Editor: Dr Saul Issroff
Copyright © 2003 Saul Issroff, Mike Getz, SAfrica SIG
and Jewishgen Inc.
URL: http://www.jewishgen.org/SAfrica/sanders-family/index-1.htm
Updated: 23 July 2003

Our story begins in the year of 1842, in the town of Mitau. Situated 41 km from the city of Riga, on the banks of the Lielupe River. Mitau,now known as "Jelgava", was home to many "Courlander Jews" as well as the summer home of the Duke of Courland. The duke built a spectacular baroque palace here, between the years 1737 and 1769. As early as 1824,a Jewish day school had also been established in Mitau. Apparently, Jews enjoyed permanent status in Mitau, as long as they paid taxes.
 
In 1842 a son was born to Laser and Sara Sanders. He was named Wulf. Wulf was one of four sons. According to records of the town "Tukums" the brother’s names were: Marcus, Schapse and Nachmann. However, in Wulf Sanders, Laser and Sara produced a son who was to make them both proud and full of "naches". Like the story of "the wandering Jew", Wulf was to travel the world in search of riches and establishing a secure home for his future family.
 
In 1861,to avoid military conscription, Wulf decided to leave Latvia and head for the "New World". Although he did not have official travel documents, Wulf managed to trick the border guard into letting him cross the Latvian border. He eventually reached London, where he found work as a bookkeeper in the East End. Here he saved up for the next leg of his journey. In the following year, Wulf purchased a ticket to New York. Early July of 1862 he set sail for the "Goldena Medina". Shortly after sailing, the ship ran aground on a sandbank, but fortunately re-floated on the following high tide.

"Daar kom die Alabama!"

After landing in New York, Wulf apparently continued his journey, per the steamship "Ariel", which was heading for Panama. Wulf was probably going to work in the tanneries there, which were owned by Jews. En route the ship was stopped and captured by the Confederate raider, the infamous "Alabama". Few ships in recent history have captured the imaginations of so many. Built in England, as a 1016 ton steam-and-sail cruiser with six 32 pounders, one rifled 100-pounder, and an 8-inch gun. Afloat on the high seas by the summer of 1862, the CSS Alabama harried Yankee traders and took nearly 60 prizes, dealing a blow to the American merchant marine from which it never truly recovered. Commanded by Capt. Raphael Semmes and manned by a crew of 149 men, she represented a peak of achievement in both design and performance and became the most feared raider in the world at that time. She destroyed 58 union vessels during her two year career. On the 7th December, 1863, the Alabama came across Wulf’s ship, the Ariel, bound from New York to Aspinwall. This is how the first officer of the Ariel, a Mr Thomas, reported the exploits with the pirate Alabama:
 

On the 7th of December, at 1:30 P.M., when rounding Cape Mayasi, the eastern point of Cuba, we saw a vessel about four miles to the westward, close under the high land of Cuba, barked-rigged and under canvas. As there was nothing in her appearance indicating her to be a steamer, her smokepipe being down, no suspicions were aroused, till in a short time we saw she had furled her sails, raised her smokestack, and was rapidly nearing us under steam, the American flag flying at her peak. Such was her speed in comparison to ours, that in about half an hour she had come up within half a mile of us, when she fired a lee gun, hauled down the American ensign and ran up the rebel flag. No attention was paid to the summons, and the Ariel was pushed to her utmost speed. She then sailed across our wake, took a position on our port quarter about 400 yards distant, and fired two guns almost simultaneously, on shot passing over the hurricane deck, between the walking-beam and smokestack, and the other hitting the foremast, and cutting it half away.   A body of United States Marines, consisting of 126 men, passengers on board the Ariel, had been drawn up and armed; but the officers in command deemed it worse than folly to resist, as we could plainly see they were training a full broadside to bear upon us, and Capt. Jones gave the orders to stop the ship and haul down the ensign.   A boat then put off to us, and the boarding officer, on coming aboard, at once assured the passengers that none should be molested, and that all baggage and private property should be respected. He then demanded the keys of the special locker, together with all the ship’s papers and letters, and informed the captain he must be in readiness to go on board the Alabama with him, where he was detained as a hostage until the next day.   The money in the ship, amounting to $9,500 was taken off and the prize crew, 20 in number, all well armed, put on board. The engine-room was taken in charge by two engineers from the Alabama. The officers and marines on board the Ariel were paroled, and there arms taken, as well as some belonging to the ship.   Finding it was dangerous to venture into Kingston, Jamaica, to land the passengers, Capt Semmes took a bond for $260000, payable six months after the recognition of the Southern Confederacy, and released the Ariel. Capt. Jones carried the Ariel safe into Aspinwall, and arrived at this port on the 28th December, 1863."

 
On the way to Aspinwall, Wulf came down with yellow fever or "Panama fever" as it was called. He was locked up next to the boiler room, under quarantine, to sweat it out! Thankfully, Wulf survived. We are not sure how long he remained in Aspinwall, Panama, but it appears that America was his destination.
 
The civil war was at an end and opportunities must have existed for young men, like Wulf to make a new beginning. He eventually made his way to Memphis, where there was already a small Jewish community. Lodgings where found at a local boarding house, where Wulf gave the "inn keeper" his valuables to put into safekeeping. However, the following day when Wulf asked for some of his money, this crooked innkeeper denied ever receiving anything from him! Wulf decided to go to the president of the local shul and ask for help. The president, Mr Jacob K. Franklin was a storekeeper, who in partnership with his brother, Fischel Franklin, ran a general store, Franklin Bros, at 399 Vance Street. He assisted Wulf by offering him a job in his store.
 
And so Wulf Sanders settled down to life in the "Deep South", working at Franklin Bros general store. Memphis was to be his home for approximately the next seven years.
 
Meanwhile events were happening in Europe, that would eventually have a direct bearing in the course of Wulf Sanders’ life. In the town of Suwalki, situated in the province of Bialystok, North Eastern Poland, a family by the name of Lasowski, decided to send their eldest daughter, Lena to America, where she would stay with an aunt, a Mrs Jacob Franklin of Memphis, Tennessee.
 
About 1867, before Lena left her shtetl of Suwalki, the local fortune teller was consulted. It was predicted that Lena would be involved in a terrible accident in the far-off land of America. She was told to sit in the last carriage of a train because the others would "go over a cliff". She would survive and a young Jewish man would come to her assistance, who she would marry!
 
Josiel Lasowski, Lena’s father, originally came from a town called Krasnopol. In 1846 at the age of twenty-eight, he married twenty-one year old Chaia Rivka Sejnenska of Suwalki. The couple eventually had nine children. Lena, the eldest daughter, was born in 1848. Why her parents decided to send her to America and not her older brother, Israel Lasowski, is uncertain. We are also not sure how she is exactly related to Mrs Jacob Franklin.
 
Strangely, the majority of Lena’s siblings only arrived in America at a much later date. The last to arrive were her parents, Josiel and Chaia, who landed in New York on the 19th September, 1889, more than twenty years after Lena! The ship’s manifest stated the following:
 
Arrived New York per the S.S. Galia (4808 tons) via Liverpool and Queenstown:
Jassel Lasowsky - 70 years - Peddlar - Russian citizen, resident of Poland.
Chaye Lasowsky - 66 years - wife.
Samuel Lasowsky - 11 years - child.
 
Samuel must have been their grandson.
 
In 1868, when Lena arrived in New York, she took a train to Memphis. En route a huge flood took place causing one of the rail bridges to collapse. Lena’s train went hurtling down the river gorge, but miraculously, her coach, being the last, remained on the line! Out of the blue, a young man came to poor Lena assistance and helped her out of the train. Her English must have been very limited and one can only imagine her joy in discovering that this young man could speak her home language. To top it all, he was Jewish! Lena was amazed when she discovered that this man, Wulf Sanders, actually worked for her uncle, Mr Franklin of Memphis! And so, a relationship began and a prophecy was fulfilled. Two years later Lena fell pregnant and Wulf, being the gentleman he was, married her on the 19th May,1870. The marriage service was conducted by the Rev Chs. Rawitzer, who originally came from Breslau, Germany.
 
Although, at the time, Memphis was a city of over forty thousand people, the young couple decided to leave, to save them the embarrassment of the pregnancy. They intended to return to Europe, where they hoped to visit their respective parents. On arriving in London, Wulf found lodgings at number 2 Dorset Street, Spitalfields. Three months later, on the 4th August, 1870, Lena gave birth to a son, who was given the very English name of Henry. On Henry’s birth certificate, Wulf’s occupation was stated as a "traveller with jewellery"
 
Lena registered the birth herself, on the 29 August, with an "X", being her mark. It appears that she was illiterate. It seems that Wulf decided not to return to Latvia, but rather investigate what the British colonies had to offer. The Cape Colony and Australia took his fancy.
 
August of 1870, just before the birth of Harry (Henry), Wulf sailed off to the Cape Colony, leaving his young pregnant wife behind. It was his intention, that should he find suitable business opportunities and a place to stay in the Colonies, he would bring his family out, to join him, once everything was set up.
 
His arrival in Cape Town was not to be, not at this stage of his travels. To Wulf’s surprise he was told that his ship had bypassed the Cape and that the next port of call would be Melbourne, Australia!
 
At the beginning of 1871, Lena and her baby left London to join Wulf in Melbourne. On their arrival off the Australian coast, the ship’s cook was found to be suffering from a case of small pox, preventing them from docking in Melbourne. As a precaution, the ships passengers were put into quarantine on Kangaroo Island, off the Australian coast. Eventually, Wulf, Lena and their baby boy Henry(now nicknamed Harry) were reunited. The family set up home in Melbourne North at 5 Rathdowne Terrace, Carlton.
 
Wulf Sanders traded as a commercial traveller, calling on farmers and what was then known as sheep stations, selling his wares. Lena gave birth to her second child on the 11 March, 1872, a little baby daughter named Annie. The following year on the 2nd October, 1873, another son, named Moses, was born. By the time a fourth child, Bella, was born on the 30th April, 1875, Wulf was described as a "Store keeper" on the birth certificate. Wulf had obviously prospered enough, to be able to open his own business, a general store in Swanston Street, Melbourne. In 1877 another son was born, called Lazarus, who was known as Lazie. By 1878 the Sanders family had moved from the suburb of Carlton to then up market suburb of Sandridge, situated on Hobson’s Bay, about 1.25 miles from the city centre and 2.5 miles by road.
 
"The streets of the town are wide, and laid out at right angles. Sandridge is well drained and lighted and the footpaths are mostly either flagged or asphalted".
 
On the 30th November of that year another child, Samuel Sanders was born. The family was growing and all seemed to be well. However, Wulf received the news that his father, Lazarus had died. Lena had never met her in laws and Wulf felt that the Jewish life and culture of Melbourne was not good enough for his growing family!
 
It seems they had forgotten what the restricted life was like in Latvia. However, the family decided to sell up everything and return to Riga! What a decision to make, especially in those years! With the opening up of the Suez Canal however, the trip to Latvia was shortened considerably.
 
In October of 1881, the Sanders family said farewell to Australia, their home for the past 10 years, and set sail for the Black Sea and Russia. Amazingly another child was born on board ship, on the Black Sea, en route to Russia. On the 15th November, 1881 Minna, known as Minnie was born to Lena, her 7th child. In her adult years, Minnie battled to obtain a passport, as it appeared that she was born stateless on international waters.
 
One can only imagine the exciting and emotional welcome Wulf and Lena must have received on their return to Riga! For Lena this was probably the first time that she would have met her mother in law and those of the Sanders family still living in Latvia. Wulf must have received a hero’s welcome and was probably considered an "Anglo American" international businessman.
 
The family remained in Riga for only two years. We are not sure if Lena travelled to Poland, to visit her parents in Suwalki. Wulf found he could not stomach the corruption and the anti-Semitism in Latvia. He longed for the open lifestyle of Australia. A decision was made: the Sanders family would return to Melbourne, but not before another child was born! On the 12th January of 1882, Max Sanders arrived. Once again the family set off, first to London, where Wulf set up Lena and her children with suitable lodgings at 26 Stewart Street, Spitalfields. He went on ahead to find a new home for his somewhat larger family, than the one that left Melbourne, two years previously!
 
The Union Steamship "Danube" sailed from Southampton, on the 3rd March, 1882 with 233 passengers on board, Wulf being amongst them. This time however, his ship docked, 25 days later in Cape Town,on the 28th March, 1882. He fell in love with this "Fairest Cape" and made up his mind there and then to settle in Cape Town and not continue to Australia. A letter was posted to Lena, giving her the news and instructions to purchase tickets on the next steamer. An application to allow Lena to join him in Cape Town was made. Wulf stated in this document that his residential address was 26 Hout Street, Cape Town. Once again, Lena had to pack up and move, this time with eight children in tow! On Friday, the 1st September, Lena and her children arrived at Southampton to board her ship, the Union Steamship Nubian. Such a hustle and a bustle!
 
It was pouring with rain and there was an unusually large crowd of officials at the wharfside. What was going on? "His Majesty" the Zulu King Cetywayo and entourage were also boarding the Nubian. Cetywayo, who had been captured by the British in Natal, had been taken to England to meet Queen Victoria and was now being returned to Africa dressed "in the garb of an English gentleman".
 
Twenty-four days later, on Sunday 24th September, 1882, the Nubian arrived in Table Bay. Imagine how impressed Lena and her family must have been; the unique and beautiful Table Bay with the impressive Table Mountain in the background. Yet as beautiful as the Peninsula must have looked, the worry of a small pox epidemic at the Cape, must have been cause for concern. Of the 300 people who had assembled on the pier to greet Cetywayo, not one was allowed to board the Nubian. Bella Sanders in relating stories to her own children and grandchildren, always embellished the story of the" big black Zulu Chief" who "accompanied" her on her trip as a little seven year old girl, on her way to the Cape Colony.
 
The report in "The Cape Times", Monday, September, 25, 1882, states that on his arrival Cetywayo ...
 

"wore a double breasted black coat made of superfine diagonal cloth, and trousers of the same material, shirt and collar of spotless white, plain black necktie, and silk hat of Lincoln & Bennet’s very latest style. In his hand he carried a silver mounted cane, and bore himself without the slightest degree of awkwardness or restraint."

 
Wulf and his family had been apart for seven months. One can only imagine his joy at seeing them again. Wulf had rented a home in the suburb of Mowbray, where they lived for the following two years. During this time Wulf had made contact with the local established business community. He befriended a certain Mr Cleghorn of the firm "Cleghorn & Harris". Cleghorn convinced Wulf that it would be very profitable to open a store in the Karoo town of Oudtshoorn.
 
By 1882 the impact of the East European immigration had made itself felt, even in this comparatively remote inland district. The attraction was an economic one. Oudtshoorn was enjoying an ostrich feather boom at the time. The gross value of the trade in feathers had rocketed from £87,074 in 1870 to more than a million pounds in 1882. There was already quite a sizeable Jewish community in Oudtshoorn , "landsman" from both Courland and Lithuiania were living there.
 
By 1883 the Jewish population of Oudtshoorn was large enough to warrant the formation of a Chevra Kaddisha.
 
The 2nd September, 1883 saw the arrival of another baby boy, named Emanuel, born in Mowbray, Cape Town. Wulf decided to take the advice of Cleghorn and move to Oudtshoorn.
 
At the beginning of 1885, Wulf and his eldest son Harry left Cape Town to set up shop in Oudtshoorn. The firm of Cleghorns assisted with finance and acted as Wulf’s shippers. A home was found in Adderley Street, Oudtshoorn. Lena once more packed up and moved to join Wulf and Harry. Lena and her children sailed from Cape Town on board the "Mexican",at 4000 tons, the largest Union Mailship at the time. They landed in Mossel Bay on the 25th February, 1885. The Mossel Bay Advertiser of the day printed the passenger list of arrivals ...
 

From Cape Town per Mexican: Mrs Saunders and 8 children.

 
It appears that there was some confusion in the spelling of the Sanders name with the addition of the letter "U".
 
From Mossel Bay Lena and her children travelled by horse and cart over the Robertson Pass to Oudtshoorn. Interestingly, fifteen years later, the "Mexican" sank, 80 miles off Cape Town, after a collision with the steamship, "Wakefield".
 
The first mention of Wulf Sanders in Oudtshoorn appeared in the June, 1885 edition of the Oudtshoorn Courant, under the heading
 

Notice of Closing On and after the 1st July next we, the Undersigned, have agreed to Close our Business Places in Town at 1 o’clock p.m. on every Wednesday till Thursday morning. Signed, W.Sanders.

 
Strangely, although there was quite a sizeable Jewish community in Oudtshoorn at that time, Wulf Sanders appears to be the only Jewish trader mentioned in this notice.
 
Later that year, on the 8th June, another son, named Simon, was born to Lena. Simon was to become the academic in the family.
 
Wulf opened up his first shop in Oudtshoorn at No. 33 St John’s Street, corner of St George’s Street. In 1887 he bought the building from a Mr M. Matroos. The municipal valuation was recorded as £600 pounds. This building still exists today, but has now been converted into a house by the present owner.
 
The Sanders family took their place in the Oudtshoorn Jewish community. Wulf joined the local Order of Freemasons, eventually becoming the Master of the Oudtshoorn Lodge No.48.
 
In religious affairs Wulf was also a leading light. In December, 1886 the Jews of Oudtshoorn decided that they would build a shul. A notice appeared in the Oudtshoorn Courant of January, 1888 as follows:
 

NEW SYNAGOGUE   The Foundation Stone of the New Synagogue Will be laid by the Rev. A.F. Ornstein of Cape Town on Thursday, 26th January, 1888 at 4 p.m. All friends are invited to attend. LOUIS FIELD, W. SANDERS, A.STUSSER Trustees.

Wulf was appointed president of the building committee. The Rev. Myers Woolfson, who had just arrived in the Colony and who was actually intended for the community at Barberton, was appointed as the first Rabbi in Oudtshoorn, a community of about 250 people. He was to serve the "Queens Street Shul" and community for 50 years. The local community was made up of two factions. The one represented by the conservative and deeply religious Jews who came from Chelm, in West Central Lithuania. The other, in the main, who came from the more emancipated town of Shavli, preferred the more modern interpretations and ceremonials. This created a sharp difference of opinion and it is regrettable to note that a bitter dispute arose between these two factions. This resulted in a split between them and a decision that the conservatives ( or Greeners as they were nicknamed) would secede from the Queens Street community and establish a shul of their own in St John’s Street.
 
The Sanders family, had already travelled the world and were financially established. They were the "modern thinkers" or "Englisher Jews". The Queens Street Shul was consecrated on the 12th December, 1888 by the Rev A.F. Ornstein, of Cape Town, assisted by Rev M.L. Harris of Kimberley and Rev. M. Woolfson of Oudtshoorn. The Sanders family donated a beautiful pair of silver candelabras, which were mounted on the "Bimah".
 
The classic styled Queens Street shul built of Karoo limestone, is still in use today. The St Johns Street shul has closed and the Arc and furniture can be found in the C.P. Nel Museum. The Oudtshoorn community, like many other country communities, has shrunk to a mere 20 families from a peak of 1000 souls at the turn of the century.
 
The late Rabbi Abrahams writing in his book The Birth of a Community mentions the unique relationship the Oudtshoorn Jews had in the area.
 

One of the most gratifying features of the early history of the Russian Jews in the Oudtshoorn district, was the friendly and hospitable reception accorded to Jews by farming folk.   The bible was the great bond between them. The Afrikaner treated the Hebrew trader with the respect due to a scion of the People of the Book. Steeped in Scriptural lore himself, the Boer was able to view the Jew’s religious susceptibilities with understanding and sympathy. The Jewish "smous" was almost invariably made welcome at the farmstead. His horses were outspanned, stabled and given fodder; he himself was invited to have a meal, and was accommodated for the night. If his observance of the Jewish dietary laws prevented him from sharing the farmer’s meat, he was offered eggs, bread and coffee. Even if the visitor brought his own utensils, the "boerevrou" took no objection.

 
Meanwhile, Wulf prospered and his little general store expanded. From the Standard Bank Archives a bank report on W. Sanders, dated 9th August, 1888 notes the following:
 

Sanders W. Respectable, & steady, & attention to his business. Owns village property, worth £1000 pounds free. Has stock in trade & outstandings due to him, worth together £1000 pounds. His only outside debts, are to Field & King to whom he is under a general Bond of £1000 pounds, & his indebtedness to them is under the amount of the Bond. Does a good business, & is making money. The bill for 75 pounds is for the accommodation of S. Lax & the P & f £125 pounds is for the assistance of the Hebrew Congregation.

 
Life in Oudtshoorn was quite a sociable affair, especially for the Sanders family, who now numbered 7 sons and 3 daughters. They could each play a musical instrument and in effect had their own orchestra! We know that Lazie played the violin, Emanuel the flute, Sam the clarinet and Bella the piano. A truly emancipated and cultural Jewish family!
 
The year 1889, a fourth daughter was born to Lena, who was now 41 years old. Always a danger at this age, Lena had to suffer the consequences of giving birth at this stage of her life. Little Sarah, known as Sarie and in her later years known as Aunty Sarie, was a downes syndrome child, born on the 8th September. She was loved and taken care of by her older sisters, especially Bella who had become her father’s favourite daughter. Little Sarie often accompanied her parents on their overseas trips. A postcard from England to her sister Bella, dated April,1905, Sarie wrote:
 

Dear Bella,   I am quite happy and see Ma and Pa sometimes. I send love to Moss and Julie.   Your loving Sarah.

 
Sarah, in spite of her condition, lived to the ripe old age of 58 years. She passed over on the 17th October, 1947. Interestingly, on the death of her beloved mother, Lena, in 1918, Sarah was bequeathed an amount of £2000 pounds and all her late mother’s furniture and household effects.
 
Annie the eldest Sanders daughter, was now 21 years old. Her parents were anxious that Annie should find a husband. Apparently there was a young suitor, but the engagement was broken! However, Wulf and Lena’s embarrassment was saved when a local Jewish ostrich feather buyer by the name of Isaac Nurick approached Wulf and told him how he admired Annie’s good looks, when he attended Shabat services and "observed" her sitting in the ladies section. Now if the truth were being told, Annie was slightly overweight and Isaac Nurick was certainly not of the same class and background as the Sanders family! His eldest daughter, jilted and as yet unmarried, what should he do? Against his better judgement, Wulf gave his consent and the marriage took place on the 28th February 1893. Possibly one of the first to be conducted in the new Queens Street shul.
 
This is how the newspaper reported the wedding:
 

"On Tuesday afternoon the 28th February, there was quite a stir at the Synagogue, to witness the wedding of Mr Isaac Nurich, one of our ostrich feather buyers, to Miss Sanders, daughter of our respected townsman, Mr W. Sanders. The sacred edifice was crowded with spectators. The bride, who was handsomely dressed in a cream silk dress, was given away by her father, and accompanied by two bridesmaids and two pages. The Rev Woolfson delivered an address appropriate to the occasion.   Immediately after the ceremony a dinner was given at the residence of the bride and at eight o’clock in the evening a ball was given in the Court Room, attended by numerous guests, among them were Mr George Hudson(Mossel Bay), and Mr Ball(Cape Town). Dancing was kept up with great vigour until the small hours of the morning. The happy pair left the next morning for Cape Town, where they intend spending their honeymoon."

 
The bridesmaids were, Bella and a family friend, a Miss Janover. Max and Emanuel were the page boys. Isaac was attended by his Uncle and Aunt, Jacob and Sarah Nochamson.
 
It appears that from the notice in the local newspaper of 15th March 1894, general dealer licences were granted to "Wulf Sanders, 33 St Johns St. and "Harry & Moses Sanders, Dysseldorp. It would seem that Moses and Harry had decided to branch out on their own and open a general store in the farming village of Dysseldorp, not far from Oudtshoorn. Sam, who now was 15 years old, probably had joined his father in the business, thereby enabling his older brothers to open their own business.
 
This was also the year that Wulf expanded his store. An advert that appeared in the Oudtshoorn Courant of the 15th March, which was written in Dutch announced:
 

W. Sanders, St Johns Straat, wescht zyn talryke klanten en het publiek bekend te maken, dat, daar hy nu bezig is zyn Besigheids Gebouwen to vergrooten ten einde plaats te maken voor nieuwe ontschepingen die dagelyks verwacht worden.

 
Loosely translated, the announcement referred to the expansion of the building which Sanders wanted to bring to the notice of his clients and to the public. Wulf’s business relationship continued with the firm of Cleghorn & Harris.
 
The musical talents of the Sanders children were greatly enhanced with some of them joining the local orchestral society, under the direction of Mr George Hind. Minnie Sanders, like her sister Bella, had also taken up the piano. At a "A Grand Instrumental Concert" held on the Tuesday evening of the 5th November, 1895, at the Y.M.C.A. Hall, Minnie performed a piano solo "Alice" by Woycke. Bella played two Piano solos by Oesten called "Souveninde Marha" and "Fantasia Brillante". In the Oudtshoorn Courant of Monday the 11th November, it was reported:
 

The piano duets also were good considering that most of the players made their first appearance in public….The achievement of the pupils proves that there is a large amount of musical talent in Oudtshoorn which, if properly directed, bids fair to vie with any other part of South Africa.

 
Wulf now decided that his son Lazarus (Lazie) needed to gain more experience and learn the systems of "Big Business". Lazie was sent off to Cape Town to work for Cleghorn & Harris. In a letter to his parents dated October 30, 1894 he wrote:
 

"I am glad to say that I arrived this morning all well. I was very silly that I did not take a rug with me, because it was rather cold riding the turn out from Oudtshoorn I must say was very good the horses went splendid. I have had my first breakfast this morning at Mrs Hermann. I came out all right with my money. I have still L4 over. I hope you are getting on properly with the books. I am going this morning to see Mr Black. I have no more news at present, with best love.   I remain Your Loving son Lazarus.   P.S Best Love to Harry, Moses, Bella, Sam etc. Also Annie & Nurick

 
Two years later, Lazie was transferred to the Port Elizabeth branch of Cleghorns. In a most informative letter to Bella, dated 24th December, 1896, Lazarus wrote:
 

Dear Bella,   You must excuse me for not writing you before, as you can imagine how busy I was shifting. Well I arrived here Thank God well. As for my new place, things are a bit hard for me at present, as things are in such a state, and everything is in a mix up, I feel a bit uneasy about my work, but I’ll have to Jirk along until Mr Black comes down , and then he’ll give me a fair start. I am fairly disgusted with the town as it is so dull, there are no places of amusements of any kind at present, and the only thing to do after business is read and off to bed. I am staying in a Christian boarding house, as Jewish places are out of the town, there are several other respectable fellows at the same place, but its not the same as mixing up with your own kin, in fact I am really sorry that I left town, its all well and good I’ll get more pay, but what is the use of being misraeble.   I’ll make the best of it for a time, and if I don’t get over it I’ll politely ask to be replaced. I did not have much liking to go but I wanted to see what Port Elizabeth is like it is very soon to complain but I cannot help it. After all I’d prefer being in Oudtshoorn with all of you.   I am not in love with boarding House life, as almost every meal there is Ham on the table, and that takes away my appetite altogether.   I feel today so that I got a good mind to write to Mr Black to go back, of course they have paid my fare down but that does not matter, I can refund them the money. I wonder what Pa will think of it, show him this letter and write me at once what he says, now I’ll change the subject. Today Rhodes arrived here and a great reception was given, most of the stores have closed for the day on account of it, our has and I am off until Monday, I am awfully sorry as I have nothing to pass my time away with. If I am in business its all the better.   I caught sight of Louis Lyons to day he seems to be down in the world. I was told he has taken to the stage and is going to Uitenhage to perform.   I must now conclude with love to yourself, Pa, Ma and all the child From your loving Brother Lazarus. I wish you were here to console me.

 
Poor Lazarus, all alone in a strange town and staying in a boarding house that served "Ham" every day! What a lovely piece of history in the making, with the "arrival of Rhodes".
 
The 12th and last child born to Lena, (now in her 43rd year!), was Ethel, born in 1891. Like the rest of her siblings, Ethel was also very musical and became an excellent opera singer.
 
Great excitement! 1895, at last the first grandchild to Wulf and Lena, arrives! Annie Nurick gives birth to her first child (one of eight). She is named Sarah in memory of her late Grandmother, Sarah Sanders. Little Sarah is a most beautiful baby. She is nicknamed "Cissie". Amazingly, there was only four years difference between Cissie and her Aunt Ethel. They obviously became good playmates and in fact many years later, life took one big circle, when in 1948, Ethel went to live with her niece Cissie, who had married Abe Kaplan of Bulowayo. Ethel lived with Cissie until her death in 1974.
 
One wonders what the relationship was like between father and son in law, bearing in mind that originally Wulf was not too sure about Isaac Nurick. Interestingly, a memorandum addressed to the manager of the Standard Bank, Oudtshoorn from W. Sanders, General Dealer, St John Street, dated Feb 21st 1898 and signed by Wulf read as follows:
 

Dear Sir, If bill in favour of I Nurick is presented for payment, please do not pay, -----------By so doing you will oblige. ----------------------Yours Respectfully, ---------------------------------W. Sanders & Sons.

 
Was this just a bookkeeping problem or a more serious situation? Who knows? Annie and Isaac ended up having eight children! Their lives were closely intertwined with the fortunes of the ostrich feather industry. With the feather boom of the late 1890’s Annie and Isaac enjoyed a comfortable lifestyle. However after a slump in the feather market during World War 1, the Nurick’s fortunes dwindled and life for this large family became a struggle. Sadly after much suffering, Annie died of breast cancer in 1918, eleven months before the death of her mother, Lena. Shortly afterwards, Isaac left for London, supposedly to try and make a new life for his family.
 
Isaac left his children in the care of his eldest daughter, Cissie, who was now a qualified school teacher. Whilst in London, Isaac found a new wife and it appears that he neglected his children, as he did not return to South Africa until many years later. Harry, one of Annie’s sons wrote the following letter, to his Aunt Bella, regarding the death of his mother:
 

48 Cullinan Buildings, Main Street, Johannesburg 13th March 1918.   Dear Aunt Bella,   ----------------Thank you very much for your kind letter and I hope you and all your family are in the best of health. ----------------You cannot imagine how I wished that I could fly home, but what is the use of remorse, I feel that I should have stayed for there was never a sweeter or better mother than ours. Of course I go to shool everyday to say kaddish. ----------------I daresay Mossie will have grown into quite a big boy and will soon be writing his matriculation exam. Does Joe still want to be a rich man? ----------------How is business? I hope brighter. Should there be anything I can do for you up here let me know and perhaps some good business may result. ----------------I have no more to write so close with love to all from Lyle & myself. --------------------------------Your affectionate Nephew, --------------------------------Harry Nurick

 
Back to 1898, the month of October and tragedy strikes the Sanders family! A report appears in the newspaper of the 22nd October
 

SUDDEN DEATH   Regretfully we record the sudden death of young Max Saunders, son of Mr W. Saunders of St John’s and High Streets, which occurred on Saturday afternoon, the funeral taking place yesterday afternoon. A ridiculous story, which has its origin in some wildered brain, got about that he had died from the effects at eating poisoned oranges, whereas the post mortem held by Drs. O’Hare and Truter showed the cause of death to have been rupture induced by overstrain in lifting too heavy a weight. Max, who was only 16, was beloved by all who knew him, Jew and Christian alike, for his bright happy disposition and his courteous behaviour, in fact he was a general favourite, and much sympathy goes forth to his bereaved home circle that so promising a young life should have been suddenly cut short. What adds to the grief of the family is the fact that the father is at present absent in Cape Town.

 
Bella recalled this sad day when her young brother, according to her, was showing off how strong his was by lifting a large coffee bag. It appears from his tombstone, that his given name was "Marcus".
 
Life continues for the Sanders family as their business prospers and Wulf, with the help of his sons Sam and Lazarus, take the decision to branch out. Harry had left his father’s store and was now trading in the village of Dysselsdorp, where he had taken for himself, a mistress, a local lady by the name of Sarah Sophia Nomdoe. He fathered six children with this woman and we are not sure if he supported any of them. According to family legend Harry had to leave South Africa in the early 1900’s to avoid embarrassing the family any further with his liaison with this "lady of colour".
 
Harry landed up in the town of Timmons in Northern Ontario, Canada, where he opened up a general Store in 1908. He couldn’t have found a place further removed from Oudtshoorn if he had tried! On 8th November, 1908, he married Sarah Fried with whom he had two daughters: Bertha, born in 1909 and Florence who was born in 1911. In 1923 he divorced Sarah and remarried another lady, with whom he enjoyed a happy marriage until his death on 6 January, 1947. His eldest daughter, Bertha became a nurse and emigrated to Palestine in the 1930’s where she settled on the 2nd kibbutz to be established in Palestine, by the name of "Degania Bet" Bertha married Issie Stav and was fondly known to generations of kibbutzniks as Sister Bertha. Florence, her sister, married a Mr Milan of Detroit.
 
The building and the business of "R. Lea & Co" situated on High Street Oudtshoorn was purchased by Wulf in 1889. This gave him the opportunity to expand and attract "main street trade". He advertised on the 9 March 1889 as follows:
 
"At last our new premises in High Street are completed and we will be open on Saturday, 18th March. We have not spared any expense in erecting a beautiful building for the convenience of the Public" Wulf continues to expand and another business was taken over by "W. Sanders & Sons" :
 

N O T I C E   We have this day disposed of our Business in Oudtshoorn to Messrs W. Sanders & Sons, and our premises will be closed one week from tomorrow, Friday, 16th inst., for stocktaking purposes.   Cleghorn & Harris Oudtshoorn, 15 Feb., 1900

 
As this notice indicates, it appears that Wulf had managed to buy the Oudtshoorn branch of Cleghorns, the very people who had assisted him in the beginning! Up to the minute with the latest developments in business, Wulf advertises: "SEE OUR WINDOWS ILLUMINATED ON WEDNESDAY EVENING."
 
Not wanting his original store to suffer, Wulf wisely advertised:
 

Old Friends must not be forgotten.   And consequently our old Establishment in St. John’s Street must not be overlooked, because we have enlarged our High Street Business. We are always receiving New and Seasonable Goods there, quite different to our other Branches, and are offering them at Prices never before heard of in St John’s Street.   To the Jewish Inhabitants:-   We have just unpacked a New Assortment of Crockery and Enamelled Ironware specially ordered for Pesach requirements.   Our cart will call daily for orders to anyone not being able to come or send for their requirements   W. SANDERS & SONS, THE OLD STORE - - ST. JOHN STREET.

 
No flies on Wulf! He certainly knew retailing and the implications of expanding his business! By now Wulf was able to travel to London and Europe on an annual basis, combining both business and pleasure. On most occasions his wife Lena and usually two of his younger daughters, Sarah and Ethel accompanied him. Whilst in London, Ethel was sent to private schools, where she befriended the wealthy Sassoon family.
 
A report in the Oudtshoorn Courant prior to Wulf’s trip in 1900, stated:
 

Mr Woolf Sanders, head of the firm W. Sanders & Sons leaves for Europe by Wednesday’s steamer. He is travelling principally in the interests of his business and expects to be away for three or four months. Previous to his departure his own intimate friends entertained him to a dinner, some twenty taking part in the pleasing function. A complimentary address was presented to him in behalf of the Jewish community who hold him in high esteem, first as am exemplary citizen and secondly as a zealous worker in religious, educational and social circles. Mrs Sanders accompanies her husband, we wish them a pleasant voyage and safe return.

 
The children did not go with them on this occasion. Wulf however, kept in touch writing a wonderful letter to his favourite, Bella. He used a letterhead of the London offices of "Cleghorn & Harris".:-
 

CLEGHORN, HARRIS & Co., 85 Golden Lane, London, E.C. 21st June, 1900.   Dear Bella:-   I have received your letter of 24th. May from which I am very pleased to see you are keeping well, and I am glad to say that we are both pretty well. Mother on her arrival here did not feel well, and had a swollen face for about three days, but, thank God, she is all right again. We are trying our best to enjoy ourselves as well as we can, but I can assure you that I find very little enjoyment at present as I am away all day at business, and mother being strange to London does not care about going about herself, so this confines her to the House during the day. We have visited several places of amusement, and enjoyed ourselves. We also found out a family called Rousengard. I am sorry to say the old people are dead and there are only four daughters left, two of whom are married, and two are single. We went to see them. We are also going out on Sunday to Mr Field’s, who lives a little out of London, and where we intend to spend Sunday.   I hope that you and the Children are quite well, and that our temporary absence from you does not make much difference.   If there is anything particular that you may require or anything for the children, please do not forget to let me know, as it takes three to four weeks to arrive here.   We intend to sail from London on the 1st of September in the same Steamer as we came with that is the "Kinfauns Castle". I must tell you that Mrs Valentine makes us very welcome and she is really a good woman. Tell Mr Valentine, if he is in Oudtshoorn, he ought to be proud to have a wife like her.   Mother and I intend to leave here on the !st of July for Germany, in which country we intend to stay close upon three weeks. I do not know whether I will be able to visit the Paris Exhibition, as Mother does not feel inclined to go to it.   Please let me know if Mr. Hiedisheimer has left Oudtshoorn.   I have made no acquaintances as yet, as I have been very busy in the office from morning till night. Tell the Children that they ought not to be angry that I do not write letters to each separately as you know very well that I cannot spare any time time to do so, therefore just let them see this letter which will satisfy them just as well.   Tell Simie I received his letter and I am glad to hear that he is attentive to school, and also makes progress in Music. If he wishes anything particular for me to bring him let him write to me and I will do. No more news at present. Best love to Minnie, Ethel, Sarah, Simie, Emmanuel, Harry, Annie & Neureka and their children.   Tell Annie I will not write to her until she writes a letter to me. I have not received a letter from her as yet and I think it is very wrong. I am anxious to hear how the children are getting on. Best regards to Valentine and his wife and child and all enquirers.   Your affectionate Father,   W. Sanders.

 
Reading this letter, one can certainly get an idea of the close relationship that existed between Bella and her father. Poor Lena must have suffered from either sunburn or some food allergy on her trip over to London! Amusingly, Wulf obviously attempted to down play the fact that, while the rest of his family were living in the little dusty Karoo town of Oudtshoorn, Wulf and Lena were enjoying the "high life" of London, "centre of the Empire". One does not doubt, however, that Wulf was also working hard in all his business endeavours.
 
Who were the "Rousengards" and what happened to the "old people", possibly their parents? The Mr Field mentioned was one of the shippers, probably employed by Cleghorns.
 
Travelling to Germany, possible visit to the Paris Exhibition, in the year of 1900, when most Jews of Courland were still struggling, shows how far Wulf had progressed in life! Also we note, that music continues to play an important role in the life of the Sanders family. Simie, "making progress in music", was the youngest son in the family and the first child born in Oudtshoorn, on the 9th June 1885, four months after their arrival in the town.
 

Emanuel Sanders

        Will now Conclude.
                With love
                        Your loving Brother
                                Emanuel

Lazarus Sanders

Moses Sanders

Simon Sanders

Sanders Silver Wedding

Bella Sanders

Ethel Sanders

Ethel, who was born in 1891, the last child in the Sanders family, enjoyed the high standard of living that the family had achieved. She was included on the many overseas trips he parents made to England, where on weekends she occasionaly stayed with the wealthy Serfardic Sassoon family, at their country home. Stories of eating off gold plates with gold cutlery abounded. Ethel possessed a magnificent voice and much to her family’s disappointment, decided to give up a music scholarship to the London School of music and marry a "little" school teacher by the name of David Mann, who was the vice principal of a school in the small town of Vrede.
 
The wedding took place in Oudtshoorn on the 6th July, 1916. The report in the papers went as follows:
 

WEDDING BELLS ________________ MANN - SANDERS Yesterday there was a certain amount of summer warmth in the atmosphere, but this did not detract from the beauty of a wedding which was solemnised at the Jewish Synagogue, Queens Street, when Miss Ethel Sanders, daughter of the late Mr W. Sanders and Mrs Sanders, was joined in the bond of matrimony to Mr David Mann, M.A., Vice Principal of the Public School at Vrede, O.F.S. Punctually at two, the bride, leaning on the arm of Mr Sam Sanders, who also gave her away, entered the edifice, which was prettily decorated with creepers, overgreens and date palms. The Unterfuhrers were Mr and Mrs Sam Sanders and Mr and Mrs Isidore Israelsohn, the bride being attended by Miss Nurick as bridesmaid while little Miss Rhoda Sanders was the little flower girl. The bride and bridegroom’s parents, Mrs W. Sanders and Mrs Mann, smartly dressed in black, were also present. There was a host of friends at the Synagogue, and after the Ceremony in which Rev. Woolfson officiated, the bridal pair drove off in a carriage to the residence of Mrs Sanders, where the reception was held.The grounds were beautifully decorated with buntings and artificial flowers, making the scene reminiscent of early summer.   Here many forgathered to congratulate the happy pair and selections by the Municipal Band, which was in attendance, further added to the happiness of the festive occasion.The bride looked particularly attractive in a dress of ivory crepe-dechine with an over-bodice of beautiful lace and wore the orthodox veil, trimmed with orange blossoms. The long court train was lined with shell pink ninon which made it both delicate and very effective.   The bridesmaid looked very smart in a dress of pink satin crepe, effectively trimmed with silk ninon. The flower girl looked very sweet in a dress which was of accordion pleated crepe-de chine and shadow lace with large butterfly bow of ribbon at the back, a pretty picture.   Shivah Brochas were held in the Central Hotel in the evening, where a number of relatives and friends …..(faded)…terms by the Chair-man; the bridegroom responding in a brilliant speech. The toast of the parents and unterfuhers of the happy couple were in the able hands of Dr Jacobson, who spoke at length, a feature of his speech being the introduction of Tulmudical expressions. Mr Sam Sanders very ably replied, Mr I. Israelsohn gave the toast for absent relatives and friends, while Mr M. Hotz responded very briefly. Mr Harry Nurick proposed the toast of the bridesmaid and ladies, while Mr L. Nurick responded. The toast of the chairman was entrusted to Mr Sam Sanders, the chairman suitably responding. The toast to the caterer (Mr S. Lax) was also heartily drunk.   Mr and Mrs Mann left by this morning’s train for Cape Town, where the honey-moon will be spent.   The bride’s going-away dress was a creation worthy of a French Paquin, being a fine navy gaberdine costume, handsomely silk-braided. The bride, who is extremely popular, will be very much missed here both socially and in musical circles….. The dresses of the bride were supplied by Messrs. W. Sanders and Sons in their best style, under the able supervision of their Miss Masson.

 
After their honeymoon Ethel and David settled in Vrede, and a few years later moved to Johannesburg , where Ethel established a "Jewish" Boarding house for students, in Saratoga Avenue, Doornfontein. One of Ethel’s first student Boarders was Jack Kletz, whose memories of her were "of a kind hearted and gracious lady of standing". Jack recalled memories of Ethel entertaining her boarders every evening by playing the piano and singing to them.
 
During the First World War, Ethel gave live performances on the radio, singing opera and operettas. Mr Roger O’Hogen of the SABC remembers her as "quite a figure" during the war, at the broadcasting station. Who knows what would have become of Ethel’s career in opera, if she had taken up her scholarship to London!
 

Minnie Sanders

Sam Sanders

         I. ISRAELSOHN
                    De  GOEDKOOP  WINKEL,
                              HOOG STRAAT (naastaan Gebrs. Bowles)
                          ______________ . ___________________

         Nieuwe   Zomer  Goederen
         Dres Materialen in Gewoon en Francie Kleuren
               Voiles, Dres Linen, Galeteas, Nurse Cloth, Geruit
               Japanese Zyden in alle kleuren, Tussore Zyde,
               Crepe de Chine, Goede Zwart Dres Materialen,
               Schoenen, Kousen waren, HOEDEN, ENS.

        ALLE GOEDEREN TEGEN ZEER
		
        VERMINDERDE   PRYZEN.

Bella Sanders

Bella and her husband were struggling to make a living in their store in Oudtshoorn. Their eldest son, Mossie had matriculated and was at medical school. Joe took on agencies and was "repping". Woolf, the youngest son was still at school. Isidore received a message from a friend living across the Outeniqua Mountains in the town of George. The friend, Alex Comay, had established a hardware business in the town, suggested to Isidore that opening up another shop in George, might be the solution to his problems. George’s economy was growing, as the town did not depend on the ostrich feather industry.
 
In 1925, Isidore made the move and opened a shop in Hibernia Street, George, opposite the Boys’ Primary School. After a shaky start, it was decided to close the Oudtshoorn shop and move the family to George. Bella’s youngest son Woolf, who was 16 years old at the time, joined his dad in the business and things started to improve. With the collapse of the German currency, in the 1920’s , the Israelsohns were able to settle their debt to Sam Sanders and have the bond on their Oudtshoorn home cancelled. The house was sold and the money was invested in their business in George.
 
Bella’s son Joe, who had been assisting his father as well as running an agency business, had managed to save up funds to attend university. Joe had always wanted to do dentistry, but the family , due their financial predicament at the time, were unable to oblige.
 
It must have been with a great feeling of satisfaction, that Joe found himself eventually on his way to dental school at Wits University in Johannesburg. His Aunt Ethel, who was running a Jewish boarding house, happily accommodated him.
 
Unfortunately this story does not have a happy ending. Bella received a letter from her sister, saying:
 

36 Saratoga Ave Jo’burg July 8th 1929 My dear Bella, Just a line to let you know how Joe is getting on. I am sorry to say he is not progressing as well as he should, as his ears & nose are giving him a great deal of trouble, & in consequence he is still running a temperature & not out of bed yet. Both Dave & I have been very worried so thought the best thing to do was to get an ear specialist in to see him, which the hospital Dr already thought of doing. We went up to the hospital to find out all particulars & found that everything that can be done is being done so we can only wait & see. I am sorry to worry you about this, but think it only right that you should know. I shall let you know how he is getting on in a day or two, with much love to you & Isidore, Your worried sister, Ethel.

 
A report appeared in the George & Knysna Herald:
 

We are sorry to hear that Mr Joe Israelsohn, son of Mr and Mrs I. Israelsohn of George, has been critically ill at Johannesburg, as the result of a bad attack of scarlet fever. Last week his parents received telegraphic advice that a serious operation would be necessary, and they immediately left for the North. Later: The sad news is since received that Joseph passed away before his parents reached the end of the journey.

 
The following week this obituary appeared:
 

Last week we only had time to make a brief mention of the loss which Mr and Mrs Israelsohn of George, had sustained by the sudden death of their second son, Joseph, which took place at Johannesburg, following on complications after scarlet fever.   The young man was in the prime of his life, twenty two years of age, and had been assisting his father in his store for some time, but his mind was set in becoming a dental practitioner, and a few months ago he entered the Johannesburg University to study dentistry. Joseph was a popular young man in George, the picture of health, and we are told he carried that popularity with him when he went to University.

 
What a tragedy for poor Bella and her family! This must have been the saddest day of their lives. They overcame their grief and looked to the rest of their children for strength. A proud day for Isidore and Bella: their eldest son, Moss finally qualifies as a medical doctor. Moss, who during his final years at university, married a fellow student by the name of Bess Rodman. The couple settled in the "Boland" town of Robertson, where Moss began his first medical practice. Some years later they moved to an even smaller town, by the unusual name of "Hankey", situated not far from the city of Port Elizabeth. Moss and Bess Israelsohn had two children, a daughter, Wilma, and a son Joel (named after his late uncle Joe).
 
Meanwhile Isidore and his son, Woolf were building up their business in Hibernia Street, George. This is how they advertised in the George & Knysna Herald, June, 1927:
 

"For Sales may Come and Sales may go, but we go on for ever giving you the best values possible!…. "When out shopping call first at our Store. You will be amply repaid."

 
Woolf, who was a born salesman and an excellent businessman, decided to branch out an open on his own. He had different and more modern ideas about retailing than his father. Although Isidore’s shop was the first store in George to have window displays, lit up by a paraffin lamp (George had no electricity yet), Woolf wanted to open a store modelled on the lines of the big city "department stores". Woolf had befriended the Garlick family of Cape Town who in those years owned one of the larger department stores on Cape Town’s main business thoroughfare, Adderley Street.
 
One day during the year of 1935, Woolf met a Mr Gutstein, who was on his way to buy a consignment of footwear for his business in Port Elizabeth. Woolf told him about a vacant piece of land situated next to the George Post Office. This land, which belonged to the George Divisional Council, was being offered for sale. Woolf managed to persuade Gutstein to buy this property with the money he intended to use for the purchase of the footwear. With input from Woolf, Gutstein built three shops on this site. Woolf hired all three and converted them into one large store! Prior to Woolf opening up his new shop,
 
Isidore made Woolf a full partner in his existing business, "I. Israelsohn". The following notice appeared in the newspaper:
 

"Notice is hereby given that ISIDORE ISRAELSOHN, carrying on business under the style of I. Israelsohn, as a Draper and Outfitter of Hibernia Street, George, has admitted WULF ISRAELSOHN also of George, as a Partner in the said business, which shall continue to be carried on under the style of I. ISRAELSOHN, aforesaid. It is hereby further notified that the partnership has taken over all the Assets and Liabilities of the said ISIDORE ISRAELSOHN in respect of the business heretofore carried on by him. Dated at George, this 29th day of October, 1935. MILLER & MILLER Attorneys for the Parties. Hibernia Street, George

 
Woolf, at the age of twenty-four, opened up, what was the biggest department store in George, on Saturday, 30th November, 1935. He called his new shop "Ralsons", an acronym of Israelsohn. Like his grandfather, Wulf Sanders before him, Woolf built up his business, which became the a successful and well-known outfitting and drapery store in the South Western Cape! This is how the local paper the George & Knysna Herald reported this business development:
 

Ralson’s New Store A notable addition to the shopping centre of George was opened on Saturday morning when Ralsons, the new and fashionable store of Messrs. I. Israelsohn & Son, in Hibernia street, next to the Post Office, threw open their doors to the public. This fine store is to be run on modern lines with its many departments, and to celebrate the occasion Messrs. Ralsons have stocked it with entirely new goods. Extremely well lighted and ventilated, the building is fitted with huge plate glass windows which, we have little doubt, will form an attractive display in the hands of this firm. Inside, each department is arranged with its own serving counter, and private fitting rooms are neatly arranged in inconspicuous corners. Ralsons bring to George a departmental store modelled on the lines of city firms.

 
It is interesting to compare, that as with the advise and help of another Cape Town department store, Cleghorns, in the opening up of Wulf Sanders’ shop in Oudtshoorn,in 1885, fifty years later, Garlicks helped Woolf Israelsohn by selling him their old counters and shopfittings in 1935. Furthermore they allowed Woolf to include some of his Ladies Dress orders with the Garlicks orders, thereby giving him a lower cost price factor. During World War 11, while Woolf was in the army, his father, Isidore ran the business. Isidore had closed down his own shop on the 5th May, 1936 and was assisting his son at Ralsons.
 
Woolf was back in George on leave in July, 1943, when he received a telegram from Mr Gutstein, then in Port Elizabeth, offering to sell him the building. Woolf and his brother Moss, who was now a country doctor, went to see the manager of Barclays Bank. Facilities were arranged, and Woolf bought the building for £6000, which at the time was the biggest property deal in the history of the town!
 
The new store was a great success from the start. With the outbreak of World War Two, the town of George enjoyed a mini boom. The Royal Airforce set up a training school at the George aerodrome. Eight hundred British trainee airmen were sent there. This move had a positive effect on the economy of the town. Woolf’s business enjoyed the spin off.
 
By the time the war was over, Woolf was fully established and enjoying the good life of the lovely "Garden Route" town. George and its seaside resort called "The Wilderness", was also experiencing a tourist boom.
 
The fame of Ralsons did not go unnoticed by another section of the population. Woolf, (with a sense of humour) advertised in the local papers:
 

Burglars Choose Ralsons for a Midnight RAID! Why? A WISE MAN always shows discrimination in his choice of articles. That is why some (unwelcome) visitors on Tuesday night passed by other stores and made a bee-line for ours in Hibernia Street. We commend their wisdom and discretion in picking on us. They knew, and it proves our claim, that RALSONS Is the SMARTEST STORE In George And the store for "Smart" People They came all through the principal towns, too, and found our stocks the most attractive, so they did the job there and then at midnight, being too impatient to wait for the doors to open at 8 a.m. next day! We do not expect you to act likewise - but take a tip from our nocturnal visitors - be attracted by our really modern displays, and come along any time between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. (Wednesdays 1 p.m., Saturdays 7 p.m.) WE ARE KEEN TO GIVE YOU SERVICE - VALUE - SATISFACTION Phone Ralsons Next to Post Office HIBERNIA ST. GEORGE

 
Isidore and Bella were now once again financially secure. After first renting homes in Meade Street, George, the Israelsohns were in the position to afford to buy their own home in 1934. House prices were depressed and it was a buyer’s market. Isidore bought a house situated at 72 York Street, George. This was to be home to Bella and her family (her son Woolf and daughter Debbie and after the death of Deb’s husband, Deb and her infant son) for nearly 50 years!
 
During the year of 1943, Isidore was elected president of the George Hebrew Congregation. On the 29th December of that year, an inter-denominational service was held at the George Synagogue. The Bishop of George, the Rt. Rev Gwyer, and Rev. A.R. de Villiers were present at this service. Isidore as president, addressed the congregation, which was reported as follows: "Mr Israelsohn stressed the need for every effort to be made to assist the war and to wipe out the last vestiges of Nazism. Everyone who could should join the fighting forces, and those others who could not do so, should assist willingly and generously with funds to carry on the fight."
 
Cleghorn & Harris, who had purchased the old business of Sanders in 1921, decided to follow the Israelsohn’s example by opening a branch of "Sanders" in George, in January, 1926. They opened up trading under the name of "W. Sanders & Sons". The branch was managed by a Mr A.W. Hird. In a advert they announced:
 

Our Milliner from Oudtshoorn is in attendance and will be pleased to interview Customers at their convenience. Our Dressmaker, Miss MASSON, will visit George on Thursday and Friday, 28th and 29th and we shall be glad to make appointments for those dates.

 
One wonders how Bella reacted to this news, a store, in direct competition to her husbands, carrying the name of her late father. Strangely, the following year this banner headline appeared in the Oudtshoorn Courant:
 

Most Disastrous Fire in History of Oudtshoorn MESSRS. SANDERS & SONS FINE STORE GOES UP IN FLAMES IN A FEW MINUTES If Roof Collapsed Few Minutes Later Whole Street Been Burnt

 
Had a wind been blowing as it had the day before, nothing could have saved High Street, and, according to "Bud" Schnieder, who has had no less than 20 years’ experience of fire-fighting in Russia, had the fire taken place at night, owing to the difficulty of handling the outbreak, the result would have been equally disastrous.
 
Possibly, as a result of the fire in Oudtshoorn, Cleghorns decided to sell off their store in George. The shop was sold to a friend of the Israelsohn’s a Mr Meyer Schlugman. On a request from Bella, Meyer changed the name of the store to "Sanders & Co". This store was eventually sold in 1965 to a Mrs Mary Harris of George, who previously had a small business in Uniondale.
 
Bella and Isidore enjoyed the success that their son Woolf had made of Ralsons. Woolf was Bella’s favourite, her golden hair, blue-eyed boy. Woolf was also the favourite of many young ladies of the town! He had become an eligible bachelor and with his good looks every Jewish mother in the country were hoping to make a "shiddach" for their daughters. He was given the nick-name "Prince of Wales", due to an uncanny likeness to Edward, who gave up a throne "for the woman he loved". Woolf was in fact far better looking than the then Prince of Wales. He was an excellent golfer, a good yachtsman, an amateur photographer and a "charming" partner on the dance floor! Coupled with his business acumen and success in the retail trade, Woolf must have been quite a "Chup".
 
The year 1947, and everything looked rosy for Bella and her family. Great excitement! - Woolf had just come home from a visit to the General Motors factory in Port Elizabeth, driving his first post war motor car, a brand new Pontiac. The Wilderness was his playground and the golf course in George his exercise field. Bella and Isidore enjoyed taking walks in the country side of George. By 1949, their shop, Ralsons, was enlarged. New stockrooms, an office and garage for the "Pontiac" were added on to the existing building. Unfortunately, Isidore began feeling ill towards the end of September of that year. Maybe it was something he ate? Was it because of the High Holidays? All the "essing and fressing"? Isidore was taken to hospital for an examination. Appendicitis was diagnosed. Tragically, their surgeon was not in town and the family doctor, Dr Harry Mann was called in to do the operation. Harry had never done an operation since he left medical school. However, it was decided that he carry out this operation as Isidore was now suffering from an acute appendicitis.
 
Isidore survived the operation but his recovery was far from satisfactory. His health continued to deteriorate.
 
Bella telephoned her eldest son, Moss. Moss had by this time, established a thriving practice in the farming districts of Hankey and Patensie. He also had the contract to service the railway workers in the area and was known as the "Railway Doctor". At the same time, Moss was also a part time citrus farmer. Responding to his mother’s call, Moss immediately set off for George, in his new "Fluid Drive" Dodge.
 
It did not take Moss long to diagnose that his poor dad was suffering from peritonitis. Isidore returned to the George hospital for another operation, but sadly, it was too late. On the 6th October, 1949, Isidore died in hospital. This was the obituary that appeared the following day in the George & Knysna Herald:
 

A Long and Useful Life It was with a sense of sincere regret Georgians heard on Friday morning that Mr Isidore Israelsohn had died the night before in the local hospital. His death came as a great shock to the public who knew him as a man of great friendliness and kindly nature. He was 76. Mr Israelsohn was born in Courland, a former Balkan state, and came to South Africa at the age of 19; he settled at Oudtshoorn. He went into the ostrich feather trade, exporting to London. During the South African war he married Miss Bella Sanders of Oudtshoorn. After the first world war, Mr Israelsohn started a drapery store at Oudtshoorn, and in 1925 opened a like business in George, which has developed into one of the town’s foremost emporiums. For 52 years he was a Mason of Cango Lodge (Royal Arch) Oudtshoorn. At the funeral service in the George Synagogue on Sunday morning, the Rev. I. Wolk said that Mr Israelsohn had been a man of great moral character, deeply conscious of the spirit and ideals of the Jewish faith and throughout his life he tried to live up to those ideals. He served as president of the congregation for along period carrying out his duties in a most dignified and honourable manner. He lived a long and useful life and the traditions he left behind, his way of life, and the man himself would long be remembered and cherished. The community will join with us in extending to Mrs Israelsohn and her daughter and two sons, heartfelt sympathy.

 
Poor Isidore’s death was a terrible blow to Bella. They had been happily married for forty- eight years. Her son Moss felt that his father’s death could have been avoided, if only a more competent doctor had operated on Isidore in the first place. It appears from documents that have been discovered, that Isidore was already suffering from the beginnings of appendicitis, as early as May, 1949. He was discharged from the George hospital on the 11th May, 1949. The hospital board secretary, Mrs "Oompie" Meyer wrote the following note on Isidore’s hospital receipt:
 

"I do miss your smiling face and may you soon get better. It is the smiles of the elderly people that keep us going and inspire us" signed by Mrs Oompie Meyer.

 
Once again, Bella had to mourn the loss of a loved one. She was now left with her son, Woolf, her daughter, Debbie, and her grandson, Derrick, all living together with her at her home on 72 York Street, George. At least she was not alone. Her eldest son, Moss returned to Hankey to his family. Of the original twelve Sanders children, 5 were still living in 1950. Bella was now the matriarch of the family, being the oldest child surviving. Her sister Minnie was settled in the Jewish Aged Home in Cape Town; Emanuel was living in Durban; Simon, who was living in England, passed away two years later, in 1952; and the youngest, Ethel, was living in Bulowayo with her niece, Cissie Kaplan.
 
In 1951, Woolf made his first, and one of many, overseas trips. As this was only six years after the war, his travels to Europe were reported extensively in the local newspapers. At the time it was rather the exception that the rule, for South Africans to travel abroad, especially from a country town, like George. This is how Woolf’s visit was reported in the George & Knysna Herald of the 10th August, 1951:
 

A GEORGIAN MEETS GRACIE FIELDS : BATHES WITH THE DUKE And Sees the Blue Danube Seeing the marvels of the Festival of Britain and the British Industries Fair, meeting Gracie Fields who sang a request item, bathing with the Duke of Edinburgh and sitting beside the Duke and Duchess of Windsor at a casino, were some of the thrills of a four month trip to England and the Continent experienced by Mr. Wulf Israelsohn. Mr Israelsohn made the trip over on the "Dominion Monarch" and returned by air.

 
On Wulf’s return, he was the toast of the town, with all his colleagues waiting to hear the stories of his travels. During Wulf’s absence, his mother, Bella and sister, Deb, managed the business. As a token of his appreciation for the assistance that Deb gave him, Wulf sent her on her first overseas trip the following year, to South America.
 
Business and life for the Israelsohn family of "York Street" continued to be peaceful and prosperous. Members of the Sanders and Israelsohn families from far and wide came to George to visit "Aunt Bella". Wulf, who now spelt his name "Woolf", due to an error on his birth certificate, had become a leading businessman of the town. But unlike his grandfather Wulf Sanders, he never married and continued his life "in pursuit of the perfect woman"!
 
Bella celebrated her 80th birthday in 1955, in good health and with good humour. She had become a familiar figure in the town, taking her daily walk to "the shop", followed by a fair hike in the afternoons. The following year at the age of 81 years, she was the "belle of the ball" at her grandson’s barmitzvah. Bella and her grandson, Derrick Lewis, took the opening dance, at the function held at the George Hotel, much to the enjoyment and delight of the guests.
 
Summer holidays were enjoyed by the family, during the Christmas to New Year week, when they booked into the now famous Wilderness Hotel. Bella, in her youth, used to join her family on their annual summer holidays in Mossel Bay, which were spent in a tent near the beach! This was a tradition with most of the "Oudtshoornites". Decades later, Bella was quite often the centre of attraction at the Wilderness Hotel, keeping everyone enrapt with her stories of her youth and the stories of her father’s travels. She especially enjoyed retelling the story of how the famous confederate raider the "Alabama" stopped the ship her father was travelling on, and threatened to sink it, unless a ransom was paid! One listener, who was so impressed and obviously a little confused, remarked that Bella did not look all that old! (The happening took place 100 years previously).
 
On the birth of her great- grandson, David Lewis, in 1968, Bella remarked, "that when David learns to walk, I"ll be walking in heaven!" Six months later, at the age of 94, Bella passed away as a result of a heart complaint. She had lived to see many changes in the world, plus surviving a heart attack at the age of 85. Her passing was the end of an era.
 
The George & Knysna Herald reported the death on the 22nd November, 1968
 

Well-known woman dies. George, Thurs.: Mrs Bella Israelsohn, well-known George personality who emmigrated with her parents from Australia in 1882 at the age of seven, died peacefully in her home at 72 York Street on Monday afternoon after a short illness. She was 94 years old. Her father, Wulf Sanders was one of the pioneer Jewish businessmen to settle in Oudtshoorn where he established a large retail organisation and where Mrs Israelsohn in her youth was a pianist with the old Oudtshoorn Orchestral Society under the direction of Mr. Hinds. She married Mr Isidore Israelsohn in Oudtshoorn in 1902(sic1901) during the Anglo Boer War and raised three sons and a daughter. The family settled at George in 1927 where Mr Israelsohn started a retail business opposite the Boys Primary School in Hibernia Street. He died in 1949. Mrs Israelsohn is survived by her sons, Dr Israelsohn of Port Elizabeth, Mr Woolf Israelsohn, well-known George businessman and a daughter, Mrs Debbie Lewis, also from George.

 
With the death of Bella, the seemingly permanent structure of her family started to come apart. Woolf and his sister Debbie were at odds because of her inheritance of the family home at York Street. Deb left the home and went to Port Elizabeth to live with her sister-in law, Bess Israelsohn. Bess had lost her husband, Moss to cancer earlier in the year. (Bella was never told of the passing of her eldest son as she was in poor health at the time).
 
A solution was found for Deb’s financial predicament. Woolf purchased the home, giving his sister a steady income from the proceeds. Sadly, poor Deb, finding herself living in a strange home, albeit her late brothers’, plus the loss of her dear mother, resulted in her experiencing a nervous breakdown, from which she never really fully recovered. Amazingly a year later, Deb remarried but tragically only to suffer a fatal stroke a few months later. Within the space of two years, Deb, her brother Moss and their mother, Bella, all passed on! This left Woolf all on his own at 72 York Street George. His only close relatives were Derrick, and his cousins Joel Israelsohn and sister Wilma, who were both living in London. However, Woolf soon adjusted to living on his own and continued with his business Ralsons, albeit on a slower pace. He still travelled overseas regularly, visiting family and friends.
 
Woolf had by now become an "institution" in the town of George, still a bachelor, still looking good and still pursuing lovely ladies. He was also active on the golf course, being now the oldest living member of the George Golf Club. In December of 1969 the following report appeared in the Het Suid-Western:
 

Triumph for Wolfie in George golf BY BASIL BARKER GEORGE - Wolfie Israelsohn, who last week snatched the Hutcheson Floating Trophy, for the six best monthly medal rounds during the year, added to his laurels this week by winning the Annual Cup competed for by the winners of the monthly medals through the year.

 
Amazingly, ten years later on the 28th November, 1979, at the age of 68, Woolf scored a hole-in-one on the 15th at the George Golf Course. Two years later, July, 1980, Woolf sold his business to a Johannesburg buyer. The Outeniqualander reported this business transaction:
 

END OF AN ERA Ralsons takeover By John Hartdegen Ralsons, the mens’s clothing store in George with an international reputation, has been sold for an undisclosed price. Mr Woolf Israelsohn, known as Woolfie to generations of George people, bows out at the end of this month. But it’s the end of an era in the commercial life of George. Said Mr De Bruin (The buyer) this week: "Woolfie has style. He’s built a fantastic business known to discerning people throughout the world, thanks mainly to his exclusive overseas buying trips and visits from overseas clothiers touring the Garden Route". Woolfie, now aged 70, told me this week; "I preferred the bachelor’s life, so I never married. Now I have no one to take over the business - there’s a niece who is a doctor in London, a nephew who is a chartered accountant in London, and another nephew who has his own outfitting business in Cape Town".

 
The following year, 1981, Woolf sold the old family home at 72 York Street and moved to Cape Town, where he bought an apartment on the Sea Point beach-front. This became his home for the next fifteen years. He continued to enjoy good health, playing golf once a week and attending Rotary lunches every Tuesday. His annual holidays were spent on the Continent, the island of Ischia being his favourite holiday spot. On the 25th February, 1996, Woolf passed away after suffering a short illness. He had developed a carcinoma on the lung with small secondary tumours on the brain. Coincidentally, Woolf died one day after the date of his grandfather, Wulf Sanders’ death, which was on the 24th February, eighty-six years earlier. Woolf Israelsohn, the family icon was no more. A family legend in his own life time; an entrepreneur, a golfer, a yachtsman, a world traveller, conservative yet always very dapper, a romantic yet always concerned about family, worshipped his mother, yet was a true ladies man, but was able to charm his ladies’ men. As a wonderful post-script to his lifestyle and to the charming lover boy he was, this following letter sent to Woolf during the World War II years by some unknown lady friend gives one an excellent picture of what he was all about:
 

27 - 3 - 1944 Darling Wulf, Just a few lines to tell you the things I left unsaid. I am sorry if sometimes I appeared remote and rationed you, as you termed it. I only want to say that I regret that we didn’t have time to know each other more intimately, perhaps it is better, it leaves the sweet fragrant thought of what might have been. This holiday, without you, would have been a bore but this way it turned out not as a pleasant holiday but as a charming & lovable interlude that I shall never forget. I wish to thank you for your kindness, understanding and love; can I say love? Yes, I think I can; I have been in love with you for the past few days & you in love with me, by this word I do not mean to apply the standard & recognised meaning but our own tender interpretation. Think of me sometimes and au-revoir to one day in the near future. All my love & thanks, Edith.