Jacob Seasongood

Seasongood was born to a Jewish family in Burgkunstadt, Bavaria[2] where he studied to be a weaver's apprentice.[3] In 1837, he immigrated to the United States arriving in New York City with a sum of $75.[2] He used his money to peddle goods and after two months, moved to Cincinnati.[2] While en route in Chillicothe, Ohio,[1] he met Philip Heidelbach, a fellow Jew from Bavaria with a similar immigrant story.[2] In 1837, they partnered and pooled their resources and in 1840, founded a dry goods store, Heidelbach, Seasongood & Co.[2][4][5] In 1850, his nephew, Lewis Seasongood, joined the firm; and in 1860, his nephew, Alfred Seasongood (father of Murray Seasongood), joined the firm.[2] By 1860, they had a large clothing factory[3] which prospered making clothing and blankets for the Union Army with $1.2 million in sales by 1864[6] becoming the largest clothing manufacturer in the Mississippi Valley.[7] In the 1860s, the partnership was dissolved; and in 1865, Heidelbach moved to New York City. In 1969, Jacob and his nephews Lewis and Alfred partnered with Elias Moch to form the dry goods retailer J. & L. Seasongood & Co.[8] In 1870, Jacob and Lewis partnered with Jacob Netter and formed a bank, Seasongood, Netter, & Co.; the firm was dissolved in 1875 after the death of Netter and Jacob formed a new bank, Seasongood Sons & Co. with his son, Adolph J. Seasongood; his nephews, Lewis Seasongood and Alfred Seasongood; and another investor, Charles Mayer.[8] In 1877, Jacob Seasongood retired and J. & L. Seasongood & Co. was dissolved.[8]

Seasongood served as an officer of B'nai Israel, as a director of the Jewish Hospital, and as director of the Hebrew Benevolent Association.[5] He died on February 5, 1884.[9] He had five children: Emma Seasongood (married to his nephew Lewis Seasongood); Jennie Seasongood Bohm (married to Joseph Bohm); Julia Seasongood Reis (married to Julius Reis); Adolph J. Seasongood; and Charles Seasongood.[10]