.jpg)
KEYSER - MINERAL COUNTY - WEST VIRGINIA
Keyser is located in the Potomac Highlands Region of the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia about 20 miles from Cumberland, Maryland. The Jewish population of the town was never more than a few Jewish families thus they did not have a local synagogue or any Jewish organizations in town Despite this fact, there were two large and well-known Jewish families, the Kaplons and the Shear's, who became involved over many years in the civic and mercantile life of the town.
It appears that the first Jew to settle in Keyser was Hyman Kaplon who came to the town around 1897. He came probably from Harpers Ferry, West Virginia where his son, Abraham Kaplon, had settled and was in business. In Keyser, Hyman Kaplon opened the Kaplon's Men's Shop. The business was operated by the Kaplon family until the death of Hyman's son, Moses Kaplon in 1954. Moses Kaplon was so well loved by the people of Keyser that an editorial written in the local newspaper upon his death lamented the fact that Keyser, and even the world, had lost an outstanding citizen. On the day of his funeral all the stores and the bank in Keyser were closed out of respect.
In 1956 the business was sold to and operated by Jacob Shear who was a grandson of Hyman Kaplon. Jacob and his wife Jennie also operated Shear's Ladies Shop located on Main Street in Keyser and established in 1926 and Jay's Shoe Store, established in 1951. Jacob Shear was known for his active involvement in the civic life of Keyser and was at one time president of the Keyser Businessman's Association and president of the Keyser Recreation Board.
Another Jewish business in town (ca. 1957) was that of Shapiros' Ladies' Shop, operated by Mr. & Mrs. Robert Shapiro. The Shapiro's had been residents of Keyser since 1925. In addition to the Shear, Kaplon and Shapiro families, other Jewish residents of Keyser through the years included: Dr. Samuel Koplovitz, an Optometrist and Mr. & Mrs. Henry Growdan. In the present year 2005, David Shapiro is a resident of Keyser. The Jewish families of Keyser followed Orthodox religious practices and were generally members of the Orthodox Beth Jacob Synagogue in Cumberland, Maryland. Moses Kaplon, though, often conducted religious services in his home in Keyser.
Kaplon Family ca. 1914
Left to right, top row: Sarah Kaplon Werble, Moses Kaplon, maid, Edna Kaplon, Susan Kaplon.
Left to right, seated: Bertha Kaplon, Beatrice Werble, Menucha Kaplon, Chaim (Hyman) Kaplon holding Wallace Werble, Hannah Kaplon
Moses "Mose" Kaplon & Rosina Sherman Kaplon
Photo pre 1954
All Photos are courtesy of Gilda Kurtzman