DEATH OF MR LOUIS EHRENFRIED.
General regrets will be felt in the city at the announcement that Mr Louis Ehrenfried died at his residence at one o'clock this afternoon. Mr Ehrenfried had been ill for several weeks from a complication of diseases, which baffled the skill of the attending physicians. He became unconscious yesterday, and passed away very peacefully at the hour mentioned. His career has been that of an enterprising and successful colonial, who owed his success in life to his own indomitable energy and business capacity. Born in Hamburg, he emigrated to Australia in company with his brother Bernhard, more than forty years ago. They went through all the vicissitudes of the rough life of pioneer colonists, with the customary ups and downs. In 1862 the fame of the Otago goldfields attracted the brothers there. They at once embarked in business, packing stores to the goldfields, where their trading ventures prospered so much that they were able later on to acquire a valuable station property at Mataura. This they were obliged to sell some years later in consequence of liabilities incurred under a guarantee for a large sum of money entered into on behalf of a friend without any consideration whatever. When leaving the district the residents presented the brothers with an address, regretting their departure, and a piece of plate.
The next venture of the Ehrenfried Brothers was in the storekeeping line on the West Coast Goldfields, where business followed the usual fluctuations of a goldfield, ending in reverses which rendered it impossible for the firm to meet all the claims made upon them. It was, however, always in Mr Ehrenfried's determinations that he would repay the liabilities left unsettled when he closed his business on the West Coast, and this he succeeded in doing some years later; the creditors marked their appreciation of his honourable conduct by presenting him with a piece of plate.
It was in 1868 that the two brothers, who had been inseparable during all these years, came to Auckland, and they soon afterwards proceeded to the Thames, where they established the brewery which became the foundation of one of the largest and most prosperous businesses in New Zealand. The death of Bernhard was a severe blow to Mr Louis Ehrenfried. Theirs had been a partnership welded by rare brotherly affection. Mr L. Ehrenfried continued the business, and by his energy and foresight not only succeeded in securing the greater part of the goldfields trade, but extended his operations to Auckland. He entered heartily into the public life of the Thames and was elected Mayor in 1872, and was chosen for many other honourable offices by his fellow citizens. He was also appointed a Justice of the Peace of the colony. In 1885, Mr Ehrenfried took an important departure. His business in Auckland had extended considerably, and in that year he purchased the old established brewery business of Messrs H. Whitson and Sons. Removing to Auckland, he entered upon this large undertaking with all his characteristic energy, and rapidly extended the sphere of its operations. Mr Ehrenfried was a tremendous worker, and there is little doubt that his almost untiring exertions had something to do with the ultimate breakdown of his naturally robust constitution. He was a man of warm-hearted sympathies, open-handed, and his death will be lamented by many who have been the recipients of unostentatious acts of kindness. He was always a liberal supporter of the Hebrew congregation, with which he was connected, but his broad toleration secured a ready ear for any call for assistance on behalf of all religious and philanthropic movements.
The surviving sisters residing in Auckland are Mrs Baume, Mrs L. Myers and Mrs A. Myers. A number of nephews and nieces, by whom the deceased was esteemed as a father, will also deeply lament his death. Among these may be mentioned Mr F. E. Baume, solicitor. Mr A. Myers, manager of the deceased's business and Mr Leo. Myers, Mrs W, Coleman, and Mrs Sydney Nathan. They have an assurance of the sincere sympathy of many friends in their bereavement. -Auckland Star, 26/2/1897.
FUNERAL OF MR LOUIS EHREN FRIED.
Yesterday afternoon the remains of the late Mr Louis Ehrenfried were interred in the Jewish portion of the Symonds-street cemetery. The funeral cortege was one of the largest and most representative that has taken place in the history of Auckland. The footpaths in O'Rorke-street and Symonds-street were lined with onlookers. So great were the number present to pay their last mark of respect to deceased that in Symonds-street a double line of mourners had to be formed to follow the hearse. The coffin and inside of the hearse were covered with wreaths, while the remainder were carried in deceased's private carriage. The coffin was of unpolished and unstained wood, and bore no inscription. This is in accordance with Jewish custom, which levels rich and poor alike at the grave. At three o'clock prayers were read in the house by Rev. Rabbi Goldstein, when the body was carried to the hearse by immediate relatives.
The funeral procession was headed by members of the Ancient Order of Foresters, deceased being a member of Lodge Robin Hood, Panmure. At the head of the Foresters was Bros. H. T. Garratt and J. Sheldrick. The first four carriages following the hearse contained the chief mourners, as follows: — Mr J. Phillips (president of the congregation, and father of Mrs Ehrenfried), the Rev. Mr Goldstein, Messrs F. E. Baume, Arthur M. Myers, Leo. M. Myers, Ben Myers, Sydney Nathan, and Wm. Coleman (nephews of the deceased); C. J. Phillips (brother-in-law); L. H. Neumegen, jun., N. Goldwater, Wisotsky, Alfred Nathan, Arthur Nathan, and H. L. Posseneskie (committee of the Synagogue); and Mr P. Bennett (Paeroa). Following the fourth carriage were the employees of deceased's firm, representatives of the Waitemata Rowing Club, Auckland Swimming Club and Auckland Football Association.
Among the many others in the procession were: — Messrs Alexander, W. Neumegen, Caro, H. Copeland, H. Goldwater, Buckleton, Susman, Ernie Keesing, Myer Goldwater, L. Levi, Gabriel Lewis, H. Koesing, R. Keosing, J. Keesing, Collins, Mowlen, Oakley, Benjamin, L. Moses, Claude Moses, Louis Ballin, Leser, Isaacs, L. Lewis, Albert Goldwater, Cohen Sir Maurice O'Rorke, Messrs J. Ballard, W. Crowther, J. J. Holland, F. Lawry M.H.R.'s, Hon. Win. Swanson, Major Murray, Lieut.-Adjutant Grant, Hon. W. McCullagh, Hon. J. A Tole, Inspector Hickson, Dr. Mackellar, Messrs Thos. Cotter, P. Darby, M. Saber, Dufaur, B. Koni., E. Hesketh, S. Hesketh, P. A. Philips. M. A. Philips, Hellaby (2), T. T. Masefield, Lyell (2), S. E. Hughes, Thomas Foley, Julian, Chas. S. Wright, E. F. Warren (Public Trust Office), William Duncan (Advances to Settlers Office), Kronfeldt, W. Gaudin, J. J. Craig, McNab, G. W. Binney, P. A. Edmiston, S. C. Macky, Jas. Macky, R. G. Macky, A. Cairns, Lindsay Cooke, R. E. Isaacs, W. H. Churton, A. E. Whitaker, W. Lynch, A. G. S. Black, J. I. Eller, G. S. Budge, W. Stimpson, John Reid, W. S. Wilson, L. Moritzson, Farrell, Thos. Finlayson (Sargood, Son and Ewan), J. Stinhbury (Chairman of Auckland Charitable Aid Board), Grainger, Patterson, W. J. Napier (Chairman of Harbour Board), J. Lawson (Official Assignee), G. Mueller, D. W. Duthie, C. L. Thompson, junr. (representing Hon. Thos. Thompson, Minister of Justice), C. Ranson, H. Thompson, G. Aickin, Bacheldar, Jas. Hawkins, Thos. Mahoney, B. C. Roberts, J. McRae, R. Ternahan, R. Michaels, M. Keefe, Messrs Ernest and Eliot Davis (Hancock and Co.), Dr. Campbell, A. S. Bankhart (Brown, Campbell and Co.), employees of L. D. Nathan, J. Mowbray, W. Mowbray.
The Auckland Bowling Club, of which deceased was a member, was well represented. Among the many members present were Dr. Hooper, Hazlett (Secretary), J. Kirkwood, Thomson, Shackelford, Monnie, W. Gorrie, Towsey, U B. Kingswell, Ledingham, and Geddes.
A large number came up from the Thames to be present at the funeral. Among those who joined in the funeral cortege were Mr W. Dynes, manager of deceased's farm at Puriri; Mr H. Clinker, manager of Ehrenfried's Thames Brewery; Woodward, Pacific Hotel; William Morrison, Post Office Hotel; Fogarty, Lady Bowen Hotel; Geo. Williams, Kopu Hotel; Styaak, John Costello, A. Price, J. McCowan, M.H.R.
When the cemetery was reached the employees of the firm of Ehrenfried Bros., each holding a wreath, lined either side of the walk from the entrance gate to the mortuary chapel, to which the body was borne by the relatives of the deceased. Here the Jewish service for the burial of the dead was commenced by the Rev. Rabbi, the Psalms and supplications being read in Hebrew and English alternately. The body was thence borne to the grave, where the service was continued, the relatives reciting the customary Kaddish, or special prayer for relatives, and afterwards covering the coffin with earth with their own hands. The Foresters' funeral service was also read by Bro. J. Shaldrick.
At the mortuary chapel the Rev. Rabbi gave an address. He said they had met to pay a last tribute of respect to the remains of a brother whom it had pleased Almighty God to remove to a higher and more pleasant sphere. The largo concourse present spoke for the high esteem in which deceased had been held. The late Mr Ehrenfried had been a staunch and liberal supporter of the Synagogue — an active and a working member. It seemed but yesterday that his genial face had been seen in the streets of Auckland; it would be missed by a great many. The Hebrew congregation had suffered a great loss, and so had the city of Auckland, for he whose departure they were lamenting had proved himself a good and worthy citizen, and, as the sage said, "The loss of a righteous man was a loss to his generation." Why men whose life was prolific of good should be removed seemed strange; it was a problem that had engaged the minds of theologians and philosophers; it was a problem not easy of solution, and one that could not be satisfactorily explained to all. But let the words of the Hebrew sage be remembered: "One man may procure immortality in one year, while another procures immortality through the actions of a long life." In the words of the poet —
"We live in deeds, not years;
In thoughts, not breaths;
In feelings, not in figures on a dial.
We should count life by heart throbs.
He most lives who thinks most.
Feels the noblest, acts the best,"
Continuing the Rabbi said that the chief characteristic of deceased was his philanthropy. He (the speaker) had never known a better man. He not only gave, but gave willingly and gladly. Although removed, he was not removed for ever. Death was simply a transition from the lower to the higher place; the deceased had now solved the mystery, and was enjoying, in the presence of God and the Creator of all humanity, the reward of a life well spent. His example still lived; and that example for goodness would be an incentive to many to follow in his footsteps. Might his soul rest in peace.
Among the many beautiful wreaths was one in the shape of a pillar in white flowers, with the word "Rest" across it worked in blue. This was from the Albert Brewery employees. The warehouse employees also sent a beautiful wreath, as well as the immediate relatives of deceased. These were placed on the coffin. Mrs Seccombe and Sons also sent a beautiful wreath.
Telegrams of condolence were received from all over the colony, including the Hon. A. J. Cadman and Thos. Thompson, Mr James Coates, Rev. S. J. Neill (Thames), Messrs J. Hyman (Wellington), Henry Hayman (London), F. Arenas (Christchurch), L. Mendelssohn (Dunedin), M. Hayman (Dunedin), Mark Cohen (Dunedin "Star"), and Executive of Wine and Spirit Merchants Association (Wellington).
The funeral arrangements were made by Messrs Winks and Hall, while Mr Harry N. Goldwater ably assisted and acted as marshal.
On Saturday morning at the Synagogue, Rabbi Goldstein made special reference to deceased. He took up as the subject of his text, "A good name is better than good oil, and the day of death better than the day of birth."
The late Mr L. Ehrenfried has bequeathed £1,000 for charitable purposes. Of this amount £500 is for distressed Jews in Auckland province, and £500 for charitable institutions at Auckland and the Thames. The employees who have been in the service of the firm for over five years have also not been forgotten in the will.
The business of Messrs Ehrenfried Bros, will be continued under the management of Mr Arthur M. Myers, who has been associated with his uncle in the management for the last 15 years. -Auckland Star, 1/3/1897.
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