Leon Blum

           Leon Blum is a native of Alsace, at one time, a department of France, at another, a part of the German Empire. He is the son of Isaac and Julie Blum, and was born at Gunderschoffer, in Alsace, in the year 1837. He is therefore, at the present time, 52 years of age.

           Mr. Blum received instruction in his native land in the industrial branches, and served an apprenticeship with a tinsmith, it being a law in that country that all males, without distinction of rank or social position, shall learn some useful trade. But this pursuit not being congenial, he did not follow it as a means of livelihood. He had a laudable ambition to fill a loftier position in the affairs of life, to take a higher and nobler part in the world's work than was afforded within the narrow confines of a village tin-shop, and believing himself capable of succeeding in mercantile life, for which he had an aptness and a preference, as well as a degree of qualification imparted by his early methodical training, he at once made the venture; and correctly assuming that he would find a broader field for operation in this blessed land of liberty, he emigrated in the spring of 1854, settling in Richmond, Texas. Here his ventures being carefully managed and watched, were eminently successful; here he became, as it were, thoroughly trained in the elements of trade, and practically acquainted with all its principles and details; and his capital having augmented in a corresponding degree, he felt the need 

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New Braunfels Dam.—Owned by L. & H. Blum, H. Kempner, M. I.asker, W. Clemens.

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          of a broader field. Accordingly he selected Galveston for his future home, it being the chief seaport and shipping point for the staple products of the State of Texas, a commodity which he handled very largely; and being impressed, no doubt, with the belief that the city would some day become the metropolis of the southwest.

           Closing up his business therefore at Richmond, Mr. Blum removed to Galveston in 1869. Here he at once widened his operations, until his trade reached into the remotest portions, not only of Texas but of the Southwest. He became at once the largest importer of dry goods in the State, supplying the merchants of the interior throughout this and adjoining States; and receiving in return immense shipments of cotton, became one of the largest exporters also.

           It must not be inferred from the foregoing that the subject of this sketch is a mere shop-keeper; he is an importer in the largest and broadest sense, his operations reaching into every field of industry, into every country where goods are manufactured to supply the wants of man. This requires not alone capital and business capacity, but also a knowledge of men, of human nature, combined with a high degree of executive ability. He must, necessarily employ vast numbers of men; he must understand them, and know not only their best, but their weak points, and how to train and govern them so as to make them best answer his ends, and to harmonize all to one grand purpose, success.

           Mr. Blum has invested largely in lands in Texas, and engaged in cultivating them; and yet, with all these complications of business affairs, under his able generalship, everything runs smoothly, and without friction or discord.

           In -----, Mr. Blum was married to Miss Henrietta Levy, of Corpus Christi. They have two children, both daughters, to-wit: Cecile, now Mrs. Aaron Blum, and Leonora, the wife of F. St. Goar, Esq., of New York.

           In political faith Mr. Blum is a Democrat, but he does not participate actively in political affairs; he is a member of the Masonic fraternity.

           It is to be assumed that ample means are at his command, but it is impossible even to approximate the amount of money which he has constantly employed in his business, or to estimate what he is worth in worldly goods. He is blessed with an ample fortune, all of which was made by his unaided effort, in honest and honorable trade, and being so blessed, he is not unmindful of the misfortunes of others, never blind to the merits of the deserving but unsuccessful, nor deaf to the appeals of the unfortunate; for he is a liberal giver of his store to the worthy, a generous friend in need to those in distress. Not only is he noted for his private charity and good deeds, but being an earnest and ardent advocate of general education, he has donated large sums of money for school purposes, and given with a lavish hand to all church enterprises, without regard to sect or denomination; in fact, he is identified prominently with every public, especially if it be a benevolent enterprise.

           At this writing, Mr. Blum is at the zenith of his prosperity. Texas is justly proud of her foster son; he represents and illustrates in his career the highest type of her successful men. His example is wholesome; he has contributed incidentally largely to the growth and development of the commerce of the State; thousands of his countrymen, encouraged by his example, have followed him to these hospitable shores, and constitute to-day, an important element of our thrifty population.

           In personal appearance, Mr. Blum is of the Saxon type; he is five feet and eleven inches in height, with fair complexion, and bluish-gray eyes; his physique is well proportioned, and he is what one may call a fine looking man.

           For more than a decade Leon Blum has ranked as the leading merchant in Texas; and his commercial standing has never at any time been other than the very highest and best.