Burnim Silver

While the word silver is central to Leadville's history, as a Jewish surname it appears too briefly. Burnim Silver worked as a tailor for his brother-in-law Simon Hymes, husband of Ester Silver, during 1884. He lived that year with his wife, Leah (married in 1878), and children at 207 West 3rd Street. The oldest son, Joseph Meyer, had been born in New York City during 1880 and a second boy, Emanuel, had arrived in 1882, while the family was in Gunnison. Lily was born July 18, 1884, in Leadville (died in 1979 in Denver). A third son, Leopold, was delivered in 1886 in Aspen; the Census of 1885 indicates that the Silver family had left the Silver City by then. Finally, Selena was born to the Silvers in Aspen in 1893.

During their sojourn in Colorado, the family also moved to Glenwood Springs and Denver, before migrating to California in 1908. Burnim passed on in Venice on May 24, 1932, and Leah in 1936. Joseph M. died in California in 1965.

During 1890, a Joseph H. Silver was working with Simon Hymes as Hymes & Silver, merchant tailors, at 218 Harrison Avenue, and living with his business partner at 127 West Chestnut Street.

(from www.jewishleadville.org/surnames/silver.html by Barry Silver)