Old Jewish Burial Ground

OLD JEWISH BURIAL GROUND

Will Be Obliterated in a Few Days

REMAINS TO BE TAKEN UP

And Removed to a Lot in Forest Hills Cemetery 

The question of the old private cemetery lot of the Weil family lying east of Ingalls street, in the lots belonging to the Grove estate is about being settled. The old cemetery was a little west of this. From this the bodies have been removed to the Fairview and Forest Hill cemetery. The Weils claimed to have a deed for their burial lot from the city. It has been claimed that by those who have looked at this deed, or examined the records, that the description of the lot, is erroneous, it describing a lot down on South Fourth ave. Negotiations have been pending, for the removal of the bodies buried there, for a number of years. As long as the heads of the Weil family lived nothing could be done, as they were extremely orthodox Hebrews. They said that it was contrary to their religion to sanction the removal of bodies that had been buried. They are now gathered to their fathers. The younger generation see the inevitable, and feel they are showing more respect to their fathers to tacitly allow the remains to be removed to a lot in Forest Hill cemetery, than to be obstructionists. For a time a number of parties undertook to arrange the matter, but their ideas contemplated considerable cost, which is now obviated. Messrs. Groves will probably have the remains taken up next Monday. The Weil family consisting of four brothers, Leopold, Solomon, Jacob and Moses started in Ann Arbor as poor peddlers. By their uprightness of character, they built up a large business. Their work consisted in gathering up hides, pelts and buying wool. From this they branched out into the tanning line, building a large brick tannery, now occupied by the Ann Arbor Electric Light Co. At one time upwards of 75 men were employed. Later Jacob and Moses started in business in New York City, and Leopold and Solomon in Chicago. They were all very successful and respected. They all until the time of their death, had a warm feeling for Ann Arbor and particularly for their old neighbors.