Morgenthau, Lazarus, 1815-1897

Lazarus Morgenthau (b. 1815, Kleinwallstadt, Bavaria-d. Aug. 31, 1897, Manhattan, NY) was a successful cigar manufacturer who had cigar factories at Mannheim, Lorsch and Heppenheim, Germany. Before his cigar business he was a tailor. After suffering a severe financial setback during the American Civil War, due to an 1862 tobacco tariff on imports, the Morgenthau family emigrated to New York City in 1866.

Despite a considerable amount of money, he was unsuccessful in re-establishing himself in business. Lazarus Morgenthau stabilized his income by becoming a fundraiser for Jewish houses of worship. He married Babette Guggenheim and was the father of Henry Morgenthau.