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Col. H. A. Guinzberg, Philanthropist and Leader, Dies at 73

November 19, 1928
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Funeral services for the late Col. Henry A. Guinzberg, one of the outstanding Jewish leader in New York and the country, who died on Friday, were held yesterday morning at Temple Emanu-EI, New York City. Dr. H. G. Enelow, rabbi of the temple, and Dr. Solomon Lowenstein, Executive Director of the New York Federation for the Support of Jewish Philanthropic Societies, conducted the services.

The honorary pallbearers were Felix M. Warburg, Arthur Lehman, Joseph Buttenwieser, Paul Baerwald, Solomon M. Stroock, Louis Marshall, John Williams, Dr. Lee K. Frankel, Walter Beer, Cyrus L. Sulzberger, William Golden, Edward Peyser and Bernard Gorman. Col. Guinzburg, who was 73, had been ill for some time, and recently underwnent an operation for appendicitis.

Colonel Guinzburg was one of the most active Jewish communal workers in this city. He was treasurer of the Federation for the Support of Jewish Philanthropic Societies for many years. In 1918, he was chairman of the Building Fund Campaign of institutions affiliated with the Federation for the Support of Jewish Philanthropic Societies, of which Jacob H. Schiff was honorary chairman. Following the war, he was chairman of several of the drives for war sufferers, and since 1927 he was associate treasurer of the various campaigns held under the auspices of the Joint Distribution Committee.

Colonel Guinzburg was born in Baltimore, the son of Rabbi Aaron and Caroline Guinzburg. He was married in 1896 to Leonic B. Kleinert, of New York City. In 1879, he went to St. Louis, where he became one of the most active communal workers in that city. During his stay there he was vice-president of the United Hebrew Charities, president of the Jewish Free Burial Society and the Russian Aid Society. He was made an honorary member of the Society of St. Patrick in recognition of his philanthropic work for the Catholics of that city. In 1892, he was appointed Colonel of Cavalry, aide-de-camp and chief of staff of Governor Stone of Missouri. In 1894 he was appointed on the staff of Governor Melntyre of Colorado.

He was also active in politics in St, Louis. In 1892 and 1896 he was an alternate delegate to the Democratic conventions. In 1896 he declined the nomination for Mayor on the Democratic ticket. In the same year he declined the nomination for Lieutenant Governor of the State of Missouri President Harrison, during his administration. offered him the post of Minister to Mexico, whch he also declined.

In 1898 he moved to New York, where he became treasurer and vicepresident of the I. B. Kleinert Rubber Co, with which firm he was affiliate until a few years ago, when he retired.

He leaves two children, Harold Guinzburg, president of the Literary Guild, and Mrs. James Marshall. His widown also survives him.

Learning of the death of Colonel Guinzburg, a special meeting of the Joint Distribution Committee was held Friday, at which a resolution was adopted in memory of Colonel Guinzburg. The resolution is signed by Felix M. Warburg, chairman, Joint Distribution Committee; Louis Marshall, chairman, American Jewish Committee; Herbert H. Lehman, vice-chairman, Joint Distribution Committee; Paul Baerwald, treasurer, Joint Distribution Committee; David A. Brown, chairman, United Jewish Campaign; James N. Rosenberg, chairman, American Jewish Joint Agricultural Corp; David M. Bressler, acting chairman, New York City United Jewish Campaign; Jonah J. Goldstein, vice-chairman, New York City United Jewish Campaign.

“We have just learned with a profund sense of grief of the passing of Colonel H. A. Guinzburg, one of the outstanding leaders of this community.

“In his death American Jewry has sustained a great loss, and our needy brethren abroad have been deprived of a great friend.

“Colonel Guinzburg, as Associate Treasurer of the several New York City Campaigns for the Joint Distribution Committee since 1917, devoted himself to the great cause in which we are enlisted, of bringing succor and hope to our stricken brethren overseas.

“His life, his decds, his service, will serve as an inspiration to those of us who are dedicated to continue the work for which he gave so much of his means and of himself.

“To the family of our faithful coworker. whose labors for humanity are now ended, we express our deep sense of sorrow,” the resolution read.

The New York Federation for the Support of Jewish Philanthropic Societies also adopted a resolution of mourning.

ONE KILLED, ONE WOUNDED IN NEW YORK POULTRY WAR

Isidore Walker was instantly killed, and Charles Herbert, business manager of the Schochtim Union was seriously wounded, Friday night by a gumnan who fired five shots when they were dining in Burger’s Restaurant, New York City. The killer escaped. Police believe the attack was another episide of the kosher poultry dealers’ war.

Herbert, and Walker, his bodyguard, were dining in the crowded restaurant when the gunman walked rapidly toward them and fired. Several other persons have been shot and the home of a chicken dealer bombed in the price-cutting war which has been going on for months.

Eight members of the committee raising funds for the New York Federation for the Support of Jewish Philanthropic Societies announced that they had increased their 1928 contributions from $69,850 to $147,350, as an example of new standards of giving in proportion to prosperity. Those increasing their gifts approximately $10,000 each included Aaron E. Norman, Eli H. Bernheim, Samuel Sachs, David A. Schulte, Henry Ittleson, S. W. Straus, Ira Haupt, Edward S. Steinam.

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