M. R. Mendelson Colfax County, New Mexico

M. R. Mendelson, a representative of commercial and financial interests in Raton, whose business interests make him a leading citizen, was horn September 27, 1861, in Kletzew, Poland. He was educated in Posen, Germany, and came to the United States in 1884. He crossed the Atlantic, to become an American citizen and took out his naturalization papers at the first possible moment. After serving a three years' apprenticeship in the dry goods business he conducted a shoe store in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, for one year and on selling out there removed to North Dakota, where he engaged in general merchandising for two years. He afterward traveled through the Territory for ten or twelve years, representing the house of Edson Keith & Company, of Chicago. He considers New Mexico as one of the most progressive parts of the United States, for during his entire experience as a traveling salesman in this Territory he has never lost a dollar in doing business. Being pleased with Raton and its future prospects he located here August 14, 1896, and established the firm of Newman & Mendelson, dealers in general merchandise. That success attended their efforts is indicated by the fact that in August 1901, they erected a commodious building in which to carry on their large and growing trade and in 1898 Mr. Mendelson acquired sole ownership of the business which he is now conducting. He was also a stockholder in the Citizens National Bank of Raton, and now holds stock in the First National Bank. He was largely financially interested and also a director in the Raton Building & Loan Association and he does an extensive city real estate and loan business, and in addition owns four hundred acres of ranch land on Sugarite River.

In 1890 Mr. Mendelson was married to Miss Rebecca C. Apple, a daughter of Captain Jacob Apple, of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and their children are Margaret and Gertrude Mendelson. Mr. Mendelson belongs to Harmony Lodge No. 6, K. P., and to the Fraternal Brotherhood Lodge No. 80. His faith in New Mexico has been justified by his business success which has resulted from close application, earnest effort and sound judgment.

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Source: History of New Mexico, Its Resources and People, Volume II, Pacific States Publishing Co., 1907.