Isidor Straus

Who was Mr Isidor Straus?

Mr Isidor Straus was a prominent German-American businessman, congressman, and Titanic passenger who tragically perished in the disaster at the age of 67 (sixty-seven). Born in 1845, he became a co-owner of Macy’s department store and served as a U.S. Representative for New York, leaving behind a legacy of entrepreneurship and public service.

Early Life and Immigration

From Bavaria to America

Born on February 6, 1845, in Rhenish Bavaria, Isidor Straus embarked on a life-changing journey at a young age. In 1854, at just 9 (nine) years old, he and his family immigrated to the United States, settling in the small town of Talbotton, Georgia. This move would set the stage for a remarkable American success story.

A Family Business Takes Root

Upon arrival in Georgia, Isidor’s father, Lazarus Straus, established a dry-goods business called “L. Straus & Company.” Young Isidor, eager to contribute, began working as a clerk in the family store. The 1860 census confirms his early foray into the business world, listing him as an employee at the tender age of 15 (fifteen).

Education and Early Career

Schooling in the South

Between 1856 and 1861, Isidor received his formal education at the Collinsworth Institute in Talbotton. This period of learning would prove invaluable in his future business endeavors.

Civil War and Entrepreneurial Spirit

The outbreak of the American Civil War in 1861 brought significant changes to the Straus family. In 1862, they relocated to Columbus, Georgia, where Lazarus Straus opened another dry-goods business. It was during this tumultuous time that Isidor’s entrepreneurial spirit truly began to shine.

“Isidor went to work for a company that engaged in blockade running for the Confederate States.”

This daring venture into blockade running demonstrated young Straus’s willingness to take risks and seize opportunities, traits that would serve him well in his future business career.

The Rise of a Retail Magnate

New York and Macy’s

After the Civil War, Isidor Straus made a pivotal move to New York City. Together with his brother Nathan, he became involved with R.H. Macy & Co., a decision that would change the course of retail history. The brothers’ business acumen and innovative approach to merchandising led them to acquire ownership of the iconic department store in 1896.

Key Milestones in Straus’s Business Career:

1860s: Clerk in family dry-goods store
Post-Civil War: Moved to New York City
Late 19th century: Involvement with R.H. Macy & Co.
1896: Acquired ownership of Macy’s

Political Career and Public Service

Isidor Straus’s influence extended beyond the world of retail. From 1895 to 1897, he served as a Congressman for New York State, bringing his business expertise to the political arena. This brief but significant foray into politics demonstrated Straus’s commitment to public service and his desire to contribute to the nation’s governance.

The Fateful Titanic Journey

A Customary European Trip

In early April 1912, Isidor and his wife Ida, along with their daughter Beatrice, embarked on a European trip aboard the HAPAG Liner Amerika. This was a customary journey for the Straus family, who preferred to travel on German steamers whenever possible.

Boarding the Titanic

For their return journey, Isidor and Ida boarded the RMS Titanic at Southampton. Their daughter Beatrice did not accompany them on the return trip. The couple was accompanied by Isidor’s manservant, John Farthing, and Ida’s newly employed maid, Ellen Bird.

Titanic Accommodations

The Strauses traveled in style, befitting their status:

Cabin: C-55-57
Ticket Number: PC 17483
Fare: £221 15s 7d

The Tragic End

A Couple’s Final Moments

On that fateful night of April 15, 1912, Isidor and Ida Straus faced the ultimate test of their devotion. As the Titanic sank into the frigid North Atlantic, the couple made the heart-wrenching decision to remain together, refusing to be separated even in the face of death.

Recovery and Identification

Isidor Straus’s body was later recovered by the Mackay-Bennett, designated as body No. 96. The details of his recovery paint a poignant picture of the man and his final moments:

Detail	Description
Estimated Age	65
Physical Features	Front gold tooth (partly), grey hair and moustache
Clothing	Fur-lined overcoat, grey trousers, coat and vest, soft striped shirt, brown boots, black silk socks
Personal Effects	Pocketbook, gold watch, platinum and pearl chain, gold pencil case, silver flask, silver salts bottle, £40 in notes, £4 2s 3d in silver

Legacy and Remembrance

A Nation Mourns

The loss of Isidor and Ida Straus deeply affected the nation. A memorial service held in New York City drew an astounding crowd of 40,000 people, a testament to the couple’s impact on their community and the country at large.

Eulogies and Honors

Among the eulogies delivered was one by none other than Andrew Carnegie, highlighting the respect Straus commanded among his peers. Two years after the tragedy, Straus Square was inaugurated on Broadway and 107th Street, ensuring that the Straus name would be forever etched in New York City’s landscape.

Final Resting Place

Isidor Straus was laid to rest at Woodlawn Cemetery in the Bronx, New York, where visitors can pay their respects to this remarkable figure in American history.

The story of Isidor Straus is not just a tale of business success or political achievement, but a testament to love, sacrifice, and the enduring spirit of the American dream. His legacy lives on, not only in the annals of retail history but in the hearts of those who remember the Titanic’s ill-fated voyage and the