Abraham Abraham - Biography

Abraham Abraham (March 9, 1843 – June 28, 1911) 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.

Early life

Abraham's father was Judah Abraham, a native of Bavaria 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.

Career

Abraham opened Wechsler & Abraham in Brooklyn in 1865 at 285 Fulton Street. The company later became Abraham & Straus.

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.

Death and legacy

Abraham Abraham died on Cherry Island, near Alexandria Bay, New York.

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.

• "...And Paramus Makes Ten", internal A&S history document on opening of Paramus Park store, 1974.
• "Abraham Abraham, Merchant, Is Dead; Sudden End of a Man of Notable Career, Known for His Broad and Liberal Activities", PDF file with full text of New York Times obituary, June 29, 1911.