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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 8 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 Formal Portrait, circa 1929

 Item
Identifier: B063.08.0031.0004.00001
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

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, 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

Shwayder Family Papers and Samsonite Corporation Records

 Collection
Identifier: B245
Abstract The Shwayder family of Denver, Colorado, is best known for the luggage company Samsonite Corporation, which the family founded and operated. Isaac and Rachel Shwayder had migrated from Manchester, England to Colorado in 1881 and eventually settled in Denver. In 1910 their son, Jesse Shwayder, opened a small luggage factory in Denver with his father along with his brothers Mark, Maurice, Benjamin, and Solomon Shwayder. The company started as Shwayder Trunk Manufacturing Company, was later...
Dates: 1896-2002

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