As I understand it, there was a time when almost every small town in the country had at least one Jewish family. The limitation of American Jews to large cities is a relatively recent phenomenon.
The Southern Jews were primarily "Reform" (notice the use of the term "Temple" in the names of the synagogues; only the "Reform" call their synagogues "temples"). I believe Judah P. Benjamin was "Reform" as well.
Ironically, while the old Southern Reform owned slaves and pretty much held the same beliefs as their non-Jewish neighbors, nowadays the remaining Reform population is as radical as those anywhere else in the country . . . at least from my limited experience with the "Temple" in the city north of here.
Thanks for the Info Z.C.
You are a treasure trove of information!