Isidor Straus

Isidor Straus (February 6, 1845–April 15, 1912) was owner of the Macy's department store and served as a Congressional Representative. He and his wife Ida died on board the RMS Titanic.

History

Isidor Straus was born on February 6, 1845 in Otterberg, Rhenish Bavaria. In 1854 he and his family immigrated to the United States where they settled in Talbotton, Georgia. After the civil war the Straus family moved to New York City, where Isidor and his brother Nathan, started a business where they sold their merchandise in the Macy's department store. In 1896 they had gained full ownership of R. H. Macy and Company.

Isidor Straus served as a Congressional Representative from January 30, 1894, to March 3, 1895 as a Democrat. In 1871 he married Rosalie Ida. The couple was inseparable, writing to each other everyday when they were apart and celebrating their different birthdays on the same day.

Isidor and his wife were traveling on the RMS Titanic when on April 14, 1912 it hit an iceberg. Ida reportedly would not leave Isidor and refused to get in a lifeboat. They both died on April 15 when the ship sank.

Isidor Straus body was recovered by the Mackay-Bennett and was buried in Beth-El Cemetery, Brooklyn. A memorial for Isidor and Ida Straus is located in the Bronx.

External links

• U.S. Congress biography