Caroline “Carrie” Leiser

Caroline “Carrie” Lenz Leiser

Birth: August 26, 1855 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Death: June 9, 1935 (age 79) in Victoria, B.C.

Biography:
Caroline Lenz was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on Aug 26, 1855. She was the daughter of Jacob Lenz and Henrietta Meyer Lenz. Known as “Carrie” in her youth, she was as a gifted pianist and a schoolgirl friend of the American author and poet, Ella Wheeler Wilcoz. Simon Leiser (paternal nephew) came from Germany to apprentice in Caroline’s father’s business. After falling in love Caroline and Simon married. In 1873 the young couple headed west.

From San Francisco, she and Simon lived in the interior of B.C. and finally settled in in Victoria. Caroline was active with the Sisters of St. Ann, the Aged Woman’s home, and was the last surviving charter member of the Women’s Auxiliary of the Jubilee Hospital. She was also involved with various Jewish organizations, including the Hebrew Ladies Society. Her needlework sold well at fundraisers. She was rumored to have sewed until the day she died.

In 1910 Simon and Caroline Leiser built a large home at 1005 St. Charles St. It was designed by Samuel Maclure in the Arts and Craft style. They had 5 daughters and 1 son. Florence and Amelia (Amy) Leiser each married Oppenheimer brothers, sons of the Oppenheimer Brothers pioneer merchandising firm. Amy marred Milton and Florence married Solomon. Florence and Solomon were buried in the Oppenheimer family plot in the Jewish Cemetery.

Caroline Leiser died on June 9, 1935 and was eulogized for her charitable work.

She was buried beside her husband, Simon and a daughter Jennie who died in infancy.

Herbert Leiser, the youngest of Caroline and Simon Leiser’s children, was a manager of the Victoria Branch of the Oppenheimer Bros. Wholesale firm. He was the last Leiser in Victoria. By the time of his death on June 12, 1953, all of the Leiser descendants had moved out of Victoria, mostly to the United States.

Gravesite Details: Row E – Plot 56

Inscription:
Leiser
In Loving Memory of
Simon Leiser
Born in Kerpen, Germany April 9, 1851
Died May 12, 1917
Caroline Leiser
Born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Aug 26, 1855
Died June 9 1935
Mother / Father

Parents:
Henrietta (Yetta) Meyer Lenz (unknown -1878)
Jacob Lenz (1818-1899)

Spouse:
Simon Leiser (1851-1917)

Children:
Ella Leiser Hamburger (1874-1958)
Died in San Francisco
Florence Harriet Leiser Oppenheimer (1877-1915)
Died in San Francisco, buried in Jewish Cemetery in Oppenheimer family plot
Jennie Leiser (1879-1880)
Buried in Leiser family plot
Amelia (Amy) Leiser Oppenheimer (1881-1961)
Buried in Ocean View Memorial Park, Burnaby, B.C.
Hilda Leiser Guthman (1883-
Lived in Seattle
Herbert Leiser (1885-1953).
Married May Thurston they had three children.
Buried in Buried in Royal Oak Burial Park

Sibling:
Moses Lenz (1862-1932)