Meyer Guggenheim (/ˈɡʊɡənhaɪm/GOOG-in-hime, German:[ˈmaɪərˈɡʊɡn̩haɪm]; February 1, 1828 – March 15, 1905)[1] was the
patriarch of what became known as the
Guggenheim family in the United States, which became one of the world's wealthiest families during the 19th century, and remained so during the 20th.
Early life
Guggenheim was born in
Lengnau,
Aargau, Switzerland, on February 1, 1828. He was the son of Simon Meyer Guggenheim and Schafeli (
née Levinger) Guggenheim and was of
Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry.[2]
Career
After emigrating from Switzerland in 1847 to the United States,[3] he launched a new life in the importing business. He ultimately made his fortune (one of the largest of the 19th century) through business ventures in
mining and
smelting, mostly in the United States.[3]
After investing in silver mines in the
Leadville mining district of
Colorado, he expanded into ore smelting in Colorado. He built a number of smelters across the United States and in northern Mexico. As his several sons grew up, they assumed leading roles in the family mining and smelting business.[4]
Personal life
Guggenheim met Barbara Meyers (1834–1900), a fellow immigrant on the ship to the United States, and married her four years later around 1852.[5] Together, they were the parents of ten surviving children.
Five of their seven sons were active in the family businesses, including:[2]
Daniel Guggenheim (1856–1930), head of the family after his father's death, who was the most active of his sons in developing and acquiring worldwide mining interests.[7]
Maurice Guggenheim (1858–1939), originally in the lace and embroidery import business; by 1881, he was a financier involved in mining and smelting.[8]
Rose Guggenheim (1871–1945),[15] who married three times; first to Albert Loeb (head of the
New York Stock Exchange), second to Samuel M. Goldsmith in 1908, and third to Charles E. Quicke.[16]
After his wife's death in 1900, Guggenheim and his sons provided $200,000 to
Mount Sinai Hospital for the construction of a hospital in her honor.[18] Guggenheim died on March 15, 1905, in
Palm Beach, Florida.[1] He was interred at the
Salem Fields Cemetery in Brooklyn, New York.[19]
Descendants
Through his son Benjamin, Guggenheim was a grandfather of art collector and socialite
Peggy Guggenheim.[20]