Gorbet family (Owen Sound, ON)

Physical Description: 4 photographs : b&w & col. (jpg); 1 textual record (pdf)

Scope and Content: Accession consists of four scanned photographs and one scanned newspaper clipping relating to the Gorbet family of Owen Sound, Ontario.

Administrative History: Benjamin Gorbach was born in Kiev, Russia in 1885, one of 13 children. Escaping harsh conditions there, he immigrated to North America at the age of 18, going first to New York City and then to Toronto in 1904. With his name changed to Gorbet, Benjamin met Russian-born Pearl Rudnitsky (b. 1890) and they married in 1909. Three children, Harry, Reuben and Bess, were born in Toronto. Reuben died tragically in a bathtub accident. Following an adventurous but unsuccessful attempt to make a living as farmers outside the city, the family returned to Toronto, where their son Frank was born. Previously, Gorbet had studied to be a furrier in New York, and when the couple moved to Owen Sound in 1919, he established Gorbet's Furs. Two more sons and a daughter, Avraham (Abe), Norman and Taubyl, were born in Owen Sound. Benjamin died at his home in 1955 at the age of 70. His wife, affectionately known as “Mom Gorbet” lived on in the community for 13 years.

Use Conditions: Copyright may not be held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain permission prior to use.