Samuel Isaac Bellman
Samuel Beilmann (as his name was spelled
on his emigration manifest) was born on either February or April 25, 1888 in Sakiai, Mariampol, Lithuania -- both
months appear in vital records. He emigrated via Galveston and it's notable that he was the only one of his family
to use the original spelling of his surname at the time of his arrival in the United States.
Sam's wife was Helen Krupp, also born in 1888, who emigrated to the USA in 1911. There were a number of Krupps in New York and El Paso already, working as merchants and dry-goods purveyors. One of Helen's more illustrious cousins was an oil magnate in El Paso, Haymon Krupp, whose accomplishments are highlighted in Hollace Ava Weiner's and Kenneth Roseman's 2007 book "Lone Star of David: the Jews of Texas."
Sam and Helen were married in 1912, owning and operating a general store in El Paso. As with many immigrant eldest siblings, he spent the next several years working to bring his brothers and sisters to America. With the exception of Benjamin (younger brother Max's twin), who died in Lithuania, everyone made it safely to the USA, including Sam's widowed mother Raytzel.
In addition to Sam's successful business, he was known for his philanthropic nature, making personal loans to local entrepreneurs who wanted to set up businesses of their own. At home, Helen was remembered fondly for her culinary skills. A true "Balabusta," her specialties included mushroom-barley soup and gefilte fish made from scratch. Holiday meals were definitely a special treat, her granddaughter remembers. Sam and Helen would invite servicemen stationed in El Paso who were at holiday services and had no place else to go.
Sam died in 1961, Helen in 1962, and both are remembered with great reverence by their children and grandchildren.
Pictured above: Helen and Sam Bellman in their later years.