Lyman Bloomingdale

Lyman Gustave Bloomingdale
Lyman Gustave Bloomingdale
Born	Error: Invalid birth date for calculating age; New York City, U.S.
Died	October 13, 1905 (aged 64); Elberon, New Jersey, U.S.
Occupation(s)	Entrepreneur, philanthropist
Known for	Co-founder of Bloomingdale's department store

Lyman Gustave Bloomingdale (February 11, 1841 – October 13, 1905) was a prominent American entrepreneur and philanthropist. Together with his brother Joseph B. Bloomingdale, he established the department store chain Bloomingdale's Inc. in April 1872, initially located on 59th Street in New York City.

Early life and education

Lyman was born in New York City to Benjamin Bloomingdale, a German Jewish immigrant from Bavaria, and Hannah Weil. He and his brother Joseph acquired foundational retail experience working in their father’s ladies’ apparel shop. His education included attendance at several public schools as well as Smith's Collegiate Institute in New York. During the Civil War, Lyman served as a non-commissioned officer with the Kansas Volunteers.

Career

The Bloomingdale brothers inaugurated their first retail outlet on April 17, 1872, at 938 Third Avenue, New York City, situated between 56th and 57th Streets. Under Lyman’s sole proprietorship, the store offered an extensive selection of European fashion, facilitated by their Paris-based purchasing office. The business prospered, prompting a move in 1886 to the intersection of 59th Street and Third Avenue. While Joseph retired in 1896, Lyman continued active management until his passing. By 1898, the store had incorporated Jesse W. Reno’s patented "inclined elevators," early versions of escalators—the first such application in American retail—reflecting Lyman’s role as Reno’s principal financial backer.

Outside of retail, Bloomingdale held leadership positions including president and director of Walters Piano Company and Arcade Realty Company; he also served on the boards of Vulcan Detinning Company and Hudson Oil Company. In August 1902, he was appointed director of the newly established Consolidated National Bank. His involvement extended to the Chamber of Commerce and numerous civic organizations. After his death in 1905, his sons Hiram and Samuel took over the department store’s leadership. The company was eventually sold to Federated Department Stores in 1929.

Clubs and other memberships

Bloomingdale was affiliated with several prestigious organizations including the Republican Club, Harmonie Club, Lotos Club, and National Arts Club. He also held presidencies at Isaiah Lodge of the Independent Order B'nai B'rith and Excelsior Lodge of Kesher Shel Barzel.

Philanthropy

As a dedicated supporter of cultural initiatives, Bloomingdale contributed to institutions like the Metropolitan Museum of Art, donating significant pieces such as a painting by Washington Allston in 1901. He advocated for emerging artists and co-established the Monteflore Home Country Sanitarium for Consumptives at Bedford Station in 1901, investing considerable time there. Additionally, he served as director and treasurer for Monteflore Home for Chronic Invalids and managed finances as treasurer for Temple Beth-El. His will, dated 1904, designated $100,000 (equivalent to roughly $3 million today) for charitable causes.

Personal life

In 1871, Bloomingdale married Hattie Cullenberger. The brothers’ inaugural store opened on April 17, 1872, at 938 Third Avenue in New York City; Lyman and Hattie resided above this location. Their two eldest sons—Samuel and Hiram—were born there. By 1876, the family relocated to more spacious accommodations on Beekman Place. They had five children:

Samuel Joseph Bloomingdale (1873–1968), who married Rita Goodman; they had two daughters: Susan Bloomingdale Ernst and Louise Bloomingdale Cullman (1919–2014), who wed Edgar Cullman, Sr.
Hiram Collenberger Bloomingdale (1875–1953), married Rosalind C. Schiffer; their children included:
- Lyman Gustave Bloomingdale, who married Gwendolyn Ranger Wormser; they had four children including Gwen Bloomingdale (who died in a plane crash in 2001), Penny Bloomingdale Baker, Jennifer Bloomingdale Nelson, and Billie Bloomingdale Logan
- Alfred Schiffer Bloomingdale, married Betty Lee Newling; they had three children: Geoffrey, Lisa, and Robert Bloomingdale
Irving Ingersoll Bloomingdale (1878–1929), who married Rosalie Banner
Corinne Bloomingdale Popper (1881–1940), married Arthur W Popper; they had two sons: Edward and Robert Lyman Bloomingdale
Hannah Bloomingdale (1877–1891)

In July 1903, a fire destroyed the Wagner cottage owned by Bloomingdale in New York; its cause remained undetermined. By 1904, his residence was located at Third Avenue and 59th Street. In 1905 he sold property on East 155th Street and also maintained a home at 730 Park Avenue in New York.

Bloomingdale passed away on October 13, 1905, in Elberon, New Jersey. His funeral services were conducted at Temple Beth-El. Hattie Bloomingdale died in 1941 at age eighty-nine at her Park Avenue residence.

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