Ben came as a fusgeyer from Romania. His first destination was to his brother David in Peoria. I have a list of the people that were in the group that he came with.

There were a lot of pogroms going on in Romania at the time. People sent their children out of the country to save their lives.

The fusgeyers were groups of young people, children and teenagers that went in groups from Romania. They walked on foot across Europe to the boats. The Jewish communities along the way gave them food and sustinance as they made their way.

The Friedman's were related to my grand father. One of my grandfather's brothers was drafted into the army and was drowned in the river by the christian soldiers. My great grandfather sent all of his children out of the country before they were 13. My grandfather was sent to a school in VIenna. Another brother was sent to be a tailor in Paris, a third came to Philadelphia to become a veterinarian and the 4th went to Smyrna in learn business with someone, I do not know who. THe daughter stayed in Romania. All the surviving boys that were sent out came to America. I know that my grandfather was in contact with the Friedmans and we have pictures of one of them who came to visit in the late 1950's or early 1960's judging from the age of the children who were in the photo.

Hope this is helpful to you.

Philip