Skip to main content

Adelstein, Morris E., 1894-1968

 Person

Biography

Morris Adelstein was born in Des Moines, Iowa on June 2, 1894. His parents Meyer and Bailey Adelstein emigrated from Russia in 1890 or 1891. Meyer and Bailey separated and Bailey married a second time, but in 1910 left her second husband and homesteaded land in the Dakota Territory. She moved with her two youngest daughters to Kadoka, South Dakota, where she started a store. Kadoka is near the Rosebud Sioux reservation. Morris and one of sisters remained in Des Moines. In 1916, Morris graduated from Highland Park College in Des Moines with a degree in engineering. Morris joined his mother in Kadoka and was elected as the county engineer for several counties. Morris married Bertha Greenberg on 27 Jan 1924 in Sioux City, Iowa. Bertha Greenberg, daughter of Aaron Greenberg and Julia Miller, was born in 1904 in Russia. In 1924, Morris Adelstein and a banker formed Northwestern Engineering and the company flourished. Northwestern Engineering Company constructed many of the highways in South Dakota, the arch bridge near Wind Cave National Monument, and much of the Ellsworth Air Force Base. In 1947, Morris Adelstein became involved with illegally supplying arms to Palestine before Israel became a state. (See Lavender Hill Mob in Beck Archives Organizations, B118). Morris Adelstein helped create the General Rose Memorial Hospital. He was active in the Children’s Asthma Research Institute, National Jewish Hospital, the Denver Chapter of the United Jewish Appeal, and was on the executive committee of the Union of American Hebrew Congregations (UAHC). Morris Adelstein died on December 17, 1968 in Denver, Colorado.

Found in 17 Collections and/or Records:

Box 3, 1930-1944

 File — Box B332.01.0003: Series B332.01 [Barcode: U186023257228]
Identifier: B332.01.0003

Culvert, 1919

 Item
Identifier: B207.01.0001.0002.00004
Abstract

Mounted photograph showing a culvert in South Dakota. After serving in the Army as an engineer during World War I, Morris Adelstein joined his mother in Kadoka, South Dakota and was elected as the county engineer for several counties in South Dakota. Morris Adelstein and his banker founded the Northwestern Engineering Company in 1924.

Dates: 1919

Culvert Construction, 1919

 Item
Identifier: B207.01.0001.0001.00002
Abstract Mounted photograph showing a construction crew building a culvert in South Dakota. Nine men pose at a bridge construction site, where a concrete pour is beginning. The forms are fitted with rebar; a concrete mixer with extended trough is at the back, along with a tarped stack of cement bags, a gravel pile and two wheelbarrows. Loose lumber is scattered about the site. After serving in the Army as an engineer during World War I, Morris Adelstein joined his mother in Kadoka, South Dakota and...
Dates: 1919

Culvert Construction, 1919

 Item
Identifier: B207.01.0001.0001.00001
Abstract Mounted photograph showing a construction crew of fifteen men at a worksite in South Dakota where a concrete culvert pour is about to begin. Forms are fitted with rebar, a concrete mixer with extended trough is at the back, along with a tarped stack of supplies, a gravel pile, two wheelbarrows, a shovel and other tools. Two kegs (probably holding nails for form assembly) are at the right front and back, and two men standing at the left of the photo have shovels. After serving in the Army as...
Dates: 1919

General Correspondence - Adelstein, Morris E. (Trustee), 1959-1960

 File
Identifier: B005.01.0003.0003
Abstract

General correspondence from Morris E. Adelstein, President of the Northwestern Engineering Co.

Dates: 1959-1960

Kadoka, South Dakota, between 1919-1930

 File
Identifier: B207.01.0001.0003
Abstract

Folder contains black and white photograph of Kadoka, South Dakota. Inscription on the photograph: "Center portion of Kadoka, S.D.

Dates: between 1919-1930

Morris E. Adelstein (Northwestern Engineering Company) Papers

 Collection
Identifier: B207
Abstract Morris Adelstein was born in Des Moines, Iowa on June 2, 1894. His parents had immigrated from Russia and settled in Des Moines, Iowa. His mother Bailey Adelstein Martinsky homesteaded land in South Dakota in 1910 and moved with her youngest daughters to Kadoka, South Dakota. Morris Adelstein graduated from Highland Park College in Des Moines with a degree in englineering. After serving in the Army as an engineer during World War I, he joined his mother in Kadoka and was elected as the...
Dates: Other: between 1919-2005

Photographs, between 1919-1953

 Series
Identifier: B207.01
Abstract

The series contains photographs of Northwestern Engineering Company worksites and a photograph of Kadoka, South Dakota.

Dates: between 1919-1953

Publications, 1944-1945, 2005

 Series
Identifier: B207.02
Scope and Contents

Series contains 1 folder with two issues of The National Jewish Monthly and a book on Morris E. Adelstein and Northwestern Engineering Company.

Dates: 1944-1945, 2005

Road and Culvert Work, 1919

 File
Identifier: B207.01.0001.0001
Scope and Contents From the Collection:

The Papers contain nine folders and one book, Paving the Way: The Life Morris E. Adelstein by Howard Shaff and Audrey K. Shaff (1970). There are eight folders of photographs and one folder with two issues of The National Jewish Monthly magazine (1944-1945).

Dates: 1919

Additional filters:

Type
Archival Object 15
Collection 2
 
Subject
Photographs 11
Jewish engineers 9
South Dakota 9
Design and construction 5
Jewish families 5