Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1908-10-10

having been q sufferer from organic dis
ease. He WAS, however, on the streets q
few days ago, and there we're no indica-
tons that his decease was 30 near. Mr..
Strauss leaves q widow and daughter,
Mrs. Phil. LetermaD, of Charlottesville.
he had been married twice. The funeral
will take place Monday evening at .
O'Clock.
Mr.. Strauss was born In Germany Au'
gust "a, 1885. He came to this country
when but twelve years Of sge, and was In
Alexandria a short time during bis boy
hood days. He subsequently went to
Georgia. He began lif9 at the lowest
rung of the ladder by dom g q boys work
In 4 store st. q small salary, but In
short time, by industry, mercantile In
stiucts and 3 reputation for responsible
ity. he was enabled to become the pro-
prietor of q growing business When the
civil wsr began he was a member OF a
military company In Georgia, and being
an ardent Southerner seemed destined to
become a Confederate soldier during the
four years war. He performed home
guard duty for a time, but when the reg
imept was being prepared to be sent to
the front he was rejected on account OF
his stature, he not coming up to the re-
ouired height. About the time HOSTILE
| ties ceased he returned to Alexandria,
where he afterwards lived. Impulsive
and open in the declarations OF his senti-
ments, one of his first adventures upon
bis return here WAS his srrest and
imprisonment for being Unexpectedly
bold In expressing his opinions-of the
federal government. Mr.. Strauss pros
pered 10 business, the years which fol-
lowed the war being phenomenal
ones In q commercial way, and In
about two decades he had smsSsed
what might be termed a fortune
In Alexandria. About quarter OF q
| century ago he was elected member OF
! the Board of Alderman from the Second
| ward. and he almost Immediately be-
came a prominent figure 10 the city's
affairs. He WIS especially instrumental
Ia the funding of the city's debt in 1873
snd lsbortd assiduously for his adopted
CITY in many other matters concerning
it's interests. For long time he was
chairman of the committee on light and
an active and well-posled member OF the
finance committee. He was finally Sc
lected as president Of the Board of Al
dermeu and was acting mayor 10 1887
when the death of Mayor John b.
Smoot occurred. He was candidate
for the msyorslty before the City Ooun.
! eli! q few weeks later, but was defeated
By Mr.. E. E. Downhsm, and In the
spring of 1889 was candidate before
the people for the same position, but
was again defeated by Mr.. Downhsm.
There we're four candidates 10 the field
at the time-E f. H0wnbsm, John
G. Beckham, W. H. May and the sub
| iect of this notice. 10 1891 be was sgsin
| in the FIELD. This time Mr.. Downham wss
bis only competitor, and Mr.. Strauss vi
elected by good majority. His eourde
| iu the mayors Office was marked by
common sense and conservatism, and he
was given second term, being reelected
In 1898, no opposition candidate appear
ing, his course having been endorsed BY
democrats and republicans alike. At the
close of his term he was elected q mem.
Der of the Police Board from the Second
ward. For many years he was mem
Der Of the School Board from the same
ward. Apart from political positions,
he was for long time one Of The direc-
tors of the Fint National Bank and held
similar positions In building associations.
4 He vas also q member oil the Columbia
Fire COMPANY and one Of the executive
committee. A lew years Ego MI
Strauss was elected a member O. the
Common Council from the Second
ward, q position he filled up to the
1st ultimo, he having declined to
be candidate for reelection.
Mr.. Strauss had been a Mason since
early manhood and at the time Of biz
death be was a member of Alexandra.
Washington Lodge. He was also
member of the Merchants Club and AL
exsndria Lodge of Elks.
| Mr.. Strauss's circle of acquaintance
was probably larger than that of any
other person in Alexandria, and hi
open, jovisl & bod nature won him many
friends. Neither fortune nor position
changed his demeanor, and Throughout
life be was the same good-natured, sym
pashizlDg friend to those he deeme
worthy of his esteem, and clung to then
through evil and good report while hl
intimates were not the opuleut or promi
nent 10 this world. There was nothing
of the unstable 10 bin; the man VIII
tied to him had nothing to spprehend
as in him there was no variableness no
shadow of turning, and many who real
these lines will realize the loss of one o
the best friends they ever had. Will
of Jewish birth aud holding to the faith
OF his fathers, he was peculiarly conserva
tive 10 his religious views. 10 fact hi
nesr 81 friends aud confdanls wer'
neither of his faith nor kin, and Will
! he adhered to the system into which b
had been born he scorned the thought o
uuchurcbiug shy one and firmly be
reved all struggling souls would even
tually reach b, tier world, though the
! took diff rent rosds 10 their jourl' y
hereto. Hence be never failed to ope
his puFs for the benefit of any denomi
nation when an appeal was made to hiu
nor did any one needing help apply t
him 10 vain.
Cascasweet, the we'll known remedy fC
, babies and children, will quiet the little on