While Isidor Straus never held public office again, he remained active in civic affairs. He served on a general committee of the New York Chamber of Commerce to enter the crusade against free silver coinage. He continued to be an advisor to President Cleveland. He chaired the Citizens Committee on Conventions of the New York Board of Trade and Transportation that inaugurated a drive to bring the Democratic Convention to New York. Isidor's name was suggested in 1901 and in 1909 as a possible candidate for Mayor of New York. And in March of 1911, he was considered for nomination for the New York State Senate. His overriding desire, however, was to attend to his family and his business, both jobs he handled with perfection.
]]>Isidor (1845-1912), Nathan (1948-1931) and Oscar Straus (1850-1926) were close friends of Grover Cleveland, Governor of New York (1883-1885) and two-time President of the United States (1885-1889, 1893-1897). From 1894 to 1895, Isidor Straus served as a member of the House of Representatives under Cleveland, focusing on tariff reform, the repeal of the Sherman Silver Purchasing Act and regulation of the railroads through the Interstate Commerce Commission. Although he never aspired to public office, Isidor felt it was his civic duty to serve when called.
While Isidor Straus never held public office again, he remained active in civic affairs. He served on a general committee of the New York Chamber of Commerce to enter the crusade against free silver coinage. He continued to be an advisor to President Cleveland. He chaired the Citizens Committee on Conventions of the New York Board of Trade and Transportation that inaugurated a drive to bring the Democratic Convention to New York. Isidor's name was suggested in 1901 and in 1909 as a possible candidate for Mayor of New York. And in March of 1911, he was considered for nomination for the New York State Senate. His overriding desire, however, was to attend to his family and his business, both jobs he handled with perfection.
Links:
Adler, Joan. “Many Waters Cannot Quench Love – Neither Can the Floods Drown it” Straus Historical Society Newsletter Vol. 3 No. 2 (New York: August 1995); pp. 3-8.
http://www.straushistoricalsociety.org/uploads/1/1/8/1/11810298/______nwsltr895.pdf
“Hon. Isidor Straus, House of Representatives: 1894-1895” Straus Historical Society Newsletter Vol. 4 No. 1 (New York: August 2002); pp. 1-8.
http://www.straushistoricalsociety.org/uploads/1/1/8/1/11810298/________nwsltr802.pdf
An article by Ilene Scholnick Ausubel, Vice President of Development at the Educational Alliance, reads, “The legacy of Isidor Straus and the other founding philanthropists continues on today. For 125 years, the Educational Alliance has been the place where the people on the Lower East Side and East Village have come for the opportunity to create a better life. Today, the Educational Alliance serves 50,000 people through 36 programs and remains focused on providing educational projects and culture, social services and recreation.”
]]>The Educational Alliance on 197 East Broadway in New York City was founded by a group of Jewish philanthropists including Isidor Straus. The building was erected in 1891. Originally it was a settlement house for Eastern European Jews immigrating to New York City where English was taught as was vocational instruction. Today The Educational Alliance provides community services and activities to neighborhood residents at several locations. The Lee Kohns Cultural Arts Center is part of the original Educational Alliance building. The entrance on Jefferson Street bears his name. Lee Kohns was the son of Lazarus and Hermine Straus Kohns. Hermine was the daughter of Lazarus and Sara Straus. A plaque where the Educational Alliance's auditorium is located is dedicated to Lee Kohns. A second plaque bears the name of his son, Robert Lee Kohns and the Robert Lee Kohns Foundation. A third plaque in this hallway reads: "Isidor Straus, philanthropist, humanitarian and ardent supporter of programs to help the poor and downtrodden become part of the American dream. A man of vision and compassion, committed to the growth of America as a democratic homeland and a land of freedom and opportunity. A founder and the first president of the Educational Alliance 1891 - 1912."
An article by Ilene Scholnick Ausubel, Vice President of Development at the Educational Alliance, reads, “The legacy of Isidor Straus and the other founding philanthropists continues on today. For 125 years, the Educational Alliance has been the place where the people on the Lower East Side and East Village have come for the opportunity to create a better life. Today, the Educational Alliance serves 50,000 people through 36 programs and remains focused on providing educational projects and culture, social services and recreation.”
Links:
Adler, Joan. “Many Waters Cannot Quench Love – Neither Can the Floods Drown it” Straus Historical Society Newsletter Vol. 3 No. 2 (New York: August 1995); pp. 3-8.
http://www.straushistoricalsociety.org/uploads/1/1/8/1/11810298/______nwsltr895.pdf
“Hon. Isidor Straus, House of Representatives: 1894-1895” Straus Historical Society Newsletter Vol. 4 No. 1 (New York: August 2002); pp. 1-8.
http://www.straushistoricalsociety.org/uploads/1/1/8/1/11810298/________nwsltr802.pdf
“Monuments, Buildings, Memorials, and Library Collections Dedicated to Straus Family Members” Straus Historical Society Newsletter Vol. 11 No. 1 (New York: August 2009); pp. 1-7, 12.
http://www.straushistoricalsociety.org/uploads/1/1/8/1/11810298/_________nwsltr809.pdf
Ausubel, Ilene Scholnick. “The Educational Alliance” Straus Historical Society Newsletter Vol. 16 No. 1 (New York: August 2014); p. 7.
http://www.straushistoricalsociety.org/uploads/1/1/8/1/11810298/nwslttr814.pdf
Isidor Straus chaired his last meeting of the Kruger and Firemen's Memorial Fund Committee at 5:30 PM on January 4, 1912 New York City. Two days later, on January 6, 1912, Isidor and Ida Straus (1849-1912) sailed for Europe on the Cunard Steamship Company's "Caronia." This was their final journey. On April 15, 1912, the Strauses were aboard "Titanic" when it sank.
The dedication of the Kruger and Firemen's Memorial took place September 5, 1913. Jesse Isidor Straus (1872-1936), oldest son of Isidor and Ida, presented the Memorial to the city. He said, "We erect monuments to our war heroes and it is fitting that we should erect them to men who fight in the war that never ends."
]]>The Kruger and Firemen's Memorial in New York City was first suggested in 1908 by the late Episcopal Bishop Henry C. Potter. He preached a sermon at the funeral of Deputy Fire Chief Charles W. Kruger who lost his life while fighting a fire. The memorial's purpose soon became that of honoring all of New York's fallen firemen. Isidor Straus (1845-1912) served on the Kruger and Firemen's Memorial Committee and became its chairman in 1910.
Isidor Straus chaired his last meeting of the Kruger and Firemen's Memorial Fund Committee at 5:30 PM on January 4, 1912 New York City. Two days later, on January 6, 1912, Isidor and Ida Straus (1849-1912) sailed for Europe on the Cunard Steamship Company's "Caronia." This was their final journey. On April 15, 1912, the Strauses were aboard "Titanic" when it sank.
The dedication of the Kruger and Firemen's Memorial took place September 5, 1913. Jesse Isidor Straus (1872-1936), oldest son of Isidor and Ida, presented the Memorial to the city. He said, "We erect monuments to our war heroes and it is fitting that we should erect them to men who fight in the war that never ends."
Links:
“‘Soldiers in a War That Never Ends’ The Kruger and Firemen’s Memorial” Straus Historical Society Newsletter Vol. 3 No. 2 (New York: February 2002); pp. 1-3.
http://www.straushistoricalsociety.org/uploads/1/1/8/1/11810298/________nwsltr802.pdf
Isidor devoted full attention to his mercantile career. When away from the store, he considered it recreation to read about currency, banking and tariff matters from his extensive home library. And so, Isidor was fully prepared for the matters under consideration in the House; tariff reform, the repeal of the Sherman Silver Purchasing Act and regulation of the railroads through the Interstate Commerce Commission when he was prevailed upon to run for the unexpired seat of Democrat Ashbel P. Fitch, representative of the Fifteenth Congressional District.
]]>Many people are not aware that Isidor Straus (1845-1912) served in the House of Representatives during the second Cleveland administration. Although he never aspired to public office, Isidor felt it was his civic duty to serve when called.
Isidor devoted full attention to his mercantile career. When away from the store, he considered it recreation to read about currency, banking and tariff matters from his extensive home library. And so, Isidor was fully prepared for the matters under consideration in the House; tariff reform, the repeal of the Sherman Silver Purchasing Act and regulation of the railroads through the Interstate Commerce Commission when he was prevailed upon to run for the unexpired seat of Democrat Ashbel P. Fitch, representative of the Fifteenth Congressional District.
Links:
Adler, Joan. “Many Waters Cannot Quench Love – Neither Can the Floods Drown it” Straus Historical Society Newsletter Vol. 3 No. 2 (New York: August 1995); pp. 3-8.
http://www.straushistoricalsociety.org/uploads/1/1/8/1/11810298/______nwsltr895.pdf
“Hon. Isidor Straus, House of Representatives: 1894-1895” Straus Historical Society Newsletter Vol. 4 No. 1 (New York: August 2002); pp. 1-8.
http://www.straushistoricalsociety.org/uploads/1/1/8/1/11810298/________nwsltr802.pdf