USA > New York > The aristocracy of New York : they are and what they were : being a social and business history of the city for many years > Part 3
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6
BREVOORT, HENRY, Jr., is a native of this city where he still resides, upon a moiety of a small patch of land held by his father, who used it for the cultivation of marketable vegetables, by the sale of which, and by dint of persevering industry and rigid economy, for a series of years, he amassed considerable ready money, until the growth of the city eventually brought his small tract within its limits, and, by the coresponding rise of property, literally turned it into money. The old gentleman re- sided here upon his estate, in a small antiquated dwelling in the Bowery, until the period of his death. The house was permitted to remain an obstacle to the opening of Eleventh street, from respect to the aged occupant's attachment to his homestead. The subjcet of this sketch enjoys high standing on acount of his various commend- able traits, and lives in splendid style. A daughter of his has been recently married to a son of the Rev. Mr. Bristead, of R. I., and grandson of John Jacob Astor. One of his sisters married Professor Renwick. He is reputed to be worth over $500,000.
BRANDRETH, BENJAMIN, is a native of England, from whence he came out a few years since, with an immense "cock and a bull story," about his grand- father's ghost, and a universal pain extinguisher in shape of a pill, upon which are founded the numerous squibs of remarkable cures performed upon John Smith and William Jones, definitely attested by their signatures brought continually before the people, to the wonderment and startling of all the venerable grandmamas in this most gullable community, through all of the various advertising mediums, at ag un- mense expense. He at present resides at Sing Sing, where. like a Cincinnatus, he revels in the rewards of an easy conscience made by good deeds passed, and some things of a more tangible nature, being the returns from the sale of his pills. He has of late put himself forward in the ranks of the democratic party and figured some- what extensively in the proceedings of the late Old Hunker convention. He has since published a letter setting forth his sentiments, which we have no doubt he thinks are very interesting and important. He is in the habit of loaning money up-
14
on personal mortgages, and many individuals whom we could name have thus been assisted when in straightened circumstances. He enjoys, amongst his friends, the credit of being a real friend and benevolent man, and somebody says, his worth at- tests $200,000.
BOLTON. CURTIS, of the late firm of C. Bolton, Fox & Livingston. The Bol- ton family have been of long and great commercial respectability.
Robert Bolton, originally from New Jersey, established in Savannah the house of Robert & John Bolton, of which house Curtis became a partner. John and Curtis married their cousins, Robert's daughters.
When William Wallace (see Wallace, Mrs. William) retired from Savannah, forty odd years ago, he recommended his correspondents to transfer their business to this house, and turned over to them business in hand -- the best proof of their high standing. The firm was continued after Robert's death,-he left a large estate. Having established a new commission house in Savannah, under the firm of R. Rich- ardson & Co., Richardson having been their clerk, about the year 1815 the house of J. & C. Bolton was established in this city. Till then, Hicks, Jenkins & Co. (the late Samuel Hicks) had been the confidential correspondents of the house here.
John was first President of the Planters Bank, in Savannah ; a Directer of the U. S. Bank, at Philadelphia, when Wm. Jones was President of the Delaware and Hud- son Canal Company, and of on Insurance Company ; and, lastly, the independent alderman of the Ninth Ward. He died a few years ago.
Curtis Bolton, like his late brother, is distinguished by the highest sense of honor. . .
R. Richardson, above named, married Robert Bolton's youngest daughter, and was President of the U. S, Branch Bank, in Savannah. The Rev. Robert Bolton, of the Episcopal Church in New Rochelle, is a son of the above Robert Bolton, and inheri- ted a share of his fortune. He married a daughter of the Rev. Wm. Jay, of Bath, England, of great popularity and personal worth. Mr. Bolton's property is worth $200,000.
BANKS, DAVID. Of the firm of Gould, Banks & Co., of this city, and of State street, Albany. The oldest and most extensive law book selling firm in the country, and the one which has done the most to encourage the publication of books for the legal profession.
Mr. Banks came to this city from New Jersey, where he was raised, and estab- lished himself as a printer and bookbinder. About 25 years ago he formed a con- nection with Mr. Gould. He has always been an ardent Democrat, and was elect- ed by that party an alderman some years since. He was President of the Harlem Railroad in the time of its greatest difficulties, and at one time quelled a rebellion among the laborers, who had not been paid, by guaranteeing them ou his own in- dividual responsibility, the money due them.
Mr. Banks has lately become embroiled with the Tract Society, who he alleges has done him great and needless injury, in erecting a wall which effectualy excludes the light from the back of his store. He has appealed to the law, and has recover- ed ~ verdict against the Society.
He married a daughter of Paul B. Lloyd, and has a family. One of his sons is a lawyer in Nassau street. He is worth at least $100,000.
BIDWELL, WALTER HI. Proprietor of the " New York Evangelist," a weekly religious newspaper of large circulation ; also, of the " Biblical Repository," and of the " Eclectic Magazine," both of which were established by Dr. Absolom Peters. Mr. Bidwell is from Farmington, Conn. Ile has a brother in this city, who is a clergyman.
The Evangelist is a paper of large circulation, the organ of the New School Pres- byterians, and was established by S. W. Benedict, and Joshua Leavett, the Aboli- tionist. Mr. Bidwell is said to be worth about $100,000.
BALDWIN, JOHN C., is a native of Connecticut, and is the son of parents not wealthy, but of high respectability ; came to this city just as thousands do at this day, possessing nothing but what may be conveniently transported, with a heavy stock of good principles, inculcated by precept and example at home, and a determi- nation to get up in the world, which seems almost to be the effect of the climate of the land from whence he comes, he set himself to work in good earnest to lay the foundation of his present fortune. After some years spent as an apprenticeship in
· 15
the Domestic Dry Good business, he finally started an establishment of his own in Pearl street, in which, by perseverance, industry and economy, combined with strict business habits, he has come to be highly respected in the trade, to all of whom he is well known, and in which business he still continues. Aside from a business view of the man, he possesses various traits which commend him to the favorable esteem of numerous friends, and is reputed to be worth $250.000.
BAKER, ANSON, is a native of Connecticut, and the son of poor but respectable parents ; learned his trade as a saddle and harness maker, and came to this city to work at his trade. From the remuneration for bis labor, which he received, he was enabled, with prudence and economy, to save enough to start him in business in a small way, upon which start, and by his industrious habits combined always with his economical management of bis receipts, he has been for years gradually but steadily making himself rich ; and although he is at this time reputed to be worth $150,000, he still plys with persevering industry the implements of his profession, in which he enjoys high reputation, and is very much respected by all who know him, for his many good qualities.
BRIDGE, LEWIS K., came to this city from Connecticut, and married one of; · the daughters of Samuel Judd. Although, it is well known, Mr. Bridge inherited by his wife a large fortune yet he has not neglected the turning of a penny, and still conducts. in connection with the ather sons-in-law, the business left to their charge. His family lives in splendid style in Twentieth street, fronting Union Square. He enjoys thatrespect which the possession of capital will always command for the possessor, and is reputed to be worth $250,000.
BRUCE, GEORGE, a Scotchman by birth, came to this country while quite young, and Jearned his trade as a type founder, Having, by his diligent attention to busi- ness, been enabled to lay aside some portion of his earnings, he commenced business on his own account, at a time when, as all printers are ready to bear witness, it was much easier to make money in that business than it at present is. The price of the same quantity of material and labor not being worth, at the present time, more than half what it was when he commenced, owing, if so, we presume, to the increased competition. Be that as it may, far be it from us to wish to be understood as attempt- ing to underrate the talent of Mr. Bruce by any thing we could say, for his superior tact and talent are too strongly evinced for any such supposition by the fact that there were others engaged in the same business at the same time, who hardly made it an object. lle is reputed to be worth $300,000.
BRUSH, CALEB, is a descendant of an old Dutch family. Heresided for a great many years in North Moore street, between Greenwich and Hudson streets, where. he kept a small green grocery, from the profits of which, being carefully hoarded, he saved a considerable sum of ready money, with which he purchased, ata great bargain, several houses and lots in Hudson street. He has since, by prudent manage- ment, greatly increased his property and now holds a large amount of real estate, so located that its future rise in value is inevitable. Although, as appears from this statement, he has made a large portion of his property by its gradual rise, owing to the change of circumstances, yet he is greatly and almost wholly indebted to his economical habits for its acquisition. He is an instance which, in our mind, goes far to show the truth of the old adage, which says, " There is no stock half so se- cure as the old stocking." He is a very plain man in every respect, but is highly esteemed for his equitable dealings, and is reputed to be worth $150,000.
BRADY, WILLIAM V., present mayor, is a native of this city ; he is a silver- smith by trade, at which business he has made a large amount of money, by the in- vestment of which, in real estate, when bargains offered, he has greatly increased his wealth. His parents were industrious, honest people, and lived comfortably, but left their children, after having given them a good trade, to make their own road in the world. . Although, as must be apparent, Mr. B. has had little opportunity for edi- fication, yet, no one who is at all acquainted with him can fail to discover that he is a very intelligent man, and must have studied hard in latter years ; he is a good business man, and a shrewd politician, has been Alderman of the Fifteenth Ward, and was an associate in his political schemes with Dr. Child, the present incumbent of the synicure at Staten Island. With Mr. Addison, the celebrated pencil case manu- facturer, he has been for many years on friendly terms, and concerned with him in several lucrative operations. As will appear from his present position, M. B. en-
16
joys the highest regard for his fellow-citizens, and by his own management has made, and is at this time worth $100,000.
BISHOP, JOSEPH, a native of Dutchess County, and a birth-right Quaker. His parents were well known in their vicinity for their unaffected piety and benevolence. He came to this city when quite a lad, and became an apprentice to the trade of ship building in the establishment of Zous Carpenter, also a Quaker, and an old bachelor, whose character for integrity and strict principle were above question, with whom after his term of service was out, Mr. B. went into partnership, and made a large amount of money. They were the builders of some of our finest merchant vessels, but the strict principle of Mr. C. would not permit him to engage in the erecting or construction of vessels intended to be used for warlike purposes. Upon the death of Mr. C., Mr. B. entered into partnership with Mr. Simerson, under the firm of Bishop & Simerson, who are at this time engaged in the business, and have one of the most extensive establishments of the kind in the country. They are well known to the community as having built some of the finest and fastest steamers ever put upon the track. He is highly respected for his business tact and various good qualities, and is reputed to be worth $100,000.
BIDWELL, MARSHALL SPRING, a distinguished lawyer of this city. He was Speaker of the Commons' House of Assembly, in Upper Canada ; Lord John Russell's intended Judge ; and a conspirator in Mckenzie's rebellion. Sir F. B. Head's " Emigrant," lately republished by the Harpers, gives a rich scene, in which Mr. Bidwell figured. Mr. Bidwell's family is from Berkshire, Massachusetts,- Forty years ago Barnabas Bidwell was a leading man in the then called Republi- can party, in that State. When Elbridge Gerry was elected Governor, Bidwell was chosen State Treasurer, and afterwards settled in Canada.
Dr. Marshall Spring, of Watertown, Massachusetts, after whom this gentleman appears to be named, was flocked to by great numbers, for his advice and his speci- fics. Mr. Bidwell, we dare say, will yet be worth $50,000.
COLGATE, WILLIAM. Commenced the tallow-chandling business in Dutch street, where he still continues it, in a small way, and like most others who have engaged in the business, has made a large fortune. He is a benevolent and good man, and has been for a great number of years a member of the Methodist Church in John street, and is as well known to the community for hisvarious praiseworthy traits, as for the goodness of his soap and candles. He is reputed to be worth $350,000.
COLLINS, E. K. A New-Englander, has been distinguished among our shipping merchants, for great enterprise and eminent practical knowledge of all that relates to shipping business. He owns the Dramatic Line to Liverpool, a line to New- Orleans, is engaged in the steam packet line to Southampton and Bremen, and is now building a line of steamers to Liverpool, intended to surpass the Cunard Line. He has also a valuable commission business growing out of these connections. He is prompt, with a peculiar air of brusquerie. He married a daughter of Alderman Thomas T. Woodruff. His father was a shipmaster. Value of his property, ₹009,000.
CARMAN. RICHARD V. A native of Long Island, and a carpenter by trade, at which he worked for many years as a journeyman, and finally started a small job- bing shop in New or Broad Street. in the vicinity of which locality he now holds , considerable property. We are informed that the nucleus round which he has since made his large fortune by the rise of property, was mainly got by the manufacture of packing boxes for the merchants, He was remarkable, at the outset in life, for his promptitude, industry, and native sagacity. He realised a handsome profit from several contracts for rebuilding the burnt district in 1836, and is the proprietor of the village of Carmanville, 2 miles distant from his residence. He has served asan alder- man in the City Council, to which office he was elected by the Whigs. He is not at all ashamed but on the contrary boasts of having carved out his own fortune, and is a highly worthy example for the rising generation to follow. He resides at his seat near Ft. Washington, surrounded by all that can make this life pleasurable and hap- py, much respected by all who know him, benevolent and highly honorable in his dealings. Heis said to be worth $300,000.
CAMPBELL, JOHN, is a native of this city, where his father, a Scotchman, kept
-
17
a book store for many years, he left some property at his death, but the subject of this sketch is mainly indebted to his success in the paper dealing business for the large property which he possesses. He is a highly respectable and gentlemanly man, and estimated to be worth: $250,000.
CARY, WILLIAM -- Isa descendant of the " Boston Tea Company," a " Bos- ton boy" and a regular Simon Pure from down east, as keen. as a rack, with a re- markable stock of go-a-headitiveness in his composition, He commenced business, pedling combs, the proceeds of which small traffick were carefully hoarded, and went to the gradual enlargement of his stock in trade, until he finally got himself located as a dealer in Fancy Goods, and as one of the first to commence that im- mensely profitable business ; amassed thereby the principal portion of his large for- tune. He is respected for his many good qualities and is worth as we are informed upon good authority not less than $500,000.
CONNER, JAMES .-- Served his apprenticeship at the Printing business, with Mr. Hopkins, father-in-law to Robert H. Morris, who also served at the same time, he was afterwards one of the firm of Conner & Cool, extensive Publishers and. Type Founders, in which business he failed, owing, it is said, to some land specula- tion in which he was engaged. He was also conspicuous in a project which was set on foot at one time for the establishment of a Book Makers Bank. He has been for some years well known in the Democratic Party by whom he has been elected to the office of County Clerk, which office was worth $20,000 annually, but the amount has been greatly reduced by a late act of the Legislature. Since his election, his son has been connected with him in the management of his Type Foun -. dry. He has a large number of friends and but few enemies, and is said to be worth" $40,000.
COOK, ZEBEDEE .- Is from Newburyport, Mass., where his father was a mast- maker. Mr. Cook failed in Commission business in Boston and opened a private Insur- ance office. Having large insurances to effect there, for Merchants in this city, he was gradually drawn here, and has been made President of one of the Insurance Companies in Wall Street. He is a very ardent Unitarfan, and a prominent mem- ber of Dr. Dewey's Congregation. Mr. Putnam the bookseller married into his family. He is quite wealthy. worth at least $100,000.
CHAUNCY, WILLIAM, is a native of one of the northern counties of this State where his father owned a small property, but having a large family was not able to do much in a pecuniary way towards their future advancement. The subject of the present sketch, somewhere about the commencement of the late war with Great Britain, left home and engaged himself as a teamster, to draw wood for the supply of the army in Barracks at the head quarters opposite Albany. A friend having helped him to purchase a large lot of standing wood, by the cutting and sale of which he cleared five hundred dollars, he was now enabled to purchase a part of a Sloop theu plying between this City and Albany, of which he became the Captain. In this situation he again exhibited his former commendable traits, but was not as suc- cessful as he wished, and finally gave it up and went to Coxsackie, where he married a widow, bis present wife. who had one child by her former husband, and was at the time engaged in the Millinery business. Shortly after his marriage, he came to this city, and engaged in the Crockery Business in connection with his brother-in- law, Mr. Harris, with whom he dissolved partner -hip some years since, but continu- es in the sime business up to this time. He amasAnd his large fortune as we are in- formed, not so much 'rom the profits of his legitimate business, as from his remark- able success in speculations in real estate. He is considered by all who have had dealings with him'a thorough business man, cf unimpeachable integrity and highly honorable. He resides in St. Mark's Face in good style and is considered to be worth $200,000.
COOK, ISRAEL .- Came to this city from Dutches County. between thirty and forty years since, and married his wife, who is a daughter of Dr. Cary, of Beekman- town, without capital, commenced as a speculator or broker in produce in a small way. He attributes the foundation of his fortune to a circumstance, which he re- lates it as follows : He had been directed by some one, to buy on their account a large cargo of apples, who, after he had done so, refused to endorse the contract .- This purchase being negotiated for cash (a commodity, at this time not very comeat- able,) placed him in a rather unpleasant situation ; but being one of that class of
2
----
18
minds which are never at a loss for an alternative, he set himself to work in good , earnest to negotiate a sale, without letting the owners know but that he stood in the same position as when he contracted to buy, and succeeded so well, that he found purchasers at a large advance upon cost, to whom their respective shares of the cargo were delivered and settlement being made with the owner, he found him- self a clear gainer in a considerable amount.
He made the major portion of his money in the Butter and Provision business, from which, he retired some years since, to private life. He is one of those men whose biography we take pleasure in chronicling, from the fact, that there is nothing in it but must excite pleasurable reminiscences in the mind of the subject if it meet his eye, and is an example worthy to be emulated by every youth in the land. He is reputed to be worth $250,000.
COOK, LEVI. Originally came, as we are informed, from the eastward, and early engaged in the French and German Fancy Goods business, in which he still continues. His was the first, and is now the oldest establishment in this City. To his legitimate business, assisted by his own powerful energies as a business man, he is mainly indebted for his large fortune, but like all who have held real estate for any length of time, has greatly increased his wealth by its gradual rise in value .- He is a gentleman and has won warm friends by his unsolicited aid, to those whom he has found worthy of confidence amongst the young men commencing business,. and is well worthy to enjoy the fruits of his industry. He is reputed to be worth 2200,000.
CARTER, ROBERT, a native of Scotland and a Pesbyterian, received a sound classical education at home, and came to this country about a quarter of a century. since. He was for a considerable length of time a teacher, and finally became prin- cipal of the New York High School. After the breaking up of that establishment, he, in connection with Mr. Smith, who has since been an alderman, established an extensive educational establishment of similar principles, at the corner of Grand street and Broadway, where they were remarkably successful for several years, but finally gave up the establishment and separated. Mr. Carter, shortly after the discontinu- ance of this establishment, engaged in the book trade, and by the publication of several important standard works in a cheap form, combined with his untiring energy and close application to business, has made good use of a considerable amount of money which he became possessed by an inheritance of his wife's. It is said of him that since he has been in business, he has ever adhered to the cash principle, and . never opened an account with any one. By his extensive church acquaintance he has made most of his best customers. He is much respected by all who know him, although very strict in his exaction of the last cent in business transactions, yet he is highly esteemed for his benevolent regard for the interests of the poor. He is reputed to be worth $100,000.
CONTOIT, JOHN H., was born from a good cross, -- a French father and an English mother. His confectioner's shop, in Broadway, between Leonard and Franklin streets, but, within the past year it has been given, and its place filled up with stores, has long been noted for its ice creams. Their celebrity became such that a demand for them was created at fashionable parties. It is his boast that he . and his father have made more money by ice creams than any other two persons ever did. His father monde and left him two hundred thousand dollars, and he has made as much more. The accumulation of this sum has not been checked by lesses, foolish expense er neglect of business. After dinner, Mr. Contoit takes his morning drive. Like all men of taste. he loves a good horse, and is often to be seen driving about the avenues in the afternoon. Mr. Contoit has alwas been very careful in his . investments, and bids fait to be a millionaire, but we shall now set him down as being worth about :000,000.
CALDWELL, EBENEZER, an Englishman, for many years in the crockery business : always a careful, industrious, saving man. The late John Caldwell was his brother, formerly in the hardware trade in Pearl-street. A daughter of John married the Rev. Daniel Sharp, an Englishman, formerly of Newark, N. J., now the Rev. Dr. Sharp, of Boston. for more than thirty years pastor of the Baptist Church in Charles street. Sharp studied divinity with the Rev. Dr. Staughton, of Philadel- phia ; celebrated for his oratory. He was, present at the death-bed of Thomas Paine.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.