Grayson County TXGenWeb

P.H. Slutzky

P.H. Slutzky was born 1837 in Wilma, Russia. He was married to a daughter of Mayer Goldsoll, who had been accused of working with the head cashier of the Broadway Savings Bank in St. Louis, Missouri in taking out loans in the amounts of over $100,000 of which he was unable to pay. Mr. Goldsoll denied all accusations and stated that his dealings with the bank were like any other customer of the bank, "conducted upon the principles that banking business is conducted. (St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Friday, May 23, 1879, pg.4). Upon the advise of his lawyer, Mr. Goldsoll left the St. Louis area and stayed in Sherman while the Sheriff from St. Louis was searching for him to put him under arrest. Consequently, because of the large amounts of loans and money owed the bank by Goldsoll, the Broadway Savings Bank failed.
On June 19, 1879 all of the Goldsoll household furnishings were auctioned at a Sheriff's Sale. (St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Tuesday, June 17, 1879, pg.3)
Goldsoll was accused of and arrested for swindling a New York jewelry firm, which he visited in 1858 to purchase goods for his small jewelry store in St. Louis. By the time of the issues with the Broadway Savings Bank in 1879, Goldsoll's reputation was "anything but good"; the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported at the end of May 1879 that Goldsoll had failed in business several times and had been mixed up in a number of suspicious schemes.

By mid-October 1879 Goldsoll and his son-in-law P.H. Slutzky were settling in Denison and preparing to go into business.

The Denison Daily News
Thursday, October 16, 1879
pg. 4

Mr. Slutzy, of St. Louis, will open a first-class jewelry establishment in the building occupied by A. Jacobs. A large consignment of goods arrived yesterday. Mr. Joe Helfershreider will be connected with the new establishment. He is one of the most skillful watchmakers in the State.

The local Denison paper encouraged people to visit Mr. Slutzky in late November 1879 for their holiday gifts purchases, stating that Mr. Slutzky had a reputation for fair dealings, moderate prices, and quality goods.

The Denison Daily News
Sunday, November 23, 1879
pg. 8

SLUTZKY SUPREME
Full many a gem of the purest and description can be found in the new and elegant stock of P.H. Slutzky, at Goldsoll's old stand. Mr. Slutzky has been here only a short time and has already gained an enviable reputation for fair dealing and moderate prices, and for the superior quality of his clocks, watches and jewelry. All of his goods are new and of the latest and and most fashionable designs. When you buy your holiday presents don't fail to call upon Mr. Slutzky.

In January 1880 Mrs. Slutzky arrived in Denison from St. Louis with her family and was accompanied by her sister, Dora Goldsoll, who was to spend the winter in Denison with her sister and her family and who was described as one of the finest pianist in St. Louis. (Denison Daily News, Tuesday, January 13, 1880, pg.4) Just a week later the Denison Daily News noted that Dora Goldsoll "made her society debut at the hop given at the Alamo" and made a favorable impression on all with whom she became acquainted. The Slutzky family took up residence at the corner of Gandy street and Austin avenue. (Denison Daily News, Friday, February 27, 1880, pg.4)

A January 1880 advertisement stated that Mr. Slutzky's jewelry business was at his father-in-law's, Mayer Goldsoll's, old stand, located at the corner of Main street and Austin Avenue. However, he was also doing a booming business in Gainesville, Cooke County. (Denison Daily News, Thursday, January 29, 1880)

Contrary to Mayer Goldsoll's reputation in Missouri, Mr. Slutzky gained the favor and friendship of many in Denison because of his honesty and moral character. P.H. Slutzky died October 8, 1886 and he was laid to rest alongside his father-in-law, Mayer Goldsoll, who died November 8, 1881, just short of two years after arriving in Denison. They are the only two members of the family who are buried at Oakwood Cemetery, Denison.
Mrs. Slutzky and children remained in Denison at least through 1911 and Mr. Helfershreider continued to operate the Slutzky Jewelry store as well as a son, his father's namesake, Phillip Slutzky.

The Sunday Gazetteer
Sunday, October 17, 1886
pg. 4
Monday Mr. A. Jacobs arrived in the city from Denver, Colorado, accompanying the remains of our respected townsman, Mr. Phillip Slutzky, who died in that city Friday, October 8, at 12:30 a.m. About the first of February Mr. Slutzky caught cold which settled upon his lungs, and after remaining about three months strong symptoms of pulmonary consumption developed themselves, and as he kept getting worse he thought that the climate of Colorado would help him. He accordingly left for Denver, but, as is generally the case where the system is too much weakened to improve, the change only hastened his death. Week before last Mr. A. Jacobs received a telegram for his wife here stating that her husband was sinking fast. Mrs. Slutzky was so sick with the dengue fever that Mr. Jacobs withheld the telegram from her fearing the result, and merely telling her that Mr. Slutzky was somewhat worse, left for Denver himself. He arrived on the 1st and watched at his bedside until his death, which occurred eight days after.
The remains were met at the depot by the hearse and a large assemblage of friends, and conveyed to the family residence corner Austin avenue and Sears street, where they remained till Tuesday morning. The funeral took place at 10 a.m., and was under the auspices of the Jewish Society and the Knights of Pythias. The Jewish services were read by I. Yeidel, while the Knights of Pythias' ceremony was presided over by J.M. Hill. The funeral was an exceedingly large one, there being in the neighborhood of fifty carriages in the procession.
Mr. Slutzky was born at Wilna, Russia in the year 1837, and was consequently 49 years of age when he died. He came to America in 1865 and took up his residence in St. Louis. In '79 he came to Texas and settled in Denison where he embarked in the jewelry business and where he lived up to the time of his leaving for Denver in July. He was a man of good moral deportment, correct business habits and possessing all the qualities which go to make a good citizen, and his loss will be mourned by a large circle of friends.