Isidor Straus: U.S. House of Representatives

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.

The Straus Historical Society

1894

http://www.straushistoricalsociety.org/uploads/1/1/8/1/11810298/7954634_orig.jpg, http://www.straushistoricalsociety.org/uploads/1/1/8/1/11810298/2306027_orig.jpg

Isidor Straus: U.S. House of Representatives

Source: The Straus Historical Society

The Straus Historical Society

The Straus Historical Society

Medium: Photograph

English

Figures

Isidor Straus, Straus Family, House of Representatives, Grover Cleveland, Mercantilism, Railroads

Historic