George Arents

George Arents Jr. (born 1875 - December 13, 1960) was an American businessman who directed the American Tobacco Company and was the treasurer for the American Machine and Foundry as well as the International Cigar Machinery.^[1][2] He was in one race, which was the 1904 Vanderbilt Cup Races where his Mercedes overturned, causing a serious head injury and Carl Mensel, his driving mechanic, to die.^[2]

Arents was born in 1875 to a wealthy family in America. His great uncle Lewis Ginter and father also named George Arents were founders of the Allen & Ginter Tobacco Company, which later became the American Tobacco Company. His father died in 1918 leaving an estate of $10 million in which 1/3 went to his son George Arents III.^[2][3] He studied at Columbia University and received his master's degree from Syracuse University.^[1][2][3]

While racing in the 1904 Vanderbilt Cup Races, his Mercedes 60's left rear tire blew. The bare rim struck a trolley track, overturning the car.^[3] He was thrown from the car and suffered a serious head injury. He recovered from the injury, but his driving mechanic died due to this accident.^[2][3]

Arents died on December 13, 1960, donating $2 million to Syracuse University and $1 million to the New York Public University. He left a bulk of his estate for his son, George Arents III.^[2][3]