JOLLES in South Philadelphia - 1930s and 1940s
Ricki L. Zunk
CURSON/KURSON family members. I told her of my problems with finding
any information about our cousin, Bessie Curson JOLLES. Her life has
been a real mystery to me, and I couldn't understand why I was having
so much trouble finding her when finding other family members has been
so much easier.
My elderly cousin told me a few things about Bessie's life that were
simply awful, and I shall not repeat them in this forum. Suffice it
to say, Bessie had a very miserable married life.
Bessie's husband was named Abraham JOLLES, and he owned and operated
an elegant quilt business in the 1930s and into the 1940s. It was
located in South Philly, but I don't know the exact location. I know
that they made a magnificent quilt that was given to my parents when
they married in the Summer of 1943.
After Abraham sold the quilt business, he opened an antique store
somewhere in the vicinity of 8th and Pine Sts. At least that's where
we believe it was located, but it could have been as far west as 11th
St. and it might have been on Spruce St., not Pine. My cousin wasn't
very sure.
The only other piece of information my cousin could share with me was
that Bessie was last known to be living in a rented place at about
18th and Spruce Sts. Bessie was run over by a car and killed, as she
was crossing a street on foot.
The children of Bessie and Abraham JOLLES, I am told totally disavowed
any relationship with their father. I've contacted every JOLLES I can
find in and around Philly over the past five years. No one admits any
knowledge or connection to Bessie and Abraham. With the information I
just received about Abraham, I can certainly understand why no one
would admit any kind of connection with that part of the family.
So, now I have to try to look for information in other venues.
Several years ago, one of you lovely folks from PhillyRoots did write
to me and mention knowledge of an antique store owned by a Jolles
family in the antique shop sector of South Philly. If anyone knows
anything about this, Please contact me privately at
<ric...@mindspring.com>
I am most interested in learning more about Bessie and most especially
Bessie's parents. I know that her father was Mordechai CURSON who
never came to America. He lived and died in what is today SE Latvia
(Ape or Smiltene).
Thanks, in advance, for your help.
(Mrs.) Ricki Zunk
Kendall, FL
<ric...@mindspring.com>
mailto:ric...@MINDSPRING.COM
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