George B. Goldschmidt esquire | |
|---|---|
| Born | December 16, 1840 Manhattan, New York City, U.S. |
| Died | April 15, 1912 (aged 71) |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Branch | Army |
| Service years | 1861-1865 |
| Rank | Major |
| Conflicts | Gettysburg campaign |
George B. Goldschmidt (December 16, 1840 – April 15, 1912) was a lawyer andMajor in theAmerican Civil War who was killed during theSinking of the Titanic.[1]
Goldschmidt was born on December 16, 1840, inNew York City the son of John Meyer Goldschmidt (1801-1877) and Celestine née Judah (1813-1898). John was born inHamburg, Germany and Celestine was a New York native. In 1850, the family were living inManhattan; he lived there until the 1860s.[1]
During theAmerican Civil War, Goldschmidt became a lawyer and later enlisted in the 22nd New York National Guard. He became acorporal and later asergeant, and served atHarper's Ferry and in theGettysburg campaign. By 1865, he was a Major in the 55th New York National Guard.[1][2]
After the Civil War, he began to practice law in 1870 and became a well-knownconveyancer.[1][3] He lived with his parents until their deaths and opened a practice with his brother Edward (1855-1936).[4] By 1892, he was a member of theMuseums of Art andNatural History and theUnion League and became well-liked inHackensack, New Jersey. On October 19, 1895, Goldschmidt and his brother Samuel Anthony traveled to theGerman Empire on the ship Ems belonging to theNorth German Lloyd Line.[5] This trip sparked an interest in traveling the world and Goldschmidt would travel several more times on several ships including:Teutonic,Carmania,Campania,Columbia, andMinnetonka. From 1909-1912, he established and funded a chemistry fellowship forColumbia University in honor of his brother Dr. Samuel Goldschmidt who graduated in 1871.[6][7][8][9][10] In 1912, he traveled toEurope and boarded theTitanic back to the United States because it was managed by his friendCaptain Edward Smith.[1][11]
Goldschmidt was killed during thesinking of the Titanic aged 71. His $10,000 estate in New York was left to his three brothers in New York, Meyer (1842-1920), Samuel Anthony and Edward.[1][12][11][13]
