Morris D. Rosenbaum

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Morris David Rosenbaum (11 July 1831 – 10 August 1885) was a prominant businessman in early Utah and one of the few Jewish people to join The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) during the 19th century.

Rosenbaum was born in Fordon which was then part of the Grand Duchy of Posen.[1][2]

In 1850 Rosenbaum emigrated to the United States. Although he originally landed at New York, he then traveled to San Francisco by way of the Panama Canal. From San Francisco, he traveled to Carson Valley in what is now Nevada. He associated with Mormons there and then moved to Salt Lake City in 1856. There he associated with Alexander Neibaur, from whom he learned more of the Mormon faith. He read the entire Book of Mormon before making up his mind about the church. He was baptized in March 1858 by John Tingey.[3] In April 1858, Rosenbaum married Alice Breakell Neibaur, the daughter of Alexander Neibaur. They had thirteen children.[2]

In 1869 and possibly the surrounding years, Rosenbaum operated a boarding house in Brigham City, Utah Territory, to house railroad workers. He also operated a store. His wife Alice did much of the running of the boarding house and was assited in this by her sister Rebecca.[4] From about 1865, Charles W. Nibley had worked as a clerk for Rosenbaum in Rosenbaum's mercantile establishment, and it was as a result of this employment that Nibley met Rosenbaum's sister-in-law Rebecca Neibauer, whom Nibley latter married.[5]

In 1868, Rosenbaum married Abigail H. Snow, a daughter of Lorenzo Snow and Harriet Amelia Squires. They had at least seven children.[6]

In 1880, Rosenbaum was a missionary for the LDS Church in Germany. He was made president of the North German District, and preached Mormonism in Berlin. From 19–21 August 1880, Rosenbaum was imprisoned for preaching. After his release, he preached in Bavaria, Baden, Württemberg and Hanover.[7]

Rosenbaum died at Mink Creek, Franklin County, Idaho and was bured in Brigham City.[2]

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ Smith, E. R. S., The Biography and Family Record of Lorenzo Snow, (Salt Lake City: Deseret News Company, 1884) p. 491
  2. ^ a b c Morris David Rosenbaum, alexanderneibaur.org, accessed 2008-05-16.
  3. ^ Smith. Lorenzo Snow, pp. 359–360
  4. ^ Jenson, Andrew. Latter-day Saint Biographical Encyclopedia, vol. 2, p. 675.
  5. ^ Jenson, Andrew. Latter-day Saint Biographical Encyclopedia, vol. 3, p. 766.
  6. ^ Smith. Lorenzo Snow, p. 491
  7. ^ Smith. Lorenzo Snow, pp. 360–361