Refused to enter a lifeboat on the "Titanic" when it was sinking, because there were still women on the ship and he wanted them to board first. He prompted his wife Rosalie to enter a lifeboat, but she refused as well, reportedly stating that "I will not be separated from my husband. As we have lived, so will we die together".
Seven children, with Rosalie Ida Straus: Jesse (1872-1936), Clarence (1874-1876), Percy (1876-1944), Sara (1878-1960), Minnie (1880-1940), Herbert (1881-1933) and Vivian (1886-1974).
Served as a U.S. Congressman (Democrat) in 1894-1895.