|
Other than that he survived, nothing is known of Joseph Gans' (b. 1880–1959)
experience at the Iroquois Theater. He was a salesman for D&A Oppenheimer of San Antonio, Texas.
(For over a century D & A was involved in banking, mills and dry goods.)
Though not mentioned in the news story, it seems likely his bride was with him on
his vacation and at the theater. He and Aimee Schloss (1883–1952) had been
married for one month. A year later they'd have their only child, Adrienne Gans (1904–1995).
|
|
|
Joe Gans was from a large Jewish family, one of ten children born to Simon Gans and Jeanette
Katch. His brother Mitchel named his son after Joe.
Though his obituary reported
that he relocated to Fort Worth as a fifteen-year old in 1895, city directories show that he
lived in San Antonio then with other family members. He worked for the Columbia and Burton Dry Goods companies for a
decade then in 1915 he opened a women's clothing store on Houston Street in Fort Worth. The
store grew over the years until it spanned from third to fifth streets.
|
|
The Gans Company store lasted through the Depression and World War II, closing when Joe retired
in 1948. (The store was then sold to the Mindlin company of Kansas City.)
Joe was active
in the Fort Worth chamber of commerce and Lions club. In 1939 moved into the home they'd live in
for the rest of their lives. They shared a six-bedroom 6,000 sq. ft. mansion on Country Club
Circle in Fort Worth with their daughter and her family. Today the property is valued at $3.5
million dollars.
|
