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Shuman, Abraham

The 1901 Jewish Encyclopedia

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American merchant and philanthropist; born in Prussia May 31, 1839. While still a child he accompanied his parents to the United States. The family settled in Newburgh, N. Y., where young Shuman, when not at school, worked on a farm until he was thirteen years old, at which age he entered the clothing business. In 1859 he went to Boston and began business for himself at the corner of Washington and Vernon streets, Roxbury; and a few years afterward he entered into partnership with John Phillips, under the firm name of Phillips & Shuman (later A. Shuman & Co.). It was the pioneer firm in the United States in the manufacture and wholesaling of children's clothing.

Shuman is connected with many of the leading institutions of Boston. He is the first vice-president of the Boston Merchants' Association, a member of the boards of directors of the Colonial National Bank and the United States Trust Company, president of the board of directors of the Boston City Hospital (which has attained its present magnitude and reputation under his administration), a trustee of the Benjamin Franklin Fund, a member of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company and of many socialclubs, and one of the founders of the United Hebrew Benevolent Association of Boston, of which for sixteen years he was a director. He is likewise one of the founders and presidents of the Elysium Club.