The sun., 1916-08-21
JAMES SELIGMAN,
BANKER, dies AT 9s
Last but One Of Eight BROTH
ers Who Founded Pow
erful Firm.
CAME AS AN IMMIGRANT
His Integrity Never Cues
toned; His Life One Of De-
v0tiOn to His Race.

Lone BRANCH, N. j., Aug. 20.-James
Selisman, one Of the founders Of the
banking house Of J. 4 W. Seligman &
Co. conidant Of Presidents and for a
half century one Of finances leading fg-
ures. died here this morning at the age
Of 90. He succumbed to the infrmities
that attend old < in his summer home
In Ocean avenue.
For ten days the approaching dissolu-
ton was apparent to his family. so that
when the aged hnancier passed away he
had at his bedside his six chiidren-De
witt. Eugene and Jefferson Seligman.
Mrs. Benjamin Guggenheim. Mrs. Robert
+. Nathan and Mrs. Albert II. Gross.
DR.. Edward SternberRer announced the
end at 8 o'clock this morning.
Although Mr.. Seligman for twelve
years had been out OF the active affairs
OF his firm In | William street. few Of
Wall Streets present leaders lacked an
intimate acquaintance with him. He
was one Of the most striking men Of the
street. tall. commanding. with a fine
white square cut beard. The freshness
OF his complexion always seemed to give
the lie to his years. In his relations
with his fellow workers he was popular
because Of his never questioned in
tesrity. his geniality and his broad
democracy.
One Of Eisht brothers.
In 1889 he came to this country from
Baiersdorf. Germany. where for more
than 200 years his forebears had lived.
James was among the youngest Of eight
brothers. most Of whom etentually came
to America. None Of those who arrived
here had little more than enough to get
past Castle Garden. but in a few years
by thrift and perseverance they entered
the wholesale clothing and commission
business.
The civil war brought opportunities
that decided the brothers to forsake their
clothing business to enter nance. Jo-
seph. the oldest Of the brothers. con-
ceived the organization and modelled II
on the banking lines marked by the
Rothschilds. Firms In the Seligman
name were established here. in London.
Paris. Frankfort and San Francisco. one
or more OF the brothers was in charge
Of each branch zach OF them held an
interest In each OF the firms.
For forty years this organization re-
manned compact. The power OF each
house grew until as a whole they repre-
sented n Of the biggest enterprises in
the banking field. After four Of the
brothers had died the firms here sepa-
rated from the European houses.
An Intimate of Gen. Grant.
James SeliEman from the beginning
was Identified with the New York
branch. Through his activity in the
New York Stock Exchange and in the
Gold Board tina; had preceded IL he did
much to bring the New York firm to
its power. lie became an intimate friend
OF President Grant. Through his po.
!itical influence he obtained IA. fiscal
agency of the United States navy. With
the exception 81 the cleveland and the
wilson Administrations he held this for
the whole period since 1865. Also for a
long term OF years his firm was the
agent Of the State department.
After he passed from the Gold Board
TO the Stock Exchanged which until
this morning he was the oldest member
Mr.. Sel'gman held Office for fifteen wears
as a member of the governing committee.
lie held other important committee
places in the exchange.
B%cncfactor Of Many CharIttes,
Not only did Mr.. Seligman remain
throughout his life TO his ancient faith.
but he employed all his outside energy
to the success of Jewish charities. In
1896 he was elected president, Of IA.
Temple ~Emanu-El, f'orty-third stree,
and Firth avenue, from which synagogue
he will he buried Wednesday morning n,
10 o'clock. Every year since then he
had held the office, II was in This temple
that Mr., Seligman. In lstj. sang in the
choir. He Was made a trustee in 1876
and served his coreligiUnis,s in tho
who'll period following,
Nine years ago his wife. who was Rose
died, Besides the sin children
who stood around the dying mans bed
side this morning. there are twelve
grandchildren and W great-grandchil-
dren. His brother Isaac, now SO years
old. is the only one Of the eight Seligman
brothers. the bank founders. now alive.