THE EASTERN PANHANDLE
HARPERS FERRY & CHARLES TOWN - JEFFERSON COUNTY - WEST VIRGINIA
HARPERS FERRY
Abraham and Bessie Kaplon were one of the few Jewish families in Harpers Ferry. Abraham Kaplon came to America from Lithuania as a young man a few years prior to 1889. He first went to Hagerstown, Maryland, because he had some friends there, and started immediately as a peddler. He came to Harpers Ferry and quickly became involved in the business, civic and political life of the town. Around 1900, he constructed a beautiful store building in Harpers Ferry. It was one of the most up-to-date buildings of its kind at that time: a department store, carrying everything from groceries to household furnishings on its three floors. In 1908 he constructed a large home in town for his new bride. The house was was of the earliest built in rusticated concrete block made by the Miracle Block Machine. Mr. Kaplon continued in the mercantile business in Harpers Ferry until 1936, at which time he sold his stock and rented his building to Polan Katz & Company, a manufacturer of umbrellas from Baltimore. He brought his entire family to the United States from Europe, establishing his father in business in Keyser, West Virginia, and a sister in Romney, West Virginia. A brother, Victor Kaplon, for a time had a store in Harpers Ferry, but afterwards relocated to nearby Brunswick, Maryland where he remained in business for many years. The rest of Abraham's sisters lived with him in Harpers Ferry until they established homes of their own. Mr. Kaplon served as Mayor of Harpers Ferry and also as Supervisor of Streets & Roads. He was a charter member of the Odd Fellows Lodge in Harpers Ferry. He died in Washington, DC in 1955. his wife Bessie died in 1978 also in Washington, DC. They are both buried in the Montefiore Cemetery in suburban Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Their beautiful home in Harpers Ferry is now owned (2005) by an artistic couple and is being restored. It has been featured on the annual tour of historic homes. Sadly, the imposing building that once houses the Kaplon store in Harpers Ferry was torn down in the late 1950's.
Phillip Frankel & Company - Frankel Bros. Levitoch & Hirsch
"Ready-To-Wear Men's Clothing"
Building # 40 Harpers Ferry National Historic Park
The store interior has been reconstructed and is now a museum setting and is part of the National Historic Park
Phillip Frankel & Company was a "ready-to-wear" men's clothing store that was located in Harpers Ferry from about 1858 to 1860. A former business partner, Bernhard D. Hirsh, continued the business until about 1865 when the building burned. By about 1881 the building was rebuilt and a clothing store was operated by brothers Gabriel and Joseph Myers. During the latter part of the 19th century, Victor Kaplon, a brother of Abraham Kaplon of Harpers Ferry, operated a clothing store in town. Abraham Kaplon and his family were the only Jewish residents who lived in Harpers Ferry long-term. One of the earliest references to a Jewish resident of Harpers Ferry appears in the following death notice ( the Etting & Cohen Familes were well-known Jewish families in Colonial America )
Solomon Etting Cohen, Jr. 4, [August 8th] at Harpers Ferry, only child of Solomon E. and Maria Cohen. Formerly of Baltimore and Philadelphia. - Death Notice Appeared on August 19, 1847.
CHARLES TOWN
Jewish Businesses Once Located in Charles Town
Charles Town Department Store - Men’s, Women’s & Children’s Clothing, Household Items, Furniture, etc. Operated by A. Kaplan. Store closed in early 1910.
W. Cornblatt & Son - Dry Goods & Ready-to-Wear. Established in Charles Town prior to 1925. Also had stores in Winchester, Va and Baltimore, MD.
Diamond’s Smart Fashions - Charles Town (this was a branch of the main store in Martinsburg)
Isaac Herz Men’s Clothing - Charles Town. Established prior to 1925.
S.D. Hirschman & Company - Clothing Store established prior to 1886
William Kahn & Company Leading Clothier - Established prior to 1886 and still in business in 1910 and possibly later.
Kirson’s Bargain Store - Men’s and Women’s Clothing. Operated by Dan Kirson of the Martinsburg Kirson family. Located on the "St. Margaret’s Block, Old Post Office Bldg. on N. George Street. In business in the 1920's, but closed shortly thereafter.
Luxenberg’s "The Friendly Store" - Clothing Store located at 114 Washington Street, "Palmbaum Building". Established prior to 1925.
M. Palmbaum & Brother Clothing - Established before 1910. Also known as "Palmbaum’s Clothing"
Rosen’s - Clothing store - possible branch of the Rosen’s in Hagerstown and Hancock, MD. Still in business in Charles Town in 1969
Sachs & Company Ladies’ & Men’s Tailors - Charles Town - Herman Sachs, "Merchant Tailor", ca. 1910. The family also had a "Dry Goods" store in town operated by brothers Abraham & Joseph Sachs.
Stag Shop - Men’s Clothing. This was a branch store of the main store in Martinsburg
Max Theodore - Clothing Store. Established prior to 1910.
Hyman Viener - established prior to 1925. Men’s Clothing store and a second store selling automobile tires
Hyman Viener & Sons - scrap metal and junk business
A. Yudkoff Merchant Tailor - established prior to 1904.
Ads for Rosen's & Diamond's in Charles Town - ca. 1960's
Former Palmbaum Building in Charles Town - Photo 2007 By Julian H. Preisler