I am an avid genealogist. The past is very important to me. I spend a lot of time in cemeteries photographing tombstones to upload on the website FindAGrave.
I enjoy recognizing long dead people by putting memorials to them online. However, every once and a while something grabs me about a specific grave. It could be the name, or the dates or a ceramic photo. In those cases, I feel compelled to dig a little deeper. That's what this series of blogs is about: The tales behind those graves. Some of my subjects will be heroes. Some will be villains. Some will be victims. And some will linger in between, like most of us. However, don't be surprised if the tales are inherently tragic. These are grave tales. They all end in death.
If you've been reading my grave tales, you will have noticed I tend to be attracted to graves with photographs or the graves of people whose lives have been cut prematurely short. Obviously, that was not the case with Mr. Solomon Goldman. This permanent resident of Ohr Knesseth Israel Anshe Sfard Cemetery obviously doesn't fit my normal criterion. There was no photo on his monument and no one could accuse Mr. Goldman of not having lived a full life. At one-hundred-and-five years of age, he was the oldest person I have run across in my cemetery ramblings. I had to know his secret, and I think I found it: Humor -- despite what must been tremendous travails as a Jew in Czarist Russia and later an immigrant to a new land.
The Baltimore Sun (Baltimore, Maryland), 06 March 1928, Tuesday:
Hebrew Incurables Home "Humorist" Dies At Age Of 106
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Solomon Goldman Who "Rocked Companions With Laughter," Succumbs
In Sleep -- Was Retired Coppersmith And Native of Russia.
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Solomon Goldman, one of the oldest Jews in Baltimore, laid aside his Talmud, the book he never tired of reading and his greatest consolation for many years, and called for his pipe. To Dr. Sigmund Friedler, superintendent of the Hebrew Home for Incurables, this was a signal for another pleasant half hour. Each day the physician listened as Mr. Goldman, oblivious of his 106 years, reminisced and told stories of bygone days as smoke wreaths drifted slowly toward the ceiling.
Yesterday the stories were told with the usual relish and wit that made the narrator the humorist of the institution. But suddenly the trend of the conversation changed. Mr. Goldman was an old man. The Jewish religion calls for a memorial service after a member dies, a service in which ten persons must participate. Were there enough of his old neighbors left to attend such a service?
Planned Nap Before Supper.
Mr. Goldman felt tired. A little nap would help him. He would feel better, be in a jollier mood when supper time came. He would be more refreshed and enjoy more reading his Talmud before retiring. Dr. Friedler tiptoed from the room as the centenarian stretched himself in his chair and soon was lost in sleep.
Shortly after 1 P.M. Dr. Friedler returned. Mr. Goldman presumably was still asleep. It was not until the physician went nearer that he discovered MR. Goldman had passed on to join the prophets who had been his spiritual companions during his old age.
Companions Mourn Death.
Mr. Goldman's companions at the home could not believe it. It was only ten days ago at the entertainment that he had caused them to rock with laughter, to rise in their places and cheer as he danced on a table. Was it not that night that he told such funny stories that many of them still were laughing. When convinced of their friend's death a mournful silence enveloped them.
Mr. Goldman's son, Benjamin Goldman, was summoned from his home, 822 West North avenue. With him went two daughters, Mrs. Minnie Berman and Mrs. Annie Glassner. Another daughter, Mrs. Nessie Gollant, of Fredericksburg, Va., was notified.
When the son and two daughters had gathered at the bier they discussed their father's age. Although he was said to be 106 years old it was thought he was 110, but there was no certainty of this.
Was Born In Russia.
Born in Russia, Mr. Goldman escaped military duty because of an early marriage. One of his favorite stories was how he evaded the persuasions of the Russian Orthodox Church when in his early youth it attempted to enroll all young Jews. As a boy he became an apprentice to his father, a goldsmith.
The youth's talent soon attracted official notice and he was commissioned to do some work for the Czar. But even his success did not change his decision to emigrate to America. It was during the administration of President Harrison that Mr. Goldman left Russia for this country, landing in New York and coming to this city a month later.
Was Coppersmith Here.
Shortly after his arrival here he entered the coppersmith business, designing until a short time before he entered the home four years ago.
Besides his son and three daughters, Mr. Goldman is survived by forty grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held this afternoon.What a relief to tell an upbeat life-affirming story for a change in this series! Thank you, Mr. Goldman, for living a full life anyone could be proud of. I only wish your family had put a picture of you on your monument. I suspect I might have seen a twinkle in your eyes!
Remember, there is a story behind every grave. You never know what you're missing when you walk past one...
Grave Tales:
My novel Chapel Street is now available! You can buy the Kindle and paperback at Amazon and the Nook, paperback and hardcover at Barnes & Noble. Chapel Street is the tale of a young man battling a demonic entity that has driven members of his family to suicide for generations. It was inspired by an actual haunting.
Learn more about the book, click
Here.
Listen to me read some chapters here:
Read about the true haunting that inspired the novel here:
The Haunting of 21 St. Helens Avenue, Part 1, An IntroductionThe Haunting of 21 St. Helens Avenue, Part 2, The HouseThe Haunting of 21 St. Helens Avenue, Part 3, This Is UsThe Haunting of 21 St. Helens Avenue, Part 4, ArrivalThe Haunting of 21 St. Helens Avenue, Part 5, MethodologyThe Haunting of 21 St. Helens Avenue, Part 6, Clara's Tale, Pt. 1The Haunting of 21 St. Helens Avenue, Part 7, Clara's Tale, Pt. 2The Haunting of 21 St. Helens Avenue, Part 8, My Tale, Pt. 1The Haunting of 21 St. Helens Avenue, Part 9, My Tale, Pt. 2The Haunting of 21 St. Helens Avenue, Part 10, My Tale, Pt. 3The Haunting of 21 St. Helens Avenue, Part 11, Natalia's Tale, Pt. 1The Haunting of 21 St. Helens Avenue, Part 12, Natalia's Tale, Pt. 2The Haunting of 21 St. Helens Avenue, Part 13, John's Tale, Pt. 1 The Haunting of 21 St. Helens Avenue, Part 14, John's Tale, Pt. 2The Haunting of 21 St. Helens Avenue, Part 15, Come Inside!The Haunting of 21 St. Helens Avenue, Part 16, Marion's Tale, Pt. 1The Haunting of 21 St. Helens Avenue, Part 17, Marion's Tale, Pt. 2The Haunting of 21 St. Helens Avenue, Part 18, Jeanne's Tale, Pt. 1The Haunting of 21 St. Helens Avenue, Part 19, Jeanne's Tale, Pt. 2The Haunting of 21 St. Helens Avenue, Part 20, Lisa's TaleThe Haunting of 21 St. Helens Avenue, Part 21, Recap, Pt. 1The Haunting of 21 St. Helens Avenue, Part 22, Recap, Pt. 2The Haunting of 21 St. Helens Avenue, Part 23, Recap, Pt. 3
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