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Name: HARRTZ, Michael
Birth Date: 1866
Death Date: 17.1.1943 Nairobi
First Date: 1901
Profession: Established tinsmith business later known as Harrtz & Bell
Area: Nairobi SE - 2nd Bazaar Street, Hut - 1937 Kiu River, Kiambu
Married: 1. Leah Lilly Jacobs b. 1863, d. 4 Jan 1936 Nairobi (prev. m. Hyman 'Jack' Lazarus 1878-1917 Nairobi); 2. Gertrude Jacobs (Leah's sister) d. 24.2.1968 Durban (widow of Philip Abraham Raphael d. 1925 and sister of Sammy Jacobs). She arrived EA 1907
Book Reference: Gillett, SE, KAD, Red 25, Red 31, Hut, Macmillan, Drumkey, Red 22, Ruiru, Land, Jews, Advertiser, Harmony, North, Glimpses, Red Book 1912, Red 19, Barnes
General Information:
SE - M. Harrtz - 2nd Bazaar St. - Sept 1907 and M. Haartz - Feb 1910
Macmillan - 1930 - Harrtz and Bell Ltd., Tinsmiths, Plumbers, Tank Makers, Metal Workers, Sanitary Engineers etc. - The business was started in 1904 by Mr Harrtz, who was joined in partnership in 1912 by Mr Bell, the firm finally becoming a limited liability company.
Drumkey 1909 Directory of Residents - F.M. Hartz, Nairobi ?
Ruiru has Mitchill Harrtz
Land 1909 - M. Harrtz and H.N. Mody - Buildings, 5 acres - Nairobi - 7/11/08 - Leasehold for 99 years from 7/11/08 - Registered 22/2/10
Jews - 1914 - It was at this time that Michael Harrtz assumed leadership of the community and for more than a decade he and Sam Jacobs were largely responsible for keeping the Congregation going.
Jews - 1924 - At the annual general meeting friction broke out once more and Michael Harrtz, Sam Jacobs and Simon Haller resigned from the Council.
Advertiser - 21/8/1908 - Advert - M. Harrtz - Tinsmith & Plumber
Member of Lodge Harmony - Initiated 1/12/24, died 1943
Nairobi South cemetery - Michael Harrtz, died 17 Jan 1943 aged 73
Glimpses - When Marcus arrived he was a lone Jew in the wilderness. Then in 1901 one Michael Harrtz arrived to double the population.
Glimpses - Lily Block Haller - unpublished memoirs - "It was with a very heavy heart that I started on my return journey (from Nairobi) pondering how little value our 500 acres of land had, when we could not buy enough to eat. As I tramped along the footpath leading away from the town, I was startled to hear someone calling me by name. Turning around, I saw a little man in khaki riding a bicycle and calling me to stop …. I recognized him as a poor Jewish tinsmith who lived and worked in one room near the Indian's store. Mr Harrtz, for that was his name, lived in this room with his wife and although they were so poor, they always had a couch and a meal for any stranger who was passing through. They were the kindest people imaginable and when he offered to lend me 30 rupees, saying he did not like to see me carrying an empty basket home, tears of gratitude came to my eyes. (c. 1948, p. 18)
Glimpses - Mrs Harrtz lived for more than 50 years in EA having first arrived in 1907. She was a member of the League of Mercy from 1910 and a Founder Member of the Lady Northey Home and many other social welfare organizations.
Red Book 1912 - M. Harrtz - Nairobi
Red Book 1919 - Nairobi Hebrew Congregation - President of the Congregation - M. Harrtz
Szlapak - Present at first meeting of Nairobi Hebrew Congregation on 17 Sept 1907 - M. Harrtz - elected Treasurer
Gazette 6 Dec 1938 Kiambu Voters Roll has Haartz