Strauss, Charles Moses, 1840-1892

Born in New York in 1840, Charles Moses Strauss was a public servant and merchant. In time, he became a successful businessman in both Boston, Mass., and Memphis, Tenn.; and, as a member of the Democratic Party, held various offices. He married Julia Kauffman, a pianist, in 1868. In 1880, he moved to Tucson, Ariz., and, once there, entered the mercantile firm of Louis Zeckendorf and Company. He quickly gained a reputation for action and his ethical values. In 1883, he was elected mayor of Tucson, but, in 1884, he resigned. In addition to serving as the territorial superintendent of public instruction (1887-1890) and as the chief clerk of the sixteenth Arizona legislative council (1890-1892), he was also credited with establishing Tucson's first public library and insuring the sale of the bonds that provided the money to build the University of Arizona, where he became a regent. He died in 1892.

From the description of Charles Moses Strauss papers, 1823-1892. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 74985199