Benjamin Shapiro

Notes:

Said to be the son of Mordechai Laib "Mas Louis" Shapiro and Rucha Nessa Shapior. His given name was Dov Ber Shapiro. He and his wife Celia were said to be cousins. His grandson, Philip Shapiro states that his father, Solomon Shapiro, was a nephew of Myer Smith/Zanvil Savilevics, one of the founders of the B'nai Abraham and Yehuda Laib Family Society.

On the 1910 Federal Census, Benjamin and Cilie were living on Pierce Street in Baltimore. Both were shown as born in Russia, with their native tongue Yiddish. They both were working at a Grocery store.He was shown as immigrating in 1904, and Cilie in 1900. They had been married nine months.

On May 17, 1911, Benjamin Shapiro filed a petition for naturalization in the District of Maryland. He was shown as residing at 255 S. Eden St, Baltimore. He stated he was born 15 Oct 1883 in Kammyes, Russia, and emigrated to the U.S. from Bremen, Germany on the November 26, 1903 aboard the "Hannover". He declared his intention to become a U.S. citizen on October 2, 1905 in Harrisburg, PA. His occupation was grocer, and his wife was shown as Ceillie Shapiro, born in Kupisock, Russia. He also stated he had one child, daughter Ruth, born June 22, 1910 in Baltimore. Witnesses to his application were Myer Smith, also a grocer and the brother of Celia, and Jacob Rubin, a retired grocer. Jacob was the father of Myer Smith's wife, Anna. Both Myer and Jacob were residents of Baltimore, Myer's address being 304 East Street, and Jacob residing at 637 Evan Street.

In 1920, the family were still in Baltimore, on N. Chester Street, and he was shown as a proprietor of a Dry Goods Store. They has three daughters, Ruth, Edith and Mary.

A Benjamin Shapiro, age 35 and born September 25, 1883 registered for the draft during World War I as a resident of Baltimore, his residence and grocery store both located at 1013 1/2 Low Street. His nearest relative was Cecelia Shapiro of the same address. He was of Medium Height and build, with brown eyes and dark brown hair.

A Benjamin and Celia Shapiro also share a burial plot at the Anshe Neisen Cemetery, Rosedale, Baltimore County, Maryland. However, the birth date for Benjamin differs, instead being shown as 18 Oct 1882, with a date of death of 10 Feb 1940. Celia's date of birth was listed as 15 May 1881, and death was 3 July 1969.

Due to the similar names, but conflicting birthdates, more research should be done to determine the birth and death date of Benjamin and Celia.

Philip S. Shapiro emailed, in July 2020 that "I am the son of Dr. Solomon Shapiro and the grandson of Benjamin Shapiro, who was known in Lithuania as Dov Ber Shapiro. Before emigrating, he attended the Telshe Yeshiva in Telsiai / Telz, Lithuania. Benjamin's father was Mordechai Laib Shapiro, who was also from Kamai / Kamajai, Lithuania. He also emigrated to the United States, where he was known as Max Louis Shapiro, and was buried at the same cemetery as the rest of the family. I can provide more information."

Benjamin married Celia Smith about 1909 in Baltimore County, Maryland. Celia (daughter of Shlomo "Solomon Smith" Savilevics and Etta "Yetta" Devorah Romm) was born on 15 Mar 1881 in Kovno Gubernia, Russian Empire; died on 3 Jul 1969; was buried in Anshe Neisen Cemetery, Rosedale, Baltimore County, Maryland. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Married:
Zlata moved to the United States probably around 1901 and changed her name to Celie Smith. In Baltimore, she met other relatives who had emigrated from the Rakisik-Kupisik area, including a first cousin, Dov Ber Shapiro, who was from Kamai (Kamajai - "kah-mah-YAY"). Kamai is about 7 miles south of Rakisik. In America, Dov Ber had changed his name to Benjamin. Celie married Benjamin and thereafter was known as Celie Shapiro.

http://bayl.org/family-story/where-did-our-ancestors-live/

1. Ruth Shapiro was born on 22 Jun 1910 in Baltimore County, Maryland; died on 16 Apr 1999 in Pikesville, Baltimore County, Maryland; was buried in Anshe Neisen Cemetery, Rosedale, Baltimore County, Maryland.
2. Edith Shapiro was born on 6 Oct 1911 in Baltimore County, Maryland; died on 17 Oct 1975 in Baltimore County, Maryland; was buried in Anshe Neisen Cemetery, Rosedale, Baltimore County, Maryland.
3. Miriam "Mary" Shapiro was born on 4 Apr 1916 in Baltimore County, Maryland; died on 15 Apr 1991 in Baltimore County, Maryland; was buried in Anshe Neisen Cemetery, Rosedale, Baltimore County, Maryland.
4. Solomon Shapiro was born on 6 Jul 1920 in Baltimore County, Maryland; died on 7 Jan 1989 in Baltimore County, Maryland.