Adolph Mendel, senior partner in the Mendel & Freedman department store of New Haven, was born in Bruckhausen, Germany, September 1, 1854, a son of Aaron and Esther (Abraham) Mendel, who were also natives of that place. The father was there reared and educated and removed to the city of Bremen, where he became actively engaged in the dry goods business, continuing in that field until his death, which occurred when he was fifty-nine years of age. His widow survived him for a considerable period and died at the age of seventy-two. They had a family of four children, all of whom became residents of America.

The eldest of the family is Adolph Mendel, who is indebted to the public school system of Bremen for his educational opportunities. There, too, he received his initial training in business and before he had attained adult age he was engaged in the book and stationery business in Bremen as clerk. What the future held in store for him he was uncertain, but he recognized the fact that indefatigable industry will overcome obstacles and difficulties and that persistency of purpose will ultimately reach the desired goal. Those qualities therefore became active factors in his career. He secured a position in the dry goods establishment of Freedman & Frank and when the firm was succeeded by Milius Frank he remained with the latter and was identified with the enterprise for fifteen years. During that period he had made steady progress until his promotions at length brought him to the position of superintendent. Upon the retirement of Mr. Frank in 1886, Mr. Mendel became associated with his present partner, Isidor Freedman, in organizing the Mendel & Freedman department store. The business was established on a small scale, but with the passing years has grown to be one of the most extensive and important commercial interests of New Haven. In order to meet the demands of the trade and provide adequate facilities for their increasing business the firm of Mendel & Freedman have had to add to their store from time to time. Additions have been made at frequent intervals and something of the growth of the business is indicated in the fact that on the organization of the firm they employed but eight salesmen, while today their employes number three hundred.

On the 14th of June, 1894, Mr. Mendel was united in marriage to Miss Gussie Shenfeld, who was born in Brooklyn, New York, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. B. Shenfeld, a prominent family of that city, her father being a well known clothing merchant of Brooklyn. Mr. and Mrs. Mendel have become the parents of one child, Esther Lisette, who was born in New Haven in 1901. She was graduated from the New Haven grammar school and from the high school and is now attending a private school.

Politically Mr. Mendel maintains an independent course, although he usually votes with the republican party. He does not seek nor desire office, but is interested in all that pertains to good citizenship and especially to the welfare and progress of the city in which he makes his home. He belongs to the Harmonic Club, to the Race Brook Country Club, of which he is a director, and to Horeb Lodge of B'nai B'rith. He also belongs to the chamber of commerce and to the Business Men's Association of New Haven. Thosse who realize just what it is in this day and age of complexity and competition to be a successful business man accord to Mr. Mendel the highest admiration and respect for what he has accomplished.