Brick building at 523 and 525 Pine St. was built up against well-known Charles Smith stone house with arched windows
14 West Ninth Street
26 West Ninth Street
Jacob Amster
Max Yudd, well known proprietor of clothing and gents' furnishings on the Westside, was the first occupant of the main suite of a handsome two-story brick duplex that was erected on the side of Cameron Hill around 1908.
It was built smack up against the distinctive stone house that had been built earlier by Charles Smith at 521 Pine St. This house, with its ornate round windows, stands out in early panoramic views of Cameron Hill.
The new dwelling was built where the Smiths had enjoyed a spacious lawn going all the way to the corner of Sixth Street. But the lawn was now no more.
The house was faced with Chattanooga's distinctive limestone walls leading up to the brick portion. The 523 was the main unit and was entered by stone steps leading up to a porch. The entryway was beneath a second story portico with a white rail banister.
The smaller 525 portion was entered from steps leading to a door at the south end of the well-constructed structure. It was first occupied by Max Yudd's brother in law and business associate, Jacob Amster.
The brick duplex was just across Sixth Street from the Rathburn-Nottingham Mansion.
By 1925, Jack Coleman was in 523 Pine and Glenn G. Smallwood was in the smaller unit. Coleman, who soon moved to 609 Pine, was the foreman for Dixie Portland Cement Company. Smallwood was president and general manager of Smallwood-Manker Coal Company. The former Charles Smith home was now in use as the Eagles Home. The Carolina Apartments had been built just across Pine Street.
By 1936, Mrs. M.C. Wood was in 523 Pine and Mrs. I.R. Phillips was in 525.
Max Yudd was born May 12, 1871, in Ungvar, Hungary, the son of Leo and Gossie Grossman Yudd. He married Rebecca Winkler when he was 27. Jacob Amster, who was a native of Austria-Hungary, was married to Rebecca's sister, Lena Winkler.
Max Yudd had come to Chattanooga at an early date from New York and had been in the clothing and furnishing business since arriving. His younger brother, Meyer, who was also born at Ungvar, followed him to Chattanooga.
It was said of Max Yudd that "the energy and enterprise which have brought Chattanooga to the front as an exponent of the progressive spirit of the New South are in evidence on all sides and are conspicious in the up-to-date stores with which the city is so well provided in all lines of retail trade, being well-exemplified in the two stores of Mr. Max Yudd.
"Clothing, gents' furnishings and shoes are at 14 West Ninth Street and 26 West Ninth. Both stores make a very handsome window and store display and have a large and flourishing business of the very best class.
"The stock of clothing, furnishings and shoes is carefully selected to give the best values in style, price and service and the most partiular as to the niceties of dress are well satisfied.
"Mr. Yudd is selling agent to Chattanooga for the Just Wright, Douglas and Packard shoes, while his clothing and furnishings are secured from equally as celebrated makers."
By 1936, the Max Yudds were living on Laurel Lane upon the heights of Lookout Mountain. The Jacob Amsters were also doing very well with a fine home at 55 South Crest Road.
Prior to living at the brick duplex, Max and Meyer Yudd had lived just down the street at 508 Pine. Jacob Amster was at the same address. Also, Meyer Yudd lived at one time at the large duplex.
Jacob Amster and his brother, Sam Amster, had formed the Amster brothers clothing store at 826 Market.
Meyer Yudd at one time was in business with Benjamin Silverman in the Silverman and Yudd Saloon at 725 Cherry.
A highlight for Max Yudd was when he was selected to be one of the six guards of the casket of famed newspaper publisher Adolph Ochs when his funeral was held in Chattanooga. Two of the guards stood by the side of the casket, two at the top and bottom and two others nearby. The Yudds and Amsters were active members of the Ochs Memorial Temple.
Max Yudd spent his last days at the Read House, where his son, Mark, also had lodging. Meyer Yudd and his wife, Helen, were on E. Fourth Street. Max Yudd died March 31, 1946. Sisters of Max and Meyer Yudd were Mrs. Sam Fischer and Mrs. Ben Grossman.
Sam Amster, who came to Chattanooga in 1885, had rooms at the Read House as well. Sam Amster was district representative for the Mutual Insurance Company of New York in Chattanooga for three decades. He was a Mason, a member of the Knights of Pythias, and a charter member of the Half Century Club. Sam Amster died in 1953 after he and his wife, Rebecca Rauch Amster, moved to Dallas to be near their daughter.
Jacob Amster had died earlier, and his widow, Lena Winkler Amster, lived at 55 S. Crest Road. Another Amster, Maurice, also had rooms at the Read House. He was an engineer for the Air Products firm.
Another Winkler sister, Rose, married Joseph Ehrlich and Sallie married Henry Sternberger. They were daughters of Adolph Winkler and Ester Lefrey.
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If you have more information on the Yudds or Amsters, please email John Wilson at news@chattanoogan.com