Myron Lobman Family Papers

Myron C. Lobman, Sr. was born in Pine Apple, Alabama in 1890, the son of Nathan and Carrie Pollack Lobman. In 1871, Nathan Lobman, along with Louis Steiner, founded the firm of Steiner and Lobman in Pine Apple selling goods to small merchants in the area. By 1891, the growth of the company necessitated a move from Pine Apple to the larger city of Montgomery. Myron Lobman and his older brother Walter joined the firm in the early 1900s. Myron was a graduate of the Starke School, in Montgomery, the University of Alabama, and Harvard University. During World War I, Myron served overseas in the United States Infantry. Following his service he returned to work at what was now called Steiner-Lobman Dry Goods. In 1920 Myron married Alma Ray Hertz, who was born in Montgomery in 1891. Alma participated in numerous Montgomery civic and Jewish organizations. Alma was especially active in Hadassah and the Montgomery Section of the National Council of Jewish Women’s Reading for the Blind Committee. Prior to America’s involvement in World War II, Alma and her husband also signed affidavits of support for four unrelated individuals in Germany, which enabled them to immigrate to the United States. During World War II, Myron Lobman served as chairman for the United Service Organization (USO) – Jewish Welfare Board (JWB) in Montgomery. He was also active in a wide range of both Jewish and general community services in Montgomery and in 1965, he and his wife were honored by Israel Bonds. Steiner-Lobman Dry Goods was a Montgomery institution from 1891 until it was sold to an investment group in 1969. The business closed several years later. In 1896, in addition to the company’s wholesale business, the firm began the manufacturing of the Polly brand of work clothes. The Steiner-Lobman building on Commerce Street is still standing and is a landmark in downtown Montgomery. Alma Hertz Lobman died in Montgomery on June 4, 1971 at the age of 80. Myron C. Lobman, Sr. died in Montgomery in 1977, at age 86.