JOSEPH, EMIL (5 Sept. 1857-11 June 1938), a lawyer devoting much of his life to public service and philanthropy, was born in New York to Jette Selig and MORITZ JOSEPH; his family came to Cleveland when his father joined the clothing-manufacturing firm Goldsmith, Joseph & Feiss in 1873. Joseph graduated from Columbia University with an A.B. (1879) and an LL.B. (1881). Admitted to the Ohio bar, Joseph began practicing law in Cleveland with N. A. Gilbert. In 1883, he became partners with Gen. Edward Meyers. In 1885, he opened his own practice, performing executive as well as legal estate work. In 1936, the CLEVELAND BAR ASSOC. honored him for his 55 years in the legal profession.
In 1912, Joseph was elected to the board of CLEVELAND PUBLIC LIBRARY. Concerned with all the library's operations, but especially in establishing branch libraries, he was chairman of various committees. In 1932 he was elected president of the board. For many years, Joseph served as chairman of the board of the Jewish Orphan Home. In 1926, he was appointed a director of the Union Trust Co. He also was president of the Town, EXCELSIOR, and OAKWOOD CLUBS. In his private life, Joseph collected an extensive, 5,000-volume private library. Portions of his collections of photographs of famous people, prints, and historical mementos were displayed throughout his E. 115th St. residence. Joseph married Fannie Dryfoos in 1891. He was survived by his son, Frank, and 2 daughters, Mrs. Louis Bing and Mrs. Adrian Ettinger.
Finding aid for the Joseph Family Papers, WRHS.
Finding aid for the Joseph Family Papers, Series II, WRHS.
Finding aid for the Joseph Family Photographs, WRHS.
Finding aid for the Joseph Family Photographs, Series II, WRHS.