Alfred W. Fleisher | |
---|---|
Born | c. 1878
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
Died | 25 December 1928 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | (aged 49–50)
Occupation(s) | Real estate investor, philanthropist |
Spouse | Selma Gerstley |
Children | 2 sons, 1 daughter |
Relatives |
Ralph J. Roberts (son-in-law) Brian L. Roberts (grandson) |
Alfred W. Fleisher (c. 1878 - December 25, 1928) was an American real estate investor and philanthropist. He was the co-founder and head of Mastbaum Brothers & Fleisher, and the president of the board of trustees of the Eastern State Penitentiary. He supported prison reform.
Fleisher was born circa 1878 in Philadelphia. [1] He began his career in real estate with Stanley Mastbaum in his hometown, with an office on Walnut Street. [1] They were joined by Stanley's brother Jules in 1912, and the firm became known as Mastbaum Brothers & Fleisher. [1] Jules Mastbaum died in 1926, and Fleisher became the head of the firm. [2]
Fleisher was a philanthropist. He donated to the Jewish Federation of Charities in Philadelphia, and he served as the president of the board of trustees of the Eastern State Penitentiary. [3] He supported prison reform, including providing prisoners with employment opportunities, [1] and he "felt that work in the open amid healthful surroundings would help the convicts both physically and morally." [4] Fleisher supported their families financially while they were away, [1] and he helped them once they left prison. [4]
Fleisher married Selma Gerstley, the daughter of German-born philanthropist William Gerstley, [5] and they resided in Wyncote, Pennsylvania near Philadelphia. They had two sons, Howard and Robert, and a daughter, Susan. [1] Fleisher was a member of Congregation Keneseth Israel, [3] and he was one of the largest collectors of etchings in the U.S. [1] He died on December 25, 1928, in Wyncote, at age 50. [6] [2] [7] His daughter married Ralph J. Roberts, the founder of Comcast. His grandson, Brian L. Roberts, serves as its chairman and chief executive officer.