The San Francisco call., 1896-07-20
Was Senior Member of the
West Coast Furniture
Company.
A PIONEER MANUFACTURER
He Left His Office Thursday Feeling
Ill and Soon Alter Became
Unconscious.

Lewis Emanuel, senior member of the
West Coast Furniture Company, died at
his residence, 1916 Pacific avenue, last
Saturday after brief ILLNESS, in which he
sank rapidly to the end. His death was a
shock to his numerous friends, for Mr..
Emanuel had to all appearances enjoyed
perfect health and was cut off almost sud-
denly in his prime. At his bedside he was
surrounded by his family, who saw death
approach, while he lay there unconscious
for days beyond the power of medical
skill to even delay the last moment.
So far as the attending physicians know
his was a singular case. They agreed that
the direct cause of death was spinal men,
ingitis, but this condition was brought
about by severe mental shock and sub
sequent nervous strain.
On the night of July disastrous fire
swept the West Coast Furniture Com
pany's factory on Fourth street. and
destroyed half the building and its
contents. The following Thursday Mr..
Emanuel went to the factory and sadly
contemplated the ruin about him. He
carried little or no insurance, for the
reason that the risk was not Kindly re-
garded by insurance men. and the rate
was excessive. And so the loss was almost
complete.
Several times before fire has visited his
furniture works and he suffered heavily
thereby. This one proved a crushing
blow, so it is said, and it completely over
came the senior member of the firm. That
Thursday in the afternoon he complained
of feeling Ill and went home He went to
4 81,
came unconscious. One of his oldest
friends stated last night that the shock
caused by the ire affected him and it was
believed brought ON the attack which
proved fatal. This view was taken, as Mr..
Emanuel had always been hale and hearty
until then He never recovered enough to
regain consciousness, and in this state he
died Saturday.
The strain on his nervous system was so
intense and so sudden that it paralyzed his
brain and through the spinal cord caused
his death.
The deceased was the pioneer manu-
factprer of furniture in San Francisco.
He was a native of London, England,
where he was born slIty-seven years ago.
Throughout his career in this City he was
favorablY known in the mercantile and
manufacturing communities. Though sue
cessful in his business he was particularly
unfortunate through losses by fire at diff
ferent occasions.
No employer was more generally loved
by his men than Mr.. Emanuel. 1t was
said OF him yesterday that in all the labor
troubles and strikes which reached his
works an amicable settlement with the
men was invariably made. He harbored
no feeling of ill-will for workmen who left
his shop on strike, but took them back
again and treated with them on friendly
terms.
Those who knew him best say he was
kind hearted and generous to fault, a
true friend and lovable father and hus-
band. In private as well as in public
charities he was always ready to respond
TO calls for assistance. Outside of his own
family nobody regrets his death more
than the men employed in the West Coast
factory. They sent beautiful floral piece
to grace his bier, as token of their love
and esteem.
Mr.. Emanuel was treasurer of Fidelity
Lodge No. 12O, F. and A. NJ, and a mem
Der of Alta Council No. 147, A. L. of H.
He leaves q widow, Mrs. Amelia Emanual,
and five children, Mrs. l.. Lowengrund,
Mrs. M. S. Neugass, Elizabeth, Henry J.
and Joseph l.. Emanuel and brother, E.
Emanuel. The last named is member
of the firm, which VIII be conducted by
him and sons of the deceased.
The funeral will take place to-day at 10