Mary Elizabeth Jurgens and Lee Bechtel Nusbaum
LEE BECHTEL NUSBAUM was born August 19, 1860 in Elkhart County, Indiana,5617 and died December 8, 1925 in Richmond, Wayne, Indiana.4931 He is buried in Lutherania Cemetery, Richmond, Wayne, Indiana.5617, 4931
He married MARY ELIZABETH JURGENS on December 29, 1885 in Wayne County, Indiana.1675 She was born in January, 1865 in Indiana, and died November 25, 1951 in Richmond, Wayne, Indiana.
Children of MARY ELIZABETH JURGENS and LEE BECHTEL NUSBAUM:
- BABY BAY NUSBAUM, b. January 1, 1893, Richmond, Wayne, Indiana;122 d. January 4, 1893, Richmond, Wayne, Indiana.203
- ROLAND LEE NUSBAUM, b. January 10, 1894, Richmond, Wayne, Indiana;122 m. CORINNE WILSON on July 17, 1917 in Wayne County, Indiana1675; d. August 4, 1959, Wayne County, Indiana.4931
- LUCILLE E. NUSBAUM, b. August, 1896; m. E. L. OLCUTT on December 3, 1918 in Louisville, Jefferson, Kentucky6664.
- CORRINE NUSBAUM, b. November 25, 1897, Richmond, Wayne, Indiana;122 m. HARRY E. SINTZ on November 21, 1943 in Indianapolis, Marion, Indiana6047; d. December 15, 1983, Golden Rule Nursing Home, Richmond, Wayne, Indiana.4931
- JULIET AMELIA NUSBAUM, b. January 19, 1900, Richmond, Wayne, Indiana;122 m. WHITNEY SCOTT MCGUIRE on June 11, 1924 in First English Lutheran Church, Richmond, Wayne, Indiana1675, 5036; d. July 3, 2000, Collier County, Florida.1240, 56
- FLOYD E. NUSBAUM, b. October 17, 1902, Richmond, Wayne, Indiana.122
Roland
Juliet
Obituaries
Richmond Palladium and Sun-Telegram, December 8, 19255617
LEE B. NUSBAUM, WIDELY KNOWN MERCHANT, DIES
Succumbs Following Heart Attacks
Lee B. Nusbaum, 65 years old, identified with the dry goods business here since 1884, died of organic heart disease at his home, 110 North Eleventh street, at 9:45 a. m. Tuesday.
Stricken with an attack of paralysis in the spring of 1921, Mr. Nusbaum recovered, and although in failing health for the last year, his condition did not become critical until Nov. 25, when he suffered another attack. From that time his condition wa so serious that little hope was entertained for recovery.
His lat appearance at a public function was when the Rotary club, of which he was a member, entertained with a banquet in honor of William Dudley Foulke.
The funeral service will be conducted at the home at 2 o'clock Thursday afternoon, with Rev. Frank Dressel of the First English Lutheran church in charge. Friends may call any time after Wednesday noon. The interment will be in Lutherania cemetery.
Widely Known Citizen
His death removed a citizen who was identified prominently not only with the mercantile interests of Richmond for many years but also one who had given unstintingly and unsparingly of his time and ability to the civic and cultural development of the community.
Mr. Nusbaum was associated in the last quarter of a century with nearly every enterprise that sought the betterment of the city in its religion, cultural, and commercial aspects. It was in the domain of music, however, that he made for himself a name that will be associated with the development of that art in Richmond.
Himself a lover of music in its varied forms, Mr. Nusbaum very early in his career in Richmond believed that the schools offered the best vehicle for the popularization of this art, and to it s attainment in the practical life of the community he devoted himself with the ardor of an enthusiast.
Advocates Musical Training
The notable impression which the musical attainments of the public school system has made on the educational world is attributed to his foresight and energy, and to the practical methods which he espoused and saw developed in the department during the years he served as member of the school board.
Never too busy with his own affairs not to find time to arrange musical features for public meetings, Mr. Nusbaum's ability was utilized by the community for many years.
Coming to Richmond with no capital, Mr. Nusbaum i the years of his career in the mercantile world built up a business for himself in which he exemplified high principles in this transactions with the public. In 1920 he purchased the old Westcott building in which his business was located. Four years prior to that his son, Roland, became associated with him in the business. Mr. Nusbaum had the satisfaction of watching his business expand steadily in response to the merchandizing ideas which he applied. Until six months ago he was active in its affairs.
Active In State
He was a leader n the affairs of the Indiana Retail Merchants' association and served as its secretary treasurer until ill health prompted him to retire. He promoted and supported many of the movements which this association instituted to improve and better merchandising service. Mr. Nusbaum was regarded as one of the progressive merchants of this part of the state and held in high regard by the members of this association.
He was one of the organizers of the American Trust and Savings bank here and was a director at the time of his death. He also was a director of the old Commercial club, besides holding many positions on civic committees and other organizations.
Surviving Member Of Family
Survivors are his widow, Mrs. Mary E. Nusbaum; two sons, Roland Lee and Floyd E.; and three daughters, Mrs. Ellsworth L. Olcott, Jr., Miss Corrine M. Nusbaum and Mrs. Whitney McGuire; the following grandchildren, William Lee, Mariellen and Martha Jane Nusbaum, Richard Lee and John Ellsworth Olcott, and Frances Ellen McGuire; five brothers, J. W. and Charles Nusbaum of Peabody, Kan., O. P. Nusbaum of this city, Walter and Fred Nusbaum of Boise, Idaho, and four sisters, Mrs. E. S. Sensenig, Mrs. E. S. Hunt, Mrs. Milton Flack and Mrs. Henry Jackson all of Boise or near there.
Owing to ill health from which Mr. Nusbaum has been suffering for several years, he retired from active work in his dry goods business and has had but a small part in recent months in the public life of the city.
However, Mr. Nusbaum's generous contributions of his time and talent in the many public positions which he has held during his residence in this city will not soon be forgotten. Perhaps no other one individual has done more during the past 40 years toward promoting the musical reputation of Richmond than had Mr. Nusbaum.
Prominent In Music
Mr. Nusbaum's connection with music in Richmond has been notable. He declined the supervisorship of music in the Richmond schools in 1887, but while a member of the school board, he promoted the Symphony orchestra movement, and through his co-operation on the board made it possible for Prof. William Earhart, now of Pittsburgh, to lay the foundation for musical education in the public schools.
At various time he has played the clarinet, oboe and bassoon in the Richmond Symphony orchestra, and for one year directed the organization. About 10 years ago he organized Richmond's 50-piece bank, and led concerts in Glen Miller park for two or three years.
Leader In Music
The first music and first chorus in the East Main Street Friend's church many years ago was also introduced under his direction. He wa also the only honorary member of the local musicians' union. In 1895 he led the music and chorus of 250 voices in the revival meeting of Billy Sunda.
Throughout Mr. Nusbaum's five terms as a member of the Richmond school board, declining re-elected a sixth time, Mr. Nusbaum's influence in favor of inculcating musical education through the schools was largely responsible for much of the present enviable music reputation of the local school system.
Mr. Nusbaum served on the school board from 1900 to 1915.
Mr. Nusbaum did not devote his entire time to music, however, for he played a large part in the commercial life of Richmond by building up a business which still bears his name. Coming to Richmond in 1884 Mr. Nusbaum entered the dry goods business. From 1886 to 1890 he was in charge of the dress goods department of the George H. Knollenberg stores.
Opens Own Store
Becoming a partner in the Boston Store in 1890, he remained there until 1895 when he entered partnership with George Mashmeyer, under the name of Nusbaum and Mashmeyer, and operated stores in Richmond and Elwood. In 1905 Mr. Nusbaum began his own store under the name of Lee B. Nusbaum company, now knows as Nusbaum Stores Inc.
The business expanded rapidly and received his personal attention until six months ago. After purchasing the old Westcott block in which the store is located, its name was changed to the Nusbaum building.
Mr. Nusbaum was for several years secretary-treasurer of the Indiana Retail Dry Goods association, and at the time of his death was president of the Wayne County Council, of which he had been a member for the past 11 years.
Director at Wittenberg
From 1892 to 1815 he was a member of the board of directors of Wittenberg college, Springfield, Ohio, and in November, 1920, Mr. Nusbaum was presidential elector from the sixth district of Indiana.
In the church life of the city r. Nusbaum was very active. Being a member of the First English Lutheran church from its organization in 1884, he was the organizer of the Union Bible class of more than 100 adult members and was teacher of the class. He also served as superintendent of the Bible school and as chorister. He supported a native missionary in India and was a valued councilor of the church.
Mr. Nusbaum's musical and church life were linked in many instances. At the time of the organization of the First English Lutheran church Mr. Nusbaum had his first opportunity along musical lines. He left his business to attend long rehearsals and some said, it is reported by his friends that he would rather lead the band than sell dry goods.
Devoted to Music
Mr. Nusbaum was deaf to adverse criticism throughout all the years of his life and as a result created and sustained a musical atmosphere in Richmond which caused the envy of many cities in the state and country.
At a dinner by the Kiwanis club in tribute to Mr. Nusbaum several years ago, one of his friends said: "Mr. Nusbaum did not serve the community as a hireling, for all the time, thought and effort was given without compensation.
"That is genius, that is what lifts the world to higher levels. that is why Lee B. Nusbaum is different from other men that are as old as he and who have lived as long as he has. A man is a man not because of his physical strength and years, but for what he has done with his years and his strength."
Born In Elkhart County
Mr. Nusbaum was born in a log cabin in Elkhart county, Aug. 19, 1860, on a farm, and grew up to pioneer conditions, helping to clear the land, going to school four months of the year, and working his way through for all his education.
After completing the grade schools he taught for a time and then, earning his way by selling books and by working at various jobs, he went for four years, from 1879 to 1883, to the State Normal at Terre Haute. Here he got his first musical education of worth, and led choral societies and quartets.
At the State Normal he became acquainted with Miss Marry Juergens of this city, who later became his wife. Her residence here was responsible for his coming to Richmond in 1884 when he wa employed by the George H. Knollenberg company. In that year, the First English Lutheran church was organized and Mr. Nusbaum was present to lead the choir at the first church service and continued to do so until his recent illness.
Mr. Nusbaum was a member of the local Rotary club and the Richmond Lodge of Elks.
Palladium-Item and Sun-Telegram, November 25, 19516007
Mrs. Lee Nusbaum, Prominent In Red Cross, Church, Dies
Mrs. Lee B. Nusbaum, prominent in localchurch and Red Cross work, died suddenly late Saturday night. She was 86 years old Jan. 2. Mus. Nusbaum lived on South Tenth street.
Mrs. Nusbaum was a charter member of the First English Lutheran church and was the first organist in the church. The Mary E. Nusbaum class, named for Mrs. Nusbaum, was organized 51 years ago.
During the war years Mrs. Nusbaum worked full time at the Red Cross as production chairman. In January, 1948, she was honored by the local Altrusa club when she was awaded a citation for service to the community.
The primary department of the church was under Mrs. Nusbaum's direction from its beginning, and she had taught the Mary E. Nusbaum class for 50 years.
She had been president of the Woman's auxiliary and president of the synodical body's auxiliary of the United Lutheran church in Indiana.
Surviving Mrs. Nusbaum are two sons, Roland L. of Richmond, and Floyd of San Francisco, Calif.; three daughters, Mrs. Whitney S. McGuire and Mrs. Harry Sintz, both of Richmond, and Mrs. E. L. Olcott of Fort Wayne; a number of grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Census Records
| Date | Location | Enumerated Names |
|---|---|---|
| June 19, 1900112 | Richmond, Wayne, Indiana |
|
| April 22, 1910815 | Wayne, Wayne, Indiana |
|
| January 10, 1920895 | Wayne, Wayne, Indiana |
|
| April 2, 19402486 | Richmond, Wayne, Indiana |
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