The Soupcoff Town of Origin--Kind of--and Major Political Connections

(If you're in the Baltimore area, I'm giving a talk on Sunday at JGSMD.)

Earlier, I wrote about Samuel Soupcoff, a world-renowned mining engineer.  I looked in multiple sources to try to find where this branch of the family lived, only to find either "Russia" or him lying and saying he was born in Pittsburgh.

Recently, FamilySearch added some new passport applications.  So I searched the collection for different families I'm researching and found some very interesting information.

Samuel Soupcoff Passport Application, 1919, Page 1

Samuel Soupcoff applied for a passport in 1919.  He gave a lot of information about himself including the fact that he was living in Salt Lake City, and his father was still living in Pittsburgh. He also gave his place of birth.

Samuel Soupcoff's Birthplace

Unfortunately, I'm not sure what the town is, other than that it was in Russia.  I've had suggestions that this says Koshoff or Kozhoff, as well as Rostoff and others.  Any ideas?  The town was likely near what is now Kuna and Gaysin, Ukraine.  Although his brother Jacob Soupcoff/Lorenz said he was born in Bessarabia, so it could be in that direction as well.

The rest of the passport application is quite interesting.  Samuel attached a reference letter--from the governor of Utah!

Letter of Reference for Samuel Soupcoff from the governor of Utah

Simon Bamberger, governor of Utah, vouched for Samuel Soupcoff both socially and in business.  Samuel is said to have been "connected with the Guggenheim interests in the development of their western properties."  The governor vouched for Samuel's "loyalty, integrity and ability."

Samuel Soupcoff Passport Application, 1919, Page 2

Samuel's identify was certified by Reed Smoot--a US Senator!  Mr. Smoot was also a leader in the LDS church.

And there was a photo of Samuel as well.

Samuel Soupcoff

It seems that Samuel Soupcoff, a Jewish Russian immigrant, was quite well-respected in Utah, having had a governor and senator vouch for him.  If only he'd had better handwriting when he mentioned his town of birth!  And it turns out that he knew even more influential people.  Take a look at his obituary.

Samuel Soupcoff Obituary; Brooklyn Star; 1930

Note:  I'm on Twitter.  Feel free to follow me (@larasgenealogy).

Want to get future blog posts emailed to you automatically?
Enter your email address: