Dilah Kohn was in the last years of her life when she arrived in theUnited States from Bavaria in 1847. She was a widow, and the name ofher husband has been lost. Accompanied by four of her children, shewas on her way to Chicago, where three other sons—Abraham, Mosesand Julius—had settled a few years prior.

The Kohn brothershad left the Bavarian village of Monchsrothn in 1842, sailed for theUnited States, and took to the roads of New England as peddlers.Within two years, they had moved to Chicago and opened a retail andwholesale dry goods store. The brothers were among the founders ofChicago’s Jewish community and helped to establish the city’sfirst congregation, Kehilath Anshe Ma’ariv. In fact, according tolore, Dilah plays a part in that story.

Asthe story goes, she was strictly observant and refused to eat meatthat was not slaughtered according to the laws of kashrut. Seeinghis mother’s frail condition upon her arrival, Abraham was moved tofound a congregation that would be able to maintain a rabbi andshochet.

Abrahamwould go on to play a role in civic life in Chicago and the state ofIllinois. In 1860 he was elected city clerk. He was an enthusiasticRepublican and supporter of Lincoln. In 1861 Abraham sent the newpresident a gift: an American flag on which was inscribed six versesfrom the Book of Joshua, including these lines: “I will not failthee nor forsake thee. Be strong and of good courage.”