Moise Kaplan Papers

Moise N. Kaplan (June 4, 1893-June 25, 1970) in Atlanta, GA. He was the son of Mr. Nathan. A. Kaplan, of Odessa, Russia, who founded Ahavath-Achim congregation in Atlanta in 1890 and Mrs. Jeanette (nee Marshall) Kaplan of Anniston, Alabama. In addition to Moise, the Kaplans were the parents of three other sons: A. N. Kaplan, Louis Ike Kaplan, and Ben W. Kaplan. Moise graduated from Boys’ High School in 1909. For several years, he worked as a secretary to James Osgood Wynn, president of Cosmopolitan Life Insurance. While in that position he attended Georgia Institute of Technology Night School of Commerce. An executive at Ford Motor Company in Atlanta, he was granted a leave of absence to enter the first Officer’s Training at Fort McPherson at the onset of WWII. Due to his small size, he was initially discharged from service. However, he managed to induce Joseph H. Hirsch, the local draft board chairman, to send him to Camp Gordon with the first ten drafted contingent from Atlanta. There at Camp Gordon he was the only solider assigned to the 319th field artillery, 82d division. He served as personal secretary to General Eben Swift, Commander of the 82d division. When the 82d division received orders overseas, Kaplan was reassigned to the 18th division headquarters, commanded by Brigadier General George H. Estes. Following that he was assigned to the Chief of Staff’s Office in Washington, DC. He was discharged from the Army in 1919. After the war, he returned to Atlanta to work for Princess Dress Manufacturing Company. After several years working in the manufacturing industry he returned to the life insurance business. Fishing had been a part of Kaplan’s life since the age of about 12. He recalls visiting an uncle out west in Oklahoma, where he was initiated into the “Grand Fishing Fraternity” by a Native American whom he remembers as “Fed.” Kaplan’s father, Nathan believes that fishing is his son’s inherited birthright. The father recalls that he himself often missed school in Odessa to catch fish in the Black Sea. Moise died on June 25, 1970 at age 77 at his residence in Atlanta located on Briarcliff Road. He was survived by his wife and brother Ben W. Kaplan. He was laid to rest at Crest Lawn Memorial Park, Rabbi Jacob M. Rothschild was the officiant.