Meyer Guggenheim (1827-1905) - Find a Grave Memorial

Mining Magnate. He amassed one of the largest fortunes in the mining and smelting industries in the latter half of the 19th century. A Swiss immigrant of Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry, he came to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1847 and established an import business. Using the profits from his business, he purchased a couple of silver mines near Leadville, Colorado and it soon expanded to copper and lead mines and smelters. In 1891 he consolidated his enterprises as the Colorado Smelting and Refining Company and by 1901 he controlled the American copper industry. Upon his death at the age of 77, his son Daniel became the head of the family business. His son Robert was a one-term US Senator from Colorado and son Solomon became an art collector and philanthropist. Another son Benjamin died in the sinking of the RMS Titanic.

Bio by: William Bjornstad