Lyman G. Bloomingdale
| Lyman G. Bloomingdale | |
|---|---|
| Born |
Lyman Gustave Bloomingdale February 11, 1841 New York City, New York |
| Died |
October 13, 1905 (aged 64) Elberon, New Jersey |
| Nationality | United States |
| Occupation | Businessman |
| Known for | Co-founder of Bloomingdales Department Store |
| Spouse(s) | Hattie Cullenberger |
| Children |
Hiram Bloomingdale Samuel Bloomingdale Irving Bloomingdale Corinne Bloomingdale |
| Parent(s) |
Hannah Weil Benjamin Bloomingdale |
| Family | Joseph B. Bloomingdale (brother) |
Lyman Gustave Bloomingdale (February 11, 1841 – October 13, 1905) was an American businessman who in April 1872, with his brother Joseph, founded Bloomingdales Department Store on 56th Street in New York City.[1]
Biography
The son of the Bavarian-born, German Jewish immigrant Benjamin Bloomingdale[1] and Hannah Weil,[2] Lyman and his brother Joseph were trained in the retailing of ladies clothing at their father's store.[1] Going into business for themselves, the Bloomingdale brothers' new store sold a wide variety of European fashions, anchored through their own buying office in Paris. Their success resulted in the business outgrowing its premises and in 1886 they relocated operations to its famous present-day location at 59th Street and Third Avenue where Bloomingdale became one of the most widely recognized brand names in the world.
Brother Joseph Bloomingdale retired from the business on New Years Day 1896 but Lyman remained involved until his death on October 13, 1905 at Elberon, New Jersey. A benefactor to a variety of causes and cultural institutions, in 1901 Lyman Bloomimgdale donated a Washington Allston painting to New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art[3] and in his will written in 1904, left $100,000 (equivalent to $2.6 million in 2015) for charitable purposes.
Personal life
Bloomingdale was married to Hattie Cullenberger.[2] They had four children: three sons, Hiram, Samuel, and Irving; and a daughter Corinne.[4] Lyman's son, Samuel J. Bloomingdale, took over as head of the department store and proved a very capable manager and an astute marketing innovator who significantly expanded the business. Lyman's grandson, Alfred S. Bloomingdale, also a successful businessman, later became known for his involvement with murder victim Vicki Morgan.
References
- 1 2 3 Jewish Virtual Library: NEW YORK CITY retrieved April 21, 2012
- 1 2 Jewish Yearbook Entry on Lyman G. Bloomingdale
- ↑ Washington Allston: The Spanish Girl in Reverie | Work of Art | Timeline of Art History | The Metropolitan Museum of Art at www.metmuseum.org
- ↑ Daytonian In Maryland; "The Lyman Bloomingdale House -- 21 East 63rd Street October 1, 2011