Gumbel, Henry E.

Submitted by Mike Miller

Gumbel, Henry Elias, son of Simon and Sophie (Lengsfield) Gumbel, was born in New Orleans, Sept. 3, 1869. Simon Gumbel was born in Abbisheim, Germany, and came to America when about 14 years old. He kept a small store in Pointe Coupée parish for a few years and then came to New Orleans where he began business as a cotton commission merchant, which he continued until his death in 1909. With the characteristic business acumen of his race, and by a broad and liberal policy in all his dealings, he succeeded in acquiring a large fortune. On arriving in this country from his native land he was practically penniless, and through a long course of industrious and intelligent application he built up a large business, which is still being carried on by his son. Henry E. Gumbel attended private school in New Orleans and later went to the Pennsylvania Military academy at Chester, Pa. After leaving that institution he began as a clerk in the office of S. Gumbel & Co., and afterwards became president of S. Gumbel & Co., Ltd., succeeding his father in this office. Mr. Gumbel is also president of a number of other corporations among which are Lafayette Sugar Refining Co., of Lafayette; Eagle Bag Co., of New Orleans; Pelican and Amelia Cotton Press Co., of New Orleans; Sea Food Co., of Biloxi, Miss. He is vice-president of the United States Irrigation & Rice Milling Co., and is a director in several banks. Mr. Gumbel's enterprises have always been successfully and ably managed by him and his advice is often sought as to the values of commercial property. He is one of foremost of New Orleans business men and can always be relied upon to uphold the best traditions of the Crescent City's merchants.

Louisiana: Comprising Sketches of Parishes, Towns, Events, Institutions, and Persons, Arranged in Cyclopedic Form (volume 3), p. 529. Edited by Alcée Fortier, Lit.D. Published in 1914, by Century Historical Association.