USA > New York > Portrait gallery of the Chamber of Commerce of the state of New-York : catalogue and biographical sketches > Part 15
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His grandfather, GEORGE GREEN, married ANNA SMITHI, daughter of the Rev. CALEB SMITHI, Pastor of the Presby- terian Church of Orange, and grand-daughter of the Rev. JONATHAN DICKINSON, first President of Princeton College. He settled in the township of Lawrence, entered the military service, as Captain, at the beginning of the Revolutionary war, but soon died, leaving four sons under seven years of age. The eldest, CALEB SMITH GREEN, when sixteen years old, took entire charge both of his father's estate and of his younger brothers. He married ELIZABETII VANCLEVE, a
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lady of amiable disposition, fervent piety, and great force of character. Their second son, the subject of this sketch, ever revered his mother's memory, and attributed to her early influence and wise counsel much of his subsequent success in life.
Mr. GREEN's early years were passed on his father's farm and in attending the schools of the neighborhood. In his fifteenth year he went to reside with the Rev. SELAII S. WOODHULL, his uncle by marriage, then settled in Brooklyn. After spending some time at school in that city, he entered the counting-room of N. L. & G. GRIS- WOLD, at that time among the most eminent shipping merchants in New-York. By his diligence, attention to business, and devotion to the interests of his employers, he soon gained their esteem, and attained a high position in their service.
In 1823, Messrs. GRISWOLD, being largely engaged in trade with South America and Spain, invited Mr. GREEN to visit those countries in the interest of their firm. To their inquiry, whether he would accept the position, he at once replied, "Yes, if your terms suit me." The terms were soon settled, and in a few days he embarked on the ship "Potosi," nominally as supercargo, but with full power to exercise a general supervision over the business of his employers at the various ports where their vessels touched.
After an absence of more than two years, one of which was spent in Spain, Mr. GREEN returned home in the spring of 1826, and in a few weeks embarked for South America and China, in the ship "Panama," with the same general commission as before, the voyage again occupying two years. From this time until 1833 he made an annual voyage to China, reaching Canton early in the fall, attend- ing to the loading and despatch of Messrs. GRISWOLD'S vessels, and at the close of the season returning home in the "Panama," the only ship in which he ever sailed after his first voyage.
In 1833 Mr. GREEN, while in Canton, preparing to return to New-York, was invited to join the house of RUSSELL & Co., whose senior partner was compelled to leave on
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account of his health. This invitation he accepted with some reluctance, limiting his engagement to three years from January 1st, 1834. The business of the house, already large, was greatly increased by the accession of Mr. GREEN to the firm as its acknowledged head. His perfect know- ledge of the laws and usages of commercial life, his repu- tation for integrity, and his experience and skill in business made him a recognized leader in the sharp rivalry of the China trade. The partnership had scarcely terminated, and its affairs were still unsettled, when the mutterings of the storm, which in 1837 shook the financial world in both hemispheres, were heard in the East, and for the protection of his house, their numerous correspondents, and the safety of his own private fortune, he was compelled to remain in China two years longer. While failures were occurring in all parts of the world, the credit of RUSSELL & Co. re- mained unshaken; their liabilities in London, contracted in carrying on their enormous business, were fully dis- charged, and Mr. GREEN succeeded in removing his own funds to London and New-York without loss, thus closing his career in the East with a reputation for ability and integrity rarely equalled and never surpassed.
After his return home Mr. GREEN took a much needed rest from business cares, spending some time in the pleas- ures of social intercourse and in travel in his native land, making a careful examination of the resources and prospects of the Northern and parts of the Western States. In the fall of 1841 he married one of the younger daughters of GEORGE GRISWOLD. Domestic in his tastes, his house was his home, where he enjoyed the society of friends and ever dispensed the most generous hospitality. For some years Mr. GREEN continued to a limited extent his connec- tion with the China trade, but at an early day his keen observation and sound judgment foresaw the wonderful influence which the railroad system of the United States would exert in the development of the country, and he gradually embarked in various railroad enterprises, always contributing an amount of capital sufficient to give him an influential voice in their management and control. As a
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director in these various roads, in the Bank of Commerce, and as trustee and President of the Bank for Savings in this City, and as manager in various charitable institutions, he ever gained the respect and confidence of his associates.
Though never holding office, he took a deep interest in public affairs, and during the Civil war his voice was ever raised, and his potent influence in moneyed corporations always actively exerted in support of the Government.
Mr. GREEN possessed a deeply religious temperament. From early manhood he took an active interest in religious, benevolent and charitable enterprises. Deprived by a mysterious Providence of all his children, his desire to aid the suffering and to do good to his fellow-men increased with his advancing years. Charity with him was not a mere impulse of the feelings, but a deep, abiding principle. He gave largely and wisely. Almost every benevolent in- stitution of the City was a recipient of his generous aid, and to many of them he contributed his time and labor as well as his abundant means. To Princeton College, in his native State, he was a generous benefactor; her finest buildings and her rich endowment being largely due to his munificence.
Mr. GREEN became a member of the Chamber of Com- merce May 5th, 1859, and so remained until the time of his death. He did not enter into the ordinary proceedings of the body, but on two memorable occasions: "the move- ment in behalf of the suffering poor of Lancashire," and that "in aid of Chicago in flames," he took a leading and conspicuous part. His stirring appeals and generous ex- ample on these occasions are among the cherished records of this association.
Mr. GREEN died at his home in this City on the 29th of April, 1875, in the beginning of his seventy-sixth year, with faculties unimpaired and a character unblemished, leaving behind him the record of a well spent life, and looking forward in the full assurance of hope to a happy immortality beyond the grave.
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CHARLES H. MARSHALL.
CHARLES HENRY MARSHALL, one of the leading shipping merchants of New-York during the brightest period of American commerce, was for over thirty years a prominent and active member of the Chamber of Commerce.
He was born at Easton, Washington County, in the State of New-York, April 8th, 1792. Both on the father's and mother's side he was of Nantucket descent. His paternal grandfather, BENJAMIN MARSHALL, a Quaker by faith, followed the sea, lived, when on shore, in Nantucket, and died in his home on that island. His son, CHARLES, who began life as a sailor on the deck of a Nantucket whaler, emigrated, in 1785, to Washington County, New-York, where he married, in 1786, HEPIIZEBAII COFFIN, daughter of NATHAN COFFIN, of Nantucket, also one of the colonists who had taken up their abode in New- York. Of the seven children of their marriage, five sons and two daughters, CHARLES HENRY, the subject of this sketch, was the third. True to the instincts of their Nantucket lineage, all the sons took to the sea, and all became honorably identified as ship-masters, with the American merchant marine. CHARLES HENRY left home when only fifteen years of age, April 5, 1807, to seek his fortune as a sailor. He made his way to Nantucket, and offered himself to Captain SWAIN, of the ship "Lima," as able seaman for a whaling voyage. The Captain at first repulsed him, saying, "I want young men, but you are a mere boy and too light for my purposes." This so disheartened young MARSHALL that he could not conceal his mortification, on which the Captain relented, and said, "I will take you, my lad ; I dare say you will make up in smartness what you lack in size." Stimulated by this encouragement, young MARSHALL joined the ship's com- pany with alacrity, and began his career as a sailor. He made several voyages before the breaking out of the war with England drove the American merchant vessels from the seas, and during the stormy period of the conflict de- voted himself to study, laying the foundation of a good
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English education, and forming the habit of reading, which he retained through life and which gave him always much pleasurable occupation. During a part of the year 1813 he taught school in a new settlement in the wilderness, fifty or sixty miles northwest of Easton, Washington County, N. Y., called Sollendagah, now the town of Northampton.
At the close of the war, in 1815, he resumed his calling as a seaman, and shipped as second mate on the ship "Mary," from New-York to Oporto. He became mate of the vessel before the end of the voyage. In 1816 he sailed in the Liv- erpool trade, first as mate of the " Albert Gallatin," a ship owned by JACOB BARKER, then as mate of the "Courier," owned by ISAAC WRIGHT and JEREMIAH THOMPSON, and before the end of the year obtained command of the new ship "Julius Caesar," of which PHILETUS and GABRIEL HAVENS were owners.
In the "Julius Caesar" he made a famous run from Charleston to Liverpool, in boisterous March weather. sailing a day later than the " Martha," a fast vessel bound to the same port, and commanded by an experienced master. The "Julius Cæsar" won the ocean race, arriving in the British Channel eighteen days after leaving Charleston and at Liverpool eighteen hours before the "Martha," exclu- sive of her day's start.
In 1817 the enterprise of a few shipping merchants in New-York led to the establishment of the line of packets between New-York and Liverpool known as the "Black Ball Line," and afterwards as the "Old Line" of Liverpool packets.
This was an advance step in the commerce of the country and marked the origin of regular lines of ocean passenger vessels to sail, interchangeably, from New-York to Liver- pool on a certain day in every month throughout the year. The project originated with ISAAC WRIGHT & SON, FRANCIS THOMPSON, JEREMIAH THOMPSON and BENJAMIN MAR- SHALL, (a member of a different family from that of Captain MARSHALL.) The prospectus was dated "New-York, Eleventh Month, (November,) 27, 1817," and stated that a line of four vessels, the "Amity," the "Courier," the
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"Pacific " and the "James Monroe," each of about 400 tons burthen, fast sailers, with commodious accommodations for passengers, would be despatched monthly, one from New-York on the fifth, and one from Liverpool on the first of every month. Contemporaneous with this circular were announcements, by other enterprising New-York carriers, of a new line of post-chaises to Philadelphia and a tri- weekly steamboat line to Albany !
The Liverpool packet line proved a success, and Captain MARSHALL became one of its most trusted and popular ship-masters. In 1822 he took command of the " James Cropper," built for the line, a ship of 500 tons burthen, at that time quite a prodigy of size. In the same year he married FIDELIA WELLMAN, daughter of Doctor LEMUEL WELLMAN, of Piermont, N. H.
After twelve years of constant service, in command suc- cessively of the "James Cropper," the "Britannia " and the "South America," Captain MARSHALL, in 1834, left the sea to assume the management of the "Old Line," and after acquiring the interest of GOODIIUE & Co., he became its principal proprietor.
During thirty years he retained the business, superin- tending the building of new vessels to replace the earlier and smaller ships, and many of the finest carrying vessels in our port were constructed and equipped under his practiced eye. The vessels thus added by him were the "Oxford," "Cambridge," "New-York," "Montezuma," "Yorkshire," "Fidelia," "Isaac Wright," "Isaac Webb," "Columbia," "Manhattan," "Harvest Queen," "Great Western " and "Alexander Marshall," ranging from 600 to 1,500 tons burthen. He carried the packet service to its highest point of utility and profit, and as it gradually gave way to vessels propelled by steam, he employed his ships in other lines of traffic, until advancing years compelled his withdrawal from active business.
He built and equipped one steamer, the "United States," a first class vessel of 2,000 tons burthen, and placed her on the route between New-York and Southampton, but after a few voyages she was sold to the Prussian Government
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during the contest between Denmark and Schleswig-Hol- stein.
Captain MARSHALL was distinguished in the commercial circles of New-York by his great independence, decision of character, sterling integrity, singleness of purpose and large public spirit. His sympathies were specially active as to every thing touching the interests of seamen, and of the commerce which they served. From 1851 to 1855 he was one of the Commissioners of Emigration. For several years he was Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Chamber of Commerce. For twenty years he was President of the Marine Society, and as such ex officio a Trustee of the Sailors' Snug Harbor, an institution over which he watched with the most unremitting assiduity. Holding this position virtually for life, and actually retaining it until his death, he would never consent to an election as President of the Chamber of Commerce, as the acceptance of that office, whose incumbent is also ex officio a Trustee of the Sailors' Snug Harbor, would necessitate his retire- ment at the end of the term from the latter institution, which was one of the objects nearest to his thoughts. The kindred and neighboring charities of the Seamen's Fund and Retreat and the Home for Seamen's Children shared with the Sailors' Snug Harbor in his constant care.
In 1845 he was chosen one of the Board of Commissioners of Pilots for the Port of New-York, and served in that capacity until his death.
In 1861, when the firing upon Fort Sumter aroused the loyal and patriotic spirit of the North for the defence of the Union, Captain MARSHALL was foremost in the efforts of the merchants of New-York to support the Government in every way in their power. As early as 1854 he had co- operated in the efforts made to prevent the repeal of the Missouri Compromise. In 1856 he voted for FREMONT and DAYTON, and was, from the first, an ardent member of the Republican party. He was one of the most active of the Union Defence Committee organized at the great meeting of citizens held in Union Square April 20, 1861, in the vicinity of his house on Fourteenth-street, over whose roof
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the flag which had waved over Sumter was raised and kept flying during the eventful days which followed that meet- ing while the first regiments were being hurried southward. He was active in the organization of the Union League Club, and in promoting all the measures by which it sought to strengthen the Administration in its great military and financial exigencies, and was serving as its third President at the time of his death.
Captain MARSHALL survived the successful issue of the war for the Union, and attended at Washington with a large deputation of his fellow-citizens on the occasion of the passage by Congress of the Constitutional amendment abolishing slavery and establishing freedom throughout the United States. Shortly afterwards he visited Europe for the last time, and on his return home, September 5th, 1865, was seized with an illness which terminated fatally on the 23d of the same month. At the next ensuing meeting of the Chamber of Commerce, held October 5th, a warm and touching tribute was paid to his memory and services, the record of which remains as a fit memorial to one who, at every period of his long and eventful career, had shown himself equal to all the tasks he undertook, true to every relation of life, and faithful, alike in private and public service, to every trust committed to his charge, -- WILLIAM ALLEN BUTLER.
JAMES STOKES.
JAMES STOKES was born near the corner of Wall and William streets, in this City, on January 31st, 1804. His father, THOMAS STOKES, was born in London, England, and was the intimate friend and co-worker of ROBERT RAIKES, the founder of Sunday Schools, and of the Rev. JOHN VINE HALL, and the Rev. ROWLAND HILL, who formerly preached in Surrey Chapel, London. He was also associated with WILLIAM CAREY and others in the founding of the London Missionary Society.
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THOMAS STOKES came to this country in June, 1798, and settled near Sing Sing, on the Hudson River, but afterwards took up his residence in New-York, and with his sons bought real estate on Broadway, near Rector-street, and elsewhere in the City, all of which proved very profitable. He was one of the founders and the first director of the American Bible Society and of the American Tract Society.
In 1837 JAMES STOKES married CAROLINE PHELPS, daughter of ANSON G. PHELPS, and afterwards joined his father-in-law in business, becoming a member of the house of PHELPS, DODGE & Co. He remained a partner until December 31st, 1878, when he left it to become one of the founders of the banking house of PHELPS, STOKES & Co. He was an eminently successful merchant, and, guided by his shrewd judgment, almost invariably made safe invest- ments. In politics Mr. STOKES was originally a HENRY CLAY Whig and Colonizationist, and afterwards a member of the Democratic party. He never held any public office. Mr. STOKES was an active member of the old Public School Society, an organization which was afterwards merged into the present Board of Education ; in this Society he had as associates PETER COOPER, GEORGE T. TRIMBLE and other philanthropic New-Yorkers. For many years Mr. STOKES was a consistent member of the Madison Square Presbyte- rian Church. In his impulses he was eminently charitable, and took a deep interest in the establishment of the Young Women's Christian Association, for the founding and main- tenance of which he contributed largely, as he did also to the Young Men's Christian Association, of which he was a trustee. In all his business enterprises-which were very extensive-he was regarded as a man of the highest honor. He was President of the Ansonia Clock Company, the An- sonia Brass and Copper Company, a director in the Shoe and Leather Bank and in various other financial institutions. He was also largely interested in Pennsylvania and Michi- gan pine lands, and an active member of many organiza- tions of a charitable and social character. Mr. STOKES died on Orange Mountain, New-Jersey, where he was tem- porarily staying, August 1st, 1881, in the seventy-eighth
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year of his age. His wife, a lady much noted for her piety and good works, died five months previous. He left seven surviving children, four sons and three daughters.
PAUL SPOFFORD.
PAUL SPOFFORD was born in New Rowley, (now George- town,) Massachusetts, February 18th, 1792. He was sixth in descent from JOHN SPOFFORD, who, with others, came with the Rev. EZEKIEL ROGERS from England to this country in 1638.
After spending a few years in a country store, he em- barked in business in Haverhill, Mass. There he made the acquaintance of THOMAS TILESTON, then editor of the Merri- mack Intelligencer. Much of the business there was what . may be termed a barter trade. At times the articles taken, . such as shoes, hats, &c., suitable for the South, would accumulate, and it was very desirable to find a ready outlet. Mr. SPOFFORD and his friend, Mr. TILESTON, decided to establish a commission house for that purpose, and in the spring of 1818 came to New-York and formed a partnership under the firm name of SPOFFORD & TILESTON. They soon became large shippers of domestic manufactures to various ports in the Gulf States, the West Indies and to South America. This profitable trade induced the firm to establish and maintain for many years regular lines of sailing vessels to the ports with which they had business relations. Meanwhile Spain had laid a heavy duty on our manufactures, so that the goods formerly shipped to Cuba could no longer be sent thither, but the firm had become well established as importers of coffee and sugar.
In 1838 England began to construct and run ocean steam- ships. American packet ships at that period had attained a world-wide celebrity for beauty of construction, speed and safety. Her success led our citizens to emulate in part her example; but as United States steamers were of light build, while the English vessels were constructed expressly
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for the service and were heavily subsidized, navigation of the ocean by steam, from these and other causes, made no progress in this country.
SPOFFORD & TILESTON, who had contributed to the building up of our mercantile marine, saw that the era of the sailing vessel was passing away, and that steam power would in the near future control the navigation of the ocean. After thoroughly convincing themselves that staunch, well-equipped and adequate steamships could be built in this country, they contracted with WILLIAM H. BROWN and STILLMAN, ALLEN & Co. for the construction of the steamship "Southerner," which made her first trip in 1846, and proved a success, weathering with perfect ease and safety some of the most terrific gales. A few months later the firm built the "Northerner," an equally fine vessel. This enterprise stimulated others to establish ocean steamship lines, and COLLINS, LIVINGSTON, VAN- DERBILT, LAW and others soon placed fine steamships on the ocean.
SPOFFORD & TILESTON also became the owners of a line of Liverpool packets, and their ships, the "Sheridan," "Roscius," "Garrick" and the "Siddons," are still re- membered by some of our older merchants for their grace and beauty of proportion. But larger vessels were required, and the firm, therefore, substituted for those named, the "Webster," "Orient," "Calhoun," "Henry Clay " and others, which were then the largest of any engaged in the Liverpool trade. The firm also were among the first to fit up and despatch ships to California during the excitement there consequent upon the discovery of gold.
At the outbreak of the Civil war the firm of SPOFFORD & TILESTON were among the largest sufferers by the blockade of the Southern ports, and by the interruption of our com- merce with the West Indies. Their heavy losses, however, did not cause them to waver in their duty to their country. At once they arrayed themselves on the side of the Union, and to the end of the conflict their faith remained unshaken as to the result. They spurned all temptation to put any of their vessels under a foreign flag, but, on the contrary,
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armed their Havana steamships, and obtained commissions in the United States Navy for their captains, and trusted to the skill and prudence of the commanders of their other vessels. Fortunately, with the exception of the steamship "Nashville," all escaped capture.
Although neither Mr. SPOFFORD nor his partner ever held political office, yet both often came into contact with and were greatly esteemed by the most prominent states- men of the day. In 1864 Mr. TILESTON died, and though this loss of a partner and life-long friend was a severe blow to Mr. SPOFFORD, he nevertheless bore the strain well, and continued actively in the business until his own death took place, through paralysis, on October 28th, 1869.
Mr. SPOFFORD was connected with various enterprises. For years he was Treasurer and one of the Council of the New-York University, and a director in the Erie, Harlem and other railroads, and in several banks, fire and marine insurance companies. He and his partner, Mr. TILESTON, a sketch of whom immediately follows, were elected mem- bers of the Chamber of Commerce on October 1st, 1833, and their membership continued until death. Through a long business career the relations between these partners were the most cordial and happy, and the firm of SPOFFORD & TILESTON will always be associated with the development of the commerce of the nation.
THOMAS TILESTON.
THOMAS TILESTON, the business partner of the above named PAUL SPOFFORD, was born in Boston, Mass., August 13th, 1793. At the age of thirteen he obtained a situation in the printing establishment of GREENOUGHI & STEBBINS, of that City, the salary being thirty dollars a year and board. As an apprentice he was diligent, studious and observing, and he soon became not only a competent type-setter, but a proof reader, employing his spare time in literary work, which brought him, pecun-
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