Matching family tree profiles for Max Baron
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About Max Baron
parts of The following editorial appeared in The Star (JOHANNESBURG), 18th October 1948, after Max Baron's death:
THE BARON STORY.
"Forty-eight years ago (1900), Mr. Max Baron arrived in Bulawayo from Lithuania. He was unable to speak English and was penniless. He established a business by solid hard work, and made a modest fortune, as well as rearing a large family. He became one of Bulawayo's most respected men. Four of his sons fought in the late war. One of them was a lieutenant-colonel, one was awarded the Military Cross, and one was a Wing Commander; the fourth saw service in North Africa and Italy. Mr. Baron's funeral in Bulawayo last week was one of the biggest the city has known. There is an important moral in this story. White Africa is crying out for more people, but there is a disposition to pick and choose. This is particularly in evidence in the Union. South African Europeans feel that their numbers are far too few and need to be augmented. Immigration is the obvious way to do it. But then the objections begin. Some people don't want Jews (Mr. Baron was a Jew). Others don't want immigrants from "Eastern Europe." (Mr. Baron came from Eastern Europe). It is declared that intending settlers must have money (Mr. Baron arrived penniless); or that they must pass a language test. (Mr. Baron could speak no English)."
Max came from Wilkomier, Lithuania (than Russia). He had no education except in
cheder. when His brother Isaac had arrived he had just missed being a pioneer. Another brother Joel came later but died at an early age. wife Dora (Deborah) had no schooling at all. She taught herself to read, talk and write English and was an avid reader. Initially the family lived at the back of the shop, which was on RTailway Ave. When Max went back to Lithuania to fetch Dora in 1903, Joel mismanaged the business and when they came back ti was bankrupt. The whole family lived in one long room at the back of the shop which served as living, dining and bed room. The wooden kitchen was an adjunct room with a mud floor. Dora made all the children's clothes as they appeared in rapid succession. Sanitation was ppor and Eze, Phil and Ben contracted malaria every year until they were about 16. Eventually Max decided to move the family to 13th Ave and build a house for them but he was intent on hiring Jewish builders and insisted on importing them from South Africa.
"Max was a stern disciplinarian and if there was any nonsense his belt was in action. He never touched the girls though -- he was scared of Dora!"
"MAX. He was such a character that many of his grandchildren were names after him. Marshall (mine). Malcolm (Thelma). Maxwell (Joe). Max Craig (Hymie). Incidentally, Craig named his son Jonty Marshall."
Max was VERY short, The Africans used to call him "Mafichaan" which means "shorty."
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Max Baron's Timeline
| 1880 |
1880
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Wilkomier, Lithuania
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| 1904 |
October 16, 1904
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Zimbabwe
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| 1909 |
August 1, 1909
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| 1915 |
June 23, 1915
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Bulawayo, Rhodesia
Born 23rd June 1915
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1915
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Bulawayo, Zimbabwe
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| 1948 |
October 11, 1948
Age 68
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Bulawayo, Zimbabwe
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| ???? |
March 10
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Bulawayo, Matabeleland, Zimbabwe
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| ???? |
Zimbabwe
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| ???? |
Zimbabwe
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