Escape to America

David's Journey

In 1882, William Pearlman was on a business trip to Šeduva. Upon returning home, he told his wife with a heavy heart what he had learned: despite having given a bribe earlier, their eldest son, 16-year-old David, was soon to be drafted into the Tsar's army!

William hurried to reassure his wife that he had found a way to help their son. One of their relatives had been invited to go to America, but it turned out that the very religious family would not send their son to that "godless land." Instead, David could go to his uncle.

Packing his belongings into a leather suitcase, the young man bid a sad farewell to his family and set off on foot to Šeduva. After spending the night there, he traveled to Klaipėda and reached Hamburg. The journey was long and exhausting.

David settled in Georgia with his uncle, who handed him a basket and instructed him to sell goods to people door-to-door. It was hard work, but the men opened their first store in 1886 by patiently working. Soon, David was known in the town as a respected member of the Jewish community, with several businesses.

David helped his brothers, sisters, and cousins from Baisogala and Šeduva come to the USA.