Lawrence B. Goldsmith Papers

Lawrence Bernstein Goldsmith, Sr. was born in Huntsville, Alabama in 1883 to Oscar Goldsmith and Bettie Bernstein Goldsmith. He was educated at a prepatory academy in New York City and later attended a business school in Cincinnati, Ohio. In 1909 Lawrence joined his father-in-law, Isaac Schiffman, in the investment and cotton business in Huntsville. In 1933 the business was incorporated as I. Schiffman & Co., Inc. Throughout his career Lawrence B. Goldsmith participated in the civic affairs of Huntsville and was instrumental in helping his community move from an agrarian economy to one of space age industry. He was also responsible for organizing a group of businessman to finance the construction of the Russel Erskine Hotel, a Huntsville landmark for many years. From 1939-1954 Lawrence Goldsmith chaired the Huntsville, Alabama United Jewish Appeal campaign which later became known as the Huntsville Jewish Charities. He solicited funds throughout the community to help the Jews of Europe prior to, during, and immediately following World War II. Lawrence B. Goldsmith, Sr. died on February 17, 1972 at age 88.