Alexander B. Seelenfreund, by Adolp Kraus, Presldent Independent Order Bnai Brith

Alexander B. Seelenfruend, born in Hungary, fifty-four years ago, was educated for the Rabbinate under a relative who was Chief Rabbi of Hungary. He left his studies for Vienna where he spent his young manhood and came to America in 1883.

Soon after he became a civilian clerk in the Quartermasters’ Corps of the United States Army, being assigned to various western posts. His abilities were recognized by the late Nelson Morris, the meat packer, by whom he was employed. Seelenfreund rose to become private secretary to Mr. Morris, and his personal representative until called from that service by Adolf Kraus to assume the dual position of secretary of the district of the Grand Lodge Number six and secretary to the executive committee of the constitution lodge of the Bnai Brith.

In that capacity Seelenfreund served eighteen years, rising to become a great power in the Order. In addition he was for many years as director of the Denver Hospital for consumptives in Chicago, a member of the Bnai Brith council of the Cleveland Orphan Home, the Leo N. Levi Memorial Hospital, the Marks Nathan Orphanage of Chicago, the Old Peoples Home, was in charge of the American Care for the Jewish War Orphans Committee, and many other Chicago National and International activities.

All his life, head of communal affairs of many kinds, he was one of the best known workers in all Jewish fields in America and Europe. He made a number of trips to Europe on behalf of American and Bnai Brith activities in that field as well as in the Orient. He was a forceful speaker, and earnest and conscientious workers in every field in which he applied himself, and ranked among the best known Jews in America. He was a most active factor in grand Jury investigation of school board frauds in Chicago for a period of nine months. His sudden death was hatened by overwork necessiatated in the Public Service.