Lewis Abraham Levy

Amsterdam City Archives gives his birth as August 1800

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Photo: Pioneer Jewish Texans

By Natalie Ornish

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"Lewis Levy, who moved to Houston with his wife Mary in 1841, was also involved in the real estate business; in 1843 he bought a parcel of land from Sam Houston. According to historian Helena Schlam, 17 Jewish adults lived in Houston in 1850. Of the eleven adult males, all but DeCordova were merchants.......Soon after Jews settled in Houston, they began to pray together. The first reported minyan in the city took place in 1837. But it wasn’t until 1854, when they bought land for a cemetery, that Houston Jews began to organize community institutions. That same year, Lewis Levy raised money to help the Jewish yellow fever victims of New Orleans. In 1855, Levy led the way in creating the Hebrew Benevolent Association, which aimed to oversee the cemetery and care for the Jewish needy in the city. The local newspaper praised the association’s founders as “among the most kind-hearted, humane, and high-minded businessmen of our city.” Indeed, the Hebrew Benevolent Association was greatly respected in Houston and was invited to take part in the city’s July 4th parade in 1856."

http://www.isjl.org/texas-houston-encyclopedia.html

"Find A Grave Index," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QVL2-TY2F : 13 December 2015), Louis A. Levy, 1861; Burial, Houston, Harris, Texas, United States of America, Beth Israel Cemetery; citing record ID 96321204, Find a Grave, http://www.findagrave.com.
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The Weekly Telegraph (Houston, Harris Co., TX), Tues., 19 Feb 1861, p. 3, c. 5 .
Obituary .
The death of LEWIS A. LEVY, a few days since in this city, brought a feeling of sorrow to all the people. He was one of the oldest citizens. He was universally known, and beloved by all for the good qualities of his heart. His life was that of one who knew no guilt. .
Mr. Levy was a native of Amsterdam, Holland. For many years he was a citizen of Richmond, Va., and of New Orleans, La. The last twenty-five years of his life was spent in this city. He leaves a widow and a large family of grown up children to mourn his death. .
Peacefully at the age of 62 he was gathered to his fathers, and his memory is green in the affections of those that remain. He has gone to enjoy that rest he so patiently waited for. His thoughts were at all times in communion with his God. Requiscat en Pace. .