Reiss Family Collection

Josef Reiss (1847-1917) was the son of a butcher. He lived successively in the western Bohemian towns of Horosedl; Dekau; and finally-from the late 1880s on-in Saaz. Josef Reiss married Charlotte Stein (1858-1886) in about 1875 and she gave birth to seven children. After Charlotte's death, Josef married Adele Mann (1870-1937). Josef Reiss' family business prospered: they had large land holdings and engaged in many aspects of general farming, in the growing and exporting of hops. In 1938, Sudetenland was annexed by Germany and all Jews had to leave within hours. The Reiss family went to their Konau property, which was in the remaining part of Czechoslovakia, where they could continue their business.

Moritz Reiss married Olga Kohn (1879-1950s), daughter of Adolf Kohn from Drahomischl, in 1904. They had four children: Herbert (1905-ca. 1980), Kurt (1906-1996), Walter (1908-1937) and Flora Lotte, called Lola (1910-1995).

Herbert attended four years of Commercial High School, than worked for a bank. He spent a year in France and into the hops business upon his return. Herbert was also an accomplished musician and did some compositions. In the 30s, Herbert left Saaz and moved to Paris to work for a Jewish Aid Association. He married Trude Loewy and they left for London before the Nazis arrived, settling in Ontario, Canada.

Kurt left school at the age of 15 and developed an interest in religion. He believed that the Jews should recognize Jesus Christ as their Messiah. He also attempted to secure patents for mechanical inventions. Kurt convinced the family to emigrate to Canada. According to a family member Kurt suffered from mental illness. He was unable to work and spent his days writing notes about his daily activities and his religious ideas. His sister Lola always took care of him.

Walter died after a tonsillitis infection at the age of 29.

Flora Lotte, called Lola, was sent to a Swiss finishing school after her elementary education. She spoke English, French, German and some Czech. Before the emigration to Canada, Lola had a gentile boyfriend. After moving to Canada she devoted her life to her family. She never married.

In March of 1939, Germany occupied the rest of the country. Moritz, Kurt, Herbert and his wife Trude were able to get to London and from there to Canada. Lola and Olga joined them after much hardship via Poland, Finland, Norway and London.

In order to settle in Canada at the time, it was necessary to buy and cultivate a farm, which they did in the Niagara peninsula. After the war they moved to Toronto. Herbert and Trude moved to Hamilton, where they had one son, Walter, born in the late 1950's.

David married Else Gottlieb (1887-1967). They had three children: Hans (1909-ca. 1985), Lotte (1910-1944) and Joseph (born 1919). Hans received a Doctor of Law degree in 1933, but joined the family business in 1937. He changed his name to John Hanus Reese in 1943 while he served in the US army. John wrote the family memoir "Reiss Roots". He married an American, Vivien Joseph. They had two children: Susan (*1946) and Peter (*1944).