Joseph Newhouse

Joseph Newhouse was born at Ettingen Bavaria Germany March 12th, 1812. His parents, Simeon and Florence née Oberdorfer 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 Mickveh 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 née 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.