Henry Greenebaum

Henry Greenebaum
Born	Template:Birth date Eppelsheim, Grand Duchy of Hesse
Died	February 2, 1914(1914-02-02) (aged 80)
Occupation(s)	Financier, banker, politician
Years active	1848–early 1900s
Known for	Founder of Greenebaum Brothers bank; first Jewish Chicago alderman; president of multiple banks and Jewish organizations

Henry Greenebaum (June 18, 1833 – February 2, 1914) was a Jewish-American financier originally from Germany.

Life

Greenebaum was born in Eppelsheim, within the Grand Duchy of Hesse, as the son of merchant Jacob Greenebaum and Sarah Hart, who was connected to the notable Chicago wholesale merchants known as the Hart Brothers. He completed his early education locally and graduated from the "Pro-Gymnasium" in Kaiserslautern in 1848. Motivated by his siblings who had emigrated before him, he relocated to Chicago in October 1848 at the age of fifteen. His initial employment was as a hardware salesman, followed by four years as a clerk at General R. K. Swift's banking firm, during which he traveled to Europe to establish business relationships.

In January 1855, Henry and his brother Elias launched Greenebaum Brothers, which became Chicago’s oldest banking institution with European roots. The firm was later rebranded as Henry Greenebaum & Co., partnering with David S. Greenebaum and Louis Rullmann. Politically engaged, he held the position of Alderman for Chicago’s Sixth Ward in 1856, marking the first Jewish individual on the City Council. Originally a Democrat and supporter of Stephen Douglas, he shifted allegiance to the Republican Party during the Civil War, assisting with recruitment and logistics. In 1867, he was appointed to the State Board of Equalization and acted as a Republican presidential elector in 1872. He declined candidacies for Illinois Lieutenant Governor and Chicago Mayor. Greenebaum also presided over cultural groups including the Beethoven Society and Orpheus Maennerchor.

A strong advocate for European immigration to Chicago, particularly German settlers, he helped establish the Chicago Industrial Association in 1860 to encourage industrial growth and immigration. By 1863, his bank operated a Passage Office that facilitated transatlantic migration. Between 1870 and 1871, he founded both the German Savings Bank and German National Bank, maintaining controlling minority stakes through his company and personal investments. Although these banks were located in a building destroyed during the 1871 Great Chicago Fire, he swiftly financed its rebuilding. His financial institutions survived the Panic of 1873 without significant damage.

Nevertheless, in 1877 Greenebaum encountered legal difficulties: he was indicted on fraud charges related to his tenure as treasurer of the West Chicago Park Commission; concurrently, his banks declared bankruptcy and he filed for personal bankruptcy. Embezzlement trials extended until 1880, ending in acquittal but causing harm to his reputation and financial standing. Afterwards, in 1882, he took on the role of General Agent for the Equitable Life Assurance Company.

Greenebaum played a key role in founding numerous Jewish community organizations: co-founder of Sinai Congregation (1861), inaugural president of Isaiah Congregation (1864), secretary and honorary member of Congregation B'nai Sholom, originator and first president of the United Hebrew Relief Association (1859), and president of the German Aid Society (1856). In the 1890s, he supported Russian immigrant aid through involvement with the Russian Aid Society. He also established B'nai B'rith Ramah Lodge No. 33 (1857) and led B'nai B'rith District Grand Lodge No. 6 (1864). Beyond religious groups, he contributed to founding the Chicago Public Library, Chicago Historical Society, Astronomical Society, and served as trustee for the Old University of Chicago.

Married to Emily Hyman since 1855, they had one child who passed away young; they raised several orphaned relatives’ children.

Greenebaum passed away at home on February 2, 1914. His funeral service at Sinai Temple was conducted by Emil G. Hirsch and Joseph Stolz; pallbearers included Adolf Kraus and Abraham G. Becker. He was interred at Rosehill Cemetery.