Guide to the Strassburger Family Papers 1905-1982
- Repository
- Heinz History Center
- Title
- Strassburger Family Papers
- Creator
- Strassburger Family
- Collection Number
- MSS#548
- Extent
- 0.25 linear feet linear feet (1 Box)
- Date
- 1905-1982
- 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
The collection contains nine folders of written documentation pertaining to the Strassburger family. Previously given the catalog designation of PFT# 2, these papers primarily include awards and degrees presented to Eugene B. Strassburger and his son, Eugene B. Strassburger, Jr., including those from Harvard Law School, American Judicature Society, American Law Institute, and the American Bar Association. Also included is a published copy of a speech by Leon Block for the annual meeting of the local Independent Order of B'nai B'rith and a Wellesley Alumnae Magazine. Constance Block Strassburger and Jane Schanfarber Strassburger both received their college diplomas from Wellesley. The collection includes a memorial book to Samuel Strassburger presented by the Concordia Club. Genealogical material regarding the Morganstern family is also found among these papers.
Arrangement
- The collection consists of one archival box with the 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 Papers, 1905-1982, MSS#548, Rauh Jewish Archives, Library and Archives Division, 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.
Related Materials
Materials related to the Strassburger Family Papers are the Associated Artists of Pittsburgh, MSS and MSP#399, of which William J. Strassburger was a member.
Also housed in the Rauh Jewish Archives are the records and photographs from the Concordia Club. The catalog designation for this collection is MSS and MSP#434.
Separated Materials
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 documents entitled the Strassburger Family Oversize Materials, previously designated as PFO#2, has been separated, arranged, and described with the catalog designation of MSO#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
- Associated Artists of Pittsburgh
- Independent Order of B'nai B'rith
- Harvard University
- Wellesley College
- Strassburger Family
- Strassburger, Eugene B., 1886-1978
- Strassburger, Eugene B., Jr., 1917-1984
- Block, Leon, ?-1922
- Morganstern Family
- Strassburger, William, ?-1953
- Strassburger, Samuel, 1842-1922
- Grant Building (Pittsburgh, Pa.)
- Pittsburgh (Pa.)
- Art -- Pennsylvania -- Pittsburgh
- Jews -- Pennsylvania -- Pittsburgh
- Jews, Social Life and Customs -- Pennsylvania -- Pittsburgh
- Jews, German -- Pennsylvania -- Pittsburgh
- Law schools -- Massachusetts
- Lawyers, Jewish -- Pennsylvania -- Pittsburgh