Guide to the Strassburger Family Oversize Materials 1891-1968
- Repository
- Heinz History Center
- Title
- Strassburger Family Oversize Materials,
- Creator
- Strassburger Family
- Collection Number
- MSO#548
- Extent
- 2.0 linear feet linear feet (13 Oversize Folders)
- Date
- 1891-1968
- Abstract
- Originally from Germany, the Strassburger family lived in Allegheny City and then in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The family was one of the earliest Jewish families to settle in the Pittsburgh area. The family papers include articles, publications, awards presented to both Eugene B. Strassburger and Eugene B. Strassburger, Jr., and incomplete genealogical material regarding the Morganstern family.
- Language
- The material in this collection is in English.
- Publisher
- Heinz History Center
- Address
- 1212 Smallman St.
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222
library@heinzhistorycenter.org
URL: https://www.heinzhistorycenter.org
History
Originally from Germany, the Strassburger family lived in Allegheny City and then in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The family was one of the earliest Jewish families to settle in the Pittsburgh area. In 1867, Samuel Strassburger (1842-1922) came to the United States from Baden, Germany. After immigrating to the United States, he settled in Allegheny City, now Pittsburgh's North Side. He went into business with Charles Falk, operating a store on Federal Street.
In 1876, Samuel Strassburger married Julia Morganstern (1854-1929) and they had four children: William, Edwin, Eugene B., and Harvey. William J. Strassburger attended the University of Pittsburgh and Columbia University in New York. He became president of the Grant Building Incorporated in Pittsburgh. He was also a member of the Associated Artists of Pittsburgh and maintained an interest in art and oil painting throughout his life.
Eugene B. Strassburger (1886-1978) graduated from Pittsburgh Central High School and then attended Harvard for both his undergraduate and law school degrees. After graduating from law school, he returned to Pittsburgh and joined the firm of William H. Lemon. In 1915, Strassburger married Constance Block and they had three children: Eugene Jr., Joan, and Martha. Strassburger also served in the armed services during World War I. After the death of Lemon in 1919, Strassburger and another associate of the firm, J. Frank McKenna, reorganized the firm as Strassburger and McKenna. In addition to his law practice, Strassburger was also a professor at the Duquesne University Law School from 1920 until 1940.
Eugene B. Strassburger, Jr., (1917-1984) also attended Harvard Law School and, after his graduation in 1941, joined his father's firm. He served as a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy in the South Pacific during World War II. About 1940, he married Jane Schanfarber and they had three children: Elaine, Eugene B. III, and Edwin. Eugene B. Strassburger III (1943- ) was the third member of his family to graduate from Harvard Law School and joined the firm started by his grandfather in 1967. He left the firm for a seat as judge of the Allegheny County Common Pleas Court.
Scope and Content Notes
With a previous catalog designation of PFO#2, the Strassburger Family oversize materials include degrees, diplomas, and other certificates awarded to various members of the Strassburger family. Most of the collection consists of certificates for practicing law from Eugene B. Strassburger and Eugene B. Strassburger, Jr. The collection includes diplomas awarded to Eugene B. Strassburger from the Allegheny School District, a diploma awarded to Eugene B. Strassburger, Jr., from Harvard Law School, and a diploma awarded to Constance Block from Wellesley College. Also included in the oversize materials is Harvey Strassburger's certificate of confirmation from Rodef Shalom Congregation in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, dated 1891. The collection also contains a printed Yiddish document that requests that prayer books not be removed from the building.
Arrangement
- The collection consists of thirteen folders arranged alphabetically.
Conditions Governing Access
No Restrictions.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift of Jane Strassburger, wife of Eugene B. Strassburger, Jr., on October 19, 1989.
Preferred Citation
Strassburger Family Oversize Materials, 1891-1968, MSO#548, Library and Archives Division, Rauh Jewish Archives, Senator John Heinz History Center
Processing Information
This collection was originally processed by Rachel Balliet on July 18, 1994. Further processing and rearrangement of the collection provided by Theresa E. Rea on January 13, 2010.
Conditions Governing Use
Property rights reside with the Senator John Heinz History Center. Literary rights are retained by the creators of the records and their heirs. For permission to reproduce or publish, please contact the Library and Archives of the Senator John Heinz History Center.
Separated Materials
One archival box consisting of the Strassburger Family Papers, previously cited as PFT#2, has been separated, arranged, and described with the catalog designation of MSS#548.
One archival box consisting of the Strassburger Family Photographs, previously cited as PFF#2, has been separated, arranged, and described with the catalog designation of MSP#548.
One oversize folder of photographs entitled the Strassburger Family Oversize Photographic Collection, previously designated as PFR#2, has been separated, arranged, and described with the catalog designation of MSR#548.
Subjects
- Harvard University
- Wellesley College
- Rodef Shalom Congregation
- Strassburger Family
- Strassburger, Eugene B., 1886-1978
- Strassburger, Eugene B., Jr., 1917-1984
- Block, Constance
- Strassburger, Harvey
- Pittsburgh,(Pa.)
- Jews -- Pennsylvania -- Pittsburgh
- Jews, Social Life and Customs -- Pennsylvania -- Pittsburgh
- Jews, German -- Pennsylvania -- Pittsburgh
- Law schools -- Massachusetts
- Lawyers, Jewish -- Pennsylvania -- Pittsburgh