Alfred W. Fleisher
American real estate investor and philanthropist From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Alfred W. Fleisher (c. 1878 - December 25, 1928) was an American real estate investor and philanthropist. He was the co-founder and head of Mastbaum Brothers & Fleisher, and the president of the board of trustees of the Eastern State Penitentiary. He supported prison reform.
Alfred W. Fleisher | |
|---|---|
| Born | c. 1878 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Died | 25 December 1928 (aged 49–50) Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Real estate investor, philanthropist |
| Spouse | Selma Gerstley |
| Children | 2 sons, 1 daughter |
| Relatives | Ralph J. Roberts (son-in-law) Brian L. Roberts (grandson) |
Fleisher was born circa 1878 in Philadelphia.[1] He began his career in real estate with Stanley Mastbaum in his hometown, with an office on Walnut Street.[1] They were joined by Stanley's brother Jules in 1912, and the firm became known as Mastbaum Brothers & Fleisher.[1] Jules Mastbaum died in 1926, and Fleisher became the head of the firm.[2]
Fleisher was a philanthropist. He donated to the Jewish Federation of Charities in Philadelphia, and he served as the president of the board of trustees of the Eastern State Penitentiary.[3] He supported prison reform, including providing prisoners with employment opportunities,[1] and he "felt that work in the open amid healthful surroundings would help the convicts both physically and morally."[4] Fleisher supported their families financially while they were away,[1] and he helped them once they left prison.[4]
Fleisher married Selma Gerstley, the daughter of German-born philanthropist William Gerstley,[5] and they resided in Wyncote, Pennsylvania near Philadelphia. They had two sons, Howard and Robert, and a daughter, Susan.[1] Fleisher was a member of Congregation Keneseth Israel,[3] and he was one of the largest collectors of etchings in the U.S.[1] He died on December 25, 1928, in Wyncote, at age 50.[6][2][7] His daughter married Ralph J. Roberts, the founder of Comcast. His grandson, Brian L. Roberts, serves as its chairman and chief executive officer.
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