Interviewee

Albert Schwartz

Interviewer

Becky Craver

Project

El Paso Family Owned Businesses

Biographical Synopsis of Interviewee

El Paso native born November 28, 1919. Middle child of Hedwig Mathias and Maurice Schwartz. Worked at Popular most of his life except during World War II.

Summary of Interview

Discusses family background and the circumstances which led to his parents being in El Paso. Discusses how The Popular determines who the President of the family business will be; business philosophy of The Popular; how the store helped people during the depression; childhood memories; college experiences (UT Austin); story of how he was instrumental in the rescue of his cousins ( the Preisz sisters) from Germany at the close of the war; his role in the El Paso chapter of the Jewish Anti-Defamation League; stories his father told of the Mexican Revolution and the store; Villa's raid on Columbus, N.M.; reflections on family owned businesses; retail businesses as a whole.

Date of Interview

1-18-1993

Length of Interview

1 hour and 45 minutes

Tape Number

No. 791

Interview Number

No. 791

Terms of Use

Unrestricted

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