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 Jonas Reis is the only Reis in Generation One (for now). Jonas is believed to have been born
ca. 1820 in Alsace Lorraine, then Germany, the son of Emilie (Picard) and Maurice Reis of Paris. He married Marian Samuel the daughter of
Harriet (Israel) and Moses
Samuel, on 13 August 1848 at Pilgrim Street Synagogue, Liverpool. He died on 25 March 1877 in
Liverpool, age 56 and was buried at Deane Road Cemetery, Liverpool, on 28 March. It is understood that he had sisters.
Marian
was born on 20 July 1825 in Liverpool. After the death of Jonas, Marian
married Philip Schoeppler (a wine merchant) on 3 April 1879 at Liverpool.
Marian died, aged 72, on 16 June, 1900, at 18 Cavendish Road, London.
Philip died on 19 October 1915 at 4 Mazenad Avenue, Kilburn, and from his
will, it states that he is 'of the National Safe Deposit Company' of 1 Queen
Victoria Street, London EC.
Jonas and Marian belong to Reis Generation one; their
children belong to Reis Generation Two and
are:
- Charles Lionel
(who married his first cousin (Elizabeth
Woodburn)
- Harriet
- Theresa
- Arthur Montagu
- Alphonse Louis
NOTES: Jonas Reis
committed suicide on the 25
March 1877 at the
London and North Western Hotel, Liverpool, as a result of an overdose of laudanum,
an opium based painkiller. The hotel used to be near Liverpool
main railway station. There was an inquest and the
certificate attributes his suicide to 'temporary mental derangement'.
It is assumed that Jonas committed suicide as a result of financial
problems. This could be speculation, although the subsequent closure of the
bank may throw an interesting slant on this. The address of 24 Newly
Terrace, Belmont Road, Liverpool, which appears on the death certificate may
have been where he lived at the time of his death, even though he died in a
hotel room. Deane Road cemetery Liverpool where Jonas is buried was closed and
very overgrown, however there are efforts underway to clear and preserve the
cemetery.
Jonas's marriage certificate describes him as a 'bullion dealer'. The certificate can be
HERE
(<--- in PDF). The
ceremony was witnessed by Saul Samuel and Edwin Louis Samuel, cousins of the
bride. The latter was father of Viscount Herbert Samuel (see the
Samuel Family page for more details).
Jonas's death certificate can be viewed
HERE
(<-- in PDF). Jonas's will has been digitized and can be viewed
HERE
(<--- in PDF). Jonas and family have been found on the
following censuses:
1851
(<--- PDF),
1861
(<--- PDF), and
1871 (<---
PDF). Marian's death certificate can be
viewed
HERE (<--- in PDF).
Marian's will has been transcribed and can be read
HERE
(<-- in PDF) Her marriage certificate to Phillip Schoeppler
can be viewed
HERE
(<--- in PDF).
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Three pictures of Marian (Samuel) Reis.
The middle photograph was taken in Mainz, Germany. Below Harriet and
Theresa the two daughters of Jonas and Marian. |
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Jonas was a banker / bullion dealer and went into partnership with Adam Spielmann.
His probate indicates that he left £500. In the book 'The Early History of the Spielmann Family ...' written for
private circulation in 1951 by Adam's grandson (Percy Edwin Spielmann), the
following reference is made to Jonas Reis: 'The only
partner of the Firm [Adam
Spielmann & Co.] of whom there is any trace was Jonas Reis, of French
origin; his father was Maurice Reis (1784 -1855) and his mother Emilie
Picard, of Paris (1784 -1860). He had been a judge in Alsace-Lorraine,
and is remembered as having forfeited a legacy by refusing to return
there. He married Marian Samuel, whose father was Moses,
the brother of Louis Samuel the father of the Marian who had married Adam
Spielmann. [In other words Jonas Reis and Adam Spielmann had married first
cousins with the same name (Marian Samuel)]. It is thus clear how
these two men became acquainted and how opportunity arose for a connection
in business. When Adam started in Liverpool in 1845, he was 31 years
old and Jonas was 22, so there is nothing intrinsically impossible for
such an association, but there is most unfortunately no record of it.
Jonas Reis died on 25th March 1877 at 24 Newly Terrace, Belmont Road,
Liverpool, at the age of 57, and was buried at Dean Road Cemetery (see
photo below). His life was passed in Liverpool as banker, starting
at Stanley Buildings, 12 Bath Street in 1851; and the esteem in which he
was held is shown in the eulogy spoken on the occasion of the setting of
his tomb-stone in December of the year of his death.' pp. 16-17. |
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Adam Spielmann |
Marian (Samuel) Spielmann, cousin of Marian Samuel who married
Jonas Reis and sister of
Louis Samuel who became Samuel Montagu,
Lord Swaythling. |
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Edwin Samuel who was witness to the marriage of Jonas Reis and
Marian Samuel.
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The following notice appeared in The Times, January 16, 1869 Page
5, Col D.
BANKRUPTS
Reis, Jonas, Liverpool, bullion merchant -- Jan 25, Liverpool.
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Above the entrance to
Deane Road Cemetery, Liverpool, where Jonas is buried and below the inscription on Jonas's tomb pictured right.
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Sacred
to the memory of
Jonas Reis
who departed this life
March 25th 1877
a devotedly attached
kind & loving husband
an affectionate indulgent father
a sincere & true friend
charitable & noblehearted
to all who needed
renowned for his talents
highly cultivated mind
refined soul
in the midst of health & happiness
snatched from the home & hearts
of his sorrowing wife
and children
may his soul rest in peace |
Above 18 Cavendish Road where Marian lived. See below for
pictures of Marian's grave. (You will need to scroll down a little way).
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Jonas Reis's tombstone, taken
in 1979 by the late Sam Lipson. In 2007 the Reis family, assisted by Saul Marks, launched an appeal to have the obelisk
restored to its original position on top of the gravestone along
with a general clean up around the grave. This was completed on
March 27th almost 130 years to the day of Jonas's death. To view photos of
Jonas's grave before and after restoration
click here.
Deane Road Cemetery where Jonas is buried has established a presence
on the web which can be viewed
here. It includes a biography of Jonas Reis by
Richard Hudson.
North Wales Chronicle March 31 1877
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Above, left, and right Marian's grave at the Jewish
cemetery, Willesden, London (headstone
inscription). She was interred there on 18th June 1900. |
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Above
The synagogue at Princes
Road, Liverpool, which Marian and Jonas
attended and which Jonas was a contributor to when funds were needed for
its construction. His name appears on a list of subscribers inside the
building. Their daughter Theresa was
married in the synagogue. |
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