Reb Shimon HaLevi Epstein

Second Husband of the Chofetz Chaim's mother, Dobrosha Kagan.

Shimon Halevi Epstein studied in his youth in Vollozin Yeshiva. Afterwards he went to work with his family, he owned Farmland, Livestock and many houses, and became the wealthiest man In Radin.

Around 1856, local officials confiscated the properties of the Jews of Radin. Shimon Halevi Epstein being well known offered to go and talk to the Tzar in St. Petersburg. He met the Tzar who listened to him but refused to help. The land was divided among the None Jews of Radin. One person was nice to him and returned to him a small lot on which he later built the Radin Yeshiva.

For more information:

http://www.nachumkaplan.com/grossbard_b.doc

Page 98