B. Pressburg, Rapides Parish, Louisiana
Submitted by: Suzanne Shoemaker

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Source: Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Northwest Louisiana
The Southern Publishing Company, Chicago & Nashville,  1890

B. PRESSBURG is a merchant and hotel keeper of Lecompte, La., and like the
majority of his countrymen he is intelligent, honest, thrifty and
industrious.  He is of Hebrew birth, born in Russia, in 1846, but was
reared and educated in Germany.  In 1865 he came to the United States, and
landed in New York City, but immediately came west and began peddling in
Michigan, his headquarters being at Grand Rapids.  He remained in that
State until 1867, when he came to New Orleans and followed the same
occupation throughout the surrounding country, until 1869, at which time he
went to Alexandria, where he peddled until 1872.   By 1870 he had by
economy saved enough money to enable him to open a store on a small scale,
and with a partner operated it until 1871, when they broke up, and he once
more shouldered his pack and went on the road, continuing until the fall of
1872, when he began building a store on Bayou Boeuf, on the Widow Martin
plantation, opening his establishment the dame year.  In the spring of 1873
he was married to Miss Henrietta Jackson, who died on April 23, 1879,
leaving two children:  Israel and Jacob.  On May 26, 1880, Johannah
Borngesser, a native German, became his wife, and their union has been
blessed in the birth of four children:  Edgar, Tennie, Henry and Solomon.
Mr. Pressburg lived on the Martin place until 1882, then came to Lecompte,
and placed his goods in the brick store building belonging to J. A.
Stevens.  In addition to this, he was in the grist milling business and
operated a gin house, and in 1883 was agent for the Wells Fargo Express
Company.  In the fall of that year he was appointed postmaster of Lecompte,
a position he held under Presidents Arthur and Cleveland, but being a
Democrat, he was thrown out of office when Harrison became President.  In
1884 he purchased a lot on which h erected him a residence, also a
storehouse, adjoining the same and other real estate.  The same year of his
purchase, he began selling goods in his own building, and in 1885 began
keeping hotel, his establishment being especially fitted up for the
accommodation of traveling men, a large sleeping apartment being built to
the house in 1889.  In connection with his hotel he runs a livery and hack
line to the depot.  He does a creditable business and his merchandise
comprises a stock valued at from $5,000 to $6,000, the store room being
37x60 feet, with an upstairs.  This is managed by clerks, while the most of
his attention is given to the successful management of his hotel.  He is a
progressive gentleman, and is active in attending to the wants of his patrons.