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Anfenger, Louis, 1842-1900

 Person

Biography

Louis Anfenger was typical of the young Jewish men who migrated to the Colorado Territory in the state's formative years. Born in Bavaria, Anfenger came to the United States in the 1850s and moved to Denver in 1870 to seek his fortune. He became a highly successful businessman in the area of real estate as well as a member of the Denver Chamber of Commerce and was later elected to the state legislature in the 1880s. He was a founder of Congregation Emanuel, Denver B'nai B'rith, and National Jewish Hospital. He married Louise Schlesinger Anfenger, and the couple became the parents of eight children, who later also became leaders in the Denver community. His eldest son Milton became a lawyer and a Colorado State Senator in 1904, and his daughter Flora married prominent Denver attorney Philip Hornbein.

Found in 12 Collections and/or Records:

Blazing the Trail: An Early History of Denver’s Jewish Community, 2009

 Item
Identifier: B230.03.0023.00008
Abstract

Brief description of several early Jewish leaders of commerce, philanthropy, religion, and community as well as several Jewish lawyers, doctors, merchants, and politicians in Colorado.

Dates: 2009

Cane Head, circa 1865

 Item
Identifier: B106.01.0007.00004
Abstract

A gold canehead belonging to Colorado Jewish pioneer Louis Anfenger, given as a gift before he left Oswego, New York for Denver, Colorado in 1865. It is inscribed:'''Louis Anfenger by the B'ris Shalom Congregation, Oswego N.Y.''

Dates: circa 1865

Container 12: Anfenger Family Trunk, circa 1890

 Item — Crate B106.01.0012: Series B106.01 [Barcode: U186023246324]
Identifier: B106.01.0012
Abstract A sturdy travelling trunk made from wood, covered with treated tan/green canvas and reinforced with wood, leather and metal bracings. Leather handles are on the right and left sides. It has one metal lock, two metal latches and two leather straps on the lower part of the trunk that are meant to buckle. The inside lid is lined with a rust-colored cloth-backed with paper, and the inside bottom is lined with the same treated canvas as the exterior. Louis Anfenger used this trunk when he and...
Dates: circa 1890

Growing up in Early Colorado: The Lives of Jewish Children, 2012

 Item
Identifier: B230.03.0023.00011
Abstract

Brief biographies of Jewish men and women who grew up in Jewish communities in Colorado. Contains historical photographs and interviews with people describing their childhoods.

Dates: 2012

Independent Order of B'nai B'rith Lodge 171 (Denver, Colo.) Records

 Collection
Identifier: B009
Abstract The Independent Order of B'nai B'rith Lodge 171, Denver, Colorado, was a pivotal Jewish philanthropic and social service organization in Denver from 1872 through today. This fraternal organization received a charter from the National Order of B'nai B'rith on April 7, 1872. David Kline was the first president and Louis Anfenger was the first secretary. Charles M. Schayer served as president in 1876. The B'nai B'rith Denver Chapter created Colorado's Anti-Defamation League, the Mountain States...
Dates: 1872-2018

Louis Anfenger Diary, 1870 October 15-1872 August 19

 Item
Identifier: B106.02.0007.00001
Abstract

Diary of Louis Anfenger, a Denver businessman and Colorado State legislator, as well as a founder of Congregation Emanuel, B'nai B'rith, and the National Jewish Hospital for Consumptives. This diary chronicles Anfenger's journey from Oswego, New York to Denver, Colorado and his marriage to Louise Schlesinger. The diary was transcribed from the handwritten original by Kathleen Abplanalp in 1999.

Dates: 1870 October 15-1872 August 19

Louis Anfenger Europe Trip Journal, 1890 June 28-September 19

 Item
Identifier: B106.02.0007.00002
Abstract Diary kept by Louis Anfenger, who was a Denver businessman and Colorado State legislator, as well as a founder of Congregation Emanuel, B'nai B'rith and the National Jewish Hospital for Consumptives. This journal documents Louise and Louis Anfenger's trip to Europe in 1890. The tan leather pocket inside the back cover holds a German calling card for Witz Deszo. Entries are short and factual, for example, the first entry states: "Saturday June 28, 1890. Left New York at 2 o'clock pm on...
Dates: 1890 June 28-September 19

Louis Anfenger with Daughter and Grandchild, between 1890-1900

 Item
Identifier: B063.05.0005.00049
Abstract

Left to right, Stella Anfenger Michael, her son Henry Michael, and her father Louis Anfenger pose together for a formal studio portrait.

Dates: between 1890-1900

Newspaper Clippings and Articles, 1913-2013

 Series
Identifier: B113.01
Abstract

Miscellaneous clippings and articles about Jews in the Rocky Mountain west, primarily from the Rocky Mountain News, the Intermountain Jewish News (IJN) and the Denver Post. Some of the articles are from a column, "Out of the Past," written by Mike Zelinger that appeared in the IJN. Also included is the Century Edition of the IJN, 1913-2013.

Dates: 1913-2013

Oral History Interview with Henry Michael, 1982 March 15

 Item
Identifier: B098.01.0004.00091
Abstract "Henry Michael shares his early recollections of growing up in Denver in the early years of the 19th century. He also provides a portrayal of his grandfather, Louis Anfenger, and some of his accomplishments as one of the Jewish communal leaders in Denver, as well as his memories of the elder Anfenger’s house at 2900 Champa Street in the Curtis Park neighborhood. With clarity, Henry relates dates and addresses of the various places where he lived in Denver, and describes some of the...
Dates: 1982 March 15

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  • Subject: Jewish men X

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Archival Object 11
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Subject
Denver (Colo.) 9
Jewish men 9
Colorado 7
Jews 4
Jewish men -- Colorado -- Denver 3