The Marshall News Messenger from Marshall, Texas • 33

MARSHALL NEWS MESSENGER, Sunday, October 23, 1977 ID eisman Co. Completing First Century Weinberg In 6th Year As Weisman President By FERRELL FOSTER Staff Writer "Open, with a rush, crush and a jam and unbounded satisfaction to the people of Marshall, is the model store of J. Weisman and Co." That is how Jhe grand opening of the still thriving local store was described in an advertisement in the Marshall Messenger on Sept. 13, 1878, 11 days after its doors were opened. Joe Weisman and Co.

is now beginning its 100th year of service to Marshall and will be holding sales throughout the period as part of its celebration, in addition to an open house and formal reception held Saturday, Oct. 15. In 1972, Joe H. Weinberg of Lafayette, bought the store, thus ending 94 years of one-family ownership of the firm. Weinberg and his family moved to Marshall when he bought the store and today he is president of the store.

It was on June 8, 1878, that the first announcement of the new storeappeared in a Marshall Messenger news story. It read: "Mr. joe Weisman, late connected with the firm of I. Dreyfuss, uncle, Dan Doppelmayer. Then, near the turn of the century, Weisman became sole owner of the establishment when he bought out his uncle's interest.

During their partnership, the store added to its facility at the northeast corner of the square, in the area currently occupied by the First National Bank, another store on the north side of the square at the current location of Household Supply Co. A pamphlet entitled "A Pen Picture of the City of Marshall and Harrison County," published in November, 1879, described the original store on Bolivar Street at the north-east corner of the square as a "large clothing house." It described the store on the north side of the square as being, "full and overflowing with staple and fancy dry goods, dress goods and silks of all kinds and qualities, trimmings, notions, cloaks, shawls (hand and machine made), zephyr, trunks and valises, carpets, oil cloths, rugs, matting, and anything else that can be found in any of the eastern cities." The year 1898 loomed big for Joe Weisman and Co. It was during that year that the former site of the King House hotel became the location of the local concern, the store's present "building being erected at (hat time. "Kindly soliciting a continuance of past favors. the store announced in an Evening Messenger advertisement on December 30 of that year, that it was prepared to serve its "friends and patrons" at their new location.

Also in 1898, the store hired a 15-year-old Marshall youth by the name of Joe Nathan Hirsch as a stock boy. Young Joe Hirsch had come to Marshall in 1895 and took his first job with a small firm bottling beverages in the daytime and making his deliveries late at night. When the company moved to Dallas, Hirsch took the job with Joe Weisman and Co. for $10 a month, slept in the loft of the store and worked seven days a week. By 1909, Hirsch had attained a salary of $50 a month and soon after went into business for himself in the location now occupied by MatthewsonDrugCo.

Hirsch's next majorvstep came in 1910 when he married Weisman's daughter, Vafrie Weisman, in New York City. In 1911, he returned to Joe Weisman and Co. and on June 2, 1918, he became general manager of the store as a result of Weisman's death. He was joined in management and operation of the store by his son, Martin Hirsch, in 1929 and his other son, Joe W. Hirsch, in 1946.

Throughout his career, Joe Nathan Hirsch was a frequent visitor to the large market centers of the nation and in earlier years spent as much as six weeks to two months securing merchandise for the Marshall store, according to materials in the local museum. However, Hirsch also spent lime with his customers. A 1958 News Messenger story said of Hirsch: "It is understandable that many of the store's older customers want none other than Mr. Hirsch to serve them and will wait, if necessary, to have him assist in selecting merchandise." The year 1964 represented a change in physical appearance of the store. At that time the interior and exterior were completely remodeled, however, the store never closed its doors to customers while the work was in progress.

Martin Hirsch became president of the firm in 1966 upon the of his father in May of that year. At that time Martin Hirsch was owner of the store along with Joe Hirsch and two sisters, Mrs. William A. Stern of Ontario, and Mrs. Leonard Rosengarten of Bel Air, Calif.

Two years later Martin Hirsch died and his brother, Joe, became president of the establishment. Weinberg's purchase of the store in 1972 started a new era in the establishment's history, but it is certain the store would still appreciate a comment made about it in 1879 in "A Pen Picture of the City of Marshall and Harrison County." It stated that "everybody goes to Joe Weisman and for they know that they are sure to find just what they want, and at prices that defy competition." As Joe Weisman and Co. celebrates its 100th year of service to Marshall, Joe H. Weinberg marks the beginning of his sixth year as president of the store. A native of Kilgore, Weinberg bought the store in 1972 while living in Lafayette, and then moved his family to Marshall.

The son of Joseph Harris and Nell Davis Weinberg, he graduated from Kilgore High School in 1957 before attending Kilgore Junior College. He received the degree of Bachelor of Business Administration from North Texas State University in 1962. After his graduation he returned to Kilgore working for Weinberg's, a men's specialty shop owned by his father. In 1964, he went into business for himself by opening a Weinberg's in Lafayette, La. has servered his connection with that firm, and left on the train, Monday morning, for New York, where he intends to buy a large, fresh stock of dry goods, notions preparatory to opining a new house in September.

"By his courteous bearing and gentlemanly deportment, Mr. Weisman has made many friends in our community, and will open his own house with the assurances of a good trade. honesty and fair dealing, promptness and polite attention to customers, he will apply to the public for a liberal share of their Datronaee. Look out for the new sien and card." A native of Syracuse, N.Y., Joe Weisman stepped off the stagecoach at Swanson's Landing in about 1866 and became a bookkeeper for I. Dreyfus in Marshall, according to materials in JOE WEINBERG Since moving to Marshall, Weinberg has become a member of Trinity Episcopal Church and has also worked with the local United Way.

me Harrison county Historical Museum. Weisman apparently returned from his trek to New York with the goods he was seeking, and on Sept. 2, 1878, the new store held its grand opening. The business began as a partnership, Weisman joining with an 0 1 1 1 i 111b. i A 1 i 1 i -'V Weisman's 1899 Horse-drawn buggies, carriages and wagons line both sides of North Washington Street in 1899 as the then Harrison County Courthouse goes up in flames.

It was in this setting that Joe Weisman and Co. celebrated its first year at the location it still has today. The store can be seen behind the closest carriage on the right side of the road. Weisman's 1977 Seventy-eight years later the view south from the intersection of North Washington Street and Burleson Street has changed drastically, but Joe Weisman and Co. remains where it stood in 1899.

I i- 1 A GLAMOROUS NIGHT IN A GLAMOROUS BUSINESS Crowd enioyed "Century One" window display or chatted while waiting to gel in i7 fV- I It ii Pi i I :4) si-. 4 i I1 1 Mm v-. 1 i 1 i David Hirsch introducrs lovely date, Miss Elizabeth Goodman of Gayie Weinberg adds finishing touch to husband Joe's immaculate lux. El Paso. A 1 it Striking a handsome pose for News Messenger cameraman, L.

to Gayle Weinberg. Joe Weinberg. President of Joe Weisman and Phyllis Hirsch and past owner-manager Joe Hirsch. The lines and cosmetics departments of Weismans tnaia floor were cleared to make room for tte Saturday night 'Century One" celebration. The elegant event marked the beginning of one hundred years of continons business for the well known local store.

Hundreds of quest were received by t'r. Mrs. Joe Weinberg and Mrs. Joe Hirsch. After beinf registered by Mrs.

Louis Kariel tbose attending enjoyed refreshments of cake, champagne, peneb and tasty bars d'oenvres served from tables beautifully appointed with silver and crystal. Huge floral arrangements of gold and bronze flowers adorned the skirted tables. Guests happily mingled to the soft music of a mosical quintet Tti gala event was attended by several bendred local and cat of towi cistcmers I friends of Jce Weisman and Co. Mns. Lorn Gaw.

and Mrs. Eller 'er allend the beautifully laden table. Mr. Biii Gaw stands R. background..