Montana Exhibition Hall
Montana Centennial Stamp
When Montana had its Gold Rush in the 1860’s, Jews came to the territory.
They were immigrants from Prussia, Bavaria, and Austria, and from recently Prussian annexed Polish areas.
Most settled in Helena, where they organized the United Hebrew Benevolent Society in 1866.
These early Jewish Pioneers were important to the area, owning 17 of Helena’s 20 dry goods stores by the following year.
By 1877, 20% of Helena’s Board of Trade was Jewish.
Henry Jonas, of Butte, became a citizen in 1889, the first Jew to become a citizen after Montana attained statehood (Nov. 8, 1889).
Marcus Lissner, who owned the International Hotel, served six terms on the Helena City Council.
Though never large in number, these Jewish Pioneers had a major impact on the development of Montana.
Contents
— Billings —
The Alweis Family and Jasons Men’s Store of Billings, Montana
Sam Fefferman: Jewish Dealer in Hides & Furs of Billings, Montana
Max Friedwald: Jewish “Scholar” & Saloon Keeper of Billings, Montana
Louis Harron: Namesake of Temple Beth Aaron & Beth Aaron Cemetery in Billings, Montana
The Lipsker Family: Successful Merchants of Billings, Montana
Sam Vinner: Jewish Jeweler of Billings, Montana
Alfred Wagner: Jewish Merchant of Billings, Montana
— Butte —
The Pioneer Jewish Organizations of Butte, Montana
Henry Lublin Frank: Pioneer Multi-Millionaire and the Second Elected Mayor of Butte, Montana
William Gallick: Jewish Pioneer Wholesale Liquor Distributor of Butte, Montana
Earle N. Genzberger: Civic Leader of Butte, Montana
David Goldberg/Granger: Jewish Pioneer Jeweler and Broker of Butte, Montana
Adolph H. Heilbronner: Jewish Pioneer Railroad Agent of Butte, Montana
Isaac A. Heilbronner: Second Generation Merchandiser & Miner of Butte, Montana
Henry Jacobs: the First Elected Mayor of Butte, Montana, 1879-1880
Jacob Schiffman: Jewish Pioneer with a Sweet Tooth of Butte, Montana
A. A. Sheurman: Jewish Pioneer Newspaperman & Theater Advertiser of Butte, Montana
Isador Strasburger: Jewish Pioneer Merchant of Butte, Montana
Gustav Weinstock: Successful Jewish Merchant of Butte, Montana
— Helena —
Charter Members of the United Hebrew Benevolent Society of Helena, Montana, 1866
Samuel Cohen: Early Jewish Pioneer and Merchant of Montana
Ben Ezekiel: Early Jewish Pioneer and Civic Servant of Montana
Herman Fligelman: Early Jewish Department Store Owner of Helena, Montana
Dr. Louis Fligman: Jewish Pioneer and Doctor of Helena, Montana
Joseph Gans: Jewish Pioneer Merchant and Rancher of Helena, Montana
Sol Hepner: Early Jewish Lawyer & Civic Leader of Helena, Montana
Lewis Hershfield: Early Jewish Pioneer Merchant & Banker of Helena, Montana
Joseph Hirshberg: Early Jewish Pioneer Merchant & Cattle Dealer of Helena Montana
Louis Kaufman: Early Jewish Pioneer Meat Packer of Helena Montana
Marcus Lissner: Early Jewish Pioneer Water Merchant and Hotel Owner of Helena, Montana
Henry Loble and Two More Generations of Lobles: Jewish Pioneer Family of Helena, Montana
Moses & David Morris: Early Jewish Pioneers and Civic Leaders of Helena, Montana
Samuel Schwab & Edward Zimmerman: Early Jewish Pioneer Hotel Partners of Helena Montana
Morris Silverman: Early Jewish Community Leader of Helena Montana
Max Sklower: Early Jewish Pioneer Baker & Hotel Owner/Builder of Helena, Montana
Joseph Soss: Jewish Contractor & Inventor of Helena & Butte, Montana
Greetings from Montana, vintage postcard
