Time for your daily (or semi-daily) dose of Titanic history, the story of Isidor and Ida Straus.
The Straus’ were in many ways a perfect symbol of the American dream. Born in Bavaria they emigrated to the United States in the 1850’s. Starting out with a small general store they (along with Isidor’s brother Nathan) eventually went to work at Macy’s department store, running the glassware department.
In time they became partners in the store and eventually bought control from the Macy family after the death of the founder.
By 1912 they were in retirement and enjoying travel around the world. Coming home from Europe they chose to sail on the Titanic.
When it came time to load the lifeboats Isidor urged Ida to enter one of the boats but she refused to leave him. Bystanders then encouraged Isidor to join her in the lifeboat, pointing out that his advanced aged entitled him to a space.
But he refused to go before all the women and children were safe and again urged his wife to enter the boat. She looked at him in the way that only a wife can and said
“We have lived together for many years. Where you go, I go.”
Some witnesses said she also told him not to argue with her as he knew “it will do you no good”
After placing their maid in the lifeboat, the two then walked to some chairs and sat down, holding hands and waiting for the end.
The scene was witnessed by everyone in the lifeboat and was repeated by many of them when they got to New York.
If only we could all have such a love in our lives