Hyman Friedman was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, December 30, 1879. He migrated to Natchez, Louisiana, where he became a merchant. On July 30, 1907, he married Blossom Mae Joseph, born May 19, 1889, the daughter of Solomon and Sarah Joseph. Hyman and Blossom planned a honeymoon trip to several Texas cities ending in Natchez where Hyman had his business. Apparently their plans changed because they wound up living in Gonzales where Hyman became a well respected merchant and member of the community. He did, however, return to Natchez where he acquired four native catalpa trees and brought them back to Gonzales. Before the end of 1907, they had completed construction of their home built on the vacant lot owned by the Josephs and located just north of the Joseph home. Two of those four catalpa trees survive in 1999. Misfortune struck on February 16, 1923, when Hyman died of ptomaine poisoning. In one of the largest funerals in Gonzales, he was buried in the Gonzales Jewish Cemetery with full Masonic honors. Blossom died November 12, 1978, and is buried beside her husband. When she died, she left the home to a close friend who lived there until her death in 1999.
