ROSENTHAL, SAMUEL (15 Mar. 1885-11 May 1957) founded and presided over the Cleveland Overall Co. (1915, see the WORK WEAR CORPORATION) and created the Buckeye Garment Rental Co. in 1941. His unique approach to work clothes—renting standardized uniforms to INDUSTRY—permanently altered the market.
Active in many local and national Jewish organizations, Rosenthal was a founder and honorary trustee of PARK SYNAGOGUE in CLEVELAND HEIGHTS. Born in Austria, son of Marcus and Chana (Weisbrot) Rosenthal, he came to the U.S. in 1901, settling first in Rochester, NY, and then moving to Cleveland in 1914. He was a life trustee of the CLEVELAND HEBREW SCHOOLS and the BUREAU OF JEWISH EDUCATION and belonged to the Jewish Welfare Federation (see JEWISH FEDERATION OF CLEVELAND). In the national arena, he helped found and served as vice-president of the American Association for Jewish Education.
In 1912 Rosenthal married Sadie Dosberg; they lived in SHAKER HEIGHTS with their children Leighton A. and Charlotte R. Kramer. Rosenthal is buried in Warrensville Cemetery.