reference.
AUTHOR: Jeffrey Grant, Quinn Whittington
EDITOR: William Korn
SOURCE: Jewish Surnames/Kirschberg
PUBLISHED BY: Temple Israel Foundation. Leadville, CO; USA. 2022
STABLE URL: http://www.jewishleadville.org/kirschberg.html
