Newmark Family Papers, 1837-2006

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Summary

Title:
Newmark Family Papers
Dates:
1837-2006
Creators:
Newmark Family
Abstract:
The Newmarks are a pioneer Los Angeles family that have contributed to the promotion and growth of Los Angeles, as well as to the development of Los Angeles' Jewish community. In 1848, Joseph Phillip Newmark became the first of the family to immigrate to the United States. He was soon joined by his brother Harris Newmark. The Newmark Family Papers consists of biographical materials, published items, correspondence, photographic material, and family memorabilia that document the lives of Sarah and Harris Newmark and their descendants from 1837 to 2006. Newmark descendents include the Loeb, Levi, and Nordlinger families.
Extent:
25 Linear Feet
Language:
Primarily in English with some correspondence written in German and French.
Preferred citation:

Newmark Family Papers, 1837-2006, Braun Research Library Collection, Autry Museum of the American West, Los Angeles; MS.227; [folder number] [folder title][date].

Background

Scope and content:

The Newmark Family Papers consists of biographical materials, published items, correspondence, photographic material, and family memorabilia that document the lives of Sarah and Harris Newmark and their descendants. The Papers also includes the collected diaries and correspondence of Sarah Newmark, Rose Loeb, and Aimee Nordlinger. The biographical materials and published items relate to Los Angeles and California history, development, and civic organizations.

Biographical / historical:

The end of the Mexican-American War brought great changes to the pueblo known as Los Angeles. Roughly twenty years after California was transferred to the United States, a handful of civically and entrepreneurially minded men began to promote Los Angeles as the next great city, seeking to build a city akin to the likes of San Francisco. They encouraged the growth of large and small businesses, farming and banking. Lands once belonging to a select few were gradually bought, sold and parceled. Industry developed, as did the railway. The Newmark family is firmly rooted in this history, having contributed to the promotion and growth of greater Los Angeles, as well as to the development of Los Angeles' Jewish community.

The Newmarks are a pioneer Los Angeles family with roots in Loebau, West Prussia. Joseph and Harris Neumark (later changed to Newmark by Joseph Phillip) were two of six children born to Philipp and Ester (Conn) Neumark. Philipp Neumark was a merchant, making and selling ink and blacking, and he was often on business trips to Sweden and Denmark where the family maintained friendships and business relationships. Though their father did make his way to the United States in 1838, illness brought him back home.

In 1848, Joseph Phillip Newmark became the first of the family to immigrate to the United States. Landing first in New York, he stayed in the East until the call of the gold rush led him to San Francisco in 1851. In May 1853, he invited his brother Harris (b. 1834) to join him in California. By late August of that year, Harris Newmark landed in New York, eventually reaching Los Angeles two months later. At the time of the 1850 U.S. Census, Los Angeles had a population of 1,610— 8 of these inhabitants were Jewish (6 of whom were natives of Germany). The Newmarks became prosperous in their new home town. Both brothers became successful businessmen. Harris Newmark owned and operated the commissions house, H. Newmark & Company (one of the earliest in Los Angeles). In 1865 he opened H. Newmark & Co., a wholesale grocery business. But it was in real estate where he made the bulk of his money. He partnered with Kaspare Cohn to purchase and parcel lands that would become the town of Montebello, and sold 8030 acres of land to E.J. "Lucky" Baldwin (Rancho San Anita). Harris Newmark was co-founder and president of the Los Angeles B'nai B'rith Congregation, was one of the organizers of the Los Angeles Public Library, was an organizer and member of the Board of Directors for the Los Angeles Board of Trade, and was a charter member of the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce.

Harris Newmark was married to his cousin Sarah Newmark on 1858 March 24 by her father Joseph P. Newmark—Los Angeles' first lay rabbi. Five of their eleven children survived infancy. Son Maurice Harris, born circa 1859 and died in 1929, married his cousin, Rose Newmark, 1888 July 3. Maurice (M.H.) was a great friend of Charles F. Lummis, found of the Southwest Museum, and sat on the Museum's Board of Trustees.

Marco Ross, born circa 1878, was both a businessman and an historian. Marco (M.R.) served as Director and President of the Historical Society of Southern California. Together, Maurice and Marco published the 1850 Census of Los Angeles City and County in 1929, and edited their father's biography, Sixty Years in Southern California 1853-1913.

Harris and Sarah Newmark had three daughters, Ella, Emily, and Estelle. Ella married Carl Seligman. Emily married Jacob Loew. Estelle married Leon Loeb. Jacob Loew and his nephew Herman Levi became the owners of the Capitol Milling Company, which was established 1883. Herman Levi was also the son-in-law of Estelle and Leon Loeb.

The Capitol Milling Company company continued under the Levis and Loews, becoming the oldest family run business in Los Angeles until its sale to Con Agra in 1999.

Custodial history:

Part of the collection was donated by brothers M.H. (Maurice Harris) and Marco Newmark beginning in 1917 December with subsequent gifts bestowed in 1919, 1922, and 1927. The collection related to The Linda Levi Collection of the Newmark and Levi Family Memorabilia, was donated 2007 August 8 by Linda Levi. The collection was maintained by the donor and her brother, John Newmark Levi, Jr. before being received by the Braun Research Library at the Autry.

Processing information:

Finding aid created by Stefanie Crump, 2010. Revised by Anna Liza Posas, 2013. Final processing of collection and publication of finding aid made possible by a grant from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC).

Arrangement:

  • Series I: Newmark Family Papers, 1837-1917
  • Series II: Newmark-Loeb Family Papers, circa 1860-1986
  • Series III: Newmark-Levi Family Papers, 1902-2000
  • Series IV: Photo Albums, circa 1860-2004 and undated

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Stefanie Crump, Anna Liza Posas
Date Encoded:
This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2023-05-24 18:43:32 +0000 .

Access and use

Restrictions:

Appointments to view materials are required. To make an appointment please visit https://theautry.org/research-collections/library-and-archives and fill out the Researcher Application Form.

Terms of access:

Copyright has not been assigned to the Autry Museum of the American West. All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Head of Research Services and Archives. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the Autry Museum of the American West as the custodian of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained by the reader.

Preferred citation:

Newmark Family Papers, 1837-2006, Braun Research Library Collection, Autry Museum of the American West, Los Angeles; MS.227; [folder number] [folder title][date].

Location of this collection:
4700 Western Heritage Way
Los Angeles, CA 90027, US
Contact:
(747) 201-8448
rroom@theautry.org
Website