When I wrote the recent post about the news articles my cousin Wolfgang had found about our Seligman(n) relatives, I had forgotten that a month earlier Wolfgang had sent me some other items he’d found about our relative, James Seligman—brother of Bernard, my great-great-grandfather, and August, Wolfgang’s great-grandfather. Somehow that earlier email had gotten lost in the mess that is my inbox. My apologies to Wolfgang!
A little more background on James: He was the youngest child of Babette Schoenfeld and Moritz Seligmann, born in about 1853 in Gau-Algesheim. By the time he was 28 in 1881 he had immigrated England where he was a wine merchant in Kilpin, Yorkshire, in conjunction with his brothers August and Hieronymus, who were living in Germany. He took sole control over that business in 1891.
In 1887, James married Henrietta Walker Templeton in London. In 1901, they were living in Scotland, but by the 1920s they had returned to England and were living in Birmingham where he remained for the rest of his life.
Henrietta died on October 4, 1928, and a year later in December 1929, James married his second wife Clara Elizabeth Perry. Clara was 45 years younger than James; she was 31 when they married, he was 76. He died just three months after they married on March 11, 1930. Clara remarried two years later and died in 1981. James did not have children with either of his wives.
Wolfgang found an obituary for James in the March 14, 1930 issue of the Birmingham Gazette:
Mr. James Seligman
Death of Birmingham Hotel Expert
The death has occurred at the age of 77 of Mr. James Seligman, of 11 Yately-road, Edgbaston, Birmingham.
Formerly in business in Scotland, where he owned a number of hotels, Mr. Seligman was managing director of the Grand and Midland Hotels, Birmingham, and of the King’s Head Hotel, Sheffield.
He was an expert on all business matters connected with hotel management, and was often consulted by proprietors and managers of hotel establishments in all parts of the country.
He was the sole proprietor of Seligman and Co., wine merchanges, Colmore-row, Birmingham, and although ill in bed, was dealing with business affairs up to within a few hours of his death.
A great lover of music, Mr. Seligman was a regular concert-goer and an enthusiastic supporter of musical societies.
A funeral service will be held at Perry Barr Crematorium on Saturday.
From the obituary, Wolfgang knew where James had lived and captured this photograph of the former residence from Google Maps:
He also sent me this photograph of the Grand Hotel in Birmingham where James had been the managing director:
Interestingly, Wolfgang located an ad for Seligman’s Wine Merchants in the October 30, 1969, Birmingham Daily Post. It was still located on Colmore Row in Birmingham and called Seligman’s almost forty years after James died in 1930.
Thank you again to Wolfgang for sharing these items which shed more light on the personality and life of James Seligman, my three-times great-uncle and Wolfgang’s great-great-uncle.
Interesting enough- my former vetrinarian’s name was Schoenfeld. He lived in the Lansdale area and was the ex husband of a former friend of mine. He was Jewish and turned out to be gay- had two children Cara and a boy. He retired so have not seen him in years. Maybe a relative of yours?
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s a long shot—who knows? I haven’t really researched the Schoenfelds yet!
LikeLike
What an interesting and outstanding man James Seligman was. I am reminded of those TV commercials ‘the most interesting man in the world’ for Dos Equis beer. James could no doubt today be the ‘most interesting man in the world’ for hotels and wine; take your pick. Great post Amy, I really enjoyed reading this.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Sharon! Yes, it would be fun to learn how he managed to become so successful.
LikeLike
So enjoyed this post about James Seligman as Colmore Row is an area I visit often. It’s a small world Amy!
The Grand Hotel in Colmore Row held wonderful parties too as my mother used to attend.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Is it still there, Shirley? I wonder if there is still a wine shop at that location also. How far are you from there?
LikeLike
Wow, he was an interesting man. I believe this is the first instance I have come across of a 45 year age difference between spouses. Wow! Sheffield stood out to me. I have been immersed in my Sheffield ancestors the last few weeks because of the GRO pdf pilot program. 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
GRO? What’s that? And yes—45 years is a LOT. Two generations!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Amy, sorry that I am as slow as cold tar lately! The GRO is the General Register Office for the UK. Traditionally you place an order with them and wait for what feels like an eternity – 6-8 weeks (sometimes longer). Right now they are doing a PDF pilot program where you can order birth or death records for £6 and they email you a PDF in about 6 days. It is awesome! I have been spoiling myself. I order one or two and then when they arrive, I order one or two more. 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for the explanation. I think I once knew what GRO meant as I once ordered several documents from them (and waited for what seems like an eternity). I am glad they’ve adopted a new procedure!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are welcome! Here’s hoping it moves from pilot program to permanent program.
LikeLike
Hi Amy, when I’m in the area (within the next couple of weeks) I will take some photo’s and email them across to you. I can’t recall seeing a wine shop there but I will check it out. too. The Grand Hotel is a listed building and being refurbished. It’s quite a tiny area although Wolfgang’s photo’s
appear to make it look a bit bigger.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much, Shirley! How far are you from this area?
LikeLike
Around 15 miles away.
LikeLiked by 1 person
So close! Is the hotel still there? Maybe we will meet and toast James Seligman together. 🙂
LikeLike
I know exactly what you mean about the mess in your inbox. This week I unsubscribed to LOTS of emails that have been flooding my box.
I think it’s wonderful that Wolfgang is sending you these items to round out your stories. The 45 years difference is unusual. I wonder what the biggest difference is in my families.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I keep unsubscribing and sorting email (gmail lets you do that—you can force it into different categories in the Inbox), but nevertheless, things fall to the bottom and get neglected.
Wolfgang is wonderful. One of the best connections I’ve made through my blog.
LikeLiked by 1 person
We must toast James Seligman yes. The hotel’s structure is still there. I need to visit the area first and then get back to you. I agree with others the 45 years age difference between Clara and James was unusual. My brother married (briefly) a lady 30 years his junior and that was considered a biggish age gap.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Given that people were often grandparents in their 40s back then, it really is quite bizarre to think of James marrying someone young enough to be his granddaughter!
LikeLike
Wow! That really is a grand hotel. Does the Grand Hotel in Birmingham still exist (or the building)? How cool would it be to visit and stay the night?
LikeLiked by 1 person
My friend and cousin Shirley says the building does exist and is being refurbished. We’ve already talked about meeting there and toasting James Seligman!
LikeLike
I enjoyed this posting because it combines the local history of the business with the personal details of James’ life.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Emily. I love newspapers for that reason.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, me, too. I think the wine business has a story that would make a great novel with a few more elements added for interest.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It probably does—wish I knew more about it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I hope you learn more.
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a beautiful house and a very fine hotel!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I know! He did pretty well for himself. 🙂
LikeLike
Interesting that James ran a vintner’s company in Birmingham around the time when the Cadbury family (famous Quakers, of course, and teetotallers) were so influential in the area. I do not go to Birmingham often (well, not for several years) but I recall it was one of the worst served cities for drinking establishments (pubs, and so on) anywhere in England – a legacy of the Cadburys. I wonder how James got along with them?
LikeLiked by 1 person
I never knew any of this! Very interesting—thanks for the background.
LikeLike
Like others have said, I can’t get over a 45 year age difference. Wouldn’t you like to know more about that? 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
You bet! In the Seligman family there was at least one other man who married a much younger woman. Perhaps the Seligman men just had great longevity!
LikeLike
Pingback: Seligman Update, II: James Seligman, Vintner and Hotelier | Brotmanblog: A Family Journey