MARX TUCHMANN
Marx Tuchmann is the father of my great‐grandfather.
On September 28, 1791 the National Assembly in Paris passed a decree: "The Jews in France enjoy the same rights as other citizens." This is the first great milestone in modern Jewish history.
The government of Bavaria followed an entirely different policy. The Judenedikt (Decree regarding Jews) of June 10, 1813, Imposed severe restrictions on the Jewish population.
Only one son was permitted to marry and start a household. In addition every boy had to be apprenticed to a craftsman for three or four years; after the apprenticeship he had to work as a Geselle (Associate) for four years. When he was finally qualified to exercise a craft as a Meister (Master) the guilds made it so difficult for him that he usually gave up the craft which he had learned under great difficulties.
As a result many young men emigrated to the United States. This is why the number of Jewish families from Bavaria is relatively large in proportion to all the Jewish families who have emigrated from Germany to the United States..
The greatest hardship for the Jews was the prohibition to live in a city. Jews were permitted to stay in a city during the day only when accompanied by an escort, later against payment of a fee.
However, life in Markt Uehlfeld was not too hard for the Jews. The word "Markt" Indicates that on two or three days farmers from the surrounding country brought their produce and sold it to buy necessities. In addition the market was a center for the hop trade. Jews also bought and sold cattle and enjoyed the confidence of the farmers when it came to financial affairs, such as obtaining a mortgage etc.
With all this activity going on it was not too difficult to make a living, contribute to a good school and the building of a fine synagogue.
Marx Tuchmann was born in Baiersdorf, another small town in Bavaria. He was brought to Markt Uehlfeld as a baby and was raised by his mother who probably was left a widow and married again. He first traded in small necessities, but soon devoted himself to the hop business, i.e. he raised hops and traded hops which he bought from other producers.
Marx Tuchmann was very clever and industrious and was soon able to build a large house. The fact that he was appointed Barnoss1 were well received by Uncle Emil (president) of the Jewish Community also Indicates that he was well‐to‐do and enjoyed the confidence of his fellow citizens. It was also a great advantage for him that his three sons helped him.
His wife also assisted him by carrying on a small store. It was she who finally persuaded her three sons and five sons‐in‐law to go into the hop business.
Three hop firms originated from the dealing of Marx Tuchmann:
• S. Tuchmann & Soehne, started by Salomon.
• Gebrueder Tuchmann, started by the sons of Feist.
• Philip Tuchmann, started by another son of Feist (Philipp) Tuchmann.
All three firms prospered and two of them exist even today, though no longer in the hands of the Family.