Abraham Hanauer

The South Bend, Ind., News of last Friday contains the following account of the death of Abraham Hanauer, father of Leo Hanauer of Cairo.

      Abraham Hanauer, 502 North Michigan Street, died at 4 o’clock on Wednesday afternoon.  Had he lived until December 23, he would have attained his ninety-third birthday.

      The funeral, which will be conducted by the Masonic Order, will be held Sunday.  Burial will be in Rosehill Jewish Cemetery, South Bend.  The hour will be 2 o’clock in the afternoon.

      Mr. Hanauer always took a keen interest in matters pertaining to the Masonic Order.  He was one of the oldest Masons not only in South Bend, but in Indiana.  The local Masons will meet today to complete arrangements for the funeral, which arrangements will be in their hands.

      It is understood that Mr. Hanauer was possessed of considerable wealth, having during his lifetime made several good investments in South Bend property.  He had the greatest faith in the future of the city and he never tired of singing its praises whether at home or abroad.

      Mr. Hanauer was one of the pioneers of South Bend, having lived here since March 1859.  He was born December 23, 1816, at Felheim, Bavaria, Germany, and came to America in June 1845.  He settled in Ohio and on April of the following year was married at Morristown, Ohio, to Miss Barbara Kahn.  He removed to South Bend 13 years later and has resided here ever since.  He engaged in the dry goods and clothing business shortly after his arrival, opening a store on North Michigan Street, where Van Gorder’s store and Rochstroh’s saloon are now located.  In 1878 he “went on the road” for the Laporte Woolen Mills Company and continued in its employ until 1890, when he retired.

      He was a charter member of Germania Lodge F. & A. M. and after the discontinuance of this lodge he joined the South Bend lodge, No. 1905.

      Mrs. Hanauer died in February 1905.  He leaves three daughters and two sons:  Mrs. Bernard Sadler, Easton, Pennsylvania; Mrs. Nathan Kirkland, South Bend; Miss Louis, South Bend; Frank, South Bend; and Levi Hanauer, Cairo, Illinois.  Besides he has seven grandchildren and one great-grandchild.