Scope and Contents
These papers were found in a desk in no discernable order. Included in the collection are clippings, correspondence, accounting, and legal papers relating to Morton Deutsch and the Alexander Grocery Company, Inc. Most of the papers are regarding Morton Deutsch in the last few years of his life. There is correspondence between Morton Deutsch and others as well as correspondence with Louis Alexander regarding Morton Deutsch and his estate. Along with the correspondence, there are health care documents for both Morton and Louis and tax documents that were received in the mail. Some information can be gleaned from the handwritten accounts of Morton’s bonds and treasury notes. There are deeds regarding the inherited estate of Noah Norton. Within the legal documents are deeds, court summons, death certificates of Morton Deutsch, birth certificate of Louis Alexander and an agreement draft with Sysco/Gulf Atlantic Food Services. Within the Guardianship folder can be found doctor’s notes on the health of Morton Deutsch in 1985 as well as Social Security papers claiming Louis Alexander as the legal guardian. The clippings contain classified ads and a few articles about the holocaust. Hebrew Union College and the Scottish Rite’s Hospital folders contain wills signed by Morton Deutsch handing over the Daufuskie Island land as well as correspondence and documents about the institutions. There are meeting minutes for the Board of Directors of the Alexander Grocery Company, Inc. dating back to 1930. The building account records contain handwritten notes and receipts.
Dates
- Creation: 1930 - 1989
Creator
- Alexander, Louis, 1922-1987 (Person)
- Deutsch, Morton, 1893-1987 (Person)
Conditions Governing Access
There are no restrictions on accessing material in this collection.
Conditions Governing Use
Copyright restrictions may apply. Unpublished manuscripts are protected by copyright. Permission to publish, quote, or reproduce must be secured from the repository and the copyright holder.
Biographical / Historical
Louis Alexander was born in 1922 to Henry Rich Alexander and Tillie Brown Alexander. Tillie Brown was co-owner of Alexander Grocery Company, Inc. with Wallace P. Brown starting in 1930. In 1949, Louis Alexander took over the position of Vice President of the Board from his mother, Tillie Brown. The stocks were officially transferred in 1967, making Louis Alexander co-owner of Alexander Grocery Company, Inc. Louis Alexander became sole owner by transfer of the remaining stock in 1974. The business was closed in 1986. Before the business was closed, Louis Alexander was appointed guardian for his cousin, Morton Deutsch who was in failing health at the age of 92. He took care of legal and monetary matters up to and beyond Morton Deutsch’s death in 1987. Legal action had been taken against Morton Deutsch regarding his estate on Daufuskie Island and Louis Alexander became the guardian of the estate well after his death.
Morton Deutsch was born in 1893 to Arthur Deutsch and Dora Morrison Deutsch. Later in life he was an avid writer and attempted to publish a book with the Hebrew Union College. During his last years he was living in very unhealthy conditions, unable to leave his home or keep the residence in livable order. He hired others to bring him groceries. He made promises to Hebrew Union College as well as the Scottish Rite’s Hospital for Crippled Children in regards to his land on Daufuskie Island. However, there were doubts to his mental and physical health while he was dealing with the college and hospital which led to court actions between the college and Morton Deutsch. In 1985, Morton Deutsch was assessed by doctors and was found to be incapacitated and unable to take care of himself. Louis Alexander was appointed his guardian at this time. Morton Deutsch lived in a couple of nursing homes, was diagnosed with colon cancer and died in 1987. The increasing cost of Morton Deutsch’s health care made it necessary for Louis Alexander to sell the estate to pay off some of the debt.
Extent
0.4 Linear Feet
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
Louis Alexander was co-owner of Alexander Grocery Company, Inc. and guardian to his cousin Morton Deutsch. The papers include clippings, correspondence, accounting, and legal papers relating to Morton Deutsch and the Alexander Grocery Company, Inc.
Arrangement
The papers are arranged in alphabetical order by subject and chronologically within each file.
Custodial History
The Louis Alexander Papers are part of the Savannah Jewish Archives that were transferred from the Georgia Historical Society to the Breman Museum in 2015.
- Title
- Louis Alexander Papers, Mss 335
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Heather Kirkland (2007) and Jeremy Katz (2015)
- Date
- 2007
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the William Breman Jewish Heritage Museum Repository
1440 Spring St. NW
Atlanta Georgia 30309 United States
678-222-3700