The Abt siblings - Daniel and Hermann - were early pioneers in Vryburg. Like many of the first Jews to arrive in Vryburg, they were from Germany. From the 'History of Steelland,' written by Major Dennison (published in 1928), we learn that they established the town's first store and hotel. Herman’s death certificate (issued in 1905) shows he was born in Neustadtgödens, in Lower Saxony. The old synagogue (built in 1852) was restored and is now a tourist attraction. For a time, the synagogue served the Jews of Wilhelmshaven. The community was established in 1708, with the approval of Count Burchard Phillip von Frydag, and had a rabbi by 1742. The Abt's parents were Levy and Matilda.

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Brothers Daniel and Hermann (Haim ben Yahudah Leib) founded the first hotel in Vryburg, the Criterion. That hotel later became the Grand Hotel. Daniel Abt, along with Charles Sonnenberg, was one of four members of the Vryburg Village Management Council, established in 1886. Hermann also helped set up irrigation schemes at Geluk and Putpan—near Kuruman. This effort began in 1898. It appears that the Geluk/Putpan project was developed in partnership with his brother, Daniel. In addition to founding the Criterion Hotel (sold in 1901), they were involved in trade. As a result, Hermann experienced some issues with trading the ZAR during the Second Boer War.

 

Their sister Jenny was married to Sigmund Hammerschlag. The Hammerschlags also lived in Vryburg and were presumably in business with the Abts. Sigmund and Jenny Hammerschlag's son, Ludwig, worked and died in Vryburg and is buried in the local Jewish cemetery. His brother, Herman (born in Vryburg in 1892), lived and practiced as a lawyer in Kuruman.

 

Hermann Abt passed away in Cape Town in 1905. He is buried in Maitland Cemetery. It is unclear what led him to Cape Town, but it can be assumed he was seeking health care. Daniel was signed his death certificate. Hermann seems to have fathered a so-called colored son - named Hermann in 1908.

 

After Geluk and Putpan, Daniel also moved to Kuruman, where he operated the Grand Hotel. Earlier, he managed a general dealership or store. He died in Kuruman in 1936 and is buried in the old cemetery. Although Daniel never married, he fathered a daughter, Regina, through a liaison with a non-white woman. Regina later became the significant other of a Lithuanian Jewish man, Louis Sher. There was also a so-called colored Herman Abt who was married in Vryburg in 1913.

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