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 1776 - 1857 (80 years)
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| Name |
Hyman Gratz [3] |
| Born |
23 Sep 1776 |
Lancaster, Lancaster, PA  [3, 4] |
| Gender |
Male |
| Reference Number |
1837 |
| Died |
27 Jan 1857 [3, 4] |
| Buried |
Mikva Israel - Spruce Street Cemetery, Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania [5] |
| Person ID |
I1837 |
aojd |
| Last Modified |
11 Nov 2011 |
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| Notes |
- Hyman Gratz and his brother Simon were partners in a grocery business located at 7th and Market Streets, Philadelphia, in a building where Thomas Jefferson wrote the first draft of the Declaration of Independence. The brothers branched out in a variety of businesses and owned a number of vessels for export and import which brought spices and other goods from India, China and Far Eastern points.
When the firm dissolved, Hyman interested himself in Insurance. In 1818 he was elected a Director of the Pennsylvania Company for Insurance on Lives and Granting Annuities. In 1837 he became its President, which post he held for twenty years until his death. During this time the organization grew and prospered attaining a unique position in its field.
Hyman was handsome, urbane and socially prominent. He was a lover of the Arts and a Director and Treasurer of The Academy of The Fine Arts. He was also a manager of the Jewish Publication Society of America.
Like other members of the family, he was active in the affairs of Congregation Mikveh Israel. He was a member of the Board of Directors and served as treasurer for thirty-two years.
In 1856 he executed a deed of trust setting aside properties and shares held by him in different companies, the annual income of which was to be paid to his heirs, the last mentioned heir being Horace Moses, who died without issue in 1893. Thereupon, according to a provision of Mr. Gratz's Will, the entire estate came into the possession of Congregation Midkeh Israel, for a College for the Education of Jews residing in the City and County of Philadelphia to be established and maintained under the direction of the Congregation as Trustee. Source: The Jewish Cemetery, by Leon H. Elmaleh (1962)
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