Samuel Rich
Occupation: Watchmaker, dry goods seller, clothier
Born: est. 1845
Birthplace: Ohio
Died:
Julia Rich
Occupation:
Born: 1850 or 1857
Birthplace: Ohio
Died: 7 December 1885
Isaac “Ike” Rich
Occupation:
Born: est. 1868
Birthplace: Ohio
Died:
Rebecca “Becky” Rich
Occupation:
Born: est. 1878
Birthplace: Colorado
Died:
Lula Rich
Occupation:
Born: est. 1879
Birthplace: Colorado
Died:
Louis Rich
Occupation:
Born: 1879
Birthplace: Colorado
Died:
Rosa Hirsch Rich
Occupation:
Born:
Birthplace:
Died:
Samuel Rich, Senior
Occupation:
Born:
Birthplace:
Died: 1884
Abby Rich
Occupation:
Born: est. 1860
Birthplace: Ohio
Died:
Ed Rich
Occupation:
Born: est. 1862
Birthplace: Ohio
Died:
Samuel Rich was a prominent clothing merchant in Leadville who was born in Ohio sometime between 1845 and 1887. [1] There are no known records of his exact birthplace or where he spent his formative years. He eventually met and married another Ohio native, Julia, whose maiden name is unknown. [2] Samuel and Julia had a son, Isaac, born in Ohio in 1868. [3] Julia’s birth year fluctuates between 1850 and 1857 depending on census records, newspaper notices, and her headstone so it is unclear whether Samuel was her child.
The Rich family made their move from Ohio in the early 1870s, first settling briefly in the San Luis Valley before moving on to Pueblo, Colorado. [4] Samuel’s first business venture was a dry goods store opened in 1873 with H. Poznanski. [5] The store was located in the People’s Block on Main Street. [6] The pair’s partnership was short-lived, however, and they dissolved their business on April 5, 1875. [7] Samuel did not give up on his ambition of being a business owner and continued to operate a dry goods shop in Pueblo until February 1878 when his creditors issued a petition for bankruptcy against him. [8]
After his financial misfortunes in Pueblo, Samuel relocated his family to Leadville where he went into business with the Nathan Brothers at 50 Harrison Avenue. [9] Samuel and Julia also welcomed two daughters to their family, Rebecca in 1878 and Lula in 1879, though whether they were born in Pueblo or Leadville is unknown. [10] The 1880 US Census incorrectly states that Rebecca and Lula were born in Ohio. By 1880, the family had settled into the city and further expanded with the arrival of Samuel’s brother, Ed, and sister, Abby. [11]
In 1880, Samuel settled into a clerk position for the Nathan Brothers with the family living at 208 West 7th Street. [12] The Nathan Brothers opened their clothing store, Lion Clothing House, at 313 Harrison Avenue in 1883 where Samuel continued working. [13] Samuel’s father, Samuel Sr., joined the family In Leadville sometime between 1880 and 1884. [14] Samuel and Julia became active in Jewish social life in Leadville a few years after their arrival, participating in Purim Balls in March 1883 and 1884, a Strawberry Festival held by the Hebrew Ladies’ Benevolent Association in June 1884, and a Simchat Torah celebration in October 1884. [15]
The Rich family encountered great tragedy during the following years. Samuel’s father passed away sometime in 1884, though little is known about his death. [16] Samuel’s wife, Julia, died one year later on December 7, 1885, at the age of twenty-nine. [17] Her death notice described her as suffering from enteritis for five days prior. She was buried in Leadville’s Hebrew Cemetery. [18]
Julia’s death notice in the Carbonate Chronicle stated that she left “two children to mourn her loss,” a daughter aged eleven and a son aged six. [19] The 1885 Color¬ado Census confirmed Samuel and Julia only had two children living with them, however only Rebecca matches with previous census records. [20] A son, listed as L. Rich, appears in the same census having been born in 1879. [21] The “son” mentioned in the Carbonate Chronicle article and in the census could have been Lula with both sources being in error of her sex. Otherwise Lula may have died at a young age and the Rich family had another son in 1879. It is not clear which is the case. Isaac, the Rich’s eldest child, would have been seventeen or eighteen at the time of the census and had likely moved out by the time of his mother’s death.
The Rich family remained in Leadville two years after Julia’s death. Samuel became the proprietor of the Lion Clothing House by 1886 and remarried to Rosa Hirsch on September 5th of the same year. [22] Samuel began to face financial issues by early 1887 having lost his clothing store and being indebted in the sum of $1,t373.35 to Frankenthal & Co. for merchandise purchases. [23] The final mention of the Rich family in Leadville was of Cheap Joe purchasing all merchandise from Lion Clothing as it went out of business. [24]
Isaac Rich
Occupation: Pressman, painter
Born: est. 1858
Birthplace: New York
Died: 8 December 1882
Isaac Rich was born in New York in approximately 1858 to German immigrants. [25] He made his way to Leadville by 1880 and was employed with F.M. Longshore & Co. as a pressman. [26] At the time Rich resided at the corner of Southwest Chestnut Avenue and Pine Street. [27] He only appeared in the City Directory for a single year and the next known record of his presence in the city was his death. Isaac Rich died on December 8, 1882 at the age of twenty-four and was interred in the Leadville Hebrew Cemetery. [28]
His relation to Samuel Rich and Jacob Rich, if there was any, is not clear.
Jacob “Jake” Rich
Occupation: Tailor
Born: est. 1841
Birthplace:
Died:
Mrs. Jacob Rich
Occupation:
Born:
Birthplace:
Died:
Jacob Rich was born in Russia in 1841. [29] He moved to Leadville by 1880 where he owned a tailoring business located at 316 Harrison Avenue from 1880 to 1886. [30] Jacob was married, though the name of his wife is not known. [31] He moved frequently while living in Leadville, first settling at Pine Street in 1880, then moving to West Spruce Street, 112 West 6th Street, and 113 West 4th Street over the following years. [32] He participated Leadville’s Jewish social life, attending a Purim Ball in March 1884. [33]
His relation to Samuel Rich and Isaac Rich, if there was any, is not clear.
1 "United States Census, 1880," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MFDJ-XXF) Sam Rich, 1880; citing enumeration district ED 81, sheet 424B, NARA microfilm publication T9 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d), roll 0091; FHL microfilm 1,254,091; "Colorado State Census, 1885," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K8WN-Q5D) Sam Rich, 1885; citing NARA microfilm publication M158 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.); FHL microfilm 498,507.
2 "United States Census, 1880," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MFDJ-XXN) Julia Rich in entry for Sam Rich, 1880; citing enumeration district ED 81, sheet 424B, NARA microfilm publication T9 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d), roll 0091; FHL microfilm 1,254,091.
3 "United States Census, 1880," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MFDJ-XXK) Ike Rich in entry for Sam Rich, 1880; citing enumeration district ED 81, sheet 424B, NARA microfilm publication T9 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d), roll 0091; FHL microfilm 1,254,091.
4 “Samuel Rich,” Colorado Daily Chieftain (Pueblo, Colorado) April 24, 1873: 4.
5 “New Dry Goods House,” Colorado Weekly Chieftain (Pueblo, Colorado) May 15, 1873: 4.
6 “New Dry Goods House,” Colorado Weekly Chieftain (Pueblo, Colorado) May 15, 1873: 4.
7 “Dissolution Notice,” Colorado Daily Chieftain (Pueblo, Colorado) April 23, 1875: 3.
8 “City and Vicinity,” Colorado Daily Chieftain (Pueblo, Colorado) February 2, 1878: 4.
9 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: Daily Times Steam Printing House and Book Manufactory, 1879): pp. 131.
10 "United States Census, 1880," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MFDJ-XXJ) Becky Rich in entry for Sam Rich, 1880; citing enumeration district ED 81, sheet 424B, NARA microfilm publication T9 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d), roll 0091; FHL microfilm 1,254,091; "United States Census, 1880," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MFDJ-XXV) Lula Rich in entry for Sam Rich, 1880; citing enumeration district ED 81, sheet 424B, NARA microfilm publication T9 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d), roll 0091; FHL microfilm 1,254,091.
11 "United States Census, 1880," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MFDJ-XX2) Ed Rich in entry for Sam Rich, 1880; citing enumeration district ED 81, sheet 424B, NARA microfilm publication T9 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d), roll 0091; FHL microfilm 1,254,091; "United States Census, 1880," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MFDJ-XXL) Aby Rich in entry for Sam Rich, 1880; citing enumeration district ED 81, sheet 424B, NARA microfilm publication T9 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d), roll 0091; FHL microfilm 1,254,091.
12 John H. Ballenger, Thomas B. Corbett, and W. C. Hoye, Corbett, Hoye & Co.’s First Annual Leadville City Directory of the Inhabitants, Institutions, Incorporated Companies, Manufacturing Establishments, Business, Business Firms, Etc. in the City of Leadville for 1880 (Leadville: Democrat Printing Company, 1880): 306.
13 “’The Lion’ Clothing House,” Leadville Daily Herald (Leadville, Colorado) October 21, 1883: 4.
14 “The Late Mrs. Sam Rich,” Carbonate Chronicle (Leadville, Colorado) December 12, 1885: 7.
15 “Purim,” Leadville Daily Herald (Leadville, Colorado) March 23, 1883: 4; “Tuesday Night’s Ball,” Carbonate Chronicle (Leadville, Colorado) March 15, 1884: 5; “The Hebrew Festival,” Leadville Daily Herald (Leadville, Colorado) June 13, 1884: 4; “The Law’s Holiday,” Carbonate Chronicle (Leadville, Colorado) October 11, 1884: 6.
16 “The Late Mrs. Sam Rich,” Carbonate Chronicle (Leadville, Colorado) December 12, 1885: 7.
17 “Julia Rich,” Hebrew Cemetery (Leadville, Colorado) http://www.jewishleadville.org/tombstonedetails.php?PersonID=1113; “The Late Mrs. Sam Rich,” Carbonate Chronicle (Leadville, Colorado) December 12, 1885: 7.
18 “Julia Rich,” Hebrew Cemetery (Leadville, Colorado) http://www.jewishleadville.org/tombstonedetails.php?PersonID=1113.
19 “The Late Mrs. Sam Rich,” Carbonate Chronicle (Leadville, Colorado) December 12, 1885: 7.
20 "Colorado State Census, 1885," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K8WN-Q5D) Sam Rich, 1885; citing NARA microfilm publication M158 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.); FHL microfilm 498,507.
21 "Colorado State Census, 1885," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K8WN-Q5F) L Rich in entry for Sam Rich, 1885; citing NARA microfilm publication M158 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.); FHL microfilm 498,507.
22 “A Clean Sweep,” Leadville Evening Chronicle (Leadville, Colorado) June 23, 1886: 4; “Rich-Hirsch,” Herald Democrat (Leadville, Colorado) September 7, 1886: 3.
23 “Cheap Joe’s Deal,” Leadville Evening Chronicle (Leadville, Colorado) April 8, 1887: 4; “Court Notes,” Leadville Evening Chronicle (Leadville, Colorado) April 7, 1887: 4.
24 “Money Saved is Money Earned,” Leadville Evening Chronicle (Leadville, Colorado) April 23, 1887: 4.
25 "United States Census, 1880," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MFDJ-7ZB) Isaac Rich in entry for D R Mc Namara, 1880; citing enumeration district ED 73, sheet 319A, NARA microfilm publication T9 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d), roll 0091; FHL microfilm 1,254,091.
26 John H. Ballenger, Thomas B. Corbett, and W. C. Hoye, Corbett, Hoye & Co.’s First Annual Leadville City Directory of the Inhabitants, Institutions, Incorporated Companies, Manufacturing Establishments, Business, Business Firms, Etc. in the City of Leadville for 1880 (Leadville: Democrat Printing Company, 1880): 306.
27 John H. Ballenger, Thomas B. Corbett, and W. C. Hoye, Corbett, Hoye & Co.’s First Annual Leadville City Directory of the Inhabitants, Institutions, Incorporated Companies, Manufacturing Establishments, Business, Business Firms, Etc. in the City of Leadville for 1880 (Leadville: Democrat Printing Company, 1880): 306.
28 “Isaac Rich,” Hebrew Cemetery (Leadville, Colorado) http://www.jewishleadville.org/tombstonedetails.php?PersonID=1112.
29 "Colorado State Census, 1885," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K8WN-LVQ) J Rich, 1885; citing NARA microfilm publication M158 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.); FHL microfilm 498,507.
30 “J. Rich Tailoring,” Leadville Daily Herald (Leadville, Colorado) February 9, 1881: 1; John H. Ballenger, Thomas B. Corbett, and W. C. Hoye, Corbett, Hoye & Co.’s First Annual Leadville City Directory of the Inhabitants, Institutions, Incorporated Companies, Manufacturing Establishments, Business, Business Firms, Etc. in the City of Leadville for 1880 (Leadville: Democrat Printing Company, 1880): pp. 306; Thomas B. Corbett and John H. Ballenger, Corbett & Ballenger’s Seventh 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 1886 (Leadville: Corbett & Ballenger, Publishers, 1886): pp. 218.
31 “Society,” Leadville Daily Herald (Leadville, Colorado) December 5, 1880: 4; “Athletic Club Ball,” Leadville Daily Herald (Leadville, Colorado) March 21, 1884: 4.
32 John H. Ballenger, Thomas B. Corbett, and W. C. Hoye, Corbett, Hoye & Co.’s First Annual Leadville City Directory of the Inhabitants, Institutions, Incorporated Companies, Manufacturing Establishments, Business, Business Firms, Etc. in the City of Leadville for 1880 (Leadville: Democrat Printing Company, 1880): pp. 306; Thomas B. Corbett and John 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: Corbett & Ballenger, Publishers, 1881): pp. 249; Thomas B. Corbett and John 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: Corbett & Ballenger, Publishers, 1882): pp. 241; Thomas B. Corbett and John H. Ballenger, Corbett & Ballenger’s Fourth 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 1883 (Leadville: Corbett & Ballenger, Publishers, 1883): pp. 249; Thomas B. Corbett and John H. Ballenger, Corbett & Ballenger’s Seventh 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 1886 (Leadville: Corbett & Ballenger, Publishers, 1886): pp. 218.
33 “Tuesday Night’s Ball,” Carbonate Chronicle (Leadville, Colorado) March 15, 1884: 5.
Bibliography
Clark, W. M. and W. A. Root, H. C. Anderson. Clark, Root & Co.’s First Annual City Directory of Leadville and Business Directory of Carbonateville, Kokomo and Malta for 1879. Denver: Daily Times Steam Printing House and Book Manufactory, 1879. Via Lake County Public Library.
Colorado Historic Newspapers Collection. Search criteria, Pueblo County, Lake County, “Sam Rich,” “Samuel Rich,” “Lion Clothing,” “Isaac Rich,” and “Ike Rich.” https://www.coloradohistoricnewspapers.org/ (accessed July 20, 2019).
Colorado State Census, 1885. Via FamilySearch.org. https://www.familysearch.org/.
Corbett, Thomas B. and W.C. Hoye, John 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. Democrat Printing Company, 1880. Via Lake County Public Library.
Corbett, Thomas B. and John H. Ballenger. Corbett & Ballenger’s 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. Leadville: Corbett & Ballenger, Publishers. Via Lake County Public Library.
Find a Grave. Accessed July 19, 2019. https://www.findagrave.com/.
Temple Israel tombstone search index. Jewishleadville.org (accessed July 20, 2019).
United States Census, 1880. Via FamilySearch.org. https://www.familysearch.org/.
To cite any of the information in this biography, please use the following reference.
CO-AUTHORS: Trevor Mark and Quinn Whittington
EDITOR: William Korn
SOURCE: Jewish Surnames/Rich
PUBLISHED BY: Temple Israel Foundation. Leadville, CO; USA. 2019
STABLE URL: http://www.jewishleadville.org/rich.html
