I. From & Son

Israel From (1879-1935), and his wife, Bertha Kessler From (1879-1969), immigrated from Lithuania to South Carolina on the advice of a relative. They settled in Union by 1901 and for several years Israel worked as a peddler, selling clothing and housewares on foot until he could purchase a horse and wagon. By 1905 he opened I. From on Main Street, which later became I. From & Son. Their six children, Ellis From (1909-2004), Rosa From Poliakoff (1914-1999), Mary From Antopolsky (d. 1958), Sara From Friedling, Harry From (1917-1993), and Lena From Reiner (1905-1993) all worked at the store, although Harry assumed management while he was in high school after their father’s death. After World War II, Ellis returned to help manage I. From & Son, and Harry left soon thereafter to form his own business, Harry From’s, down the street. I. From & Son closed after Ellis’s retirement in 1974.