Zuntz, Alexander

views updated

ZUNTZ, ALEXANDER

ZUNTZ, ALEXANDER (1742–1819), U.S. pioneer merchant. Born in Westphalia, Germany, Zuntz came to America as civilian commissary and adjutant to the Hessian forces employed by England during the American Revolution. Soon after arriving in New York (1779), he became active in Congregation Shearith Israel, and was a leader of the Jewish community during and after the British occupation of the city. In 1784, he was one of the founders of the New York Bank. Though failing in a subsequent business venture, by 1797 he had become prosperous as a broker.

bibliography:

D. d.S. Pool, Portraits Etched in Stone (1952), passim.

[Neil Ovadia (2nd ed.)]