Abraham Abraham
Encyclopedia
Abraham Abraham was an American
businessman and the founder of the Brooklyn, New York department store
Abraham & Straus
, founded 1865. The chain, which became part of Federated Department Stores
, is now part of Macy's
.
who left in 1837 and married Sarah Sussman en route to the United States. Soon after arrival, Judah Abraham opened a store on Murray Street in New York. In 1843 Abraham Abraham was born. He had delicate health, and wanted to be a violinist. During the Civil War
, he ran away to Chicago to enlist, but was brought back by his father. At 14, he worked at Hart & Dettlebach of Newark, along with Simon Bloomingdale and Benjamin Altman
for $1 a week.
.
He became a Brooklyn philanthropist
, establishing the Brooklyn Jewish Hospital, among many other causes. In 1890, he commissioned a house, now demolished, at 800 St. Mark's Avenue in Brooklyn.
.
Among Abraham's many notable descendants are grandson Donald B. Straus
, an educator, author, and advisor, great-great-granddaughter Nina Rothschild Utne
, a magazine publisher, and great-great-great-grandson Arthur Bradford
, an author and director.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
businessman and the founder of the Brooklyn, New York department store
Department store
A department store is a retail establishment which satisfies a wide range of the consumer's personal and residential durable goods product needs; and at the same time offering the consumer a choice of multiple merchandise lines, at variable price points, in all product categories...
Abraham & Straus
Abraham & Straus
Abraham & Straus was a major New York City department store, based in Brooklyn. Founded in 1865, in 1929 it became part of Federated Department Stores, which eliminated the A&S brand shortly after its 1994 acquisition of R.H. Macy & Company...
, founded 1865. The chain, which became part of Federated Department Stores
Federated Department Stores
Macy's, Inc. is a department store holding company and owner of Macy's and Bloomingdale's department stores. Macy's Inc.'s stores specialize mostly in retail clothing, jewelery, watches, dinnerware, and furniture....
, is now part of Macy's
Macy's
Macy's is a U.S. chain of mid-to-high range department stores. In addition to its flagship Herald Square location in New York City, the company operates over 800 stores in the United States...
.
Early life
Abraham's father was Judah Abraham, a native of BavariaBavaria
Bavaria, formally the Free State of Bavaria is a state of Germany, located in the southeast of Germany. With an area of , it is the largest state by area, forming almost 20% of the total land area of Germany...
who left in 1837 and married Sarah Sussman en route to the United States. Soon after arrival, Judah Abraham opened a store on Murray Street in New York. In 1843 Abraham Abraham was born. He had delicate health, and wanted to be a violinist. During the Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
, he ran away to Chicago to enlist, but was brought back by his father. At 14, he worked at Hart & Dettlebach of Newark, along with Simon Bloomingdale and Benjamin Altman
Benjamin Altman
Benjamin Altman was born and died in New York City. He was the son of Bavarian Jews who emigrated to America in 1835 and opened a small store on Attorney Street in NYC....
for $1 a week.
Career
Abraham opened Wechsler & Abraham in Brooklyn in 1865 at 285 Fulton Street. The company later became Abraham & StrausAbraham & Straus
Abraham & Straus was a major New York City department store, based in Brooklyn. Founded in 1865, in 1929 it became part of Federated Department Stores, which eliminated the A&S brand shortly after its 1994 acquisition of R.H. Macy & Company...
.
He became a Brooklyn philanthropist
Philanthropist
A philanthropist is someone who engages in philanthropy; that is, someone who donates his or her time, money, and/or reputation to charitable causes...
, establishing the Brooklyn Jewish Hospital, among many other causes. In 1890, he commissioned a house, now demolished, at 800 St. Mark's Avenue in Brooklyn.
Death and legacy
Abraham Abraham died on Cherry Island, near Alexandria Bay, New YorkAlexandria Bay, New York
Alexandria Bay is a village in Jefferson County, New York, United States. The population was 1,080 at the 2010 census.The Village of Alexandria Bay is in the Town of Alexandria.Keewaydin State Park is southeast of the village...
.
Among Abraham's many notable descendants are grandson Donald B. Straus
Donald B. Straus
Donald Blun Straus was an American educator and an executive in public service. Straus, who held A.B. and M.B.A...
, an educator, author, and advisor, great-great-granddaughter Nina Rothschild Utne
Utne Reader
Utne Reader is an American bimonthly magazine. The magazine collects and reprints articles on politics, culture, and the environment from generally alternative media sources, including journals, newsletters, weeklies, zines, music and DVDs...
, a magazine publisher, and great-great-great-grandson Arthur Bradford
Arthur Bradford
Arthur Houston Bradford is an American short story author and a director. He has had one book of short stories published, Dogwalker . He has won an O. Henry Award and has had his stories published in Esquire, McSweeneys, Zoetrope, Dazed & Confused, Tin House, and BOMB...
, an author and director.