Guggenheim, Simon, 1867-1941

GUGGENHEIM, Simon, a Senator from Colorado; born in Philadelphia, Pa., December 30, 1867; attended the public schools of Philadelphia and Pierce Business School, Philadelphia; studied languages in Europe for two years; engaged in the mining and smelting business in the United States and Mexico; moved to Pueblo, Colo., in 1888 as chief ore buyer for M. Guggenheim's Sons and became associated with his brothers in the management of the Philadelphia Smelting & Refining Co.; moved to Denver in 1892; elected as a Republican to the United States Senate and served from March 4, 1907, to March 3, 1913; was not a candidate for reelection; chairman, Committee on the University of the United States (Sixty-first Congress), Committee on the Philippines (Sixty-second Congress); philanthropist; moved to New York in 1913; member and later chairman of the board of the American Smelting & Refining Co. and elected president of that company in 1919; established in 1925, in memory of his son, the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation for scholarships for advanced study abroad; continued active in financial interests until his death in New York City, November 2, 1941; interment in Woodlawn Cemetery.

<p>John Simon Guggenheim (December 30, 1867 – November 2, 1941) was an American businessman, politician and philanthropist.</p>

<p>Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania of Jewish descent, Simon Guggenheim was the son of Meyer Guggenheim and Barbara Guggenheim, and was the younger brother of Daniel Guggenheim and Solomon R. Guggenheim. He attended Central High School and the Peirce School of Business Administration before settling in Pueblo, Colorado, where he worked as the chief ore buyer for his father's mining and smelting operation, M. Guggenheim's Sons.</p>

<p>Guggenheim moved to Denver in 1892 and married Olga Hirsch on November 24, 1898, at the iconic Waldorf Astoria New York in Manhattan. To celebrate their marriage, the Guggenheims provided a Thanksgiving dinner to 5,000 poor Manhattan children.</p>