Saly Eber
Tucson, South Meyer Ave, ca. 1881
Saly Eber was a German-Jewish immigrant who arrived in the United States in 1876 and eventually settled in Tucson. Over sixty-four years, he acquired a reputation as both a prosperous merchant and an eclectic, cigar-smoking local.
Born in the German province of Prussia on April 1st, 1854, Saly was not the first in his family to emigrate to the United States. His brother Albert, one of his seven siblings, had already established himself in San Francisco, which provided Saly with a welcoming port of entry upon arrival. During the five years that he spent in San Francisco, Saly learned the ropes of the dry goods trade. This business acumen would prove useful for his later enterprises in the Southwest, where mining operations provided ample prospects for merchants.
After settling in Tucson in 1881, Saly became acquainted with two influential figures, Albert Steinfeld and Louis Zeckendorf, both of whom were leading local businessmen. This fortuitous connection led Eber to his first occupation, peddling goods door to door. As a recent immigrant to the United States, Eber had retained his German accent; this once led to a confrontation with two police officers who ultimately arrested him for “drunkenness and disorderly conduct” in 1883. Eber spent one night in jail, and attempted to sue the officers for illegal arrest. During the ensuing trial, Charles Strauss, Tucson’s first Jewish mayor, defended the accused officers so admirably that the judge presiding over the process finally ruled against Saly and ordered him to pay the costs for the lawsuit.
This early run-in with the police did not prevent Eber from integrating into society, as he became a citizen of the U.S. in 1889. Eber found commercial success in the Old Pueblo, opening up a dry goods store at 48 S. Meyer Avenue, and eventually turning the intersection of Meyer and Congress Streets into the hub of his business. This part of downtown Tucson became known as the “Eber Block” after he had a two-story building constructed there, which eventually housed his liquor store starting in 1906. Saly’s prosperity continued until well after his retirement in 1925, by which time he had gained the monikers, “the Little German Jew” and “Mayor of West Tucson.” He spent his retirement smoking cigars and chatting in the Chinese restaurant which occupied the first story of the Eber Building, and resting on the porch of his home at 261 N. Meyer Street.
Saly’s activity was not limited to just commercial enterprise, however, as he was an active member of El Zariba Scottish Rite (in Phoenix), B’nai Brith, and the local Masonic Lodge. Eber passed away on November 15th, 1945 having cemented himself as an eccentric but appreciated local fixture and successful businessman. Even in posterity his influence continued to make itself felt through his considerable estate. Given his lifelong status as a bachelor, his assets were disbursed primarily to his siblings: Albert, in San Francisco, and Louis, Joseph, Mayer, Johanna, Bertha, and Yetchen, who all still lived in Germany. The rest was allotted to local organizations including centers for Jewish orphans, B’nai Brith, the Masonic Lodge, the Odd Fellows Society, and notably to Congregations Emanu-El and Anshei Israel, both of which received donations of $1,000.
Research compiled by Ronald Eber
Photo Credit: Tango Images/Alamy Stock