Max Friedwald
Values Codes I – E – L – P
Max Friedwald was born in Poland, in 1865.
When he came to America, he settled in Deadwood, South Dakota, where he operated a saloon before moving to Billings.
Billings, Montana
Max Friedwald owned and operated a saloon in Billings.
He also owned a new and second-hand furniture store, the Billings Mercantile Company.
Community
Max Friedwald was self-educated and eventually donated many Jewish books to the Temple Aaron library.
He was considered a “scholar” in Billings.
Friedwald was the Montana Director for the National Farm School in Buck’s County, Pennsylvania — a Jewish school of “Scientific and Practical Agriculture.”
National Farm School’s original chapel
Fraternal
Max Friedwald was a Charter Member of the local B’nai B’rith Lodge #815.
Family
Friedwald married Fannie Feller in 1898.
Max Friedwald died in 1937.
His estate had enough to support his widow as well as to send $40,000 to the United Jewish Appeal.
Fannie Friedwald died in 1959.
They are buried in Beth Aaron Cemetery in Billings.
Sources
- Julie L. Coleman, Golden Opportunities: A Biographical History of Montana’s Jewish Communities (Helena, MT: SkyHouse Publishers, 1994).
- Moses Morris papers, 1894-1932, Montana Historical Society Research Center – Archives and Photographs Archives. http://184.168.105.185/archivegrid/collection/data/420247227
- Montana Women’s History, http://montanawomenshistory.org/using-quilts-as-a-window-into-montana-womens-history/#more-2082
Samantha Silver is curator for this Max Friedwald exhibit.