1816: Born and raised in Charleston, South Carolina to a Sephardic mother and Ashkenazi father
Moved to Pennsylvania for college
Moved back to Charleston to study law
1837: Admitted to the Bar in Montgomery, Alabama
Practiced law in Alabama and Georgia
1850: Moved to California*
1852-57: Served as a state Supreme Court Judge
"was a respected defender of liberal viewpoints, and participated in philanthropical activities on behalf of Jewish causes.”
"one of the most respected Jews in town"
**UNTIL 1854: When Heydenfeldt makes a strong decision in opposition of non-Whites being put on witness stand-- he rules against any testimony by Asians in any case involving Whites.
This ultimately changed his reputation for the worse and associated his legacy with that of his brother.
*Solomon also had a bother who moved with him to California for similar reasons
His brother, Elcan, was elected the 1st Jewish State Senator and served as the 1st President of the California State Senate
Elcan argued for state-wide public education for all yet opposed the right of Blacks to testify in court, leaving him with a very mixed legacy of progressive and oppressive feelings.
Was less popular with the public than his brother, Solomon Heydenfeldt