Joseph Newhouse was born at Ettingen Bavaria Germany March 12th 1812 His parents Simeon and Florence nee Ober dorfer Newhouse gave him a liberal education At the age of nineteen years he landed in this country settled first in Philadelphia and later on in Cincinnati Ohio becoming there senior partner of the firm of Newhouse Einstein & Beruheimer dealers in notions etc In 1847 Mr Newhouse returned to Philadelphia and subsequently engaged in the clothing business with Bernard Spatz and others as a member of the firm of Newhouse Spatz & Company On the dissolution of this house he interested himself in oil fields of Western Pennsylvania purchasing extensive tracts of land and becoming an exporter of petroleum in the production of which he was more or less engaged during his career He was the founder of the Belmont Oil Refinery Mr Newhouse was for a number of years a member of the Congregation Mickv6h Israel and served on its Board of Managers When the Congregation Beth El Emeth was established in 1857 he was selected as its first President and continued for a long period in its Directory He was one of the earliest Directors of the Hebrew Education Society Treasurer of the United Hebrew Beneficent Fuel Society a Manager of the United Hebrew Beneficent Society Treasurer of the Hebrew Charity Association Treasurer of a Fund for the Relief of Jews in Palestine a member of the Hebrew Charity Ball Association German Society Merchants Fund a Manager of the Hebrew Beneficial Society of Cincinnati etc Mr Newhouse's career was of varied usefulness On January 2d 1839 he married Abigail Marks daughter of Hyman and Grace iiee Seixas Judah Marks They had nine sons and four daughters Mr Newhouse died in Philadelphia on October 21st 1892 His wife four sons and four daughters survive him