Marshall Hebrew Cemetery
Marshall, Harrison County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Among the pioneer settlers of Harrison County were a number of Jewish families, many of whom were German immigrants. The Hebrew Benevolent Society was organized in 1867 with 25 charter members. In 1881 the society purchased a plot of land to be used as a burial ground. Known as the Marshall Hebrew Cemetery, this graveyard contains the burials of many prominent citizens and early settlers. The oldest interments are those of the May family, who died in an 1873 yellow fever epidemic. They were originally buried in the city cemetery but were later reinterred here. The earliest documented burials original to this site are those of two children, James Doppelmayer and Florence Bernstein, who died in 1883. There are fourteen unmarked graves here, as well as burials of veterans of the Civil War, World War I, and World War II. Among the prominent citizens buried in this cemetery are Daniel Doppelmayer, first president of the Moses Montefiore congregation; Rabbi Max Sylvious Handman; members of the Kahn and Weisman families; and other early business and community leaders. (1989) Historic Texas Cemetery (2018)
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Jewish families, many of them German immigrants, were among the pioneer settlers of Harrison County, and in 1867 they organized the Hebrew Benevolent Society. In 1881 the society bought this ground for a burial place, the Marshall Hebrew Cemetery, where community leaders, rabbis, and veterans of three wars now rest. Its oldest interments include members of the May family, victims of an 1873 yellow fever epidemic.
Why it matters
The cemetery is enduring evidence of the Jewish immigrant communities that helped build the commerce and civic life of small Southern towns.
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Themes & tags
Nearby & related markers
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In 1887 the Jewish residents of Marshall organized the Moses Montefiore congregation, Adath Israel, choosing Civil War veteran and pioneer settler Daniel Doppelmayer as their first president. At his suggestion they named the congregation for Sir Moses Montefiore, the celebrated English Jewish financier and philanthropist. In 1900 they raised an elaborate temple in a Middle Eastern style, designed by local architect C. G. Lancaster, which served as a place of worship and cultural life until it was razed in 1973.
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