leeg

Alan R. Ludmer, U.S.A.

part 4.5

The second USA generation

This section identifies the families of the three Fuchs siblings who emigrated to Louisville, KY USA in 1904.

Sarah and Alec Gradman children:

David and Gladys Gradman

David Gradman. (1910-2000). David was a successful businessman and pioneer in the insurance and finance business. He founded Colonial Acceptance Corporation which became a nation wide firm. He married Gladys Linder of New Jersey. David and Gladys lived in Chicago and retired to Palm Beach, FL. They had two sons. - Martin and Lawrence.

Marty (Iris) lives in Chicago and was in the banking industry. They have 2 children, Steve and Susie (Gourji).

Larry (Fran) lives in New Jersey and taught school. They have 2 daughters, Laura and Ann.

I remember Uncle Dave as very smart and very reserved. He was my mother's older brother and when his father died young, David assumed the role of family protector. My mom often spoke of his kindness toward her and his support of the family. We would often see him and his family in Chicago. When we went to Louisville for Passover , Dave would join us.. He would always lead the Seder. Our family respected and trusted him for any family related financial matters. (Source Alan Ludmer)

Katie and Morris Spielberg
Katie Gradman Spielberg. (1913-1994). Katie married Morris Spielberg and they owned a liquor store in the Louisville Portland area. Interesting trivia, legendary boxer Muhammad Ali’s dad did the signage for the store and Ali (as a young boy) ran errands for my Uncle Morris. Katie was a wonderful baker, committed mother, and involved in Synagogue activities. Morris had a wonderful voice and sang with a band when he was young. He had a great outgoing personality. He and Katie had two sons Alec and Myron.

-Myron died young - no children. Myron had a long term neuromuscular disease (dystopia) and the entire family was focused on his care.

- Alec (1939-2013) married Carol Gradman and had 3 children (Jeff, Greg, and Melissa d. 2003). Alec worked and managed Carol's family's commercial and residential glass business, He was incredibly personable, and deeply involved in community and Jewish causes. Alec's sons, Jeff and Gregg still live in Louisville and continue to own Kentucky Mirror and Glass Co.

Lillian Gradman

Libby Gradman. (1915-1938) Educator - graduate of University of Kentucky, and became a school teacher. She wasn't married and had no children. She died of Leukemia at age 23. Her death was devastating to the entire family. My mom was especially close to her.

Dorothy and Sam Ludmer 1973

Dorothy Gradman Ludmer. (1919- 2009) My mother Dorothy was raised in Louisville. She was very bright and graduated high school at 16 and Collage at age 19. She became a teacher in Louisville. She married Sam Ludmer (1916-1976) in Chicago in 1946. Sam was in the shoe business. He was born in NYC, but grew up in Saint Louis. He and Dorothy met in Chicago. Sam moved there after his WWII army service. Dorothy was an elementary school teacher in Louisville and Chicago. She was a master teacher and received numerous teaching awards. She was very active in volunteer (Hadassah) activities. She was a loving mother and a strong supportive wife. Dorothy and Sam had two children,

Son Alan Ludmer b. 3/7/48 Businessman and entrepreneur. Married Alice Class in St. Louis 1971. They have two children:

- Stephanie (b. 6/18/76) (M. Geoffrey Gross), two daughters Norah and Sari.

- Steven (4/29/79) M. Gloria Velandia - 1 daughter Evie.

- Daughter Linda Ludmer Kahn b. 3/14/50 Educator and community volunteer. Husband Jerry Kahn CPA. They have two children, Sara (Dan Wool) and Betsy (Ryan Kole).

Lazar and Yetta Fox children

Liepe and Lil Fox
Leopold (Liepe) Fox (1909-1999). Married Lillian Feitleson. Liepe was in the department store business and lived in Louisville. When my mom, sister and I would visit my grandmother in Louisville. Liepe and Lill would often visit. I remember them as nice people. They had 2 children.

- Gary (MD) (1935) Married Esther Goldberg, (divorced). Current spouse is Mary. Gary and Esther had 5 children one of which is deceased (Brian).

- Marsha. Married Eden Feldstein, divorced 2 children, lives in Columbus, OH
Hilda (Hinde) Fox. (1914-1957). Hinde became a Head Nurse RN at Louisville Jewish Hospital and never married. After she died at age 42 of a cerebral hemorrhage. The Fox Family Menorah memorial at Louisville's Jewish Hospital was named in her honor

Bencie and Erma Fox

Bernard (Bensie) Fox (1918-2011) Bensie married Erma Yoffe and lived in Louisville. He owned dry goods store and later worked as a toy wholesaler. I remember him as a funny and kind person. He and Erma would often visited my grandmother. They had 2 children:

- Susan (Harry Morris) b. 1948 - 3 children and 4 grandchildren.

- Lawrence (Sherre) b. 1950. 1 daughter Shana b.1976 divorced with 1 son Nicholas.

Sam Fox Married Dora, one son

- Leon. Leon divorced after he developed MS and died in his 40s. He had 1 son Steven d. 2016.

Leon Fox Leon never married, known as a drifter and moonshiner. He died at a relatively young adult age.

Hyman Fox Known as Hymie, never married, worked as a kosher butcher in Louisville.

Dan Fox (1904-1977) Married Gertrude Berman 1909-1941, He owned a liquor store in Louisville and had one daughter:

- Nannette 1941(Mark Silverstein 1939). Nanette has 2 children Betsy 1962 and Evan 1975- 2008 (deceased). Betsy (Mark Prussian) has 2 daughters Dori and Dana.

Alec Fox Alex married Jean Gold and they had 4 children. Then lived in Louisville.

- Joan never married,

- Larry is married to Maryanne & have 1 son Adam who has 2 children,

- Kenneth (Karen Anhouse) 2 sons,

- Sherry Fox Fischer (divorced) 2 children Rebecca (Rafa) and Ryan (Amelia) and 2 grandchildren

Michael Fox (1911-1934) died at 23 of a ruptured appendix. He had no family

Lillian and Al Halperin

Lillian "Lake" Fox

Source Gale Halperin daughter in law Lake met Al (Albert) Halperin at Fort Knox during the war. Al was from Boston, MA and they moved there when they married. Jerry (Jerome) was born in 1946 in Boston and was an only chld. Lillian passed away in November 1959 from Breast Cancer Al passed away 1995.

Jerry and I met when he was a student at the University of Louisville (Business and Marketing Degree) and I was a student at the University of Kentucky (degree in Social Work). An interesting aside is that Susan Fox Morris introduced us and I introduced Susan to her husband Harry Morris.

Gale Spandorf Halperin (1948) was born in New York and raised in Lexington, Kentucky. After marrying in Lexington (1970) we lived for 8 months in Louisville . During that time (and many earlier visits to Louisville) I got to know your grandmother Sara and your Aunt Katie pretty well. I also met your Mom when she visited Louisville and at the Fox Berman Picnics. Our next move was to Indianapolis (1972) where we continue to live. Jerry and I have 2 children:

Lori Beth Halperin 1977 (divorced) a teacher in a Jewish Day School in Indianapolis 2 sons....Luke and Jake

Michael Ross Halperin 1981 (single) who works at the Indianapolis Children's Museum

Jerry and I are both retired now and doing volunteer work, Jerry is quite a bicyclist. Jerry and I owned a Children's furniture store The Kuddly Kid and after it was closed Jerry worked in the Department of Transportation for the State of Indiana. I was a medical social worker at a local hospital until I became the Executive Director of a large Conservative Synagogue where I retired from after 28 years.

Hannah Fox Married Sam Levine, 1 son Jay (d. 2003)

Jay had one daughter, Shannon (Todd) who has 2 children Steven and Allison

Gertie Fox Never married, she spent her life taking care of her parents.

Ben "Pete" Fox Married Tillie Kamanaster, 2 children:

- “Sugar” married to Henry Abraham (deceased). They had 5 children and several grandchildren

- James (Connie) 2 children Steven and Allison and 3 grandchildren

David "Dutz" Fox Dutz ever married and was an avid race horse gambler and track tout. Family members remember his flashy clothes.