Ida & Isidor Straus
Isidor Straus was returning with his wife Ida, from a trip to the Riviera. He was a partner with Macy's Department Store in New York and had also been elected to Congress and was a friend of President Grover Cleveland.
Mr. Straus was born in Germany.
While the lifeboats were being loaded with women, Ida, almost entered boat No. 8, but turned around, handed her necklace to her maid, Ellen Bird and stated that she was staying with her husband.
"We have been living together for many years. Where you go, I go."
Friends tried to convince her to change her mind, but she would not budge from her husband's side. One gentleman told Mr. Straus:
"I'm sure nobody would object to an old gentleman like you getting in the boat."
However, Mr. Straus was adamant. "I will not go before the other men," he said.
Mrs. Straus put her arm around her husband and the two of them walked away from the boats.
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