The Tragic Story Of Isidor And Ida Straus Who Perished On The Titanic

You're undoubtedly familiar with the concept of rags to riches when somebody comes from nothing and, through pluck and hard work, makes mountains of money. The story of Isidor Straus is not such a story.

You're undoubtedly familiar with the concept of rags to riches — when somebody comes from nothing and, through pluck and hard work, makes mountains of money. The story of Isidor Straus is not such a story. 

According to the Straus Historical Society, Straus wasn't born poor, but he wasn't born rich either. His father was an itinerant merchant who moved the family a few times, but nevertheless, the elder Straus was successful. By the 1870s, Isidor and his brother, Nathan, were importing china, porcelain, glassware, and crockery and selling it from the basement of Macy's in New York City. Just over a decade later, the brothers were co-owners of the store along with the Macy family, and within another 11 years, the two men co-owned the store outright.

Beyond his status as a wealthy businessman, Isidor Straus also served in Congress, representing New York's 15th District, according to the House of Representatives website.

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