Joseph B. Grossman

Joseph B. "J. B." Grossman was an American businessman, politician, and philanthropist who served as a member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives and the Massachusetts Governor's Council and was treasurer of Grossman's, a building materials company. He was the first Jewish member of the Governor's Council.

Early life Grossman was born on July 15, 1892, in Quincy, Massachusetts. His first job was working as a clerk for a Quincy granite company. He also worked as a reporter for The Patriot Ledger. He attended the Plymouth Business School. During his tenure on the council, Grossman was a staunch opponent of Governor James Michael Curley. In 1962, Grossman ran for Massachusetts state treasurer. He defeated Francis Andrew Walsh in the Republican primary 71% to 29%, but lost in the general election to Democrat John T. Driscoll, 62% to 37%.

Business career In 1914, Grossman joined his family's building materials company. He spent most of his career with Grossman's as the company treasurer. In 1962, he moved to the position of vice chairman and senior financial advisor. In 1969, the Grossmans sold the business to Evans Products Co. By the time of the sale, Grossman's had become the largest lumber and building materials retailer in New England and had also become involved in the redevelopment of vacant mill buildings.

Grossman also served a director of the Quincy Cooperative Bank and Boston World Trade Center. During his 39 years with the Quincy Cooperative Bank, its assets grew from $130,000 to $50 million. In December 1963, Grossman married Esther Starr, a teacher at Medford High School, at Temple Sinai in her hometown of Brookline, Massachusetts.

Grossman died on November 7, 1990, at the age of 98. He was survived by his second wife and three children.