Lewis Mesherry Fannie Mesharer Maurice Meshirer 3 siblings

When my great grandfather Harry Mesharer came to the United States, presumably in the early 1880's) he is said to have lived in Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania. This city was also the home of his brother Abraham who generally spelled his name Meshirer. In the course of his life, Harry (or Harris) spelled his surname many different ways. I have found surprisingly few records of Harris's life, but will try to outline them here.

Harry's son Max H. Mesharer lists a birth year of 1883 in the 1920 census, but a birth year of 17 April 1881 on his World War I draft registration. Max was a local business man in Wilkes Barre, PA and with his wife Keturah, ran the State Tranfer Company. His many business ventures are documented in the Wilkes-Barre Time Leader during the 1910-1921 era.

In 1890 there is the record of the immigration of the children Benia, age 9, and Max age 7, accompanied by Bushelek Mesharer. They traveled on the ship Warrington to Liverpool. Max's residence is listed as Slobotky, Russia. Benia is possibly "Bessie", whose later married name is Bessie Dushoff. The record indicates that the group came from and was headed to Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania. The Naturalization papers for Bessie's husband Sol Dushoff list the birthplace of his wife Bessie as "illegible" Russia. The name of the community appears to start with a C. Sol Dushoff's Petition for Naturalization is number 14619 in the Pennsylvania District Court, Eastern District.

Harry's son Lewis, who later took on the surname Mesherry, indicates a birth date of 18 September 1889 in Army records and also the California Death Index although the 1900 census lists Louis as born in January 1892. It is certainly possible that Louis become Lewis and changed his age to be old enough to enlist in the Army in 1908.

Harry had a daughter, Fannie, born in 1894 in Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania, who married Alexander Klass in 1916 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. When Fannie Mesharer married Alexander Klas, she listed her father as Harris Mesharer, living in Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania. However, the same documents listed Alexander Klas's parents as living in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, when in fact they still lived in the Czech Republic. She died in 1929.

There is a Naturalization Document for Henry Mesharer found in the personal belongings of Shirley Meshirer. Shirley was the daughter of William Max Meshirer and Rose Ricklyn Mesharer (Rose was reputedly the adopted daughter of Harry, who married the son of Abraham Meshirer). William Max Meshirer should not be confused with Max Mesharer, the son of Harry.

So presumably, we know that Harry (as Henry) was naturalized in Wilkes Barre on January 25 1895, recorded at the Common Pleas Court. I base this assumption on the fact that the document was in the possession of one of his grandchildren.

In 1900 there is a listing in New York City for Harry Mishader and wife Lena, with children Fannie, age , Lewis, age , and Morriss, less than 1 year old. The census indicates that Harry and Lena had been married for one year.

There is a listing in the 1920 census for Harry and Lena living in Philadelphia. Harry is listed in Philadelphia City Directories ( around 1925 ) as follows:
Mesherey, Harris, brklyr home 334 Daly
another subsequent listing is:
Mesherery, Harris at 224 Daly St, with Morriss, a chauffeau, living at 336 Daly S
Maurice later used the name: Maurice Meshirer.

Also among the belongs of Shirley Ricklyn Meshirer was the photograph of a tombstone. The names listed in English are Harry Meshorer and his wife Lena. There is also inscription in Hebrew which indicates: Harris's Hebrew name is Zvi Hirsch, his wife's was Leah. The interpretation of the Hebrew text was done by Richard L. Rubenstein. Richard, a learned scholar, and descendant of Rose Mesherir, one of the original family immigrants in the mid 1880's, a sister of Harry and Abraham. Richard indicates that the use of the western name Meshorer indicates that the first male of the family who had a western-style second name would have been a cantor. Since Harris was the elder brother, and presumably the first to immigrate, this would likely have been his position. The location of the tombstone is not yet known although Harry and Lena are known to have lived in Philadelphia shortly before their deaths. Sylvia Bachman (descendant of Abraham Meshirer, brother of Harry) remembers visiting graves in Wilkes Barre at the "Jewish Cemetery". I have not yet located this cemetery.

Rose Mesherir, the sister of Harry and Abraham, married Nathan Rubenstein and they lived in New York City.

To extrapolate somewhat on the origin of the family before immigration to the United States, the passenger list for Max Mesharer indicates the town Slobotky, Russia . Richard L. Rubenstein's grandfather is documented to have come from Vilna, Lithuania on the World War I draft registration. While there are numerous towns of the name Slobotka , there is only one in the Vilna province. This has the modern town name of Vilijampole, but had been known as Slobodka in Yiddish. Around 1900 the town was known as Vilyampolskaya, Kovno, Russian Empire according to the JewishGen Communities database found on Jewishgen.org. The town is 95 km WNW of Vilnius.

Researching the surname Meshorer (used on Harris Meshorer tombstone) gives the following information from A Dictionary of Jewish Surnames from the Russian Empire, revised edition, Alexander Beider, Bergenfield, NJ: Avotaynu, Inc, 2008: Mashojrer (Vilna, Khar' kov) [shows Hebrew symbols] choir singer in synagogue (Meshejrer (Mesherer), Mesejrer, Meshorer, Mishorer, Meserer (Messerer).

Richard L. Rubenstein has indicated that a likely passenger line for the family to have used is the Hamburg - America Line, also known as HAPAG. which was carried many Jewish immigrants and was owned by Albert Balin, a German Jew.

Harry had another child in addition to Bessie and Max, both born in Russia and Lewis and Fannie born in Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania. His first known child was Eva, who married David Tager. She was apparently born in Russia and immigrated with her husband in the 1890's. Eva's obituary appears in the NY Times in 1964. I have contacted the Riverside Funeral Home organization, formerly in Brooklyn, to attempt to find more information on her burial. They had a daughter Mae who married Lewis Trieber.

Harris Mesharer's sixth known child, Morris, was most likely born in New York City and is buried at Long Island National Cemetery.

Eva, Bessie and Max Mesharer / Meshirer / Meshorer

My updated understanding of my Mesharer family heritage:

My great grandfather, most frequently known as Harry Mesharer, most likely immigrated to the United States, departing Lithuania (possibly Vilna). so this would place Harry in what was known as Russia until at least 1880. This is based on his son Max stating he, Max, was born in Russia. Max consistently used the name Max Mesharer, and sometimes Max M. Mesharer. Harry's son Max's World War I draft registration lists a birthdate of 17 April 1881 in Russia. Other documents for Max, however, list a later birthdate (for example, his WWI draft registration lists a birth in 1888).

Harry's daughter, Eva, born about 1874, married David Tager in the United States about 1896. David Tager immigrated from Stettin, Germany on the ship Polynesia arriving on 14 August 1891. I have not yet found information on Eva's immigration. David, Eva and their children were naturalized on 5 September 1918 in New York City.

Harry's second child, a daughter, Bessie was also born in Russia. Bessie was born in 1883 and indicates on the 1920 census that she was born in Russia. She immigrated in 1890. Her husband Sol immigrated in 1891. Sol and Bessie and children applied for Naturalization in Philadelphia on 7 December 1914. Bessie lists her birthplace as something like Counner, Russia (the handwriting is difficult to interpret on the Naturalization papers). Bessie and her husband Sol lived in Philadelphia. Sol is listed in the 1950 Philadelphia telephone directory. Bessie may have immigrated in 1890 with her brother Max (see information below for Max).

Harry had a son, Max H Mesharer (he spelled his name consistently this way). Harry's brother, Abraham (who spelled his name Meshirer most frequently) also had a son William Max Meshirer who used the name Max Meshirer (with variations on spelling also occurring). It is easy to confuse the two since they both lived in Wilkes Barre, PA in 1900.

Harry's son Max was most likely born in Russia. Max ran State Cartage Company and lived in Wilkes Barre, PA until shortly before his death. He married Keturah Moore and they adopted a son Howard M Mesharer. who is thought to have been a nephew of Keturah. On his WWI draft registration, Max gave a birthdate of 1881 and indicated he was a naturalized citizen. In the 1910 census he gave his birth year as 1884 and indicates he immigrated in 1888 and was a naturalized citizen.

There is an immigration record that may refer to Max. It is dated for departure from Hamburg, Germany of 6 December 1890, and lists his age as 7 (consistent with an 1884 birth year). He sailed from Hamburg to Liverpool on the ship Warrington and a residence is listed as Slobotky, Russia. He was destined to Wilkes Barre, PA and was accompanied by two females, who are listed as: Benia Maserer, born about 1881 and Bushulek Maserer, born about 1863. They arrived on 25 December 1890 on the ship Lord Gough from Liverpool, arriving in Philadelphia.

The Hamburg passenger list for the Warrington spells the child's name Max Maserer. The Mother is listed as: Bushulek Maserer on the Hamburg Passenger list. The Philadelphia arrival list for the Lord Gough lists: Max Moserer, a child, Benia, a child, and B Moserer, a wife. This could well be Harry's wife arriving from Russia and mother of Eva, Bessie and Max? This would give each of the 3 of them an arrival year of 1890.

Harry's next child is apparently Lewis

Keturah Moore and Max Mesharer

I've been asked about the parentage of Howard M. Mesharer, who passed away March 3, 2005 and was pre-deceased by two brothers John and Norman Moore according to his obituary.  I will start with family "folklore" and then explain my subsequent research into this apparent irregularity in brothers with differing last names.

As I've been told, Howard was the adopted son of Max Mesharer and his wife Keturah Moore.  Howard was said to be the son of one of Keturah's brothers.   Max was a successful businessman in the Wilkes-Barre community in the 1920s and 1930s, being a self-made man, the son of Harris Mesharer.  Max most likely immigrated from Lithuania in 1890 although there is some question about this.  It would appear that Max and Keturah wanted a child of their own and in some way they arranged to adopt the child of one of Keturah's brothers.

As to documentation:

Keturah, a presumably wealthy widow,  remarried after Max's death to George M. Roberts on 30 May 1943.  On the Pennsylvania County Marriage record for Luzerne County, her father's name is listed as James. A. Moore and her mother as Martha J Mccreary.  Keturah's age is listed as 54 giving an estimated birth year of 1889.

The 1900 US census for Luzerne "Bor" in Luzerne County lists a household with James A. Moore, born September1847, and Martha Moore, born October 1854.   They had been married for 30 years, so were presumably married about 1870.  Martha indicates she has had 9 children, 6 of whom are living at the time of the census.  James occupation is listed as engineer, and birthplace is Ireland.  Martha lists a birthplace of Pennsylvania, for herself as well as her parents. 

There are 3 children listed in the census:  a son John born Aug 1875, a daughter Ida born June 1886 and Keturah born September 1888.   Presumably there are 3 other children living elsewhere at this time.

In 1910 Martha is listed on the census for Dorranceton, Ward 3, Luzerne County, PA as the widowed head of household with her son, John W., age 35, a painter.   On this census, she lists her father's birthplace as Maryland.

The January 5, 1920 census lists John W. Moore, age 44,  as head of household with his wife Clara, age 30, living in New Rochelle Ward 3, Westchester, New York.  She indicates she immigrated from Germany in 1904.  Two children are listed:  John James Moore, age 8 and Norman C. Moore, age 1 3/12.  Presumably these are the brothers of Howard M. Mesharer who was born on August 10, 1920.  It is certainly possible that Harold's biological mother Clara died in childbirth, and his aunt and uncle, Keturah and Max, who were childless, adopted Howard at that time.  Howard M. Moore became known as Howard M. Mesharer.

Howard M. Mesharer's obituary indicates he was born in Mamaroneck, New York on August 10, 1920 and lists his brothers are John and Norman.  This would tend to confirm that John W. Moore, brother of Keturah, was Howard M. Mesharer's biological father, while Max Mesharer was his adoptive father.

Updated perspective on the Mesharer branch

Harry Mesharer Immigration

Two brothers Harry and Abraham Meshirer both headed to Wilkes Barre, PA when they came to the United States. Abraham's intended wife, Sarah Goldman, had moved there with her family and there was work to be had in the area. A sister of Harry and Abraham, Rose (wife of Nathan Rubenstein), indicated to her grandson Richrd L. Rubenstein that she immigrated in the mid 1880s.My great grandfather, most frequently known as Harry Mesharer, most likely immigrated from Lithuania (possibly Vilna). so this would place Harry in what was known as Russia until his third child, a son Max, was conceived. There is confusion about Max's birthdate and immigration date.

Children of Harry's First Wife

Harry's daughter, Eva, born about 1874, married David Tager in the United States about 1896. David Tager immigrated from Stettin, Germany on the ship Polynesia arriving on 14 August 1891. Eva indicated on the 1920 census that she immigrated in 1890 (age 16). David, Eva and their children were naturalized on 5 September 1918 in New York City.

Harry's second child, a daughter, Bessie was also born in Russia. Bessie was born in 1883 and indicates on the 1920 census that she was born in Russia. She immigrated in 1890, the same year as her sister Eva. Bessie's husband Sol Dushoff immigrated in 1891. Sol and Bessie and children applied for Naturalization in Philadelphia on 7 December 1914. Bessie lists her birthplace as something like Counner, Russia (the handwriting is difficult to interpret on the Naturalization papers). Bessie and her husband Sol lived in Philadelphia. Sol is listed in the 1950 Philadelphia telephone directory. Bessie may have immigrated in 1890 with her brother Max (see information below for Max).

Harry had a son, Max H Mesharer (he spelled his name consistently this way). Harry's brother, Abraham (who spelled his name Meshirer most frequently) also had a son William Max Meshirer who used the name Max Meshirer (with variations on spelling also occurring). It is easy to confuse information on the two, each known as Max by the family, since they both lived in Wilkes Barre, PA in 1900.

Harry's son Max was most likely born in Russia. Max ran State Cartage Company and lived in Wilkes Barre, PA until shortly before his death. He married Keturah Moore and they adopted a son Howard M Mesharer. who is thought to have been a nephew of Keturah, and whose biological father is Keturah's brother, likely John W Moore.

In the 1910 census Max Mesharer gave his birth year as 1884 and indicates he immigrated in 1888, and was a naturalized citizen. On his WWI draft registration in 1918, Max gave a birthdate of 1881 and indicated he was a naturalized citizen, born in Russia. Max consistently used the name Max Mesharer, and sometimes Max M. Mesharer.

There is an immigration record that may refer to Max. It is dated for departure from Hamburg, Germany on 6 December 1890, and lists his age as 7 (consistent with an 1884 birth year). He sailed from Hamburg to Liverpool on the ship Warrington and a residence is listed as Slobotky, Russia. He was destined to Wilkes Barre, PA and was accompanied by two females, who are listed as: Benia Maserer, born about 1881 and Bushulek Maserer, born about 1863. They arrived on 25 December 1890 on the ship Lord Gough from Liverpool, arriving in Philadelphia.

Harry presumably immigrated after fathering Max and before fathering Lewis, who was born in Pennsylvania.

Children of Harry's Second Wife

Harry's next child was Lewis. Lewis used the surname Mesherry in his Army enlistment papers and in his later life in California. When he enlisted in the Army in 1908 he gave his birth year as 18 September 1889. This birth year raises some questions. Lewis may have wanted to enlist and created an earlier than true birth year so meet the minimum age requirement when he enlisted in 1908. Alternatively, Lewis had a mother different than that of Eva, Bessie and Max, who immigrated in 1890.

By 1917 Lewis had obtained the rank of Captain having served in Honolulu and San Diego. In 1920 he was transferred to the Quartermaster Corps and he retired from duty on 6 May 1927. He is listed in the 1920 census as single and living at Camp Hearn in San Diego, California. He is said to have served as an assistant to General MacArthur. A 1918 news article after his obtaining the rank of Captain in the Wyoming Valley’s War Album lists his name as Captain Lewis Mesharer, so this is apparently the name he chose to use in his home town. A Christmas card that he and his wife sent is sign Captains And Mrs. Lewis Mesherry, and features a photograph of a corner of the living room in “Lew’s home” per a handwritten note. The note also refers to a photo in the portrait of being on “Marge”. Lewis did continue to use the surname Mesharer for news stories regarding his service that were published in the Wilkes Barre, PA area.

Lewis’s ID number is 05722 in the Official Army Register. Lewis is said to have moved to San Francisco after leaving the service, and worked as an assistant manager at the Fairmont Hotel. He is listed in the 1928 Register for the City and County of San Francisco. In 1930 he is listed in the Los Angeles Register of Voters as retired, with Margaret J. at 349 N. Orange Dr, Los Angeles. In 1936 they are listed as voters in San Francisco County. They had a home on Pacific Ave. Lewis died 6 June 1942 and is buried at San Francisco National Cemetery.

Fannie Mesharer was born 16 Dec 1894, reputedly in Wilkes Barre, PA, and died at age 34 in Philadelphia on 17 August 1929 of tuberculosis. Fannie told her daughter, Lillian (my mother) that she and Lewis had the same mother, and that she, Fannie, had named her daughter Lillian after Lillian's grandmother. She married Alexander Klass on 10 May 1916 and they lived in the city of Philadelphia. My mother believed Fannie had been working as a maid in Narberth, PA and her father Alexander Klass had been employed as a wall paper hanger in the same home, where they met and were subsequently married. Alexander enjoyed playing the violin. Fannie converted from Judaism to Catholicism (her husband's faith), when she knew she was dying because she wanted to be buried in a Catholic cemetery with her husband. Her father, Harry, disowned her for this action, and my mother lost contact with her mother's family.
Lewis gave his niece, Lillian, Fannie's daughter, a treasured string of pearls as a wedding present for her marriage in 1941.

Harry is listed in the 1900 census (as Harry Mishader) with a wife, Lena, children Lewis and Fannie, and infant son Morriss living in New York City.. Morriss later spelled his name Maurice Meshirer, worked for Beacon Chemical Company (owned by descendants of Abraham, Harry's brother) as a clerk, and served in the army during World War II. He was divorced, and is buried in Long Island National Cemetery.

Harry's Adopted Child

My mother referred to her grandfather Harry as having two wives each with 3 biological children. This would be consistent with Eva, Bessie and Max having a mother who lived in Russia. They appear to have immigrated in 1890. Lewis, Fannie, and Morriss may have been children of the second wife of Harry. Harry also is said to have adopted a seventh child according to Gail Thomas, a descendant of this child. Harry is said to have adopted Rose Ricklyn who later married William Max Meshirer (son of Harry's brother Abraham). She took pride in the fact that her married name was Rose Mesharer Meshirer, according to Rose's granddaughter, Gail Thomas.

Harry's Later Life

Harry can be found in Philadelphia City directories between 1925 and 1928. His son Maurice is listed as a next door neighbor one of the years.

Gail Thomas has naturalization papers found in an attic for what reads like Henry Mesharer (Harry Mesharer?) in Luzerne County on 14 Jan 1895. Gail also found a photo of a tombstone for Harry buried in 1928, at age 69, with his wife Lena, who died in 1926 at age 55. The location of the tombstone is not known. My best guess is that the grave is in a Philadelphia area cemetery.

Klas Restaurant in Chicago

Just found out that the largest Czech Restaurant in US is in Chicago and is the Klas Restaurant! I will be contacting them to see if we can establish whether there are relatives connected with the restaurant. This bit of luck came from finding a small cream pitcher in an antique store with a picture that looked Czech and the inscription Klas. I tracked down the origin of the pitcher to the Schammel Pottery in Trenton, NJ that closed in 1954, and made pottery for restaurants. Fortunately, the restaurant is not only still in business, but thriving! I'll certainly be putting this on my "want to visit" list.

Here's the website for the restaurant: http:klasrestaurant.com The "About Klas" link gives some history of the restaurant.

Picture from a 1960s postcard:

Czech contact

I have received a letter from Prague, Czech Republic in response to a letter I sent to Josef Klas. Unfortunately for me, the letter is written in Czech, and I have not as yet been able to get it translated. If you know of someone that could help with this translation, please let me know.

Klas Family of Prague, Czech Republic

Below is an interesting letter that Cathy Klass Corns found among her mother's papers recently. It was written by Alexander Klass in 1898 shortly after his arrival in Delaware City. The letter is addressed to Mr Wolrlgeloren, Herrn Wacskaw Kubat, Klatou, Europe. There are also some unintelligible lines. The last letter of Klatau appears to have a circle over the u.

Here's an interpretation of the letter, most likely created by a friend of George Klass, Alexander's son.

**********************************************************

"Dearly beloved uncle,

I often remember the day we said "Good Bye" in Hamburg. Also the 100 foot long boat. Had you seen the boat I was on you would have died. I spent on it a whole month and I nearly drowned as its screw broke and we were floundering until another boat came to our rescue.

When I arrived in New York on 3/13 I had no money. I was almost sent right back. Everyb ody has to prove he has a place to go to and one has to have at least $10- and I had nothing. They telegraphed my auntie and uncle sent me $10- so I could get to him.

So now I am at my uncle's and I am learning a little English. Also he is going to get me plenty of work to do. Casket makers (or carpenters) make $2- a day over here which is 5 golden pieces in our money.

There is no reupholsterer here in Delaware City and I have already made a sofa for uncle and he keeps showing it to various pedople and they are glad that there is someone here now who knows that trade and so I have already made $8 this week.

I go with auntie to church, it is very friendly here.

Uncle has 3 businesses and 8 houses and all the time builds and buys more.

If Frankie came over here he would be married right away, there are more girls here than soldiers in Klatovec and he could have lots of work. There is only one cabinet maker (carpenter) and Frankie could start work as a master.

But if he comes let him bring enough money because it is bad otherwise. The military might stop him at the German border so tell him to say that he is going to some German town like Dresden to look for work and it would be good to have some letter with him.

Auntie and all of us send our greetings and both of you and everybody.

Reply right away return post."

******************************************************************

The return address on the letter is Frank Bruner, Delaware City, Delaware.

The most recent communication regarding the family in Prague is the death notice I have linked here. The postmark in 1972. I have not figured out the relationship of this person to the family. A link to this document may be found at the Leslie Hersh website.

As family members know, my mother always wanted to know more about her father's family in Bohemia, Czech Republic. I am really thrilled to be able to continue working to connect with our family members across the ocean. Cathy Corns has been a great help in providing me with letters her father, George Klass, had received during the 1950s and 1960s. I will post more information as it becomes available to me.

Just a reminder, the family name Klas was changed to Klas by Alexander as he continued his life in the United States. His children George and Lillian used the name Klass in the United States.

There is also a recent document, as yet untranslated, posted on the Leslie Hersh website. Kelly Anne Cross has offered to translate this document for us for which I am very grateful.

Meshorer Family --2015 revision of August  2008 entry

A photograph of a tombstone lists: Harry Meshorer died 29 Jan 1928 age 69 years, indicating an approximate birth year of 1859. Richard L. Rubenstein has commented: The stone gives the Hebrew names of Harry Meshorer and his wife Lena. His Hebrew name was Zvi Hirsch, hers was Leah. The name "Meshorer" is Hebrew for "singer" or cantor.” Thus if Harry were the first male who had a western-style second name, he would have been a cantor.






Harry Meshorer was born in Lithuania, the oldest of three siblings: Harry, Abraham, and Rose. He immigrated to the United States in 1880.  Abraham is said to have immigrated before Harry.  Melissa Mesharer has found evidence that Sarah Goldman married Abraham Meshirer and lived in the village of Snipiskes.  She has a record from Snipiskes that lists Abraham, Sarah and their first child Mere/Mary

Harry had many children and several wives.

Wife #1: Name unknown; If one could find Harry's immigration record, there might be some clue as to whether he was married in 1880, although it is unlikely that his wife traveled with him at the same time.

Children:

1873: Eva: Harry had a daughter, Eva born in Russia, most likely around 1873. A 1930 census lists David Tager and wife Eva living in Brooklyn with children Herman, Theodore and Mildred. Eva is listed as age 56 (born 1873) and having been born in Russia. She and her husband both immigrated in 1891. Verbal family history connects Harry’s daughter Eva, with husband David Tager. Her age at first marriage is 22, indicating a marriage in 1895, four years after their immigration in 1991. In 1930, they had children Herman (born 1904), Theodore (born 1908) and Mildred (born 1916) at home.

1880: Harry indicated on the 1920 census that he immigrated to the United States in 1880.

1881: Max: Harry’s son, Max (who generally used the last name Mesharer), appears to have been born in Russia, possibly 17 Apr 1881. Max married Keturah Moore and they lived in Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania and established State Transfer Company (a trucking company), that was later run by Max and Keturah’s adopted son, Howard. Max died in 1941 in Miami, Dade County, Florida. In some paperwork, Max uses a birth year of 1884, which is an alternate possibility. If Max's immigration record could be located it would be extremely helpful to potentially indicate his mother, and his age at the time of immigration.

1883: Bessie Meshorer Dushoff, wife of Sol Dushoff, was born in 1883 in Russia according to the 1920 Philadelphia census. She immigrated in 1890. At this time, her mother is unclear. In the 1930 census she listed her children as Lillian (born 1903), Herman (born 1905), Mildred (born 1907) and Dorothy (born 1911). It is likely that Bessie was born before 1883 since Harry is said to have immigrated in 1880. Perhaps she was born in Russia to the same mother as Eva.


Wife #2: Lillian (based on Lillian Klass Small having been told she was named for her grandmother); probably deceased by 1898.


1891: Lewis: Harry’s second son, Lewis, (who used the last name Mesherry consistently) lists a birth date of 18 Sept 1889 in his Army records, although the 1900 census would indicate that he was born in 1892. He was most likely born in Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania although the 1900 census lists his birth place as New York City, his home at that time. Lewis enlisted in the US Army in 1908 and again in 1912. He is said to have been an aide to General McArthur during World War I. In 1920 Lewis is listed as single, and stationed in San Diego California. In 1930 he is listed as living with wife Margaret J. at 349 N. Orange Dr, Los Angeles, CA. 1936 Voter Registration records show them living at 2140 Pacific Av in San Francisco, and Lewis is listed as retired. Lewis worked as the general manager at the Fairmont Hotel in San Francisco. He 4 June 1942 and is buried at San Francisco National Cemetery, Section Osd Site 711. His last known address was 1 Lincoln Blvd, Presidio of S. F., CA 94129

1894: Fanny or Fannie: Harry’s second daughter (she generally used the name Mesharer) was born 16 Dec 1894 in the United States. By 1898 Harry had remarried, so presumably Fannie’s mother died between the time of her birth and when she was age 4. The 1900 census lists Fannie’s birth place as New York City, although oral history indicates a Wilkes Barre, PA birth for her. The 1910 census lists Fannie Mesharer (age 16, indexed as McHares) living with the family of George F and Lillie Moore, and working as a servant. Lillian Klass Small remembers her mother mentioning that she met Alexander while working for a family in Ardmore, outside Philadelphia, where Alexander was working as a “paper hanger”; that is, installing wallpaper. On May 10, 1916 Fannie became the wife of Alexander Klass in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania at St. James Church of Kingsessing. The marriage record lists Fannie’s parents as Harris and Lillian Mesharer, living in Wilkes Barre.

In 1898 Fannie’s husband, Alexander Klass emigrated from Bohemia into New York, via Hamburg on the ship Kaiser. Alexander had a son Frank with his first wife, Elizabeth Wanner. Alexander and Fannie had two children: George Herbert Klass born July 16, 1917 and Lillian Katherine Klass, born February 17, 1919. Lillian was baptized at Carmel Reformed Church at 72nd and Elmwood after having been born at home. Fannie died on August 17, 1929 of tuberculosis of the bowel, when Lillian was 10 years old. The funeral service was at St. Clement’s, with burial at Holy Cross Cemetery.

1898: Harry married wife #3 Leah (Hebrew) or Lena (Western) marriage in 1898.

1. 1900: Maurice was born in April 1900. The 1900 census lists his name as Morriss Misharer (mistakenly indexed as Mishader) at 2 months on June 7, 1900. The 1920 census for Harriss Mesherry with wife Lena in Philadelphia, lists son Morriss as age 18 (birth date 1902). Maurice was also known as Murry Meshirer and worked for the Beacon Adhesives Company in New York City, established by his cousin David Meshirer in 1926. Murry enlisted in the US Army 14 Jul 1942 and was discharged 10 Mar 1943. His enlistment records indicate he was divorced with no dependents. He died on 28 Jan 1955 and is buried at Long Island National Cemetery, Section Y, Site 993. His last known address was 2040 Wellwood Avenue, Farmingdale, NY 11735. Bobby Oakes indicates that Maurice is a stepchild, so perhaps Harry was not his father.

Misc. observations:


Since Bessie’s son Herman Dushoff was born in 1902 and Eva’s son Herman Tager was born about 1904, it is likely that there may have been a mutual ancestor of Bessie and Eva, Herman, who died shortly before 1902. Similarly Bessie named a daughter Mildred Dushoff born about 1907, and Eva named her daughter Mildred Tager about 1912. Again it seems likely that there is a mutual ancestor of Bessie and Eva, Mildred, who died before 1907. Perhaps they were sisters of the same mother in Russia, and Bessie’s birthyear listed in the 1920 census is off by a few years, since Bessie also indicates that she was born in Russia, as was Eva, and father Harry indicated he immigrated to the US in 1880.

Could Bessie’s daughter Lillian been named to honor Harry’s second wife, Lillian, who had children Max, Lewis and Fannie, if perhaps she had also raised Eva and Bessie? Bessie’s daughter Lillian was born about 1903. Harry had remarried in 1898.

It would be interesting to know if she were older or younger than Max Mesharer.

Eva had a daughter born in 1900: Mae . On the 1930 census she indicates an age of 30, having been born in New York. She was 20 at the time of her first marriage (1920) and was married to Louis Triber as listed on the 1930 census and has children: Eleanor, age 9 (born 1921) and William (born 1925) , age 5 in 1930. Mae’s parents are listed as having been born in Russia. The 1920 census lists May with husband Lewis Treiber, indexed Lreiber. May indicates that her father came from Moscow Russia and her mother from Vilna, Russia.

Harry also had an adopted child, Rose Richlin, born 1892, or possibly 1894 (possibly born to Rebecca Rachlin).  Rose is said to have been adopted by Harry Meshirer. Rose Rachlin Meshorer married William (Max) Meshirer, son of Abraham Meshirer.




Leslie Hersh
August 13, 2008