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How One Jewish Immigrant Named Isaias Hellman Created California

John Dos Passos

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Published in Towers Of Gold: How One Jewish Immigrant Named Isaias Hellman Created California

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Isaias Hellman was a Jewish immigrant who played a major role in the development of California. He was born in Germany in 1842 and arrived in San Francisco in 1859. He started out as a clerk in a dry goods store, but he quickly made a name for himself as a successful businessman. In 1865, he co-founded Hellman, Temple & Co., which became one of the largest banks in California. He also helped to establish the Los Angeles Pacific Railroad, which connected Los Angeles to the rest of the state. Hellman was a generous philanthropist who supported many causes, including education and healthcare. He died in 1924, but his legacy continues to this day.

Isaias Hellman's Early Life

Isaias Hellman was born on September 3, 1842, in Heidenheim, Germany. His parents, Samuel and Babette Hellman, were Jewish immigrants from Poland. Isaias had two older sisters, Henrietta and Julie. The Hellman family was poor, and Isaias had to work from a young age to help support his family. He started out as a peddler, selling goods door-to-door. In 1853, when Isaias was 11 years old, his family decided to emigrate to the United States. They arrived in San Francisco in 1859.

Towers of Gold: How One Jewish Immigrant Named Isaias Hellman Created California

by Frances Dinkelspiel

4.6 out of 5

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Isaias Hellman's Business Career

Isaias Hellman started out his business career as a clerk in a dry goods store. He quickly learned the ropes of the business and soon became a successful salesman. In 1865, he co-founded Hellman, Temple & Co., which became one of the largest banks in California. Hellman was a shrewd businessman and a skilled investor. He made a fortune in banking and real estate. He also helped to establish the Los Angeles Pacific Railroad, which connected Los Angeles to the rest of the state.

Isaias Hellman's Philanthropy

Isaias Hellman was a generous philanthropist who supported many causes, including education and healthcare. He donated money to the University of California, Berkeley, and the Hebrew Union College in Cincinnati. He also helped to establish the Los Angeles County Museum of Art and the California Institute of Technology. Hellman was a strong supporter of Jewish causes and helped to establish the Jewish Welfare Federation of Los Angeles.

Isaias Hellman's Legacy

Isaias Hellman died on May 9, 1924, at the age of 81. He was a successful businessman, a generous philanthropist, and a dedicated family man. His legacy continues to this day. The Hellman name is still associated with banking and philanthropy in California. The Hellman & Friedman private equity firm is one of the most successful in the world. The Hellman Foundation supports a wide range of educational and cultural causes.

Isaias Hellman was a Jewish immigrant who played a major role in the development of California. He was a successful businessman, a generous philanthropist, and a dedicated family man. His legacy continues to this day.

Image Alt Attributes

* **Isaias Hellman:** A black-and-white portrait of Isaias Hellman, a Jewish immigrant who played a major role in the development of California. * **Hellman, Temple & Co. Bank:** A photograph of the Hellman, Temple & Co. bank building in San Francisco, California. * **Los Angeles Pacific Railroad:** A photograph of a train on the Los Angeles Pacific Railroad, which connected Los Angeles to the rest of the state. * **University of California, Berkeley:** A photograph of the University of California, Berkeley campus. * **Hebrew Union College:** A photograph of the Hebrew Union College building in Cincinnati, Ohio. * **Los Angeles County Museum of Art:** A photograph of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art building. * **California Institute of Technology:** A photograph of the California Institute of Technology campus.

Towers of Gold: How One Jewish Immigrant Named Isaias Hellman Created California

by Frances Dinkelspiel

4.6 out of 5