AARON STRAUS, a successful merchant and farmer of Donegal township, now retired from active life, is a native of Bavaria, Germany, where he was born July 12, 1809, a son of Myer Straus. He received a public school education in his native country, and then learned the butcher's trade, which he followed in Bavaria but a short time, as he soon thereafter sailed from Bremen for the shores of America. After a voyage of fifty-eight days the vessel landed at New York, and Mr. Straus at once proceeded to eastern Pennsylvania, where he worked in various capacities for some time. In 1844 he came to Donegal township, Washington county, and located in West Alexander, followed the butchering business for eleven years. At the expiration of that time he embarked in general merchandise, opening a store, where he soon obtained an extensive custom, building up one of the largest country trades in the county, and so continued until failing health compelled him to retire, in 1866. In 1844 he was married to Hannah E. Lyle, who was born August 16, 1825, a daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth (Arison) Lyle. Of the children born to this union, Rosa M. is the wife of J.D. Schaeffer, a lawyer of Allegheny county; George A. resides in Donegal township; Louisa A. is the wife of Dr. T.J. McKee, of Allegheny, Penn.; Joseph A. resides on his father's farm in Donegal township; Lizzie M. is the wife of G.W. Lewis, of Ohio county, W. Va. After retiring from mercantile life, Mr. Straus purchased a farm lying half a mile west of West Alexander, and erected a commodious and comfortable dwelling, to which he moved. He is one of the many prosperous and enterprising citizens which Germany has bequeathed to the United States. He is a member of the Democratic party, and is ever willing to assist in any public enterprise, but makes no pretensions to active political work.
Text taken from page 346 of:
Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893).Transcribed March 1997 by Jack McNatt of Valrico, FL as part of the Beers Project.
Published March 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.[ [Back to Beers Table of Contents] [Back to Beers Project Page]