Anfenger, Louis, 1842-1900
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 2 Collections and/or Records:
Cane Head, circa 1865
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.''
Louis Anfenger Diary, 1870 October 15-1872 August 19
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.