Adam Gimbel (1817-1896) - Find a Grave Memorial

Entrepreneur. He was the founder of Gimbel's Department Stores, which would become part of the dynasty of American retail stores. As a German immigrant, Gimbel arrived in American in 1834, and shortly afterward traveled to Vincennes, Indiana, where he opened a trading post. A host of siblings followed him to the United States. Much of his business was with the Native Americans, trading beads and other items for furs and pelts. He developed a trustworthy reputation with all customers and his motto was well known in the area, "Fairness and equality of all patrons, whether they be residents of the city, plainsmen, traders or Indians." Over the years, he saved enough money to consider expanding business, opening department stores in larger American cities. He opened his first department-type store in Milwaukee in 1887, and several years later, after his death, his sons opened a second store in Philadelphia, and in 1910, a grandson opened a store in Manhattan. His sons would continue the enterprise, and over the years Gimbel's became the largest department store retail corporation in the world. It would rival Macy's department store as the preeminent retail outlet in New York City. The rivalry was featured in the 1947 movie "Miracle on 34th Street" starring John Payne, Maureen O'Hara, and a as a child actor, Natalie Wood. In 1847, he married Fridolyn Kahn-Weiler; they had fourteen children, eleven who lived to adulthood. In 1923, Saks & Company, which was owned by a Gimbel cousin, merged with Gimbel's, eventually forming the upscaled retail store, Saks Fifth Avenue. He left seven sons and numerous grandchildren to continue the business, which lasted until 1987. At the time of the store's closing, there were thirty-six stores throughout the United States. His front-page obituary appeared in the "New York Times."

Bio by: Saratoga