Max Getz

Max Getz was an American jeweler and philanthropist who founded Mayor's Jewelers and was recognized as one of the country’s foremost authorities on gems.[1][2][3]

Max Getz
DiedJuly 23, 1954
Cincinnati, Ohio
NationalityAmerican
OccupationJeweler
Known forMayor's Jewelers, Getz Jewelers, Udall & Ballou
RelativesJack Getz, Charles Getzug, Harry Getzug, Samuel Getz, Irving Getz, Mollie Sachs, Rose Silberstein, Belle Schuler

Early life and education

Max Getz was born in 1896 the son of Anna (née Richter) and Herman Getzug.[4] His given name was Mayor, which he used for his jewelry business, replacing it with Max for his personal life.[5][6][7][8][9][10][11]

Getz attended Woodward High School, Cincinnati.  He was a veteran of World War I.[3]

History

Upon returning from the Army, Getz began his business career with two employees, a clerk and a porter in an old arcade in Cincinnati. He opened Mayor Jewelry Company, his first jewelry store, at 608 Vine Street, Cincinnati, Ohio. He expanded and headed the Mayor Company at various downtown sites, and opened store in Dayton and Hamilton, Ohio and Indianapolis.[9][1][12]

Getz was the president of Udall and Ballou on Fifth Avenue, New York City, as well as president and treasurer of the Mayor Jewelry Company.[10] The Udall and Ballou store at 685 Fifth Avenue was the first jewelry concern to move north of 42nd Street.[13]

Yonkers Raceway

Max Getz was a member of the Algam Corporation harness group who purchased the Yonkers Raceway property for $2.4 Million and developed the racetrack. Nathan E. Herzfeld, Joseph Henschel and Max Getz were the leaders in the formation of Algam. Getz and Henschel sold their interests to Old Country Trotting Association who assumed control of the racetrack, after which Herzfeld sold his interest in 1952.[14]

Philanthropy

Getz was the director of a Cleveland orphanage, a member of the board of governors of Hebrew Union College and prominent in Jewish Welfare Fund drives.[10][15]

Personal life

Max Getz was married to Constance and resided at 7864 Ridge Road, Amberley Village. He was a member of Isaac M. Wise Temple, Crest Hills Country Club, the Cincinnati Club, and the National Jeweler's Credit Association.[3]

He had four brothers, Harry, Samuel, Jack and Charles, all jewelers, and three sisters, Belle, Mollie, and Rose. His brothers operated Mayor Jewelry Company of Cincinnati, Getz Jewelry Company of Cincinnati, Getz Jewelry Company of Walnut Hills, Getz Jewelry Company of Norwood, the Mayor Jewelry Company of Dayton, the Barney Jewelry Company of Indianapolis, and the Mayor Jewelry Company of Florida. His brother Jack ran a chain of ten jewelry stores in Cincinnati. His brother Charles ran the Dayton jewelry store for 30 years and was killed by a gunman in the store in December 1969.[10][16]

His brother Samuel moved to Miami and opened the first Mayor's Jewelry store on Flagler Street.[17]

Death

Max Getz died of a heart attack while dining with his wife. He set up a Trust Fund for charity with half going to Hebrew Union College and half to be distributed among the Community Chest of Cincinnati and Hamilton County, the National Conference of Christians and Jews and the Jewish Center.[15]

References
  1. "Mayor's Jewelers to move one block". The Journal Herald. 27 Aug 1977. p. 3. Retrieved 8 May 2023.
  2. "Max Getz Dies, Noted Jeweler Fatally Stricken". The Cincinnati Times-Star. 24 Jul 1954. p. 3. Retrieved 8 May 2023.
  3. "Max Getz Dead, Jewelry Co Head". Hamilton Daily News Journal. 24 Jul 1954. p. 16. Retrieved 8 May 2023.
  4. "Mourn Realtor". The Cincinnati Post. 29 Oct 1932. p. 9. Retrieved 11 May 2023.
  5. "Notice Is Hereby Given". Cincinnati Commercial Tribune. 29 Jun 1920. p. 4. Retrieved 8 May 2023.
  6. "Notice Is Hereby Given". Cincinnati Commercial Tribune. 4 Oct 1912. p. 9. Retrieved 8 May 2023.
  7. "Notice Is Hereby Given". Cincinnati Commercial Tribune. 12 May 1912. p. 6. Retrieved 8 May 2023.
  8. "Notice is Hereby Given". Cincinnati Commercial Tribune. 27 Jan 1915. p. 11. Retrieved 8 May 2023.
  9. "Jeweler Sees Era Of Better Business". The Cincinnati Post. 13 Sep 1934. p. 13. Retrieved 8 May 2023.
  10. "Mrs. Anna Getzug". The Cincinnati Post. 29 Jul 1942. Retrieved 8 May 2023.
  11. "Anna Getzug purchases 10 room residence". The Cincinnati Post. 20 Sep 1922. p. 10. Retrieved 8 May 2023.
  12. "Women Getting Big Hands". The Kentucky Post. 4 Nov 1924. p. 8. Retrieved 8 May 2023.
  13. "UDALL & BALLOU CLOSES; Old Jewelry House on 5th Ave. Serves Last Customer". The New York Times. Retrieved 2023-05-09.
  14. Perlmutter, Emanuel (2 Mar 1954). "HIDDEN OWNERSHIP OF RACEWAY STOCK BARED AT HEARING: Former Legislator, Intimate of O'Dwyer, Erickson Kin and Ex-Convict Are Identified HOLDINGS PUT AT MILLION Moreland Inquiry Opens Public Sessions, Gets Details of Yonkers Track Purchase HIDDEN HOLDINGS OF TRACKS BARED". New York Times. p. 1. ProQuest 113139959. Retrieved 8 May 2023.
  15. "Trust Fund Is Set Up For Charity In Max Getz Will". The Cincinnati Enquirer. 3 Aug 1954. p. 6. Retrieved 8 May 2023.
  16. "Charles Getz, Dayton Jeweler, Slaying Victim". The Cincinnati Enquirer. 8 Dec 1969. p. 13. Retrieved 8 May 2023.
  17. By (2001-03-24). "MAYOR'S JEWELRY PRESIDENT STEPS DOWN". Sun Sentinel. Retrieved 2023-05-09.
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