Family History Submitted to the USGENWEB Archives Project by Fran Faitt MAY 2001 ********************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ********************************************** Extracted From The Tensas Gazette-St. Joseph, La., 140th year - 47th issue, Page 4, dated Wednesday, December 8, 1993 REMINISCENCE, by Myles Smith In last week's column we included some information about the Abrams family who were a part of the Tensas community for many years, and how Irby and Judy Gamble met members of this family in Washington, D.C a few months ago. Pictured are "Lisa" Abrams Krasner and husband, Ernest Krasner, in center, flanked by Judy Gamble left, and Irby right. The following excerpts from a recent letter from the Krasners to the Gambles gives us further information on this merchant family: Red, curly hair and freckles (I hated them) as a little girl. Born in 1916 in St. Joseph, Louisiana, nee, Elise Abrams, but everyone called me "Lisa", therefore the 'a' instead of the 'e'. Father: Will Abrams, Rumanian family name Yankowitz; I guess they couldn't spell it much less pronounce it in Ellis Island, N.Y." Mother: Caroline Koritzer Abrams, red-haired from Bucharest, Romania, five siblings, Pauline, Elise, Henry, Albert and Ethel. "Papa went south, visiting a brother who lived Natchez, Mississippi and he paid his dues around the countryside with a pack on his back, a peddler. Obtained his merchandise from John Seiforth, wholesaler of Natchez, Miss. and opened a store featuring general merchandise, the year we do not know. Raised his family as part of the community for over forty years. However. The flood of 1927, followed by the Depression of 1932 sent him and his family on the road again and, figuratively speaking, with packs on their backs." "I, Elise, came to New York City to seek my fortune and go to art school. There was a lack of funds, so I started to work. First job was Woolworth's Five and Dime, selling candy at Eastertime, then to Alexanders Department Store; from part-time night sales, to buyer of hosiery and accessories." "Married in 1946 to Ernest Krasner. First child, a red-head Nancy born in 1948. In 1949, became Buyer and Fashion Coordinator for Arnold Constable, a Fifth Avenue, New York establishment. The late Eleanor Roosevelt was one of my customers. My picture was in Women's Wear Daily, a trade publication. Retired to have my second child, Paul, in 1951, and another son, William, came in 1957. "Went to college in 1975 and graduated in 1980 with a degree in marketing and retailing. We have six grandchildren, two are red-heads - enjoy being 70 plus in the 90s; been to China, Israel, England, South America, Mexico and to Italy. "ONCE IN A LIFETIME" September 20 and 21, 1993, Ernie and I toured Washington, D.C. with special stops at the Vietnam Memorial, the Smithsonian Museum, the Holacaust (sic) Museum, the Jewish War Veterans Museum and then short stops at various memorials. The second day we lunched at the old Post Office Building which had been turned into huge and varied Food Courts. We were looking for restrooms when we heard a voice with a decided Southern accent. Turning to the lady I inquired where she was from, "Louisiana" was the reply. Where you from? was the rejoinder, "St. Joseph, Louisiana. "Why" she exclaimed "we are from there too!" We introduced ourselves, Judy and Irby Gamble of St. Joseph, La. and Elise A. (Abrams) and Ernest Krasner of Bricktown, N.J. Well, lights were flashing as we compared notes on people we both knew about, wasn't too many. I left St. Joseph in 1938, they had come in 1971. We took each other's pictures. The Senior citizen, Elisa Abrams Krasner, who had gone north to finally find a nice Jewish lad to marry and live with for 47 and one-half years, and more I hope." As they say folks - it's a small world."