Businessman, Clothing Store Magnate. Benjamin Siegel was founder of the mercantile establishment B. Siegel Co., located in Detroit, Michigan, which through the first half of the twentieth century had become a Detroit institution. Born in Germany, March 15, 1860, Mr. Siegel came to the United States when he was 16 years old. He went to Selma, Alabama, where he obtained employment in a general merchandise store and five years later the young entrepreneur settled in Detroit to become manager of the ready to wear department in Heyn's Bazaar, located for many years on Woodward Ave., near the now demolished Majestic building. In 1885 the young businessman founded the B. Siegel Co., at Woodward Ave. and State Street. Early in his business career Mr. Siegel became noted for his foresight in anticipating tastes and demands in women's clothing. His store was known as the largest specialty establishment between New York and Chicago. It was a store in which generations of Detroit women had been customers. Mr. Siegel was always pleased when some woman, buying for her own children would tell him how she had been brought to the store by her mother. Known as being kind-hearted and genial, Mr. Siegel never talked of his accomplishments or his kindness to others. Typical of his interest in his fellow-men is the story of the newsboy, who years ago was permitted by Mr. Siegel to catch a bit of sleep in the store after his papers were sold, and to enjoy a cup of coffee every day as Mr. Siegel's treat. Throughout his lifetime Mr. Siegel was a contributor to civic enterprises. He was a member of the Board of Commerce, the National Retail Dry goods Association and the Franklin Hills Country Club. His personal luxury was travel, particularly to Europe. He was married to Sophie; had one daughter Eleanor, and had two older brothers, Henry and Abraham Siegel of Birmingham, Alabama.