Freudenthal, Carmen K., 1898-1991

Louis Edwin Freudenthal was born June 18, 1895, to Phoebus and Amalia Lewy Freudenthal, in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Phoebus was the fourth generation of his family to settle in New Mexico. Phoebus left from Germany in 1869 at age thirteen, to work for an uncle, in Las Cruces. He eventually established his business, Louis Freudenthal and Company, named for his father. The business was sold to Adolph Jacoby in 1899 when Phoebus took over the management of Solomon Commercial Company in Arizona. Phoebus and Amalia had two other children: Bernard who eventually settled in California; and Robert, who died in infancy.

Freudenthal attended school as a child in Solomonville, Arizona. Later Freudenthal was sent to live with relatives in New York, where he attended private schools and eventually graduated from De Witt Clinton High School. Freudenthal graduated from Cornell University in 1916, majoring in agricultural studies.

Freudenthal returned to New Mexico around 1918 to manage his father's properties. He also founded the Valley Insurance Agency at this time. He became involved in the Farm Bureau and served as the local director for ten years. Freudenthal was active in numerous local organizations throughout his life. In 1940, he helped organize the Do?a Ana County Taxpayers League. In 1943, he was part of the war effort that created the Valley Locker Co-op. He served as director of the Mutual Building and Loan Association from 1948-1970. Freudenthal was also interested in local history and served as an early president of the Do?a Ana County Historical Society. Additionally, Freudenthal participated in the local Stamp Club, Do?a Ana Mental Health Services, New Mexico Association of Insurance Agents, the Kiwanis Club, Temple Beth El, and the United Jewish Appeal

In 1931, while on a lobbying trip for Elephant Butte, Freudenthal met Carmen Kahn in New York City. On March 28, 1932, Louis married Carmen. The couple's first child, Elsa, was born in 1934. Two years later they had a son, Max. Louis and Carmen shared a lifelong interested in social activism as well as the arts and history.

Carmen Sylvia Kahn was born in Sedalia, Missouri, on February 8, 1898, to French immigrants, Arthur Kahn and Cl?mence Joseph. Arthur Kahn worked with his brothers in the garment business; his wife Cl?mence was involved in various civic activities and is credited with organizing the first Red Cross chapter in Missouri.

Carmen attended public school in Sedalia, and later attended preparatory school in St. Louis. She attended Washington University in St. Louis for a short time then transferred to Smith College in Northhampton, Massachusetts, where she studied Economics and Sociology. She graduated cum laude in 1920. Carmen worked as a social worker at the Jewish Charities in Chicago for a short time, then and worked for several years as an encyclopedia salesman in St. Louis and in New York.

Carmen maintained a lifelong commitment to social and political involvement. She served as president of the Women's Improvement Association and chaired its legislative committee which sought to reform New Mexico's community property laws. Carmen also became active in civil rights efforts in the state, and promoted women's education through the local branch of the American Association of University Women. She also was part of the effort to establish a Planned Parenthood clinic in Do?a Ana County, serving as its first president. Further organizations she was affiliated with include the local hospital auxiliary, the Do?a Ana Chapter of the Red Cross, American Civil Liberties Union, the Anti-Defamation League of B'nai B'rith and Democratic party.

Louis Freudenthal died in Las Cruces in 1971 after a lengthy illness. Max, who had been his father's partner at the Valley Insurance Agency, died about two years later in 1973. Carmen remained in Las Cruces and remained active until her death in 1991. The Freudenthal's daughter Elsa continues to live in Las Cruces and continues her parents' enthusiasm for social reform.

From the guide to the Louis E. and Carmen K. Freudenthal Family Papers, 1837-1990, (Archives and Special Collections, New Mexico State University Library)