David H. Blumenthal
Familiarly known as "The Old Reliable," the large and well equipped dry-goods and clothing establishment of the firm of Blumenthal & Company is one that lends materially to the precedence of the city of Marion as a business center and enterprise is one of the most important in the field of retail merchandizing in Grant County, with standing of the highest order and with a trade that is essentially representative in character. It may well be understood that effective service and honorable methods have marked the conducting of this substantial business, and he whose name initiates this review has been closely identified with the business from the initiation of his active career. He is an interested principal in the firm and is known as one of the most reliable, popular and progressive business men of his native city, where his circle of friends is limited only by that of his acquaintances.
Mr. Blumenthal was born in the city of Marion, judicial center of Grant County, Indiana, on the 11th of January, 1870, and is a son of Morris and Ida (Marks) Blumenthal, the former of whom was born in Germany and the latter in the city of Rochester, New York, where their marriage was solemnized. Morris Blumenthal was a lad of nine years at the time of the family immigration to America and he was reared to maturity in the State of Indiana, where he also gained his early experience in connection with business affairs. In 1863 he came to Marion and established his home in Marion, where he forthwith became connected with a leading retail business enterprise. He purchased the business of the late Jacob Baer, founder of the extensive interests now conducted under the title of Blumenthal & Company, and through ability and energy he soon proved himself one of the capable and aggressive factors in the local field of mercantile enterprise. When he bought the business it was devoted solely to the handling of men's clothing and furnishing goods. Mr. Blumenthal adopted the title of Blumenthal & Company and amplified the scope of his business to include the handling of dry goods and incidental lines. He kept pace with the march of progress and the growth and development of the thriving city of Marion, with the result that his establishment became a leading retail emporium of this favored section of the State, with a thorough system and with each department of metropolitan equipment and appointments. It was due to his honorable and well directed efforts that the business constantly expanded in scope and importance, and the establishment, which is now one of the largest of the kind in central Indiana, stands as worthy monument to the memory of this able business man and loyal and honored citizen. He was held in high esteem in the community that represented his home for forty years, and at this home in Marion he was summoned to the life eternal on the 24th of January, 1903, his remains being interred in the Jewish Cemetery in the city of Wabash; his widow still resides in Marion and the city is dear to her through the memories and associations of many years. Of the three children one died in infancy and he whose name introduces this article was the first in order of birth; the other surviving child in Minnie, who is the wife of Maurice Blumenthal, of the same family name but of no kinship, and they reside in New York City.
David H. Blumenthal made excellent use of the advantages afforded him in the public schools of Marion, and thereafter completed an effective course in the Rochester Business University, at Rochester, New York. In 1885, when a lad of fifteen years, he became a clerk in the mercantile establishment of his father, and with characteristic energy and appreciation he familiarized himself thoroughly with all details of the business, both in knowledge of stock values and executive affairs. he finally advanced to the position of assistant manager in 1900 of which he has since continued to be a most influential figure, with secure vantage-ground as one of the reliable enterprising and essentially representative business men of his native city. It may well be inferred that he is especially loyal to Marion and Grant County, and this has been shown by his ready co-operation in the support of progressive measures advanced of the general good of the community, along both civic and material lines. He is well known in his home county and is one of the prominent and valued business men of Marion, where he is well upholding the high honors of the name which he bears.
Liberal and public-spirited, Mr. Blumenthal takes abiding interest in all that touches the welfare of his home city and he is now serving with marked zeal and acceptability as president of the board of trustees of the Marion Public Library, of which body he had previously been treasurer for two years, within which time the library was entirely relieved of its incubus of indebtedness, largely through his effective administration of its fiscal affairs. Mr. Blumenthal is affiliated with the Masonic fraternity, The Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks, and both he and his wife are popular in the representative social activities of their home city. In politics he accords a staunch allegiance to the Republican party.
On the 1st of August, 1900, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Blumenthal to Miss Jeanette New, daughter of Isaac New, a prominent citizen of Wabash this State. Mr. and Mrs. Blumenthal have a fine little son, Morris D., who was born on the 12th of April, 1905.
Centennial History of Grant County Indiana 1812-1912. The Lewis Publishing Co., 1914.