Julius Levy, Merchant-philanthropist of Baltimore, Dies at Age of 58

(Jewish Daily Bulletin)

Julius Levy, one of the most widely known Jews in Baltimore and active worker for charity, died on Monday at his home in Roland Park after an illness of five months.

Mr. Levy, who was born in Baltimore 58 years ago, was president of M. S. Levy and Sons, Inc., straw hat manufacturers. His father, M. S. Levy, founded the business which became one of the largest of its kind in this country. After being educated in Baltimore, Mr. Levy entered his father’s business.

At one time Mr. Levy was president of what is now the Associated Jewish Charities. He retained his interest in this organization until his death. He was one of the most active members in the Chizuk Amuno Synagogue, of which his father was one of the founders. At various times he served as president of the Mount Pleasant Sanatorium and of the Baltimore Hebrew College. He was a former president of the National Straw Hat Manufacturers’ Association and director of a number of financial enterprises, including the Merchants’ National Bank.

With his father and his brothers, Mr. Levy founded the Betsy Levy Memorial Home for orphan children, and with his brothers and sisters he erected the Michael S. Levy Memorial. He took an active part in the business affairs of the city. He was a member of the Phoenix Club and other social organizations.

Mr. Levy is survived by his widow, who was Miss Etta Guggenheimer, and six sisters and two brothers.

The Baltimore "Sun" devoted an editorial to the late philanthropist.

"In the death of Julius Levy," the paper states, "Baltimore loses a man who had high ideals of citizenship and lived up to them. Successful in business, he devoted a large share of his fortune to charitable, social and educational work, giving generously of his means to every good cause. The Betsy Levy Memorial Home and the Michael Levy Home are monuments to the interest Mr. Levy and his family took in helping the less fortunate. With his money, he gave his time, advice and labor, evincing that intimate concern for advancement of social relief which is the best evidence of the place it filled in his mind and heart.

"In national as well as local movements to promote the welfare of his own people Mr. Levy had prominent part. He was chairman of the Maryland Jewish Relief Committee and worked with other prominent men and women throughout the country to rescue destitute people of Eastern and Southern Europe, without regard to sect, who suffered poverty and starvation during and after the war.

"In this city, where his beneficience was well known and his aid and counsel were always to be had when there was opportunity to relieve the poor, to help the deserving or to contribute to the well-being of the community, his death will bring sincerest regret."