Simson Thorman
 An early 19th century German immigrant

From 1800-1850 Germans (or more accurately, Central European German-speakers, as a German state wasn't founded until 1871), were the main Jewish immigration. Typically young persons fleeing economic hardship and government restrictions, including limitations on their ability to marry, they soon became an integral part of the developing Midwest.

They were fortunate to be German-speakers, for Germans of all religions were then the largest non-English speaking immigrant group in America. "Germantowns" would be found in many eastern cities. Knowing German would surely help in trading and peddling and they could benefit from the reputation for industry and thrift that the Germans immigrants before them had earned.

What about Yiddish? A generation after their arrival, prosperous and highly assimilated "German Jews" might look askance at Yiddish-speaking immigrants from Hungary and later from Russia-Poland.

It is, therefore, worth noting that the Alsbacher Testament, usually shown with its ethical imperative not to lose one's ancient faith in this new country written in Hebrew and in German, was also written in a third language. Because many could not read German or, other than reading prayers, did not know Hebrew, the testament was also written in Judeo-German (Yiddish) so all could understand it.

Bavarian-born Simson Thorman was Cleveland's first permanent Jewish settler. His encouragement brought 19 more settlers from Unsleben to Cleveland in 1839. His descendants (the Thormans had ten children who survived infancy) have played key roles in Cleveland's economic and cultural life and in our Jewish community.

Thorman locket 1855

Simson Thorman, born in Unsleben, Bavaria in 1811, came to the U.S. by the late 1820s, passed through Cleveland in 1832, then went to Missouri where he was a trapper. He returned to Cleveland in 1837, settling in the Flats, starting a hide and fur business, and encouraging friends in Unsleben to come to Cleveland. He was a founder of the city's first Jewish congregation (Israelitic Society), an incorporator of its first Jewish cemetery (Willet Street), first president of its first B'nai B'rith chapter, and the first Jew to serve on the Cleveland City Council. ECH.

Regina Klein, born in Unsleben in 1816, was in the group that came to Cleveland from Unsleben in 1839. She married Simpson Thorman the following year. 

Simson and Regina Thorman had 11 children: Samuel (the first Jewish child born in Cleveland), Esther, Elizabeth (Lizzie) next page, Laura, Rebecca, Fanny, Abraham, Judy, Frank, Simon, and a son who died in infancy.

Simson died in 1881, Regina in 1885. Originally buried in Willet Street Cemetery. their graves have been moved to Mayfield Cemetery.

photo - Wendy Lang   

 

We show one line of the descendants of Simson and Regina Thorman whose daughter:

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