Diamond Family
In 1889 Jacob Lyon Diamond and his bride Rachel arrived in Calgary, then a part of the Northwest Territories.
Jacob’s roots were in the village of Oshmana near Vilnius, Russia. His wife came from Pembroke, Ontario; born Maria Stoodley, she took the name “Rachel” when she converted to Judaism.
His early years in Canada saw Jacob engaged in various professions from peddling to pawnbroking. Finally he owned a liquor store on 8th Avenue E. before prohibition.
Jacob Diamond was the area’s first Jewish settler and soon became a major influence in the young community. He was an early member of Alberta’s first Masonic Lodge, and served on the first executive of the Oddfellows.
The Diamonds began Calgary’s Jewish communal activities. Their 10th Avenue home (between 3rd and 4th Streets S.E.) became the meeting place for the growing Jewish community, the first synagogue, and the forerunner of the Chevra Kadisha.
Jacob’s role in the formation of the House of Jacob was manifold. As chief builder, President for many years, leader of the initial services, and supervisor of kosher meat killing, he was its pillar. He was also instrumental in obtaining land for the first Jewish cemetery.
His children were Joe, Myers, Rose, Hattie and Dorothy. What Jacob Diamond did in Calgary was closely paralleled by his brother William, who settled in Edmonton in the early 1900’s. William Diamond and his wife Elizabeth had one adopted daughter, Ruth. William at one time had a clothing store in Calgary but left his main mark on the Edmonton Jewish community.
Another brother, Philip, settled in Canmore in 1905, where he operated the Canmore supply company. Philip’s wife Rachel died prior to his coming to Canada. The children – Rebecca, Joseph, Sam, Louis, Jacob, Harry and Fanny – later moved to Calgary.
