Gerson Forcheimer

• Reference: Ancestry Genealogy - SmartCopy: Mar 11 2020, 5:52:35 UTC

Pensacola News Journal 20 Sep 1923, p. 2

G. FORCHEIMER, 92, DIES, LIVED HERE OVER SIXTY YEARS Retired Merchant Passes Away Peacefully at Home of Alex Lischkoff.

By W. Chipley Jones

Respected by a whole community and beloved by a large circle of friends and relatives extending to the fourth generation of his blood, Gerson Forcheimer, one of Pensacola’s oldest citizens—one of Pensacola’s “Grand Old Men”—passed peacefully in to the Great Beyond at the home of Mrs. A. Greenblatt, 306 West Belmont street, at 6:46 o’clock yesterday. He was nearly 92 years old.

A native of Hessdorf, Bavaria, where he was born October 9, 1831, Mr. Forcheimer moved to the new world at 18 years of age. Through inexplicable fate, the date of his arrival upon the shores of the Land of the Free, which has proven to his race such a haven of rest, was the nation’s natal day, July 4, 1848. He located at Milton, where he resided until the civil war broke out, when he moved to Pensacola. He resided here throughout the period of the war between the states and until 1869. In his early life he engaged in the mercantile business and for a long time was regarded as one of the leading merchants of the West Florida section. As long as he was in business, his name was always regarded as synonymous of fair dealing and scrupulous integrity. He retired from business 15 years ago and has spent the evening of his useful life surrounded by his children, grand and great-grand children.

Mr. Forcheimer was married November 10, 1864, to Bertha Goldstucker, of Mobile, who preceded him to the grave 22 years. He is survived by six children who are: Mrs. Alex Lischkoff, Mrs. Eva Greenhut, Mrs. Estelle Dannheisser, Nathan, Eddie and Bennie Forcheimer; nine grand children and three great-grand children. Hew as of the Jewish faith, having been the first president of Temple Beth-El, was a Mason and perhaps the oldest member of the Escambia Lodge. No. 15, was a member of L.O.E.B. and an honorary member of the Progress club.

Definite arrangements for the funeral have not been announced on account of the sacred religious holiday which has just been ushered in when deceased passed on to remain with his fathers throughout Eternity beyond the grave.