Herzstein Family

The Herzstein family were business and civic leaders during Clayton, New Mexico's early days. Morris Herzstein came to the United States from Germany in 1887 arriving in Clayton in 1893. He opened a mercantile business, M. Herzstein & Company. In 1901 Simon Herzstein, nephew to Morris, arrived to help with the business. In 1902 Simon married Maud Edwards. The union produced three children, Sigmund Edward born 1905, Isobel in 1909 and Simon, Jr. in 1913. Isobel married D. K. Lord. The Lords operated the branch store in Nara Visa, New Mexico. Simon, Jr. operated another store, located in Dalhart, Texas.

Simon, Sr. and Morris became business partners in 1911. The company name on the letterhead was M. Herzstein & Co., Clothing & Dry Goods, M. Herzstein - Simon Herzstein. In 1914 Morris sold his share to Simon. After the store burned in 1915 Simon opened Herzstein's Ready to Wear on Main Street in Clayton. His store carried clothes, groceries and farm implements. It was advertised as having the "largest stock of Stetsons west of the Mississippi." Simon's brothers, Sol and Leonard came to assist him with the business. In 1932, Simon rebuilt his store, which was designed by John Gaw Meem and paid for using the barter system.

Active in the local community, Simon Herzstein sat on the Town's Board of Trustees for several terms, belonged to the Town Council and the School Board. He played on and managed the Clayton community baseball team. In July 1918 he co-founded the Rotary Club in Clayton. Simon retired in 1950 and moved to Colorado, selling the store in 1959.

Sources: Jewish Pioneers of New Mexico. Albuquerque, N.M : New Mexico Jewish Historical Society, 2004-2006. v.5 (Herzstein Family) Thompson, Goldianne. Clayton, the Friendly Town in Union County, New Mexico. Denver: Monitor Pub. Co., 1962