The following article, published in The Atlanta Constitution in February 1893, is a biography of Joseph Hirsch (1845-19141), one of Atlanta’s leading citizens in the 19th century.
Hirsch was a German-born immigrant who came to Atlanta following the Civil War and quickly established himself as one of the city’s most successful Jewish merchants.
He also became an outstanding civic leader who founded some of the city’s most important institutions, notably Grady Memorial Hospital, which he also named.2
G.L. Norrman worked with Hirsch on at least two projects: the Hebrew Orphans Home, completed in 1888, and the Hirsch Building, completed in 1890.
Mr. Joseph Hirsch
A Sketch of the Life of This Well-Known Citizen.
His Work For the Grady Hospital
He Became a Citizen of Atlanta Twenty-Five Years Ago, and Has Been an Active Worker in All Her Enterprises,
No citizen of Georgia is better known or enjoys with his wide acquaintanceship a popular esteem that is meted more closely to his reputation, than Mr. Joseph Hirsch.
This reputation which has come to him within the last few years has been the result of his earnest, steady and persistent work in behalf of the welfare of this city, and especially his efforts in connection with the building of the Grady hospital.
His name, in view of the service which he has rendered to the public in behalf of the establishment of this institution, will always be associated with that of the lamented Georgian in whose honor it was founded.
Mr. Hirsch, by his benevolent and patriotic work, has not only typified the broadest and best spirit of his own race, but has been the exponent of those higher qualities which seem to resent the petty differences of men, and to preach a gospel of a broader and more liberal fellowship.
While thus he has acted from the promptings of a warm, enthusiastic nature, governed by a judgment which has operated from a lofty point of view, he has nevertheless, in the strictest fealty to his own race, been proud of those traditions which are sacred to his people, and has rigidly adhered, in every test, to the faith and teachings of his fathers.
The Hebrews of Atlanta have almost universally been active in the growth and improvement of the city. They have added not only to the wealth and enterprise by infusing their own blood into its arteries, but have likewise added to its culture and refinement. In matters of charity they have always been liberally disposed, and in the assignment of their bounty they have rarely asked the question, “Is he one of us.” Mr. Hirsch is not a citizen of this country, as nearly every one knows, but was born in the German empire in 1845.
His father before him was a merchant and a trader and from his parent, therefore, he acquired that peculiar aptitude for business which has prospered him in his mercantile career in this city.
He developed at a very early age and love for merchandising, and such was his preference for the life and occupation of a merchant that nothing else would suit him. He felt a decided kinship and affinity for those commercial spirits who were engaged to the speculative interests of his native town!
Even while at school his thoughts were in the market place, and his spirit, thus engrossed with the ideas which were slowly germinating in his mind, continually played truant to his books and often made his back the martyr of his mercantile ambition.
Germany at that time, while still the leading empire of the continent, was lacking in those varied charms that appealed to the eye of gain and worldly benefit. A constant stream of emigration was steadily pouring towards the west. It was the popular belief in Germany and many other parts of Europe that fortunes were easily acquired in the new world, which was only an exaggerated statement of the truth that fortune was apt to reward the labors of those who diligently applied themselves to honest work.
This is true of any country where honesty is regarded by the people who endeavor themselves, to cultivate it. It was especially true at that time of this country–for its free institutions were then such and the atmosphere of its government was of such a kind as to encourage and foster a spirit of energetic rivalry.
The idea of easily made fortunes in America, which proved such a powerful influence in stimulating European emigration, was due in a large measure to the character of those emigrants who, prior to that time, had cast their fortunes in the new world.
Happily they were men of strong characters, who, led by the adventurous spirit of the times to cross the ocean, and given up their roving dispositions as soon as they had landed on these shores and acquired that stable quality of application which confined them from that time on within the same horizon of activity.
Many of the German citizens who are living in Atlanta at this time are the representatives of that exodus which set out for this country some twenty-five or thirty years ago.
America, therefore to Mr. Hirsch was the synonym for opportunity. He thought it was a vast country beyond the waves of the Atlantic and pictured it with that imaginary opulence which was then the popular belief not only in Germany, but in many of the other nations of the continent.
Such were the inducements that appealed to Mr. Hirsch when quite a mere lad.
Accordingly when only fifteen years of age he bought a ticket to this country, and with no one to accompany him, he began the long and perilous journey.
The solitude of such a voyage supplied him with the opportunity for thought and meditation. He mused upon his leaving home on such an errand, and his spirit, as was only natural for one of tender years, flew back along the pathway of the vessel, and haunted the familiar places of his fatherland.
But the distance grew between him and his old former home, and after a few days, his thoughts were revolutionized. He began to think less of the country he was leaving and more of the harbor into which he would soon sail. Accordingly he began to “dip into the future” and to think of the sequel of his voyage in that strange and unknown country that would soon extend to him the welcome of its lighthouse on the shore.
He fully made up his mind on that voyage to brave it out as best he could, and if he failed to secure his fortune he would not at least fail to earn it.
It was a very unfortunate time as far as the hospitality of the United States was concerned for a foreigner to land on our shores.
The sections–for it was during the year 1860–were on the verge of civil war, and while they were making it warm for one another, they had little time to extend those social courtesies with which it is customary to greet the stranger.
Arriving in this country he came immediately to Georgia, and settled in the town of Marietta, which was then, as it is now, a charming and beautiful center of culture and refinement.
He remained, however, in Marietta for only a short while, serving while there in the capacity of a clerk. Leaving Marietta he went to Acworth, a few miles further up the State road. His reason for going there was that one of his elder brothers was a citizen of that place.
After leaving Acworth he went to Philadelphia, Penn., where he perfected himself in the study of bookkeeping. When left the business college at that place he was a thorough and accomplished bookkeeper.
He next went to Wheeling, W. Va., where he remained for only a short while, coming from there directly to Atlanta.
He arrived here in 1867. The city was at that time a heap of ashes, but he recognized the fact that Atlanta was a coming city, and he resolved to make it his permanent home.
Together with his brother he entered the clothing business under the firm name of M. & J. Hirsch, which has continued without interruption until the present time.
The brothers remained in the retail business until 1878, when they entered the wholesale trade especially.
They have now two wholesale establishments in this city, one on Pryor street which is known by the old firm name of M. & J. Hirsch, and the other on Whitehall street, which is operated under the simple style of Hirsch Bros.
When Mr. Hirsch went into business he adopted a few simple maxims to which he has rigidly adhered throughout his career as a merchant.
He realized that in order to succeed in business it was necessary to have a good credit with the houses from whom he bought. In order to do this, it was necessary to honor every draft which was presented at maturity.
This he did and never under any circumstances allowed his paper to go to protest. His credit enlarged as he continued to operate his business and he soon found himself in that fortunate position in which he could purchase goods for any amount.
He also adopted the rule of dealing rigidly yet pleasantly with all his customers. In order to pay his bill it was necessary to collect his own debts. This he managed to do even in times of great stringency, and while he collected from his customers he retained their good will and patronage.
These simple rules, in addition to honesty and fair dealings, have not only prospered him in all his enterprises, but have made him the possessor of a large and constantly increasing wealth.
Mr. Hirsch is recognized today as one of the foremost citizens of Atlanta. He takes an active part in all the public meetings of the city, and is a leading spirit in all financial and commercial enterprises.
His first work of any magnitude was the erection of the Hebrew Orphan home. He gave to that enterprise the labor of a whole year in addition to quite a handsome of money.
As soon as that institution was completed and housed in its beautiful and handsome buildings in the southern portion of the city, the movement to erect the Grady hospital was inaugurated.
Mr. Hirsch was a warm friend and personal admirer of Mr. Grady. He considered him as one of the greatest men of Georgia and the whole south, and he thought that a hospital would not only continue the beneficent work of his life, but would be a substantial and fitting monument to his memory.
Therefore, without taking the time to rest after his arduous labors in behalf of the Hebrew Orphans’ home, he applied himself immediately to the enterprise of the Grady hospital.
He started with a liberal subscription as large as that which he had given to his own people. His connection with that work is too recent to need a review at this time and too noble to be ever forgotten by the friends and admirers of Mr. Grady.
He became the leading spirit in the movement, and was so recognized by every one connected with it. He gave it his time both day and night, for nearly two years, and but for his pluck and resolute determination the hospital might today be uncompleted.
Every method that ingenuity could devise was employed to replenish the exchequer and to pay off the laborers. The assistance of the city council was evoked, entertainments were given, and money raised in every conceivable manner. Finally, the hospital was finished, and became at once a dual monument to the memory of Mr. Grady and to the indomitable energy of Mr. Hirsch.
When the institution was thrown open last summer, the praise of Mr. Hirsch was on every lip and not the least among his eulogists was Mr. Thomas Nelson Page, who paid him a glowing and beautiful tribute in one of his lectures..
Mr. Hirsch is a member of the city council, and for a number of years has been a member of the board of education. He has been a great friend to the public schools of this city, and has often visited them in person.
He is connected with many financial enterprises and is at present interested in the continuation of Alabama street, which he hopes to see accomplished.
Mr. Hirsch has an interesting family, composed of a wife and three children. His home life is a picturesque and happy one and while he is proud of the good esteem in which he is held by his fellow citizens, he derives from his home life his highest and best enjoyment. Although a busy man, he is a strong advocate of home culture, and gives much of his time to the social pastimes and amusement of his family.3
