Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1891-10-02
HIS GREAT WEALTH.
SOURCE OF THE FORTUNE or
BARON HIRSCH.
How His Grandfather, From Being
Simple Tradesman, Became
Prosperous Banker-ltomance
of the Golden Image.

Gus a place not only in society, but als'
in the hearts of thousands whom he ha
so generously befriende1.
This is a praiseworthy curiosity, anC
the Herald proposes to satisfy it by tell
ing a story which has been in vogue 70
half century and which can be verified
by any one who knows the curious tradi
tions that cluster around the old Hirsch
homestead.
In Wurzburg, that old Franconiar
city OF Bavaria, the story opens. At th'
beginning of the century Joseph Hirsch
grandfather of the present Baron, lived
there, his home being an Old, spacious
mansion back of the cathedral. The old
house still stands, and is an object OF in
tcrest to visitors. In front is a little,
narrow street, and right across is the
Paradeplatz. A large gate, with small
Ter door in it, forms the entrance into Q
square courtyard, from which doors lead
into the various chambers.
An ordinary, well-to-do Hebrew trades
man was this Joseph Hirsch, a man
neither richer nor poorer than the typical
Hebrew tradesman of that day, and with
no visible means of bettcring his con-
dition to any considerable degree.
Old Joseph, however, had lots Of
"pluck." lie used his small capital
wisely, and on one notable occasion
risked a considerable sum where others
would not have risked a penny. And
the result of his refusal to keep his talent
tied up in a napkin is that his grandson
to-day is one Of the richest men in
Europe.
The notable occasion was when he pur-
chased the Rottendorf property near
Wurzburg. Prior to the French llevou
ton Wurzburg and a considerable por-
ton of Franconia had been ruled by
bishops, who held the rank of princes.
When Napoleon, however, upset the
whole framework Of Europe the prince
bishops troubles began. Deprived of
their secular powers, they were con-
strained to confnc themselves to their
Church functions, and the large estates
accumulated by the monks and nuns were
gradually seized and sold.
Ro;tendorf, one of these estates and
the property Of the Franciscan monks,
shared the fate of the rest. When it was
offered for sale, however, few persons in
Wurzburg thought that it would find
purchaser For such confscatel church
estates Catholics would not bid on ac.
count of religious scruples. and others
were loath to bid because they expected
that Napoleon would be overtbrown and
that the clergy would return to power.
Joseph Hirsch did not hesitate. He
bought the Rottendorf property, and
bought it for a song. But he did not
discover what an excellent bargain he
had made until he caused thorough in
vestigation to be made of the property.
Then he discovered hidden in the old
Franciscan chapel, many priceless pieces
of church furniture. Among them were
many rare paintings and costly orna-
ments. The gem Of the collection, how
ever, was madonna and Child" Of
solid gold and ornamentcd with jewels.
The eyes were fashioned OF splendid dia-
monds, and the image itself was wrought
in exquisite style.
How much solid cash Joseph Hirsch
obtained for this costly image has never
been ascertained, but it must have been
a large sum, and it certainly formed the
nlcleu, of his descendants great for
tune. Before he obtained it he was a
simple, unassuming Hebrew tradesman.
After he obtained he became banker, a
speculator, and when he died he left to
his son, Joel Jacob, more money than he
had ever dreamed of possessing.
But even with this ample inheritance
Joel Jacob was not satisfied. More con-
than his father, he was quite
as good business man, and as fnan-
cier his name soon became known
Europe. As a landel pro-
prietor he was also successful, and the
great beet sugar refinery on his Rotten
dorf estate proved in its way almost
profitable to him as his banking business.
Over all his enterprises he kept strict
personal supervision aud attended to
them quite as conscientiously rs he did
to his religious duties, for no man has
ever been n more orthodox Hebrew than
he was, and no one was mere esteemed
by the famous Rabbi Bamberger, who in
those days was considered the leader OF
Judaism in Germany. His ele-
vation to the rank of nobleman by the
King of Bavaria did not cause him to
alter in any way his simple manner OF
living, aud to the end Of his life he
never failed to render financial assistance
to such Hebrew students Of the Univers-
ity Of Wurzburg as stood in need OF it.
Many such young men used to attend the
services in the Bsron's private synagogue,
and on such occasions they never failed
to see the compactly built figure and
kindly face of their benefactor.
In due time this worthy head Of the