Bessie Horwitz

Bessie Horwitz[1]

Female 1896 - 1979  (82 years)

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  • Name Bessie Horwitz  [2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
    Born 25 Sep 1896  Horwitz Family Residence, Rezekne, Latgale, Latvia Find all individuals with events at this location  [2, 3, 4, 8
    • Notwithstanding the information in the death index and social security records the family says she was born in 1896, the same day as her twin sister Florence.
    Gender Female 
    Died 15 May 1979  Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California Find all individuals with events at this location  [2, 3
    Notes 
    • She married (1) ISAAC LAIBOVITZ October 09, 1915 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois, son of SOLOMON LAIBOVITZ and RACHEL BERNSTEIN. He had four sisters. He was born April 30, 1889 in Romania, and died April 13, 1967 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois.
      He worked as a sewing machine operator for Hart Shafnner & Marx in Chicago.
      She married (2) IRVING FAGELSON, the brother of MOLLY FAGELSON who was ABE's first wife.

      She was just a young girl when she came to Chicago to live with her brothers and sisters who already lived there. When I (Dave Howard) visited with her on April 17, 1979, she could remember little of the old country. She did remember when she was a little child, she and her sister Florence were watching the women washing the clothes in the river near their home. There was such a crowd that someone pushed Florence into the water. The water was moving so rapidly and she was "flying down the stream."

      There was an old man who lived near the family sanding behind Bessie so she asked him to please save Florence. The man jumped in the water and pulled her out. They took Bessie's dry clothing off her and put it on Florence. Bessie was left naked. She made me shiver when she told the story. She was a very dramatic story teller. (See the information on Rezekne for a picture of the river.)

      Irving Fagelson confessed to her that he had been in love with her all of his life.
    • California Death Index, 1940-1997 shos Bessie Fagelson born 25 Sep 1895 - other country, died 15 May 1979 - Los Angeles
      Social Security Death Index shows Bessie Fagelson, birth 25 Sep 1895, death May 1979, Los Angeles, CA
    • Listen to audio recording clips made on April 17, 1979, just a few weeks before she passed away. What a delightful person.
      http://horwitzfam.org/bessie_audio.htm
    Person ID I25  Complete
    Last Modified 13 Jul 2008 

    Father Henoch Hirsch Horwitz/Gurevitch/Gurvich,   b. 1838, Horwitz Family Residence, Rezekne, Latgale, Latvia Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 18 May 1909, Horwitz Family Residence, Rezekne, Latgale, Latvia Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 71 years) 
    Mother Basheva/Basseva Joffe,   b. 1857, Druya, Disna District, Belarus Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Abt 1904  (Age 47 years) 
    Married Abt 1879  Rezekne, Latgale, Latvia Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Photos
    Dave Howard on Barona Street, Rezekne, Latvia in Octoer 2003
    Dave Howard on Barona Street, Rezekne, Latvia in Octoer 2003
    Horwitz Family Home in Rezekne, Latvia was on Barona Street per 1897 All Russia census the family of Henoch Horwitz lived on this street at house number 11.
    Documents
    Birth Record for Abe and Notte Horwitz
    Birth Record for Abe and Notte Horwitz
    Maryana Panyarskaya (MaryanaP) wrote: Jun 3, 2011
    Hi, David!
    While checking Your tree I found the writing about the birth of your grandfather
    http://img1.lvva-raduraksti.lv/rabinati/005024-0001-000255/LVVA-005024-0001-000255-0061-M2.jpg
    May be You have it.
    There under the numbers 20 and 21 there are twins Aba Rafael and Nata.
    They were born on 2 March 1880
    Their parents were the philistine of RĒZEKNES Gener-Girshov Leiserovich (fathers name) Gurvich and his wife Baseva.

    This town was not very far from the town where my great-great-grandparents lived.

    Maryana
    July 5- 1882- to Genech-Girsh- son of Getsel-Leizer Gurvitch- citizen or Rezekne- and wife Baseva- daughter of Morduch- born son Yeruchim
    July 5- 1882- to Genech-Girsh- son of Getsel-Leizer Gurvitch- citizen or Rezekne- and wife Baseva- daughter of Morduch- born son Yeruchim
    Recordings
    Aunt Bessie Remembers Her Father 0:23
    Aunt Bessie Remembers Her Father 0:23
    Her father came from Moscow, a section of Riga along the shore of the river which was where many Jewish people lived. He was in the timber business with his father and brothers. He died at age 71 when Bessie was about 10.
     Life was not so good in Europe 0:59
    Life was not so good in Europe 0:59
    Story of Florence falling in the River 0:49
    Story of Florence falling in the River 0:49
    This story is well known in the Horwitz family of the time the twins, Bessie and Florence, had gone down to the river to watch the women do the laundry. There was a crowd around and Florence was knocked into the river. Bessie called for help and Florence was saved. But they made Bessie take her dry clothing off for Florence. Bessie was cold and naked. They were both about 10 years old. The year would have been about 1906, one year before they came to America.
    Notte Returns Home Unexpectedly 1:37
    Notte Returns Home Unexpectedly 1:37
    This is a great story about Bessie encountering her brother Nottie (Nathan) in the back of their home. He was an identical twin to Abe. When Florence refused to go out back to lock the barn door Bessie obeyed and went out back. Nottie was just arriving on a sleigh. She thought he was Abe. She asked if it was Abe and he said he was Nottie. She was so excited she passed out in the snow. The whole town was so excited about Nottie's safe return that they stayed up all night to celebrate.
    Bessie Remembers Her Older sister Sara 0:47
    Bessie Remembers Her Older sister Sara 0:47
    The area where the Horwitz family lived the homes had Saunas (Spitz Bath) in the back by the "barn" and outhouse. Sara stayed in Europe and had five children. As far as we know they all perished in the Holocaust.
    Albums
    Rezekne Museum
    Rezekne Museum (31)
    Photos Taken Inside Rezekne Museum by Dave Howard in October of 2002
    Family ID F426  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family 1 Irving Fagelson,   b. 11 Jan 1898, Russia Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 17 Apr 1973, Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 75 years) 
    Family ID F1492  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family 2 Isaac Laibovitz,   b. 30 Apr 1889, Iasi, Romania Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 13 Apr 1967, Chicago, Cook County, Illinois, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 77 years) 
    Married 9 Oct 1915  Chicago, Cook County, Illinois, USA Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Children 
     1. Harold Laibovitz,   d. Abt 11 months
    +2. Living
    +3. Alice Laibovitz,   b. 18 Mar 1919, Chicago, Cook County, Illinois, USA Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Apr 2000, Chicago, Cook County, Illinois, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 81 years)
    +4. Living
    +5. Sophie Laibovitz,   b. 31 Jan 1929, Chicago, Cook County, Illinois, USA Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 1982, Chicago, Cook County, Illinois, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 52 years)
    Documents
    Bessie Horwitz & Isaac Laibovitz- Wedding Announcement- Nov 9- 1915
    Bessie Horwitz & Isaac Laibovitz- Wedding Announcement- Nov 9- 1915
    Family ID F228  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  • Event Map
    Link to Google MapsBorn - 25 Sep 1896 - Horwitz Family Residence, Rezekne, Latgale, Latvia Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsMarried - 9 Oct 1915 - Chicago, Cook County, Illinois, USA Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsDied - 15 May 1979 - Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California Link to Google Earth
     = Link to Google Earth 
    Pin Legend  : Address       : Location       : City/Town       : County/Shire       : State/Province       : Country       : Not Set

  • Photos At least one living or private individual is linked to this item - Details withheld.
    At least one living or private individual is linked to this item - Details withheld.
    At least one living or private individual is linked to this item - Details withheld.
    Horwitz first generation husbands and wives. From Left to Right Simon- Morris-Bessie- Max- Florence- Reuben
    Horwitz first generation husbands and wives. From Left to Right Simon- Morris-Bessie- Max- Florence- Reuben
    Bessie on the Left, Ida sitting and Florence on the Right.
    Bessie on the Left, Ida sitting and Florence on the Right.
    Florence & Abe Horwitz- they were both single at the time. Was this at Bessie's wedding? They were very well dressed.
    Florence & Abe Horwitz- they were both single at the time. Was this at Bessie's wedding? They were very well dressed.
    Horwitz Brothers and Sisters: Morris, Florence, Ida and Bessie with their older brother Nathan just before the they left Europe for America.
    Horwitz Brothers and Sisters: Morris, Florence, Ida and Bessie with their older brother Nathan just before the they left Europe for America.
    Bessie and Florence Horwitz- young single women.
    Bessie and Florence Horwitz- young single women.
    Gutta Horwitz Family Club- pose #1. The brothers and sisters are in the chairs.
    Gutta Horwitz Family Club- pose #1. The brothers and sisters are in the chairs.
    At least one living or private individual is linked to this item - Details withheld.
    Bessie Horwitz Labovitz
    Bessie Horwitz Labovitz
    At least one living or private individual is linked to this item - Details withheld.
    At least one living or private individual is linked to this item - Details withheld.
    Bessie Laibovitz at her daughter Alice's wedding.
    Bessie Laibovitz at her daughter Alice's wedding.
    Bessie & Isaac Laibovitz as a young couple.
    Bessie & Isaac Laibovitz as a young couple.
    Bessie & Isaac Laibovitz in swimsuites in 1934
    Bessie & Isaac Laibovitz in swimsuites in 1934
    Bessie & Isaac Laibovitz in summer dress.
    Bessie & Isaac Laibovitz in summer dress.
    At least one living or private individual is linked to this item - Details withheld.
    Bessie Horwitz face
    Bessie Horwitz face

    Documents
    History of Horwitz Surname
    History of Horwitz Surname
    Article on Horwitz Surname by Dr. Alexander Beider

    Recordings
    Aunt Bessie Remembers Her Father 0:23
    Aunt Bessie Remembers Her Father 0:23
    Her father came from Moscow, a section of Riga along the shore of the river which was where many Jewish people lived. He was in the timber business with his father and brothers. He died at age 71 when Bessie was about 10.

  • Sources 
    1. [S-2142191354] Ancestry Family Trees, (Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network. Original data: Family Tree files submitted by Ancestry members.), Ancestry Family Tree.

    2. [S-2144674243] Social Security Death Index, Ancestry.com, (Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2009.Original data - Social Security Administration. Social Security Death Index, Master File. Social Security Administration.Original data: Social Security Administration. Social Security D), Number: 557-21-7050; Issue State: California; Issue Date: 1973.

    3. [S-2110760671] California Death Index, 1940-1997, Ancestry.com, (Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2000.Original data - State of California. California Death Index, 1940-1997. Sacramento, CA, USA: State of California Department of Health Services, Center for Health Statistics.Original dat), Date: 1979-05-15.

    4. [S-2144674256] 1930 United States Federal Census, Ancestry.com, (Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2002.Original data - United States of America, Bureau of the Census. Fifteenth Census of the United States, 1930. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1930. T626, ), Year: 1930; Census Place: Chicago, Cook, Illinois; Page: 10B; Enumeration District: 1184; FHL microfilm: 2340202.

    5. [S-1058418272] U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007, Ancestry.com, (Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.).

    6. [S-1058418163] Cook County, Illinois Marriage Indexes, 1912-1942, Ancestry.com, (Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.).

    7. [S639521633] California, Voter Registrations, 1900-1968, Ancestry.com, (Ancestry.com Operations Inc), California State Library; Sacramento, California; Great Register of Voters, 1900-1968.

    8. [S-1700905267] Cook County, Illinois, Birth Certificates Index, 1871-1922, Ancestry.com, (Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.).