Skip to main content

Shwayder, Jesse, 1882-1970

 Person

Biography

Jesse Shwayder was born in Blackhawk, Colorado in 1882, one of five sons of Isaac and Rachel Kobey Shwayder. The Shwayder family moved to Denver and Jesse encouraged his father to open a small luggage store. Jesse married Nellie Weitz and went to work as a salesman for Seward Luggage in New York City. After a year, he had enough money and experience to come back to Denver and open the Shwayder Trunk Manufacturing Company in 1910, which became the renowned Samsonite Luggage Company. His son King D. Shwayder became president of Samsonite in 1962. Jesse Shwayder died in Denver in 1970.

Found in 14 Collections and/or Records:

Dinner Event, between 1940-1960

 Item
Identifier: B063.05.0052.00077
Abstract

Several men and women sit at tables during a dinner event listening to a man at a speaker's podium. Seated second from right at the head table is Jesse Shwayder and fifth from the right is Rabbi Kauvar.

Dates: between 1940-1960

Family of Jessie and Nellie Shwayder, circa 1922

 Item
Identifier: B063.05.0041.00083
Abstract

Jesse and Nellie Shwayder sit for a family portrait surrounded by their five children. All members of the family are looking at Norma, the baby, who sits center on Jesse's lap and is the only individual looking at the camera. The other children are, left to right, Dorothy, Fay, King, and Ruth.

Dates: circa 1922

Isaac Shwayder Family, circa 1905

 Item
Identifier: B063.05.0041.00085
Abstract

Isaac and Rachel Shwayder sit for a formal family portrait surrounded by their ten children: Sol, Jesse, Rachel, Mark, Gertrude, Florence, Maurice, Hannah, Ben and Liebe.

Dates: circa 1905

Jesse Shwayder Holding Incendiary Bomb, circa 1940

 Item
Identifier: B063.01.0001.00014
Abstract

Jesse Shwayder holds an incendiary bomb manufactured by Shwayder Brothers during World War II. From left to right: Emmet Heisler, Jesse Shwayder, seated, Louis Degen. Two of the men in the photograph are unidentified. The Shwayders founded the Samsonite Corporation.

Dates: circa 1940

Jesse Shwayder with Golden Rule Marbles, between 1960-1970

 Item
Identifier: B063.01.0001.00015
Abstract

Jesse Shwayder sits at a desk with a set of Golden Rule Marbles. These marbles were often given away to employees of the Samsonite Corporation, as well as visitors to remind them of the Golden Rule.

Dates: between 1960-1970

Jewish Event, between 1940-1960

 Item
Identifier: B063.05.0052.00079
Abstract

Six men pose together at a Jewish event including Rabbi Kauvar (standing left), Jesse Shwayder (standing right), and Sid Jacobs (sitting right).

Dates: between 1940-1960

Jewish Leaders with the Colorado Governor, 1954

 Item
Identifier: B063.04.0037.00082
Abstract

Left to right Governor Daniel Thornton, Rabbi Charles Kauvar, Jesse Shwayder, Adolph Kiesler, and an unidentified man pose together.

Dates: 1954

Portrait of Jesse Shwayder, between 1960-1970

 Item
Identifier: B063.01.0001.00016
Abstract

Portrait of Jesse Shwayder in the 1960's. The photograph was possibly taken on his 80th birthday. Jesse Shwayder and his brothers founded the Samsonite Corporation.

Dates: between 1960-1970

Portrait of Jesse Shwayder, between 1960-1970

 Item
Identifier: B063.01.0001.00017
Abstract

Portrait of Jesse Shwayder standing behind a table with a bible in his right hand. Jesse Shwayder and his brothers founded the Samsonite Corporation.

Dates: between 1960-1970

Portrait of Jesse Shwayder, circa 1929

 Item
Identifier: B063.01.0001.00039
Abstract

Formal portrait of Jesse Shwayder standing with his hands in his pockets. In the early 1900s, Jesse Shwayder opened a small luggage factor in Denver with his father, Isaac, and brothers Mark, Maurice, Benjamin, and Solomon. Together they turned it into one of the largest luggage producers in America, the Samsonite Corporation.

Dates: circa 1929

Filtered By

  • Type: Archival Object X
  • Subject: Colorado X

Additional filters:

Subject
Denver (Colo.) 11
Jewish businesspeople 7
Jewish men 6
Jews 6
Photographs 6