ASIMOV, Abraham Ber

Notes:

In his written recollections, Judah (Jack) Asimov, 1896-1969, wrote that his great-grandfather, Abraham Ber, died when Jack was 3 years old, but that he remembers being brought over to the death bed to be blessed, and that Abraham Ber gave him some sort of red jelly. That's all he remembered and could not visualize the old man's face.

But Jack remembered hearing stories that A.B. was smart, a great scholar, a "great and charitable man in town" and, "like his predecessors, a dealer in rye and other products."

A.B. and his first wife had 12 children -- all but the youngest, Mendel, died. So Mendel was, of course, precious to Abraham Ber.

Isaac Asimov (1920 - 1992) quotes his father, Jack, in "In Memory Yet Green" regarding Abraham Ber: "The stories I heard about him were that he was a natural-born smart man, and that he was a great scholar. ... Like his predecessors, he was a dealer in rye and other products, and he was well known in town as a great and charitable man."

Abraham married UNKNOWN, Wife about 1860 in Russia. Wife was born about 1830 in Russia; died in Russia. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. ASIMOV, Judah was born about 1860 in Russia; died in Russia.

Family/Spouse: SHEPSHELEVA, Sosya. Sosya was born in 1827 in Russia. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. ASIMOV, Mendel was born about 1850 in Petrovichi, Russia; died in 1916 in Russia.

Other Events and Attributes:

• Occupation: Traveling Jewish preacher

Notes:

According to Judah's great-great grandson, Judah (Jack) Asimov (1896-1969):

Judah was a great scholar. The name Asimov came to his predecessors whenever last names were given to the Jewish people because he, like everyone in the family, were dealers in rye planted in the fall and kept warm under the snow all winter. The rye is known as "asimy chleb." So the the first dealer was given the name Asimy, and his sons, Asimov.

Judah lived in Petrovichi and, like all the town's people, paid taxes to the land owner. Each person had the right to sell it or transfer it, subject to a tax by the land owner.

Judah exchanged his great piece of land in the middle of town for a "third of land" at the west end of town.

With the money he received, he became a traveling Jewish preacher, walking everywhere. He had written a book advising piety and moral behavior. He gave out this book wherever he went.

Judah married MENDELEVA, Rochlya about 1820 in Russia. Rochlya was born in 1802 in Russia; died in Russia. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Wolf married UNKNOWN, Chaya about 1787 in Russia. Chaya was born in 1774 in Russia; died in Russia. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]