Biography of 	LEUCHT, I. L., Darmstadt, Hesse, Germany, then Orleans Parish, Louisiana
Submitted by 	Mike Miller April 1998

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Louisiana:  Comprising Sketches of Parishes, Towns, Events, Institutions, 
and Persons, Arranged in Cyclopedic Form (volume 3), pp. 252-253.  Edited 
by Alcée Fortier, Lit.D.  Published in 1914, by Century Historical 
Association.

Leucht, I. L., well-known Rabbi of New Orleans, was born at Darmstadt, 
capital of the Grand Duchy of Hesse, Germany, Jan. 25, 1844, son of 
Nehemiah H. and Johanna (Rosenbaum) Leucht, the latter of whom was born at 
Zell, near Würzburg, Germany.  The mother was a daughter of the noted 
Rabbi, Mendel Rosenbaum to whose great energy and untiring efforts in 
behalf of his people is ascribed the emancipation of the Jews in Bavaria.  
When he had his first interview with King Ludwig I, to whom he represented 
that on account of the harshness of the laws in their bearing upon the 
Jewish people hundreds and thousands of them were immigrating to the United 
States, the king made the historic reply:  "I am not Pharoah, to run after 
them to the sea."  However, the Rabbi lived long enough to witness the 
complete emancipation of his brethren in Bavaria.  I. L. Leucht received 
his early education in the schools of his native city, and upon the 
completion of his academic studies, entered the Rabbinical school at 
Würzburg, where he completed the 4-year course of preparation for his life 
work.  In 1864 he came to the United States and shortly thereafter was 
installed as assistant to Rabbi Hoehheimer of the Eden Street synagogue, 
Baltimore, Md.  July 2, 1868, he came to New Orleans, as assistant to Rabbi 
James K. Gutheim, whose successor he became 6 months later.  In 1882 his 
congregation in Rampart street joined the Portuguese synagogue, called the 
"Dispersed of Judah," and Rabbi Leucht was appointed to minister to the 
united congregation worshipping at Touro synagogue, in Carondelet street, 
which had been founded by the noted philanthropist, Judah Touro.  Ten years 
later Rabbi Leucht was largely instrumental in building the splendid office 
in which the congregation of Touro synagogue is now housed at St. Charles 
and Berlin streets, and where he continued to preside as Rabbi.  
Politically, he was independent, lending his influence and activities to 
the support of the progressive and reform faction in any movement for the 
betterment of conditions.  In the course of his labors in Louisiana, Rabbi 
Leucht filled several important and responsible public positions, having 
been a member of the state school board through 2 terms, president of the 
prisons and asylums commission several years, and president of the Red 
Cross association.  Throughout the term of his residence in New Orleans, 
embracing a period of about 45 years, he was always found ready to give 
aid, encouragement, and hearty coöperation in all charitable undertakings 
and to every commendable enterprise, and through his beneficent work in 
this direction, as much as by reason of his professional abilities, he 
grew into prominent recognition and esteem among the people with whom his 
lot was cast.  He was president of the Kingsley House organization, first 
vice-president, respectively, of Touro infirmary and the Jewish orphans' 
home, and officially connected with many other of the city's most useful 
and active organizations.  April 20, 1869, Rabbi Leucht was married to Miss 
Mathilde Kahn, whose parents formerly resided at Paris, France.  To them 
were born three children, namely:  Mrs. Melvil Israel,  Mrs. Charles Rosen, 
and  Emile Leucht.

Note.--Since the above was written, Rabbi Leucht has passed on to his 
eternal reward.  His death caused real sorrow in very many homes of his 
adopted city, where he was universally mourned by all classes of citizens.