Joseph B. Grossman
Joseph B. "J. B." Grossman | |
|---|---|
| Born | Template:Birth date Quincy, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Died | November 7, 1990 (aged 98) |
| Occupation(s) | Entrepreneur, politician, philanthropist |
| Years active | 1914–1979 |
| Known for | First Jewish member of the Massachusetts Governor's Council; businessman at Grossman's building materials company; philanthropist |
Joseph B. "J. B." Grossman was a prominent American entrepreneur, political figure, and philanthropist who held positions in the Massachusetts House of Representatives as well as the Massachusetts Governor's Council. He managed financial affairs at Grossman's, a company specializing in building materials, and was distinguished as the first Jewish individual to serve on the Governor's Council.
Early life
Grossman was born on July 15, 1892, in Quincy, Massachusetts. His early professional experience included working as a clerk for a granite firm in Quincy and serving as a journalist for The Patriot Ledger. He pursued his education at Plymouth Business School.
Political career
At the age of 21 in 1914, Grossman became a member of the Quincy Board of Registrars, marking him as the youngest person to join an election board in Massachusetts. He maintained this role for nine years.
He was elected to represent the 3rd Norfolk District in the Massachusetts House of Representatives during two separate terms: from 1927 to 1929 and again from 1931 to 1933. In 1932, Grossman secured a seat on the Massachusetts Governor's Council, becoming its first Jewish member. During his tenure, he was a vocal critic of Governor James Michael Curley. Although he withdrew from his 1938 reelection bid to concentrate on business interests, he did not rule out future involvement in statewide politics.
In 1962, Grossman sought the office of Treasurer and Receiver-General of Massachusetts. He achieved a decisive victory in the Republican primary with 71% of the vote against Francis Andrew Walsh but was defeated in the general election by Democrat John T. Driscoll, who garnered 62% compared to Grossman’s 37%.
Business career
Grossman entered his family’s building supplies business in 1914, initially taking on the role of treasurer before advancing to vice chairman and senior financial advisor by 1962. Prior to its acquisition by Evans Products Co. in 1969, Grossman's had become New England's leading retailer of lumber and building materials and played a significant role in repurposing idle mill properties.
In addition, Grossman established the Home Owners Federal Savings and Loan Association of Boston in 1933, serving as its president until his retirement in 1979. His leadership extended to positions as director at Quincy Cooperative Bank and the Boston World Trade Center. Over his nearly four decades with Quincy Cooperative Bank, its assets expanded dramatically from $130,000 to $50 million.
Philanthropy
Grossman contributed generously to institutions including Beth Israel Hospital, Quincy City Hospital, Jewish Memorial Hospital, New England Sinai Hospital, Brandeis University, and Combined Jewish Philanthropies. He created two camps dedicated to children from disadvantaged backgrounds and funded scholarships at Brandeis University, Harvard University, and Quincy City Hospital School of Nursing. Furthermore, he served as head of both the Quincy Community Chest (presently United Way of Quincy) and the American Red Cross chapter in Quincy.
Personal life
In 1914, Grossman married Esther Loitman; together they had two sons and one daughter. Following her passing in 1962, he remarried Esther Starr in 1963. Grossman passed away on November 7, 1990, at the age of 98. He was survived by his second wife along with his three children.