History | Leiser Furniture

1866

Wolf (Billy) Leiser born Jan 18, 1866 in Sarle State of Korn, Russia. Both his father and grandfather were Rabbi’s and school teachers. His father was a well known expounder of the Hebrew faith and even visited Chicago where he taught school in South Chicago for 4 years.

His father's name was Moses. Died while reading his bible in Yurgenborg, Russia at the age of 83 years old.

Wolfe left for America in 1886 along with his brothers. They started they livliehood as pack peddlers traveling from farm house to farm house.

1889

Wolfe and Minnie Married

1892

Wolfe arrived in Herscher Illinois on Feb 10.1892. The structure where Wolfe started is now the rear portion of the north addition to the present building.The stock was so small that a wheelbarrow sufficed to transport the merchandise from the depot. Need for more room compelled him to constuct a 2 story stone building a few years later. In 1892 the Leiser Store purchased the furniture stock of Frank Lehman.

1901

A few years in 1901 he enlarged the store to its present size.

WW1

4 out of 5 of Wolf and Minnie’s sons served during World War 1. They asked for an exemption of their 5th son after the death of their son Samuel in 1918. Sam graduated U of I in 1917 and was a resident physician at Micheal Reese specailizing in cardiology.

1933

Mandel Leiser secretly married Helen Doran in 1933.

Mandel and Maurice became partners after their father died. They continued the bussiness as a deptarrment store for many years.

1950's

William Leiser - Mandel and Helen’s only child learning the ropes. Bill would work side by side with his father and Uncle Maurice. In the late 50’s they would phase out dry goods,groceries and clothing. Leiser Department store would be known as Leiser Furniture.