Caroline Elsas

Caroline "Carrie" Reinhardt was born in in 1868, the daughter of German Immigrant J. Reinhart and wife Mary. She was an accomplished pianist although she did not play professionally. She married Herman Elsas in Dallas, Texas in 1887. They had two daughters, Lucille and May Belle. She died January 22, 1946, in New York City.

In the early census reports for Carrie's family, there are some discrepancies that I am certain will be resolved as more documents turn up. In the 1870 census, only first initials are used. Carrie's father is listed as "J" Reinhardt. In the 1880 cenus, first names are given for everyone except her father. It is difficult to read the initial used, it could be either "I" or "J." Also in the 1870 census, Carrie's mother Mary's place of birth is listed as Mississippi, but in the 1880 census, "M." Reinhardt's place of birth is shown as Germany. Her sister Ernestine's place of birth is also recorded differently on these two censuses. In 1870 she is shown as born in New York but in 1880 the place of birth was recorded as Mississippi.

Carrie was a part of the extended family of Jacob Elsas of Atlanta, founder of Fulton Bag and Cotton Mills. Caroline's sister Matilda married Jacob's son Benjamin. While the backgrounds of Herman and Jacob are very similar, no evidence has yet been found for a blood relationship. So far, it is not known if he ever worked for or with Jacob.

With Herman's career in the paper products industry becoming successful, the family relocated to New York City. Herman became known for his business acumen and Carrie was known for her social skills. The Herman Elsas family led a privileged life. The 1900 census shows two servants in the household and the 1910 census shows four servants. Their every vacation and house guest was recorded in the social columns. They traveled often to Europe, to Atlanta and to resorts popular at that time. Many of their travels can be verified through the family's returns through Ellis Island.

Daughter Lucille, born in 1888 in Texas married first Horace Brisbin Liveright (1886-1933), noted publisher, and had two children. She later married a Mr. Emptage, as noted in her mother's obituary. Mother of two.

Daughter May, born in 1897 in New York, was a talented singer, trained in opera at the Met and went on to Broadway, where she was known as Mary Ellis. She married four times and divorced three times. No known children.

The Elsas family is still very much a work in progress. This very brief sketch could not have been complete without the assistance of several dedicated Geni managers who did an amazing amount of research before I became involved as curator. Maria Edmonds-Zediker, Volunteer Curator, March 23, 2014

************** Links to additional material:

• Obituary -- http://fultonhistory.com/Newspaper%2014/Long%20Island%20City%20NY%2...
• http://freepages.history.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~jwheat/migrate90.html