Benjamin Altheimer

Benjamin Altheimer
Born	Template:Birth date Darmstadt, Grand Duchy of Hesse
Died	April 30, 1938(1938-04-30) (aged 88) New York City, New York, U.S.
Occupation(s)	Banker, philanthropist
Years active	1868–1916 (business), later philanthropy
Known for	Suggesting Flag Day to President Woodrow Wilson; founding Emergency Relief Association and Bundle Day; philanthropy in Jewish and medical institutions

Benjamin Altheimer (March 6, 1850 – April 30, 1938) was a Jewish-American banker and philanthropist originally from Germany.

Life

Born in Darmstadt, Grand Duchy of Hesse, to parents Moses Altheimer and Salome Loew, Altheimer received his education at the Reinhardt Institute and the Darmstadt Realschule. He further enhanced his knowledge through private lessons in languages and mathematics in Darmstadt and Frankfurt. In 1868, he emigrated to the United States, initially engaging in the cotton trade in Forest City and Memphis, Tennessee. After a short period back in Germany, he established himself in St. Louis in 1874, where he transitioned into investment banking. There, he founded and presided over the Altheimer & Rawlings Investment Co.. Following the death of his business partner in 1916, he sold the firm, retired from active business, and moved to New York City.

Altheimer is credited with suggesting Flag Day to President Woodrow Wilson in 1918, which was subsequently proclaimed a national observance. In recognition of this initiative, he was awarded the Cross of Honor by the American Flag Association in 1920. His philanthropic efforts included founding the Emergency Relief Association and initiating Bundle Day during the severe 1912 blizzard to assist those in need; both programs evolved into enduring charitable organizations. During the 1878 yellow fever outbreak in the South, he coordinated relief activities in St. Louis and served on a mayor-appointed commission overseeing these efforts. He also played a key role in establishing and supporting institutions such as the National Jewish Hospital for Consumptives and the Pretorius Memorial Library at Washington University in St. Louis.

Within St. Louis, Altheimer was instrumental as a founder and trustee of Temple Israel, held the presidency of the YMHA, acted as director for United Jewish Charities, and served as vice-chairman of Mt. Rose Roman Catholic Hospital. After relocating to New York, he took on roles including treasurer and honorary life trustee on the executive committee of the Union of American Hebrew Congregations. He also participated actively in the Synagogue Council of America and contributed to the Federation of Jewish Charities. His philanthropic legacy includes the Ben Altheimer Fund dedicated to research at National Jewish Hospital, supported by $75,000 raised by friends on his 80th and 85th birthdays. Honors bestowed upon him for his charitable contributions included a loving cup from Archbishop John J. Glennon and honorary membership in Jewish War Veterans.

Altheimer maintained affiliations with groups such as the Freemasons along with various social clubs across New York and St. Louis. Politically aligned with the Republican Party, he served as president of New York’s Temple Beth-El before becoming vice-president and acting president of Congregation Emanu-El following their consolidation. In 1880, he married Jenny Eisenstadt; together they had one daughter named Selma.

He passed away due to colon cancer on April 30, 1938, at his residence in New York City and was interred at New Mount Sinai Cemetery in St. Louis.