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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 12 Collections and/or Records:

The Shwayder Brothers Standing on a Samsonite Suitcase, circa 1910

 Item
Identifier: B063.01.0009.00002
Abstract

The five Shwayder brothers stand on a board that is balanced on a Samsonite suitcase to demonstrate the strength of the suitcase. Jesse Shwayder is pictured second from the right. Other Shwayder brothers are: Mark, Maurice, Benjamin and Solomon. The Shwayder brothers owned Shwayder Trunk Company, which later became known as the Samsonite Corporation. The photograph was used to advertise Samsonite luggage.

Dates: circa 1910

University of Denver (Colorado Seminary) Commencement Program, Ninetieth Year, 1954 June 11

 Item
Identifier: U138.0002.0001.00001
Abstract Program for the University of Denver undergraduate, graduate and doctoral commencement ceremony, June 11, 1954. Honorary degrees recipients: John Gideon Gates, Doctor of Public Service; William Lee Knous, Doctor of Laws; Daniel L. Marsh, Doctor of Humane Letters; Donald Howard Menzel, Doctor of Science; Jesse Shwayder, Doctor of Public Service. Commencement address "One Moment" by Allen Jackson, President, Student Senate. Commencement address "You'll Never Be Quite the Same" by Chester M....
Dates: 1954 June 11

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  • Subject: Denver (Colo.) X
  • Type: Archival Object X

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Colorado 11
Jewish men 7
Photographs 6
Jewish businesspeople 5
Industrialists 3