Anna (Binnard) Fisher, 1866-1952
Anna5 Binnard (Bendet4, Mosiek3, Jacob2, Lewin1) was born 14 September 1866[1] in Buffalo, New York.[2] She was called Annie. The family resided in Rochester, New York, where her father, Bennett, was a hoop skirt and corset manufacturer, until about 1872,[3] then in Buffalo until 1874.[4] By 1875 the family was in Detroit, where Anna’s father’s sister, Sarah Barmon, resided.[5] The next year they lived in Chicago, home of Bennett’s other sister, Jeannette Greenburg.[6]
In 1876 the family decided to move west. Annie later related that she was sent ahead with a mule train so she could start school. She was 10 years old and the only female in the party of men. The mules must have been supplies for her uncle’s firm, Grostein and Binnard, in Lewiston, Idaho. The rest of the family followed by wagon train over the Oregon Trail. The family was in Elk City, Idaho in December 1876, when Bennett was appointed the town’s postmaster.[7] No doubt he worked in or managed Grostein and Binnard’s branch store there. When the Nez Perce War broke out in 1877, fear of Indian attack forced the family to flee to a safer location in Turner, Oregon.[8] By 1880 they made their final move to Colfax, Washington Territory.[9] Grostein and Binnard operated a branch of their general merchandise store in Colfax. The store’s manager was Nathan Fisher.[10] Nathan was born 16 December 1856 in the town of Kempen in what was then Prussia.[11] At the age of 17 he immigrated to the United States on the ship Hammonia, which sailed from Hamburg on 27 May 1874 and arrived in New York six weeks later on 17 July.[12] The ship, which was powered by a combination of steam and sails, was 340 feet long and 40 feet wide. On this particular trip she carried 825 passengers. Nathan appears to have emigrated alone; he is the only Fisher on the passenger list. His occupation is given as cigar maker.[13] Nathan made his way to San Francisco,[14] then to Seattle, where the 1880 census shows him working as a clerk and rooming with Hyman Auerbach,[15] a dry goods merchant whose store was located on Commercial between Main and Washington.[16] By 1882 Nathan was in Colfax, where on 18 October his signed a page in Annie’s autograph album. Annie and Nathan were married 18 September 1883 at Colfax,[17] just four days after her 17th birthday. Nathan was 26. A detailed description of the ceremony appeared in the local newspaper: The Fisher-Binnard Nuptials A Brilliant Affair List of Presents Received Shortly before Six o’clock Tuesday evening, the guests who had been invited to the wedding of Mr. Nathan Fisher, Grostein & Binnard’s energetic manager, at this place, and Miss Anna, the charming daughter of B. Binnard, commenced to assemble in Opera Hall, which was beautifully decorated for the occasion. After the guests were comfortably seated, the Rabbi, who was to perform the ceremony, Rev. R. Abrahamson of Portland, took his position behind the altar and the band struck up the wedding march. The groom entered first supported by B. Binnard and Robt. Grostein, followed by the bride supported by her mother and Mrs. A Binnard, then came the bridesmaids and groomsmen. The groomsmen bearing a satin canopy which was stretched over the wedding party and the altar. The bride was arrayed in tarlatan trimmed in satin, beautifully made and handsomely bedecked with orange blossoms. Her head dress consisted of a wreath of orange blossoms, over which a heavy bridal veil was artistically arranged, falling in heavy folds to the floor. The groom wore the regulation dress suit. The bridesmaids were Misses Hinda and Sarah Binnard, of Lewiston; Miss Sadie Binnard, of Palouse city, and Miss Rachel Binnard, of this city, who were tastefully dressed in becoming white costumes. The groomsmen were Nathan Stencel and Bert Kuhn of Colfax, and Ike and Aaron Binnard, of Palouse city. The ceremony, after the Jewish form, which was solemn and impressive, was performed by the Rabbi, after which the bridal party departed for the residence of Mr. B. Binnard, followed by the guests. At the door the bride and groom received the congratulations of friends, and all partook of the sumptuous wedding dinner and drank to the health, wealth and prosperity of the happy young couple. Supper over a brief time was spent in examining the many handsome presents, when the company returned to the hall and tripped the light fantastic until the wee small hours of the morning. The following is a list of presents received: B. Binnard, Mt. Idaho, parlor set—very handsome Mr. and Mrs. A. Binnard, Lewiston, set of silver knives, forks, teaspoons, tablespoons and soup ladle—elegant Mr. and Mrs. J. Binnard, Palouse, City, silver water set Mr. and Mrs. M.J. Greenburg, Lewiston, silver tea set Mr. and Mrs. R. Grostein, Lewiston, silver water set Cohn Bros., Susanville, set point lace spread and shams Mr. and Mrs. Coolidge, silver dish Mr. and Mrs. Brackett, silver tea set Oliver Hall, silver caster J.W. Higgins, silver soup ladle J.S. Noble, silver card case Miss Minnie Smelzer, silver butter knife and sugar spoon Mr. and Mrs. Willman, silver pickle dish Mr. and Mrs. Marsh, silver pickle tray Mr. and Mrs. Wade, set silver tablespoons C.B. Newman, pair silver napkin rings Mr. and Mrs. Benton, set silver teaspoons Wm. Lippitt, pair silver napkin rings N. Stencel, silver water pitcher Mr. and Mrs. Ellsworth, silver cream pitcher C.A. Cram, set silver teaspoons Mr. and Mrs. Cromwell, silver pickle dish Miss Lida Willett, set silver napkin rings and mustard spoon Mr. and Mrs. Bellinger, silver cologne holder Mr. and Mrs. Bourgardes, gold clock Lake Wolfard, silver soap dish Mr. and Mrs. Mooney, pair silver napkin rings Messers. Livingstone & Kuhn, lamp Mr. and Mrs. Boswell, pearl card case Robert Haeder, silver clock Misses Mollie and Minnie Cromwell, set vases Mr. and Mrs. Hopkins, album Miss Blanche bellinger, picture frame Mr. and Mrs. Heatherly, case perfumery Mr. and Mrs. Harris, pair of vases Miss Zoe Davenport, majolica cream pitcher Bert Kuhn, Webster’s unabridged dictionary Frank C. Morse, toilet set Mr. and Mrs Privitt, majolica water pitcher Miss Etta Cram, glass water pitcher Elmer Hall, majolica tea set B. Burgunder, majolica dinner set Miss Emma A. Coleman, majolica pitcher Mrs. Jeffrey, oil painting Mr. and Mrs Sutherland, looking glass Mrs. Hall, brussel rug Messrs Bowman and Leslie, china chamber set Mr. and Mrs. McDonough, walnut brackets Mr. and Mrs. Beebe, fruit dish Mrs. Benton and Mrs. Coolidge, floral wreath Mr. and Mrs. Metz, bird and cage W.J. Dwyer, willow rocker Mr. and Mrs. Sullivan, ink stand The relations of the groom who reside in Germany, have not yet been heard from, but it is expected that handsome tokens of love will be received from them, in due course time. The young couple will have rooms at the residence of Mr. B. Binnard’s until their dwelling is completed, when Mr. Fisher will take his fair young bride from the parental mansion and set up an establishment of his own. The best wishes of the Gazette go with them on their journey through life, hoping their joys may be many and their sorrows few.[18] On 14 Jun 1887 Nathan became a naturalized citizen at the First Judicial District Court at Colfax.[19] Two years later, on 11 May 1889, he applied for a passport. In the application he stated that he was a resident of Spokane Falls and that he intended to be abroad until about October 1889. His destination was not stated. The document provides the only known description of him: he was 32 years of age, 5 feet, 6 inches tall, with black hair and brown eyes, a broad and open forehead, a long, straight nose, regular mouth, round chin, a healthy complexion with red cheeks, and a round face “adorned with a small mustache.”[20] A note at the bottom of the application states that Nathan wanted the passport sent to him in care of M. Toklas, 359 Broadway, New York City. According to the 1889 New York directory, Max Toklas operated a dry goods store at that location.[21] Toklas was born 2 January 1836 in Kempen, Prussia,[22] the son of Simon Toklas.[23] He immigrated to the United States from Hamburg in July 1852, and was naturalized at Oroville, Butte County, California on 2 August 1859.[24] By 1864 he had started a business as an importer and manufacturer of clothing and furnishing goods in San Francisco.[25] His brother, Ferdinand, father of the famous Alice B. Toklas, owned a store in Seattle in partnership with Paul Singerman and Hyman Auerbach.[26] The latter was probably the same Auerbach with whom Nathan Fisher lived in 1880. Since the Toklas brothers, like Nathan, were from Kempen, they may have been relatives. The first name Nathan is frequently used in their family. In 1890 Nathan worked for Fisher Brothers (Theodore, Nathan, and Samuel), dealers in hides and furs. Their place of business was located at 507 W. Sprague in Spokane, and all three men resided at 710 S. Adams.[27] Nathan and Theodore were the principals of the business in 1892,[28] but in 1893 only Theodore and his son Fred are listed.[29] In 1895 Nathan was rooming at 901 Sprague Avenue, which was the address of his employer, David Epstein, a dealer in clothing, hats, caps, boots and shoes, fur goods, and raw furs.[30] On 28 August 1900, the Seattle Daily Times reported: “After being married for seventeen years, Annie Fisher of Colfax sought and obtained a divorce from Nathan Fisher on the grounds of non-support. The couple have four children, ranging in age from 8 to 16 years. Mrs. Fisher is the daughter of Benjamin [sic] Binnard, a pioneer hotel keeper of Colfax.”[31] In her divorce complaint, Annie stated that she had been living in Colfax continuously for more than 10 years, and that the children lived with her. She said that Nathan had been engaged in the hide and fur business in Spokane for several years, was in good health, but for more than one year had neglected to support his family. She related that she had been obliged to take in boarders and that her only other income was money that her oldest son earned and financial relief from her parents. She asked for dissolution of the marriage and custody of the children. Nathan did not respond to the summons and never appeared in court. She was awarded the divorce and custody on 23 August. The court allowed Nathan visitation rights and prohibited either of them from remarrying within six months.[32] After the divorce Nathan continued to live in Spokane, moving from place to place and job to job. The 1902 city directory shows him rooming at the Manitou and working as a deputy county treasurer.[33] In 1905 his occupation was capitalist and his place of residence was the Pacific Hotel.[34] In February 1905 Nathan and Fred Fisher, representing Theodore Fisher of Spokane, traveled to Colfax, where they bought 5,000 pounds of wool at 15 cents a pound from H.S. Hollingsworth.[35] In October Nathan moved to Lewiston, Idaho.[36] The Spokane newspaper reported that he died of consumption at the Oxford lodging house on November 3.[37] He was buried in Fairmount Cemetery in Spokane.[38] Annie and the children moved to Spokane about 1901. They first lived at 1914 Summit Boulevard,[39] but by 1906 their residence was 1227 Riverside Avenue,[40] an apartment house that was home to many members of the Binnard family over the years. In 1907 Annie is referred to in the city directory as the widow of Nathan.[41] Annie’s oldest daughter, Florence, suffered from tuberculosis. In November 1909 Annie took her and Ruth for a two-month stay in Phoenix, Arizona, where the dry desert air was thought to be helpful to those with the disease.[42] From there Annie and her four children moved to Los Angeles, where they resided in an apartment house at 2408 South Grand Avenue. To support the family Victor, age 25, worked as a commercial traveler selling cigars. Morris, age 23, was a salesman in a hat store.[43] Florence’s health improved but in August 1910 she became “dangerously ill.” Her doctor ordered her back to Phoenix.[44] In the meantime, Annie’s father, Bennett, had become ill and he, too, moved to Los Angeles. He passed away there in January 1911.[45] Annie, Florence, and Ruth were still in Phoenix and were unable to attend the funeral in Spokane.[46] Annie’s next residence was in San Diego, where in 1913 her sons Victor and Morris started a retail liquor business with her brother-in-law, David Richter.[47] In 1914 her daughter Ruth married Fred Markman in San Diego.[48] They, along with Victor and Morris, resided with her at 1653 4th Street.[49] She must have spent some time in San Francisco in 1915. On 14 February her cousin Abraham Binnard was shot by his wife, Margaret, while they were staying at an apartment house. Margaret then took her own life. In the police report, one of the witnesses is named as “Mrs. Fisher,” a cousin.[50] Around 1916 Annie’s daughter Florence married Ralph Lewin.[51] Florence and Ralph lived in El Paso, Texas, where he was the manager of the California Wine House.[52] Soon the rest of the family joined them there. Fred Markman opened a jewelry store[53] with a branch in Deming, New Mexico, where Annie resided in 1918.[54] Victor went to work for the California Wine House,[55] and Morris became a clerk at the Popular Dry Goods Company.[56] In 1924 Florence died of tuberculosis in Denver.[57] A few years later Annie and the rest of the family moved back to Los Angeles. In 1930 she and Morris resided in a rooming house on Ingraham Street,[58] but in later years she lived with Fred and Ruth.[59] In 1940 her oldest son, Victor, died of a heart ailment while on vacation in Phoenix, Arizona,[60] leaving only two of her four children, Morris and Ruth, still living. Annie died in Los Angeles on 29 August 1952 at the age of 85.[61] She is interred in a mausoleum in Beth Olam Cemetery, a part of the Hollywood Forever Cemetery.[62] Children: 1. Victor B. Fisher, born 27 July 1884,[63] Colfax, Whitman County, Washington.[64] 2. Morris Fisher, born 26 September 1886, Colfax[65] 3. Florence Fisher, born 24 April 1889, Washington[66] 4. Ruth Fisher, born 18 October 1891, Colfax[67] __________________________ [1] Ancestry.com. California, Death Index, 1940-1997 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2000, entry for Annie Fisher, 1952. [2] Ancestry.com. Washington, Births, 1883-1935 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2010, entry for Ruth Fisher. Ruth’s birth certificate gives her mother’s birthplace as Buffalo. [3] Boyd's Rochester Directory, 1866-7 (Rochester, N.Y.: Waite Brothers & Co., 1866), 83; The Rochester Directory, 1868 (Rochester, N.Y.: Express Printing House, 1868), 37; The Rochester Directory, 1869 (Rochester, N.Y.: C.C. Drew, 1869), 37. [4] Buffalo City Directory for the Year 1872 (Buffalo, New York: Warren, Johnson & Co., 1872), 249; 1873, 251; 1874, 251. [5] J.W. Weeks & Co.’s Annual Directory of Detroit, for 1875-76 (Detroit, Michigan: J.W. Weeks & Co., 1875), p. 161. [6] “Died,” Colfax Gazette (Colfax, Washington), 3 June 1904, p. 5. [7] National Archives and Records Administration (NARA); Washington, D.C.; Record of Appointment of Postmasters, 1832-Sept. 30, 1971; Roll #: 26; Archive Publication #: M841, entry for Bennett Binnard, Elk City, Idaho Territory, 1876. [8] 1880 U.S. census, Turner, Marion County, Oregon, p. 3, dwelling house 5, family 5, entry for Matilda Binnard; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 4 April 2012); Family History Film 1255082. [9] 1880 U.S. census, City of Colfax, Whitman County, Washington Territory, p. 8, dwelling house 90, family 92, entry for Bennett Binnard; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 12 July 2012); Family History Film 1255398. [10] “The Fisher-Binnard Nuptials,” clipping, no newspaper title, date, or page, probably from the Palouse Gazette, September 1883. [11] Ancestry.com. U.S. Passport Applications, 1795-1925 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2007, Nathan Fisher, Spokane Falls, Territory of Washington, 1889. [12] Ancestry.com. New York, Passenger Lists, 1820-1957 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010, entry for Nathan Fischer, Hammonia, arrived 17 July 1874. [13] Ibid. [14] Ancestry.com. U.S. Passport Applications, 1795-1925, Nathan Fisher, Spokane Falls, Territory of Washington, 1889. [15] 1880 U.S. census, Seattle, King County, Territory of Washington, enumeration district 7, page 66, dwelling house 679, family 724, entry for Nathan Fisher; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 4 April 2012); Family History Film 1255396. [16] Directory of the City of Seattle and Vicinity, 1879 (Seattle, W.T.: Hanford & McClaire, Printers, 1879), 38. [17] “Washington, County Records, 1856-2009.” Images. FamilySearch. https://familysearch.org : accessed 2014, Nathan Fisher and Anna Binnard, 1883, citing Whitman County marriage book B, page 94. [18] “The Fisher-Binnard Nuptials.” [19] Ancestry.com. U.S. Passport Applications, 1795-1925, Nathan Fisher, Spokane Falls, Territory of Washington, 1889. The passport application gives the date and place of his naturalization. [20] Ibid. [21] Trow’s New York City Directory Vol. CII for the Year Ending May 1, 1889 (New York: The Trow City Directory Company, 1889), 1993. [22] Ancestry.com. U.S. Passport Applications, 1795-1925, Max Toklas, New York, New York, 1895. [23] “New York Merchant Dies in Germany,” New York Herald, 1 October 1900, p. 14. [24] Ancestry.com. U.S. Passport Applications, 1795-1925, Max Toklas, New York, New York, 1895. [25] The San Francisco Directory for the Year Commencing October 1864 (San Francisco, California: Henry G. Langley, 1864), 389. [26] “The Large Toklas Family, Pioneer Jewish Merchants of Washington State & More,” Jewish Museum of the American West (http://www.jmaw.org/toklas-jewish-washington : accessed 26 February 2014). [27] Spokane Falls City Directory, 1890 (Spokane Falls, Washington: R.L. Polk & Co., 1890), 218-219. [28] Spokane City Directory, 1892 (Spokane, Washington: R.L. Polk & Co., 1892), 243. [29] Ibid (1893), 301-302. [30] Ibid (1895), 229. [31] “Sound and Inland,” Seattle Daily Times, 28 August 1900, p. 10. [32] Whitman County, Washington Superior Court Divorce Case File 7768, 1900, Annie Fisher v. Nathan Fisher. [33] R.L. Polk & Co.’s Spokane City Directory, 1902 (Spokane, Washington: R.L. Polk & Co., 1902), 327. [34] Ibid (1905), 323. [35] “Colfax Wool Sale,” Morning Olympian (Olympia, Washington), 22 April 1905, p. [3]. [36] “Lewiston,” The Spokesman-Review (Spokane, Washington), 7 November 1905, p. 7. [37] Ibid. [38] “Fairmont Cemetery, Spokane” database, Cemetery Project, Jewish Genealogical Society of Washington State (http://www.jgsws.org/cemeteryproject.php : accessed 26 February 2014), entry for Nathan Fisher, burial date 5 November 1905, Lawn-20 Lot-23A Sp-4a. [39] R.L. Polk & Co.’s Spokane City Directory, 1901 (Spokane, Washington: R.L. Polk & Co., 1901), p. 333. [40] Ibid (1906), 317. [41] Ibid (1907), 365. [42] “Personal Mention,” Colfax Gazette, 5 November 1909, p. [2]. [43] 1910 U.S. census, Los Angeles Township, Precinct 134, Los Angeles City, Los Angeles County, California, enumeration district 179, p. 6A, dwelling house 91, family 245, entry for Annie Fisher; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 12 July 2012); Family History Film 1374095. [44] “Local Brevities,” Colfax Gazette, 5 August 1910, p. 5. [45] “Death of Ben Binnard,” Colfax Gazette, 27 January 1911, p. [1]. [46] “Ben Binnard Laid to Rest,” Colfax Gazette, 3 February 1911, p. [1]. [47] San Diego City and County Directory, 1913 (San Diego, California: San Diego Directory Co., 1913), pp. 366-367. [48] Petronius, “In Society,” The San Diego Union, 14 April 1914, p. 11. [49] San Diego City and County Directory, 1914 (San Diego, California: San Diego Directory Co., 1914), pp. 465-466, 756. [50] "California, San Francisco County Records, 1824-1997," images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1942-22060-16790-5?cc=1402856&wc=13340339 : accessed 04 Feb 2014), Coroner's Records > Death Reports, Feb, 1915 > image 129 of 252. [51] “El Pasoans Away,” El Paso Herald, 17 July 1916, p. 8. [52] El Paso City Directory, 1917 (El Paso, Texas: John F. Worley Directory Co., 1917), pp. 267, 474. [53] Ibid, p. 498. [54] “United States World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918,” index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/KZK3-49N : accessed 28 Feb 2014), Victor B. Fisher, 1917-1918; citing San Francisco City no 13, California, United States, NARA microfilm publication M1509, (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.); Family History Library microfilm 1544263. [55] Ibid, p. 360. [56] “United States World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918,” index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/KZXW-TKW : accessed 04 Feb 2014), Morris Fisher, 1917-1918; citing El Paso County, Texas, United States, NARA, microfilm publication M1509, (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.); Family History Library microfilm 1953279. [57] Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, death certificate no. 7555 (1924), Mrs. Florence Fisher Lewin; Vital Records Section, Denver. [58] 1930 U.S. census, Los Angeles City, Los Angeles County, California, block 326, enumeration district 19-431, page 10B, dwelling house 102, family 298, entry for Annie, mother, in household of Morris Fisher; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 4 April 2012); Family History Film 2339883. [59] 1940 U.S. census, Los Angeles City, Los Angeles County, California, ward AD5926, enumeration district 63-863, page 5B, dwelling house 102, family 129, entry for Annie Fisher, mother-in-law, in household of Fred Markman; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 4 April 2012); NARA microfilm T627, roll 406. [60] “Official of Hat Chain Called,” Seattle Times, 26 December 1940, p. 4. [61] “California, Death Index, 1940-1997,” index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/VP7X-XYF : accessed 03 Mar 2014), Annie Fisher, 1952. [62] Find A Grave, Inc., Find A Grave, database entry (http://www.findagrave.com : accessed 18 November 2013), entry for Annie Fisher, Memorial 123456332, created by Romper90069, Records of Hollywood Forever Cemetery, Los Angeles, California. [63] "United States World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/KZK3-49N : accessed 28 Feb 2014), Victor B Fisher, 1917-1918; citing San Francisco City no 13, California, United States, NARA microfilm publication M1509, (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d); Family History Library microfilm 1544263. [64] Arizona Department of Health Services, Arizona Genealogy Birth and Death Certificates, database and images (http://genealogy.az.gov/ ; accessed 2 March 2014), entry for Victor Bennet Fisher, 25 December 1940. [65] "United States World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918," index and images, FamilySearch(https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/KZXW-TKW : accessed 02 Mar 2014), Morris Fisher, 1917-1918; citing El Paso County, Texas, United States, NARA microfilm publication M1509, (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d); Family History Library microfilm 1953279. [66] Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, death certificate no. 7555 (1924), Mrs. Florence Fisher Lewin; Vital Records Section, Denver. [67] Ancestry.com. Washington, Births, 1883-1935 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2010, entry for ___ Fisher, born Colfax, Whitman County, 18 October 1891. A supplemental report on the next page gives the child’s name as Ruth Fisher. |