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Elsner, John (John Leopold), Dr., 1844-1922

 Person

Biography

John Elsner was born in Vienna on May 4, 1844. His father, Joseph David Elsner, was a leader in the Hungarian Revolution and the family had to flee from Slovakia after the revolution failed in 1948. Elsner graduated from the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary and in 1866, he graduated from the Bellevue Hospital Medical College in New York. That same year, he joined a wagon train crossing the plains to Colorado. Dr. John Elsner was one of the early doctors and was Denver’s first Jewish physician. John Elsner married Lena Zalinger in Denver in 1867 and their daughter Rosalinde was born in 1870. Fifteen years later, John and Lena Elsner adopted Edward, the youngest member of a troupe of actors who passed through Denver. John Elsner was appointed Denver County physician and was a prime mover in the establishment of Denver's first general hospital (now Denver Health). He also helped set up Denver’s Gross College of Medicine. He had a busy private practice, which included treating gunshot wounds. His patients included Blacks, Chinese, and Native Americans. Dr. Elsner traveled the Rocky Mountain region as a mohel to perform the traditional Jewish rite of circumcision. In 1871, he and ten other early Denver doctors organized the Denver Medical Society. Dr. Elsner with other Jewish leaders founded the Hebrew Benevolent Association of Denver. Highly active in the Jewish and general community, he served as the president of Denver's B'nai B'rith chapter in 1874. Elsner was an incorporator of National Jewish Hospital for Consumptives in 1890 and served on the hospital's first medical advisory board. John Elsner was a founding member of Congregation Emanuel. John Elsner died in Denver in 1922 and Lena Elsner died in 1929.

Found in 5 Collections and/or Records:

A Legacy of Healing: Early Colorado Jews in Medicine, 2005

 Item
Identifier: B230.03.0023.00004
Abstract

Brief biographies of Jewish men and women who contributed to medicine, the Jewish community, and Colorado. Contains historical photographs and interviews with people who knew some of the early key figures.

Dates: 2005

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

Charter of B'nai B'rith No. 171 of Denver, Colorado, 1872

 Item
Identifier: B063.04.0004.00004
Abstract

B'nai B'rith Denver Lodge No. 171 charter listing the names of applicants. A number of Denver's early prominent Jewish pioneers are listed on the charter, including Julius Londoner, David Kline, Fred Z. Salomon and his brother Hyman, Michael Hattenbach, Louis Anfenger, Philip Trounstine, Edward Pisko and Dr. John Elsner.

Dates: 1872

Civilizing the West: Early Colorado Jews in the Arts, 2011

 Item
Identifier: B230.03.0023.00010
Abstract

Brief biographies of Jewish artists, musicians, composers, and conductors in Colorado. Jewish influence on arts in Colorado.

Dates: 2011

Tillye Levy interviewed about Lena (Mrs. John) Elsner, 1979 January 2

 Item
Identifier: B098.01.0002.00042
Abstract

Tillye Levy being interviewed by Alby Segall about Lina (Mrs. John) Elsner.

Dates: 1979 January 2