Westheimer - Beth Israel Cemetery, Houston, TX
Posted by: 
jhuoni
N 29° 45.431 W 095° 22.857
15R E 269771 N 3294255
Founded in 1844, Beth Israel Cemetery is the oldest Jewish Cemetery in Texas.
Waymark Code: WMZZAP
Location: Texas, United States
Date Posted: 01/27/2019
Views: 0
The Westheimer Family Plot is located near the center of this rectangular cemetery. An obelisk with the family name bears the Woodman of the World seal on the reverse.
Parents:
M.L. Westheimer - Mitchell (Michael) Louis Westheimer
Babette Betty Hirsch Westheimer
Children:
Samuel Westheimer
Aurelia Westheimer
Hattie B. Westheimer Ray
Rose L. Westheimer Schwartz
Mollie T. Westheimer
Gustave Westheimer
Bertha B. Westheimer
Carrie C. Westheimer Alexander
From the Texas State Historical Association Handbook Online
(
visit link)
WESTHEIMER, MITCHELL LOUIS (1831–1905).
Mitchell (Michael) Louis Westheimer, businessman, was born in Baden, Germany, on August 22, 1831. He moved to Texas in the 1850s, and married Babette Betty Hirsch on August 26, 1860. Westheimer became naturalized as an American citizen in 1867, and with his wife raised sixteen children: eight of their own, three orphans, and five children of relatives. Westheimer purchased at auction a 640-acre tract extending from what is now Bellaire Blvd. north beyond what is now Westheimer Road in Houston. The tract became known as the Westheimer Plantation. It featured a large, plantation-style residence on the site of present Lamar High School, stables for the livery, and a racetrack. In the 1860s Houston had no public schools, so Westheimer built a school on his farm, hired a teacher, and allowed area children to attend free. A miller by trade, Westheimer owned a flour mill in Houston, became a hay merchant in the 1850s and 1860s, and built the first streetcar rails in Houston. He spoke seven languages and often served as an interpreter for the bank and post office. Beginning in the 1880s Westheimer opened the Houston Livery Stable and eventually brought over five nephews from Germany-Max, Sidney, Adolf, Sigmund J., and David. Some of his nephews formed in 1883 the Westheimer Transfer and Storage Company, which has been in operation ever since, and a funeral home. Westheimer and his family became leaders in Congregation Beth Israel, the oldest continually active affiliated synagogue in Texas, and he served as an officer and trustee of the congregation in the 1870s and 1880s. In 1895 Westheimer dedicated a portion of the land from his plantation to Harris County to provide right-of-way for a short-cut road to Columbus and Sealy. This road was denominated Westheimer Road and runs west from near downtown Houston over thirty miles to Fulshear. It is the longest major thoroughfare in Texas. M. L. Westheimer died at St. Joseph's Infirmary on August 2, 1905, at 3:45pm following an operation. He was buried at Beth Israel Cemetery in Houston. His descendants include a great nephew, the author and playwright David Westheimer.