The father
of Mordecai Menachem Mendel Natenson took his family, in 1805, from
Bessarabia across the River Prut (Ed. Note:
even till today the River Prut is the natural boundary between the
Ukraine and Romania). There, he became the caretaker of the estate
of a large landowner in Negulesti, where several of his children were
born. Eventually, he settled, with his large family (rumored to
include thirteen children) in Piatra Neamt, Neamt Province, where he
acquired a vineyard, and made wine and spirits, which they exported to
several countries, including Canada. Clues point to the fact that
M.M.M. used a pseudonym in business - it was "Mendel E. Amalciu".
Apparently, he died of injuries sustained from a throw from a horse.
Shmuel Leib (Samuel Lion [sic] according to
his tombstone), Mordechai's only son with his first wife Anna Ruth
Mendelssohn, was born in 1863, in Piatra Neamt, Moldavia, Romania.
Due to intense and enduring anti-Semitism in Romania, he decided to
emigrate to Canada, and requested the help of two agents, with whom he
had business dealings in his export business. They were: Percy Dow
(of Dow Breweries) and Lionel Eker (of Ekers Brewery). Both these men
were very helpful, with money, connections and administration, with
the result that S.L. was able to comfortably arrive in Canada and
immediately start to make a living for his family. Canadian
Citizenship was granted on Sept. 14, 1905, at the Circuit Court of
Montreal. His occupation was given as "grocer".
A small
indication of his life in Piatra Neamt: "I.O.B.B. (International Order
of B'Nai Brith), Loja (Lodge), Menorah XV" No. 395, Piatra N., May 23,
1897: No. 3 - To the Brotherhood!
When the initiative of certain
activities was taken, you were advised and invited. Today, our mission
has been accomplished. Our Lodge is going well, but we see, with
sadness, that not all the members have taken part regularly. This is
why our Lodge decided, at the meeting, to invite again, the members
who remained behind.We invite you, if you still wish to take part in
this Lodge, to come to the Meetings and pay the dues, from this
mentioned date, for one month; after which, you will have to ask in
writing and to wait the acceptance of the Lodge. Signed,
President, B. Samsony" Presented to S.L. Natansohn
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"I.O.B.B.
(International Order of B'Nai Brith), Loja, Menorah XV", No. 395
Piatra N.
Dated, Nov.
29, 1900, No. 195; To: S. L. Natensohn;
"Quittance"
(receipt) of payment of 1 Lei (equal to approx. $1.00)"
