Bio of STROMBERG, Abraham (b.1850 d.1915), Hennepin Co., MN
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EXTRACTED FROM: History of Minneapolis, Gateway to the Northwest; 
Chicago-Minneapolis, The S J Clarke Publishing Co, 1923; Edited by: Rev. 
Marion Daniel Shutter, D.D., LL.D.; Volume I - Shutter (Historical); 
volume II - Biographical; volume III - Biographical

Vol III, pg 421-422
ABRAHAM STROMBERG
Abraham Stromberg, who organized the first exclusive tobacco house in
Minne­apolis and developed one of the largest enterprises of that character in
the Northwest, remained an active factor in the commercial circles of the city
to the time of his death. He was born in Germany, August 22, 1850, a son of
David and Hannah (Hoffinger) Stromberg, who in the year 1861 came with their
family to the new world, settling first in Baltimore, Maryland, where they
resided for about ten years and then removed to Chicago, where they spent their
remaining days.
Abraham Stromberg was a youth of eleven years when he accompanied his parents to
the new world and he largely acquired his education in the schools of Baltimore.
Later he lived with an uncle at Norfolk, Virginia, where he finished his
schooling, and after he had completed his education he became identified with
the tobacco trade in Baltimore as a manufacturer. He next went to Chicago, where
he owned one of the largest cigar manufacturing companies of the city, and there
he continued until 1889, when he came to Minneapolis, where he opened a
wholesale leaf tobacco house on Washington avenue and later at Nos. 126 and 128
First avenue North. This was the first exclusive tobacco house in Minneapolis
and it remains today the largest in the city, if not in the Northwest. Mr.
Stromberg was the founder of the enterprise and continued as president thereof
to the time of his demise, the steady growth and development of the business
being due to his progressiveness, undaunted energy and persistency of purpose,
coupled with a laudable ambition.
In 1873 Mr. Stromberg was married to Miss Mathilda May, a daughter of Samuel and
Sarah (Leseur) May. Her father, a native of Germany, went to Chicago at an early
date and became a prominent and prosperous grain merchant of that city. The
mother was also a native of Germany and her parents became leading merchants of
Quincy, Illinois. Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Stromberg: Sadie, who
is now the wife of Alexander Friend, a well known real estate dealer of Chicago;
and George, who is now the president of the business that was established and
promoted by his father in Minneapolis.
Mr. Stromberg was president of the Hebrew Reformed congregation for a period of
twelve years and was very active in the different branches of church work, his
influence and aid being ever given on the side of moral development. He was one
of the trustees of the Old People's Home at Cleveland, Ohio, for a period of
eleven years and he was numbered among the loyal followers of Masonic teachings.
He likewise held membership in the Royal Arcanum and was a member of the
Independent Order of B'nai B'rith, of which he served as president. He likewise
had membership in the Phoenix Club and he took a most active interest in
charitable work. In politics he was a lifelong republican and his cooperation
was ever freely given in behalf of any plan or project intended for the
betterment of the city or country. He was often solicited to become a candidate
for office but always declined, preferring to do his public duties as a private
citizen. He never withheld his aid, however, where the best interests of the
community were to be furthered and his labors were at all times of a practical
and resultant character. He died September 14, 1915, and his memory is yet
cherished by those who were his associates and contemporaries in business, for
they recognized in him a most progressive and straightforward business man; by
his brethren of the fraternities and by his fellow members of the clubs because
of his social disposition and kindly spirit; and most of all by those who were
the objects of his charity and kindly assistance. In his home he was a devoted
husband and father and always reserved his best traits for his own fireside.