Haas (Abraham) correspondence, 1885-1886

Abraham Haas (1847 -1921) was born in Reckendorf, Bavaria and immigrated to Portland, Oregon at age 16 to work in a grocery store established by his cousins, Charles, Samuel, and Kalman Haas. After a brief stint in Northern California, Abe joined his brother Jacob in Los Angeles in the firm, Hellman, Haas & Company. This successful wholesale enterprise soon became a launching pad for Haas’ other business ventures, including the development of hydroelectric and gas power. At 39, already a successful businessman, Haas met 21 year old Fannie Koshland while on one of his buying trips to San Francisco. Within the year they were marrried. Soon a son, Charles, was born, followed by Walter (1889), Ruth (1891), and Eleanor (1900). Relocating to San Francisco just prior to Eleanor’s birth, the Haas family soon became involved in the philanthropic, social, and religious affairs of the Jewish community. In 1901, Abe became president of Haas, Baruch, and Co., a position that he held until his death in 1921.

This collection consists of letters that Abraham Haas, in Los Angeles, wrote to Fanny Koshland, in San Francisco, during their courtship in the 1880s.