4. Simon A.² Ascher (Abraham¹) was born in Prussia March 22, 1841. Simon died July 20, 1914 in Detroit, MI, at age 73.

He married Bertha Lewyn circa 1861 in Germany. Bertha was born September 1839 in Prussia. Bertha was the daughter of Lewin. Bertha died November 17, 1913 in Detroit, MI, at age 74.

When Simon was age 20 and Bertha Lewyn was age 22 they became the parents of Ludwig (Louis) Ascher March 20, 1862 in Prussia. When Simon was age 22 and Bertha Lewyn was age 23 they became the parents of Minna "Minnie" Ascher May 30, 1863 in Prussia. When Simon was age unknown and Bertha Lewyn was age unknown they became the parents of Ernest Ascher ca 1865 in Prussia. When Simon was age 25 and Bertha Lewyn was age 26 they became the parents of Hanna "Annie" Ascher June 15, 1866 in Germany. Simon immigrated to New York, NY November 12, 1866. He resided street unknown, in Detroit, MI 1867. When Simon was age 27 and Bertha Lewyn was age 29 they became the parents of Ezekiel Ascher February 1869 in Michigan. Simon was listed as the head of a family on the 1870 Census in Detroit, MI. When Simon was age 30 and Bertha Lewyn was age 31 they became the parents of Jennie Ascher May 8, 1871 in Michigan. He petitioned the court to become a citizen April 29, 1872. When Simon was age 31 and Bertha Lewyn was age 33 they became the parents of Pauline Ascher February 8, 1873 in Detroit, MI. When Simon was age 34 and Bertha Lewyn was age 35 they became the parents of Adolph "Abraham" "Abe" Ascher 1875 in Michigan. When Simon was age 36 and Bertha Lewyn was age 37 they became the parents of Morse S. Ascher 1877 in Michigan. When Simon was age 38 and Bertha Lewyn was age 40 they became the parents of Solomon Simon Ascher December 13, 1879 in Michigan. Simon A. Ascher was born in Prussia and married Bertha Lewyn, also born in Prussia. In 1866 they immigrated from Weimer (east of Frankfurt, west of Dresden) to the United States via New York, and they settled in Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan, in 1867. At the time of immigration they had four children. Bertha and three of the children, Ludwig, age 5, Minnie, age 4, and Adolf, age 7 months, are listed on the British ship Palmyra, which left from Liverpool and Queenstown and arrived in New York on November 12, 1866. Simon and the fourth child, Ernest, age 1, were not found on that ship, but they do appear in U.S. Census listings, so it is known that they immigrated at about the same time.

It is not known why the Aschers left their homeland, but United States President Abraham Lincoln, after the Civil War, encouraged immigration into the United States. Perhaps the Aschers came to seek new opportunities, or to escape the political unrest that had plagued Prussia, or to seek more freedom to practice their Jewish religion. Detroit was not known as a big German settlement, but certainly other German Jewish families had come before them. In 1850, there were 60 Jews in Detroit out of a total population of 21,000; twelve of these Jewish families had banded together to form Temple Beth El, the congregation in which Simon and his family would become actively involved.

Upon their arrival in Detroit, Simon was involved with manufacturing overcoats. Later he was employed by the clothing firm of Heineman, Butzel and Company, and he worked there for 25 years. After that he worked for the City of Detroit. Simon was Secretary of the Montefiore Lodge of the Order of Free Sons of Israel for 25 years, president of Pisgah Lodge Bnai Brith in 1890, and a member of Temple Beth El. He was known for his charitable work and was active in the Poor Commission. According to the U.S. Censuses in 1870 and 1880, Simon was a tailor, and the entire family had learned to speak English. On April 29, 1872, Simon became a U.S. citizen. By 1900, the census reports, he had become a druggist (though this conflicts with other information and may be a mistake), and by 1910 he was retired. During these years, Bertha took care of the house. In 1880, they lived at 179 Clinton. By 1900 and continuing through 1910, they have moved to 171 Montcalm and had a servant living with them. According to the 1910 census, Simon lost his hearing as he aged. When Simon died from nephritis (kidney failure) in 1914, he lived at 347 E. High Street.

Together, Simon and Bertha had ten children, all of whom lived past childhood. One can imagine that they must have been very busy. One also must wonder how noisy their house must have been with all those children playing.

From the internet: PALMYRA 1865 2,044 gross tons, length 290.8ft x beam 38ft, clipper bows, one funnel, two masts (rigged for sail), iron hull, single screw, speed 11 knots. Accommodation for 46-1st and 650-3rd class passengers. Built by Caird & Co, Greenock, she was launched for the Cunard Steamship Co on 23rd Dec.1865. Her maiden voyage from Liverpool to Queenstown (Cobh) and New York started on 25th Apr.1866 and on 6th Sep.1870 she commenced her first Liverpool - Queenstown - Boston sailing. Her last regular voyage on this service started 22nd Jul.1873 and she was then used on the Liverpool - Mediterranean route except for 17 North Atlantic voyages between 1880 and 1891, her final sailing to Boston starting on 31st Dec.1891. She was scrapped in 1897. [North Atlantic Seaway by N.R.P.Bonsor, vol.1, p.149] (A funnel is a smokestack and a screw is a propeller.)a

Simon A. Ascher and Bertha Lewyn had the following children:

5 i. Ludwig (Louis)³ Ascher was born in Prussia March 20, 1862. Ludwig died April 18, 1906 at age 44.

Ludwig immigrated to New York, NY November 12, 1866. He resided street unknown, in Detroit, MI 1867. Ludwig was listed as a household member living with Simon A. Ascher on the 1870 Census in Detroit, MI. Louis arrived on 12 November 1866 in New York aboard the Palmyra, which departed from Liverpool and Queenstown. He was 5 years old at the time. Later, he became a naturalized citizen and married a woman named May. He was a cigar maker in 1880 and 1900. They rented a house at 176 High East in Detroit.

Louis had two cigar stores in 1890 and 1891. One was at the northwest corner of Jefferson Avenue and Randolph, and the other was at 74 Sherman.

After Louis passed away, May lived with her cousin Henry Blinst (name unclear) and a housekeeper at 560 25th Street in 1910. Louis and May had no children.

Louis's native language was German, but he could also read, write, and speak English.

6 ii. Minna "Minnie" Ascher was born in Prussia May 30, 1863. Minna died February 14, 1929 at age 65.

Alex Hirschfeld 18 Male Clerk – [this would make his birth year 1854] Fresia departed from Hamburg Germany & LeHavre, France. No other Hirschfield aboard that sailing.

When Alexander was age 31 and Minna "Minnie" Ascher was age 22 they became the parents of Magnus Alexander Hirschfeld June 8, 1885 in Milwaukee, WI. When Alexander was age 35 and Minna "Minnie" Ascher was age 26 they became the parents of Bruno Alexander Hirschfeld December 4, 1889 in Milwaukee, WI. (See Alexander Hirschfeld for the continuation of this line.)

Minna immigrated to New York, NY November 12, 1866. She resided street unknown, in Detroit, MI 1867. Minna was listed as a household member living with Simon A. Ascher on the 1870 Census in Detroit, MI. When Minna was age 22 and Alexander Hirschfeld was age 31 they became the parents of Magnus Alexander Hirschfeld June 8, 1885 in Milwaukee, WI. When Minna was age 26 and Alexander Hirschfeld was age 35 they became the parents of Bruno Alexander Hirschfeld December 4, 1889 in Milwaukee, WI. In 1880, Minnie was still living with her parents and was a milliner (hat maker). Minnie married Alex Hirschfeld and they had at least two children in Wisconsin.

By 1900, Minnie, born in May 1863, is a widow according to the MI census. This census shows she has 2 children, both living. She immigrated in 1867 and has been here 33 years. She is a Groceries Keeper. Magnus was born June 1885 in Wisconsin; Bruno was born December 1889 in Wisconsin. This permits us to determine that they married in or before 1884. Alex died between 1889 and 1900, possibly in Wisconsin.

In 1910, Minnie remains a widow according to the MI census. She had 4 children, 2 of whom were living in 1910, Magnus A, age 24, born in Wisconsin; and Bruno A., age 20, born in Wisconsin. Minnie has no profession. Magnus is a Bookkeeper in a City Office and Bruno is a salesman in a Dry Goods store.

7 iii. Ernest Ascher was born in Prussia ca 1865. Ernest died before 1924 at age unknown. Ernest immigrated to New York, NY November 12, 1866. He resided street unknown, in Detroit, MI 1867. Ernest was listed as a household member living with Simon A. Ascher on the 1870 Census in Detroit, MI. Ernest lived in Michigan with his family in 1870, and by 1880, when he was only 15, he lived in New York City, on E. 72nd Street, with Adolph Lewyn, and worked in the cigar factory. He died shortly before his niece Ernestine (Solomon's daughter) was born in 1924, and as is the Jewish custom, she was named after him.

8 iv. Hanna "Annie" Ascher was born in Germany June 15, 1866. Hanna died July 31, 1916 in Detroit, MI, at age 50. Her body was interred August 16, 1916 in Detroit, MI, Machpelah Cemetery. She married Joseph J. Marx circa 1887 in Detroit, MI. Joseph was born ca 1865 in Germany. Joseph was the son of Abraham A. Marx and Rachel Rose Adelstein. Joseph died January 11, 1952 in Detroit, MI, at age 86. His body was interred January 13, 1952 in Detroit, MI, Machpelah Cemetery. Joseph immigrated to destination unknown ca 1882. When Joseph was age unknown and Hanna "Annie" Ascher was age unknown they became the parents of Oswold Marks ca 1888. When Joseph was age unknown and Hanna "Annie" Ascher was age unknown they became the parents of Rudolph Marks ca 1890. When Joseph was age unknown and Hanna "Annie" Ascher was age unknown they became the parents of Milton Marks ca 1901. When Joseph was age 43 and Hanna "Annie" Ascher was age 42 they became the parents of Alma Marks June 4, 1909 in Detroit, MI. Joseph was listed as the head of a family on the 1910 Census in Detroit, MI. In 1910, Oswold was a student attending school.

(See Joseph J. Marx for the continuation of this line.)

Hanna immigrated to New York, NY November 12, 1866. She resided street unknown, in Detroit, MI 1867. Hanna was listed as a household member living with Simon A. Ascher on the 1870 Census in Detroit, MI. When Hanna was age unknown and Joseph J. Marx was age unknown they became the parents of Oswold Marks ca 1888. When Hanna was age unknown and Joseph J. Marx was age unknown they became the parents of Rudolph Marks ca 1890. When Hanna was age unknown and Joseph J. Marx was age unknown they became the parents of Milton Marks ca 1901. When Hanna was age 42 and Joseph J. Marx was age 43 they became the parents of Alma Marks June 4, 1909 in Detroit, MI. Hanna was listed as Joseph J. Marx's wife on the 1910 Census in Detroit, MI. In 1910, Oswold was a student attending school.

Hanna, or as she was later called, Anna, arrived on 12 November 1866 in New York aboard the Palmyra, which departed from Liverpool and Queenstown. She was 7 months old at the time. She is listed in "Germans to America, Lists of Passengers Arriving at U.S. Ports" as Adolf, but it is well-known that there are some errors in the "Germans to America" volumes.

In 1910, Anna and Joseph lived at 169 Montcalm, between Anna's parents and Anna's sister Pauline's family. By 1910, Anna had had five children, four of whom were still living. Their son Oswold was born about 1888 and was attending school. Their son Rudolph was born about 1890 and was a shipping clerk in dry goods. Their son Milton was born about 1901. Their daughter Alma was born about 1909. Several people whose names match these are buried in Machpelah Cemetery in Ferndale, Michigan. Anna may have died July 31, 1916 or (less likely, based on grave location) September 7, 1927. Joseph may have died January 13, 1952. Oswold may have died October 28, 1913. Rudolph may have died December 12, 1976. Milton may have died May 18, 1913. There was an outbreak of typhoid fever in Detroit in 1912, so perhaps some of these family members died from that.

9 v. Ezekiel Ascher was born in Michigan February 1869. Ezekiel died after 1911 at age unknown. Ezekiel was listed as a household member living with Simon A. Ascher on the 1870 Census in Detroit, MI. Ezekiel was the first child born to Simon and Bertha in their new country, the land of hope and opportunity. Ezekiel is listed in the 1880 census with his parents, and is not listed again in Michigan. However, in 1900 and 1910, there is an Edward Ascher in Michigan State Prison in Jackson, Michigan, who was born in Michigan in February, 1869, to German parents. Edward may well be our Ezekiel. In 1910 he was a laborer for the lawn. He is not listed in the 1920 census in Michigan. As of 1910 he was not married. He is not listed in the 1920 census, which suggests he either died or left the state before then.

Ernestine Ascher Sgro had never heard of this uncle, which suggests that he may have done something to be disowned. Furthermore, in Simon Ascher's biography, he is listed last, while all the other children are listed in their birth order.

10 vi. Jennie Ascher was born in Michigan May 8, 1871. Jennie died January 28, 1952 at age 80.

When Jennie was age 31 and Herman Meyersohn was age 30 they became the parents of Rudolph Meyersohn August 5, 1902 in Toledo, Lucas County, OH. When Jennie was age 34 and Herman Meyersohn was age 33 they became the parents of Rosalind "Mamie" Meyersohn July 12, 1905 in Toledo, Lucas County, OH. Herman Meyersohn owned the Monroe Street Saloon in Toledo, Ohio, at 3255 Monroe Street. After he died, Sol came to live in a duplex with Jennie, and he ran the saloon until Prohibition started. Jennie moved back to Detroit by 1920, where she lived at 84 Euclid Ave.

11 vii. Pauline Ascher was born in Detroit, MI February 8, 1873. Pauline died February 11, 1945 in Detroit, MI, at age 72.

When Pauline was age 26 and Lehman "Leo" (Michelsohn) Michelson was age 27 they became the parents of Max L. Michelson January 12, 1900 in Detroit, MI. When Pauline was age 30 and Lehman "Leo" (Michelsohn) Michelson was age 30 they became the parents of Lawrence J. Michelson April 15, 1903 in Detroit, MI. When Pauline was age 32 and Lehman "Leo" (Michelsohn) Michelson was age 33 they became the parents of Lena (Alyce) Michelson November 17, 1905 in Detroit, MI. When Pauline was age 36 and Lehman "Leo" (Michelsohn) Michelson was age 37 they became the parents of Lillian Rose Michelson September 9, 1909 in Detroit, MI. As of 1910, Pauline had four children, all of them still living. She and her husband also had a servant living with them. Her name was Sarah Berney, and she was born in Canada in 1888. Sarah was divorced and had one child who didn't live there with her.

Ernestine Ascher Sgro remembered going to "Aunt Polly's" house after her father's funeral in 1935. Pauline's house was "palacial" compared to what Ernie was used to. She remembered Pauline sitting at the head of the table, and she rang a little bell -- tinkle tinkle. The maid came, and Pauline said "Lottie, bring me a glass of water." Ernie remembered this 70 years later, so it must have made a big impression on her.

+ 12 viii. Adolph "Abraham" "Abe" Ascher was born 1875.

13 ix. Morse S. Ascher was born in Michigan 1877. Morse died July 24, 1925 at age 48.

+ 14 x. Solomon Simon Ascher was born December 13, 1879.

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