Feldman, Esther (Mrs. Max), 1889-1937

FELDMAN, KAPLAN

Posted By: Lydia Lucas - Volunteer (email)
Date: 6/13/2021 at 20:33:35

From the Ireton Ledger, October 14, 1937:

MRS. FELDMAN DIES IN SIOUX CITY HOSPITAL
Came to Ireton From Russia in 1921; Lived Here 15 Years

Mrs. Max Feldman, 48, for 15 years an Ireton resident, died Tuesday morning in a Sioux City hospital of a brief illness that followed a stroke.

Mr. and Mrs. Feldman and daughter, Eva, moved to Sioux City this spring from Milwaukee, Wis., where they had lived since Mr. Feldman sold his mercantile business here in August, 1936.

Funeral services were to be at 2:30 p.m. Thursday in Shaare Zion synagogue in Sioux City, with the Rabbi H. R. Rabinowitz officiating. Burial was to be made in the Jewish section of Graceland park cemetery.

Remained in Russia

Mrs. Feldman remained in Russia when Feldman came to America in 1912. Feldman worked from that time until 1920, when he came to Ireton, to establish a home to which he might bring her. In 1920 he entered partnership with H. Rossman in a general store here.

In the meanwhile the Red revolution had engulfed Russia, and by the time Feldman sent for Mrs. Feldman natives of Russia were forbidden to leave the country. She and their daughter, Bernice, started for a port from which they might sail for America. A part of the precious store of money Feldman had sent them for the trip was stolen, so to provide money for food and necessities the daughter danced in little settlements and refugee camps.

Reached Safety

After many hardships the two finally were smuggled across the border to safety with the aid of fellow refugees of the Tsarist regime. They reached a port and sailed for America, joining Feldman here in 1921.

Surviving are Mr. Feldman, who is engaged in the meat packing industry in Sioux City; and their two daughters, Mrs. Bernice Goodman of Eureka, Cal., and Eva in Sioux City. Mr. and Mrs. Feldman and Eva have visited here frequently since living in Milwaukee and Sioux City, and Mrs. Feldman apparently had been in good health.

Dr. and Mrs. Max Goodman flew to Sioux City for the funeral.

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From the Sioux Center News, October 14, 1937:

DEATH CALLS MRS. MAX FELDMAN

Ireton, Iowa—(Special)—Word was received here of the death of Mrs. Max Feldman, wife of a former Ireton merchant, who had a store here for some fifteen years disposing of his stock last year to L. Katz and son. Mrs. Feldman was 48 years of age and a native of Moscow, Russia. Besides her husband she is survived by two daughters, Mrs. Bernice Goodwin and Eva Feldman. Funeral services were held from the Jewish Synagogue at Sioux City. Interment was also made there. Mrs. Feldman assisted her husband in the store while they resided in Ireton and is well-known to many people in this locality.

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An obituary in the Hawarden Independent, October 14, 1937, Ireton news, adds that she was born in 1889, and includes this paragraph:

The more than fifteen years that Mrs. Feldman resided in Ireton she won many friends and was known to large numbers, who always found a pleasant smile and greeting. She was always interested in the affairs of the community and took great pride in her family. Coming over from her native land, Russia, at a time when war and famine existed and when it was next to impossible to travel and get out of the country, yet she and her daughter, after many delays were able to get out and join their husband and father here in Ireton. Mrs. Feldman was determined to make the best of a new situation and conditions in the land of the free and she soon learned our language to the extent that she spoke fluently as well as taking hold of customs and habits.

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RESEARCH NOTES

Her death certificate has Mrs. Esther Feldman, wife of Max Feldman, residence 1214 Villa Ave., Sioux City; born Dec. 1889 in Russia; parents Benjamin Kaplan and Sarah; resident of the U.S. 16 years and of Sioux City 1 year; died in the Methodist Hospital, Sioux City, at 3 a.m. October 12, 1937; cause, apoplexy (cerebral hemorrhage), onset October 11, 1937; contributory cause, Hypertension (Essential).

The 1930 U.S. census for Ireton shows Max Feldman, age 42, age at first marriage 24, born in Russia, immigrated 1914, naturalized, speaks English, proprietor of a general store; wife Hester (40), age at first marriage 22, born in Russia, immigrated 1922, an alien, speaks English; daughter Bernice (15), born in Russia, immigrated 1922, an alien, speaks English, attending school; daughter Eva (7), born in Iowa.

The 1925 Iowa state census for Ireton gives her father as Bernard Kaplan. Her mother’s name is indistinct, but may be Taiba Langermann or Cougermann.