I. Lewenthal

Isaac Lewenthal (c.1853-c.1928) was born in modern-day Poland and settled in Darlington County, South Carolina around 1874. By 1880, Isaac had partnered with Samuel Marco (1838-c.1908) to both farm land in Mechanicsville and open a farmer’s supply store called Marco & Lewenthal on the corner of Cashua Street and the Public Square in Darlington. In 1885, Isaac married Samuel’s daughter Sarah (c.1867-c.1906) and by the following year, Isaac and Samuel expanded their stock to include ready-made clothing, shoes, and boots. On March 3, 1892, their store—along with most other buildings on the west side of the Public Square—was destroyed in a fire. The following month, Samuel and Isaac announced plans to dissolve their partnership. In 1893, Isaac built a new dry goods, grocery, and clothing store on the former site of Marco & Lewenthal and brought on his nephew, Isaac Kauffman, to work as a clerk. In an advertisement describing his clothing department, Isaac noted that I. Lewenthal filled “a long-felt want in this community” for all “who desire a neat and durable, as well as economic, article.”¹ In 1895, he was forced to sell most of his clothing at a loss after his store sustained water damage from a nearby fire. According to The Darlington News, he opened a new stand below the Darlington Club that spring.

¹ “Do You Know?” Darlington News, December 28, 1893, 2.