Oscar Sommer (1889-1971) was a prominent citizen both in Brownsville and Matamoros. Oscar founded and ran a furniture store in downtown Brownsville and lived with his wife Laura on the second floor where they raised their children. When politicians like Lyndon Johnson wanted votes in the Rio Grande Valley, they posed in newspaper photos with Continue Reading »
Adolph D’Acosta was born in Jamaica on November 27, 1881. He was the son ofa plantation owner and was a descendent of early immigrants to Jamaica. The first Jews inJamaica came from Spain and Portugal from 1494-1655 fleeing the Spanish Inquisition. Toconceal their identity they referred to themselves as “Portuguese” or “Spanish” and practicedtheir religion Continue Reading »
Adolph Bollack was born in Riedselz, Alsace, France in 1841. At 15 years old he immigrated to the United States on a 3-mast sailing ship. The voyage was beset by storms andtook 57 days. He moved to New Orleans to start a business. When Louisiana joined the Confederacy, Adolph was conscripted into the Confederate Army Continue Reading »