Koppelmann, Abraham_1972/07/11, Oral History

Subjects of interview include: growing up in Hartford, Education, Work, Siblings, Parents

Tape No.: 33 No. of Tapes: Name of Interviewee: Abraham Kopplemann Date of Interview: July 11, 1972 Occupation: Date of Birth: December 20, 1889 Place of Birth: Hartford, CT Transcript (yes/no): Yes No. of Pages: 29

Abstract: Mr. Kopplemann’s parents emigrated from Odessa, Russia, to the United States in 1881 along with his two sons, Marcus and Herman. Three children were born in the United States, Doris, Sarah and Abraham. When they arrived at Ellis Island, they were advised to continue on to Hartford by the Jewish Immigration Society. His father obtained a job at Colt Patent Firearms where he worked for his entire life. Mr. Kopplemann described the various homes and streets on which they lived. He graduated from the Old South School and left high school after a few years to attend the Huntsinger Business College, taking a commercial course. He started to work at age 12 selling papers while he went to school.

His brother, Herman, left high school before graduation in order to become an agent for the New York Journal. Mr. Koppleman joined his brother and was a news agent in the New Haven area in addition to Hartford Mr. Kopplemann worked at the Old Pope company doing printing and in this capacity he met Samuel Clemens (Mark Twain). Then he got a job at the Gundlach Jewelry store which was owned by the sister-in-law of G. F. Heublein and worked there for a year, after which he worked for Heublein for several years.

He discussed at length his brother Herman’s political career, first on the local level, then state, and finally in Congress where he was very influential in getting important bills dealing with banking and stocks passed. Both brothers were very active in the Zionist movement and Mr. Kopplemann organized and financed a plant in Beersheba which produces electronics and surgical instruments. He was made an honorary alumni board member of the Hebrew University in Jerusalem. He founded a social club called Octooth Club.

His mother was very active in many community and religious organizations. She worked for the Zionist cause, was one of the original founders of the Old Peoples’ Home and Mt. Sinai Hospital. She was made an honorary president for life of the Old Peoples’ Home.

Subject Index: Politicians Business Zionism Community Activities (in the Jewish community) Community Leadership (in the Jewish community) Hospitals