USA > Massachusetts > Berkshire County > History of Berkshire County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of its prominent men, Volume II pt 1 > Part 22
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Here he continued for three years-serving at first as errand boy, then as salesman, and the last year (having by diligence acquired a knowl- edge of accounts) as bookkeeper and cashier.
The first year at Pittsfield he received $150, or what was considered would pay his board and washing. The second year. $175; the third year, $225. The first year he ran behind for clothing. &c., and on leaving Plunkett & Hulbert, in March, 1851, he gave them his note for the balance of account, amounting to 827.50, which his father offered to pay but which he declined, saying : "I prefer to pay my own debts."
All clerks on entering the employ of Plunkett & Hulbert were re- quired to sign "stipulations," in which they agreed to "attend church regularly," " not to drink," " not to smoke." " not to go into an oyster saloon," " not to leave the store nor receive any company after the store was closed at night" (all slept in rooms over the store ), " not to misrepre- sent in the selling of goods, etc., etc." The strict discipline under which the boys were held, in addition to their " stipulations." was a continual annoyance to them. They often claimed that their rights were in- vaded," and with spirit stood for what they felt were their rights.
Once young Hulbert was on the brink of dismissal because he re- fused to give the name of a young lady with whom he walked home from a five o'clock Sunday afternoon prayer meeting. The young lady was an acquaintance from Lee, and lived within a hundred yards of his fa- ther's house. But he refused to give the name and his father was sum- moned to Pittsfield. Henry said to his father, "Fwill tell you who it was provided you will not tell the firm." The promise was given, and when the name was disclosed the father laughed and told the firm he thought they were proceeding too far, and so the matter was dropped. While some of the business and social ideas of the firm were pressed too far still " the main outpaty was to make solid strong, honest mon. as the after life of the clerks from that establishment bears good record.
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His success in Pittsfield created in the mind of Mr. Hulbert a strong desire to try his fortune in the great metropolis. To this his father strongly objected and offered to furnish him capital to start a mercantile establishment in his native town. Although assured that only one in three who entered New York with fond expectations gained substantial success he was not dissuaded, but pluckily replied. " I mean to be one of the three." Finally yielding to the enthusiastic purpose of the young man his father consented that he should go and try. So upon a cold, stormy day in February of 1851, provided with letters of introduction and recommendation from Elizur Smith, Esq., of Platner & Smith. of Lee, to the firms of Cyrus W. Field & Co., and White & Sheffield, of New York, he started for New York in search of employment. Favored by his brave purpose, which neither the storm not the lonesomeness of a great city had abated, he started out the next morning to seek his for- tune and to present his letters. At the hotel he met Mr. Edward S. May, of the firm of E. & S. May, paper manufacturers of Lee, who promptly offered to accompany him and introduce him to Cyrus W. Field & Co., who were then magnates in the paper trade. Mr. Field received the young man cordially : read his letters, and then turning, with character. istic promptness, said, " I have no place for yon Mr. Hulbert. I know your father. You are of good stock. If you need New York referen- ces refer to me." Stimulated rather than discouraged by the result of this interview he at once, accompanied by Mr. May, proceeded to the office of White & Sheffield, a leading house in the paper trade. After an introduction and a few moments' conversation and presenting his letter from Mr. Smith, he was asked to call again at 1 o'clock. Exactly to the minute he entered the office. As the conversation was running on, Mr. Sheffield said. "Mr. Hulbert, what is your intention in coming to New York !" Promptly he replied. " If you give me a position in your house I intend to make myself so useful that you will give me an interest in your concern." Doubtless amused, but evidently pleased with the young man's answer. Mr. Sheffield offered him a position with a salary of $400 per anminn. Highly gratified with the result of his visit to New York the next day Mr. Hulbert returned to Lee, consulted with his par- ents, obtained their consent. and. after arranging his business matters in Pittsfield, accepted the position offered by Mossrs. White & Shefield.
Upon the 17th of March. 1851, with 815 in his pocket, 810 given him by his father and $5 by his mother, he took the cars for New York. The good-by was tearful yet hopeful and he bore with him his mother's words: "Henry, if you need money at any time send me word." But he never needed it. He started with the determination to be honest, per- severing, and industrious, and so work his way up withont assistance. Resolved to live within his income he (with a young man of his native town) engaged board in Willoughby street. Brooklyn. ocenpied an attic bed-room which had but one small sliding window. The furniture was a bed. one chair, and a small wash-stand. However, he soon, with his
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friend. obtained a larger room at a slightly advanced price, but was care- ful that his expenses should not reach the limit of his income. He was determined even the first year to save something as the " seed corn" of a future capital. From March to December 31st. 1851, he saved from his salary of $400, 873.75, and going to Pittsfield paid the note due Plan- kett & Hulbert in full. leaving himself with 846.24. He has often said "and that day I felt wealthier than I have any day since, and considered my. self fairly launched in life, being free from debt and having a capital of nearly $50." Although the youngest clerk in the house Mr. Hulbert soon, by promptness and intelligence, made his influence folt, While in Pints- field he had been accustomed to being at the store from 7 A. M. mtil 10 or It o'clock at night and so the hours in New York, from S.A. M. until 6 P.M., seemed short. He was the first one at the store and the last one to leave. Having few acquaintances, and having no passion for amuse. ments that would spoil his relish for business he was early to bed, and in the morning brought to his business all the freshness and vigor of the best type of a New England boy. He was willing to work for the inter. est of his employers and often anticipated what some others might have waited to be told. In December of the same year, the bookkeeper and cashier was taken sick. Mr. Hulbert, seeing the perplexity and hearing the members of the firm disenssing how they should both meet the daily pressure and get ont the semi-annual account of sales, promptly volun- teered to do the work. At first the offer was regardel with some doubt The idea that the youngest clerk should fill the place of the man of high- est salary seemed utterly impossible. But as nothing better seemed to offer they said, "Try and let us see what you can do." His year of ex- perience at Pittsfield as bookkeeper and cashier. now came in plav, and he proved himself equal to the emergency. The work was done to the entire satisfaction of his employers. From this time he was pushed for. ward, acting for the firm in buying, selling. negotiating. etc.
Soon after, a misunderstanding have arisen between White & Shef- field and Cyrus W. Field & Co., the feeling ran so high that the latter re- turned unanswered the letters of the former. Mr. Sheffi Ad directe ! Mi. Hulbert to take a letter in person to Mr. Field and settle the matter. Entering Mr. Field's office and presenting Mr. Sheffield's letter to Mr. Field, the latter read it and passed it to his partner, who, having read it. returned it to Mr. Field, who, without a word, directed his confidential clerk to return the same to White & Sheffield. Mr. Hulbert, who had hitherto kept silent, suggested at this point that a settlement was no doubt desired by all parties, but that it could never be reached by re- turning letters unanswered. .. Are you empowered to settle this matter ?" asked Mr. Field, sharply. Mr. Hulbert replied he was, and forthwith entered into the discussion, which resulted in settling the affair to the satisfaction of his employers, and from this time he was entrusted with many matters requiring careful and delicate manipulation. He ad- vanced rapidly in the trust and confidence of his employers, and sovali.
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able did he become, that January Ist. 1855, less than four years from the time he obtained his position as youngest boy, he was given an interest in the profits in lieu of a salary. Jannary Ist. 1556, at the age of twen- ty-four years, he was admitted a partner in the concern, the firm name being changed to J. B. Sheffield & Co., thus fulfilling his promise made Mr. Sheffield, in 1851, that he intended to make himself so valuable that they would give him an interest in their firm.
In his boyhood Mr. Hulbert had a full round face, was tall for his years, but quite slim, and his father once playfully rallied him upon it, saying : " My boy, there isn't enough of flesh on you to make good bait." As a young man he continued these proportions, standing nearly six feet in his boots, but carrying very little " ademirdupuis." But his step was elastic, his countenance bright and intelligent, and his head covered with dark auburn hair. As the years have passed his frame has rounded, his head has become bald, but with a stronger and strikingly fine presence, with a thoughtful but benignant countenance, and with firm step he bears the " middle honors and duties of life."
September 13th, 1854, at the age of 22 years, Mr. Hulbert was married to Miss Susan R. Cooley (stepdaughter of William Porter, E-q., attor- ney-at-law, of Lee, Mass. He was then on a salary of $1,000 per year and was worth less than $300, but he had no fear of his ability to furnish a good support. Two years later Mrs. Hulbert became a confirmed invalid. unable to even turn herself in bed, and for three years remained in this most helpless condition, and it was over seven years before she was To. stored to full health again. The expenses incurred taxed the pluck and resources of the young merchant to the extreme, and though the panic of 1857 swept away a portion of his profits, he managed to preserve his financial credit intact.
During the crisis of 1857 he went West and rendered important ser- vices to his house by making settlements and opening new accounts : his office knowledge enabling him to form a just estimate of the financial condition of his customers.
On January 1st, 1858. the term of the copartnership of J. B. Shef. field & Co. expired, and Mr. Hulbert, though offered fifty per cent. ad- vance upon his former interest, declined to renew it. In March, having settled his affairs with J. B. Sheffield & Co., he formed a new copartner- ship with his cousin, Milan Hulbert, of Boston. as general partner, and Otis Daniell of the same city as special partner.
The name of the new firm was H. C. & M. Hulbert : its capital $40,000 ; and the principal business it proposed was the sale of paper makers' supplies, the sale of paper being only secondary. H. C. Hulbert was then only 26 years of age.
Immediately upon the organization of the firm Mr. Hulbert sailed for Europe and succeeded in obtaining valuable exclusive agencies for paper . makers' materials, which the house retains at the present day. He is- turned in October, 1858, and business was commenced at 83 John street.
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The firm continued an honorable and prosperous career to the time of its dissolution in 1872.
At the time of Lincoln's election Mr. Hulbert was in England, and the news reached Liverpool the day after he had sailed for New York. It was not until the steamship had arrived off Sandy Hook, and a pilot had brought some papers on board, that he became aware of the fact. Mrs. Hulbert, who was standing beside him as he glanced over the papers, asked him what was the matter. "Nothing." he replied. " except that there is the biggest kind of a panic in New York." During the crisis of 1857, Cyrus W. Field's partners suspended while he was on the way from Liverpool to New York, and the recollection of that circumstance at this time not unnaturally caused Mr. Hulbert the gravest anxiety. When the steamer reached her pier the first representative of his house thin he met was a small boy. "Well, Johnny," said he. " what is the news?" "Oh, nothing, sir," replied the boy, " except everybody's . busting." " What ! Have we . busted,' Johnny ?" "Oh. no, sir ! We ain't that kind." Mr. Hulbert said afterward that the relief afforded by the boy's answer was inexpressible. Going from the steamer direct to the Astor House, and leaving his wife with the remark that he might not be home until late, he went to his warehouse, and, before leaving, made himself acquainted with the exact condition and every detail of the firm's finances, and the next day was at his post planning and arranging the affairs of the firm. The house never, even during the trying times of 1861-62. received any financial aid from its special partner, or asked a financial favor from any of its creditors.
At this time H. C. & M. Hulbert were doing business with Goodwin & Sheldon, paper makers, near Hartford. Some of their paper passed into the hands of the old Hartford Bank, which, taking a sudden fit of uneasiness, sent to inquire about the Hulberts. of Leonard Clinch, who had been president of the Lee Bank, at Lee, Mass., but had afterward re- moved to Hartford. Mr. Church replied : " I do not know how much money they have ; but I know the boys and the stock they come from, and if you have any of their paper that you don't want. I will take it. less interest." The bank. it is needless to add. did not part with the paper.
Goodwin & Sheldon eventually failed, owing, among others, H. C. & M. Hulbert and David Leavitt, well known for years as the president of the American Exchange Bank, who was a connection of Mr. Goodwin. Mr. Hulbert had secured his claim by a special agreement, but when he met Mr. Leavitt in Hartford, for the purpose of effecting a settlement. the latter disputed the validity of this agreement. Mr. Hulbert said he was willing to leave the matter to the decision of their lawyers, so the party adjourned to Mr. Hulbert's room in the hotel, where the legal gen- themen proceeded to argue the question. Mr. Hulbert's lawyer cited a precedent which Mr. Leavitt's lawyer declare l was not in a parallel case The former began to argue that it was a parallel case, when Mr. Halbert
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suddenly interrupted him by saying: " Allow me to suggest that you ask one question, and that is, in what respect the parallel does not hold ?" His lawyer at once saw the advantage to be gained by pressing that ques- tion, and the other side. finding that it was not as easy to demonstrate as to deny, within a few moments yielded the point. Mr. Hulbert there fore got his money.
This transaction, though he lost by it. greatly pleased Mr. Leavitt. Returning to New York in the same train with Mr. Hulbert, he said : "Hulbert. do you get as much accommodation as you want at the Ameri can Exchange Bank ?" ". Not always," replied Mr. Hulbert. " Well." said Mr. Leavitt, who was its former president : " if they don't treat you liberally let me know and I will see that you are cared for." On May 1st, 1861, the firm removed from 83 John street to 13 Beckman street, where it remained for twenty years. On January Ist. 1862, Mr. Daniell sold out his interest in the business to the general partners on the most liberal terms, giving them three years to pay in installments, without re- quiring any security whatever. Notwithstanding heavy losses sustained during the panie of 1861, Mr. Daniell received. in addition to his original capital with interest. a handsome share of profits. On the Ist of Jann- ary, 1872, Milan Hulbert withdrew from the firm. H. C. Hulbert then took into partnership Joseph H. Sutphin and George P. Hulbert, and the name of the firm was changed to HI. C. Hulbert & Co. Both of these young men had been clerks of the house from boyhood and the latter was a cousin of the head of the firm. George P. Hulbert died before the close of 1872, and the other partners have continued under the same firm name. Up to this date the credit of the house ranks as high as that of any firm in the trade.
Mrs. Hulbert died in August. 1882. leaving two daughters, of whom Susan C. is the wife of Mr. Joseph H. Sutphin Mr. Hulbert'Sonly part. ner). The younger daughter. Caroline Beardsley Hulbert, was born October 5th, 1870. Mrs. Hulbert was for many years the treasurer of the Brooklyn Industrial School and Home for Destitute Children, in which she always took a deep interest. Mr. Hulbert is also one of its advisors.
Mr. Hulbert has never sought office or allowed his name to be used. except with the strongest and best corporations in the country. He has been for many years a director in the Importers' and Traders' National Bank of New York, and one of the trustees of the South Brooklyn Sav. ings Bank. He is also one of the directors of the Pullman Palace Car Company, and holds the same position in several other companies. He is also a member of the Chamber of Commerce.
January Ist. 1880, Mr. Hulbert shook of the caves of business which he had borne for nearly thirty years, and, with his family, started on a - pleasure trip. He visited England, Egypt, Palestine. Athens. Constanti. nople, and the Continent, returning to New York in September of the same year, since which time he has as usual been managing his various interest ..
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Edward I Jagesell
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For many years Mr. Hulbert was a member of the South Congrega- tional Church of Brooklyn, was one of the trustees of the society, and for many years superintendent of the Sabbath school. In 1870, when his cousin, Rev. Edward P. Ingersoll, D. D. assumed the pastorate of the Middle Reformed Church of Brooklyn, Mr. Hulbert and his family re- moved their church connection to the Middle Church. He was very soon chosen superintendent of the Sabbath school which position he held for about ten years. When Dr. Ingersoll accepted the pastorate of Puritan Church Mr. Hulbert with his family removed their relationship to Christ Church. Clinton street. Brooklyn. Mr. Hulbert has always been a Hoval contributor to church and benevolent objects. His generous spirit hus also been felt in forwarding matters of public interest and improvement. Nor has he been wanting in the hand of help and words of encourage ment to those who are in the more quiet walks of life. October 16th, 1884, Mr. Hulbert married Miss Fanny Dwight Bigelow, daughter of the late Asa Bigelow, of Brooklyn. Their residence is at 194 President street, Brooklyn.
EDWARD PAYSON INGERSOLL, L.L. B., D. D.
The subject of this sketch is the present pastor of the Puritan Con- gregational Church. of Brooklyn, N. Y. He began his ministry there in November, 1852. The church is located in one of the most populous and delightful portions of that city. The edifice. originally designed for a chapel, and destined still to be but an annex to the church which its needs will soon compel, is an imposing structure of brown stone, with an ample Sabbath school room upon the ground floor, and an auditorium above with sittings for 750 persons.
The succession of Dr. Ingersoll to that pulpit marks the most site cessful period of its somewhat varied history. A new life was infused into every department of its activity.
Its pews have been in steadily increasing demand. The congrega- tion will soon be limited only by the walls of the building. Spiritual prosperity has kept pace with temporal.
Nearly 200 have been added to the church roll during the two years and a half of Dr. Ingersoll's.pastorate.
Edward Payson Ingersoll is the eldest son of William and Semanthe Bassett Ingersoll, and was born at Lee, Mass .. May 6th, 1834. His great. grandfather. William Ingersoll, was one of the early settlers of Lee, and lived to the ripe age of ninety-two. His grandfather, David Ingersoll. married Sarah Parsons, a granddaughter of President Jonathan Ed wards. His great-grandfather, npon the maternal side, was Capt. Sylva- nus Dimmock, who married a relative. Thankful Dimmock, and removed from Cape Cod to Lee, about 1770. His maternal grandfather. Ansel Bassett. a descendent of Sir William Bassett, who landed at Plymouth in the your 1621, married Hannah, the only child of Captain Dim- mock. In her old age " Grandma Bassett " net unfrequently jucited liv
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grandchildren by the story of the Dimmock family ("Dymoke") in whom was vested the hereditary championship of the sovereigns of Eng. land.
Many years before Edward was born, his father purchased the farm on the table land west of Lanrel Lake, commanding a fine view of the lake itself and the grand panorama northward toward Greylock. The house in which he was born was destroyed by the, about twenty years later, but is now replaced by the farm house of Hon. Elizar Smith. II. has made those paternal acres of the Ingersoll family the center of his now magnificent landed estate.
In 1837. the father of Edward removed to Oberlin. Ohio. Here the youngest son. now Judge H. H. Ingersoll, of Knoxville, Tenn., was born. Three sisters, older than Edward, Julia, wife of William B. Worden, of North Ridgeville, Ohio ; Mary Jane, wife of J. H. Drew, of St. Louis. Mo .. and Abby Lewis, wife of William W. Roberts, of Cincinnati, Ohio, as also his brother next younger, Ansel Bassett Ingersoll, now Deputy United States Marshal of Eastern Tennessee, were born in Lee.
It was to be expected that the son Edward, living almost under the shadow of the mountains that are around about Williamstown, would breathe, in the very air, an invitation to its classic balls. Williams College was his natural and adopted alma mater. Having pursued his prepant- tory and a part of his college course at Oberlin he graduated at Williams College in 1855. After graduation he taught for a few months at West Jefferson, Madison county. Ohio, and then accepted a call to the princi palship of Rockwell Street Grammar School, in the city of Cleveland. and afterward was principal of the Central High School. from which he re- tired after a few months that he might give himself more directly to the study of the law, which he had, while a teacher, been pursuing in the office of Bolton, Kelley. & Griswold. Soon after, he entered the "Ohio State and Union Law College." at Cleveland, from which he grad- uated in the summer of 1859. While still a teacher he had been chosen one of the county examiners of Cuyahoga county, a position which he had previously held in Madison county, and afterward held in Erie county. Immediately after receiving his LL. B. from the law college Mr. Ingersoll formed a law partnership with William J. Boardman, Esq .. of Cleveland, under the style of Boardman & Ingersoll which continned for three years. These were very busy years to the young lawyer, for in addition to a growing practice, he continued to labor in the educational field, assuming the duties of city examiner to which he was ap- pointed by the board of education, and afterward becoming a member of the board of education by popular election. Beyond this he responded to calls for addresses at the teachers' institutes held in different counties of Northern Ohio. He also served asa teacher and afterward as assistant superintendent of Plymouth Church Sabbath school.
But though the law had power over him the Gospel had greater, and yielding to strong convictions of duty which had pressed him for
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months, he pursued his studies at Andover Theological Seminary as a resident licentiate and completed his course in December of 1863.
He immediately entered upon his first pastorate at the First Congre- gational Church of Sandusky city, Ohio. During his stay there (a little more than four years) the church edifice was completed and the member- ship of the church largely increased.
In the spring of 1868 he accepted a call from the Plymouth Congre- gational Church of Indianapolis, where he remained for nearly two years.
In December of 1869 he declined a call from the Middle Reformed Church of Brooklyn, New York, but in a short time a second call was extended which he accepted. A council having been summoned to act upon his resignation of the Indianapolis pastorate, Dr. Ingersoll found himself in an embarrassing dilemma, for the council with one voice de clined to approve his action. He represented to the council that he felt morally bound to the Brooklyn church, whereupon a committee of two was appointed by the council to visit Brooklyn, represent the interests of the Plymouth Church, and seenre his release. The council finally con- sented that if the church in Brooklyn would not yield its claims Dr. In- gersoll might be free to go. The committee found the church in Brook. lyn strenuous and so in January of 1870 he removed to Brooklyn. In this field Dr. Ingersoll achieved much success under difficulties which only special endowments and indomitable courage could have mas- tered. His thirteen years of service were signalized by the substantial refitting and improvement of the capacions church edifice and adjoining chapel, by a reduction of its bonded debt and by large accessions to the church. Dr. Ingersoll spent the summer of 1873 in Europe and visited the " Vienna Exposition."
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