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 5
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Although generally benevolent and liberal in their charities, they are close in all business transactions. They are zealous Methodists, and Temperance men. James is a class-leader in the John street Church, and President of a Temperance Society. He has been one term Mayor of the city, was chosen by the Native Americans .- They are worth at least $2,000,000.
HALL, FRANCIS, by birth an Englishman, and a printer by trade, came to this country when quite young, without capital, and engaged in the office of the Com- mercial Advertiser, of which he is now the principal proprietor, as a carrier, and by his habits of industry and economy saved money enough to purchase an interest in the establishment, and has finally got to be the principal proprietor. This paper was first established by Noah Webster, of Dich pary celebrity, from whom it was transferred to Zachariah Lewis, who sold it to Mr. Hall and the late Col. Stone. Mr. Il. is a prominent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and is highly estcemed for his benevolence and piety. His late wife was well known throughout the city for the active part she too'. in most of its beneficent institutions, and will long be remembered with feelings of sincere regret by those who in her found a friend, at a time when there seemed none at hand to assist. Mr. Hall has been for a long time in the habit of making an annual excursion to Canada, on the busi- ness of his paper. It was while on a visit to that province with her husband that Mrs. Hall died, about two years ago. Mr. II. is himself one of the most benevolent of men, and has the warmest wishes of numerous friends, that he may ever remain in the possession of his large property, which is reputed to amount to the sum of $200,000.
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KERMIT, ROBERT, is a native of the Isle of Man ; he married a daughter of Isaac Clason ; he is the agent of a line of Liverpool packets, and is worth about $200,000.
LODER, BENJAMIN, now president of the New York and Erie Rairload, came to this City a poor young man, and learned the Dry Goods business. From the proceeds of his salary while a clerk, he saved sufficient money to enable him to commence a small store, which he did, somewhere in Centre street, near the Market, and by living very close, boarding himself in the store, and in every way economiz- ing, these efforts combined with his untiring industry, gradually enlarged his cap- ital, affording him 'e means of finally establishing hinself down town, where he has long been kis .. n as a heavy dealer, highly respected for his honorable mode of doing business and his practical good sense. The possession of this latter commod- ity, in an eminent degree, was his chief recommendation for the post which he now occupies with great credit to himself and profit to the Company. He is reputed to be worth $200,000. 1755209
MARSHALL, CHARLES H., the ships' husband of the Old Liverpool Line of packets, formerly commanded one of its ships. He is a New Bedford man, and was reared at the whaleing business. He is worth at least $150,000.
MICKLE, ANDREW A., late Mayor of the city. His parents were Irish, and, as nearly as we can ascertain, were of the very poorest class. The house in which he was born is, we believe, still standing ; it is situate in Cross street, within some few doors of the Five Points, and has been for many years in a most dilapidated condition. He was at one time a clerk in the Custom House. He married a daugh- ter of Mrs. Miller, well known to the tobacco using fraternity for the goodness of her " fine cut," and who, it is well known, made a large amount of money thereby, and became a partner in the firm of Mrs. G. B. Miller & Co. He is an instance that we give to show from what most disparaging circumstances perseverance, in- tegrity aud sobriety, will raise a man to the high posts of honor, and the accumula- tion of wealth. Mr. M. now resides in the house at the corner of Battery Place and Broadway, and which was the abode, during and previous to the Revolution, of the British Governors and Generals, and since hallowed as the residence of General Washington. It is also the house from which Andre set out for West Point to con- fer with Arnold, and has since been occupied by Nathaniel Prime, of the celebrated firm of Prime, Ward & Co. He is reputed to be worth $100,000.
MORRIS, GEORGE P., Brigadier General, commenced the world without other capital than his trade as a printer, and considerable development of the organ of get-a-longative-hess, married the daughter of Mr. Hopkins, with whom he learned his trade, and by her got some of her money ; he succeeded Mr. Woodward, author of the Old Oaken Bucket, in the proprietorship of the New York Mir- ror, it is sometimes whispered that he got by the purchase of the paper some of his finest picces, notwithstanding which possessions, together with his poetically located residence in the Highlands, to which he gave the very euphonius title of " Under Cliff," he did not make a large fortune. He is at this time best known for some lite- rary productions, of which he is said to have been the author, and his connection with N. P. Willis in publishing the Home Journal, There are many who know him who would be glad to see him worth $100,000.
MORSE, SIDNEY E. Mr. Morse is the inventor of a new method of engraving called Ctrography. Professor S. F. B. Morse, of the Magnetic Telegraph is his brother.
The Rev. Jedediah Morse, D. D., author of the first geography ever published here, Minister of the Congregational Church in Charlestown, which was built on the site of the old church, burnt amid the general contiagration at the battle of Bunker Hill ; a projector of the Middlesex canal to Chelmsford, now Lowell ; the political gladia- tor in the New England Palladium, &c, &c., was the father of the above. He died in New Haven, poor and in debt, but his sons have paid all that he owed.
Sidney E. Morse was educated for the ministry, but was, we believe, never or- dained. He came to this city with his brother, about twenty years since and started the New York Observer.
Mr. Morse told the writer of this, that for three years he and his brother boarded with a Quaker family in Pearl-street, at a very moderate rate, and up to the end of
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that time the Observer did not pay expenses, but the Morses were Yankees, and with a shrewdness and sagacity peculiar to the race, they foresaw that New York must eventually become a large city, and be the focus of religious operations for the whole country. They persevered, and the result is that the Observer now yields an income of from 20 to $30,000 a year. Out of its profits the brothers have erected the enormous block of buildings at the corner of Beekman and Nossau-streets which is of itself a fortune. They also own the building'adjoining in Nassau-street, in which is the Observer office.
Sidney E. Morse has lately published a school geography, which is published by the Harpers', on which, we are told, they realise $10,000 per annum. Mr. Morse is at present in Europe, but is expected back very soon. He is worth about $200,000. -
MILLER, WILLIAM P., came to this city from Connecticut a poor boy, and be- came a clerk in the store of Jacob Lorillard, with whom, after having evinced by a long apprenticeship, his fidelity and worth, he became a pu. ner. He is a gentle- manly, unassuming man, and much respected for his numerous good qualities He is still engaged in the leather business, by which he is reputed to have made $200,000.
MILLER, DANIEL S., the most conspicuous of three brothers, who came to this city without capital, and have grown rich, notwithstanding occasional reverses, by close application to business. The subject of the present sketch was nominated by the Native American Party, and by the assistance of the Whigs elected to Congress. While there he did not say or do anything very important, but was considered a very quiet, gentlemanly sort of a man, and like his brothers, as such, is highly respected. The name of the firm, under which they do business, is known to the mercantile com- munity for its high standing. Mr. M. is reputed to be worth $100,000.
NEWHOUSE, BENJAMIN, a native of Dutchess County, learned the carpenter trade, at which he worked as a journeyman in Patterson, New Jersey, but having a mind always active, he availed himself of every favorable turn of fortune to increase the pile he had laid aside, with which he finally started a lumber and mahogany yard in Washington street, near Laight street, in this city. There again Mr. N., although not an educated man, displayed evidences of a strong mind, by taking hold, and the management of schemes involving immense amounts, and by his suc- cess, proved their practicability. The larger portion of his fortune has been made of late years, by the manufacture and exportation of furniture to Mobile, in which city he has an extensive warehouse, and in the management of which, a larger por- tion of his time at the South. He is an instance to show what mind, without even the most ordinary tuition, and under the most adverse circumstances, will accom- plish. He has a great many friends, and is generally much respected for various good traits, and is reputed to be worth $100,000.
PEASE, JOHN, by trade a blacksmith, but has kept a confectionary and ice cream. saloon in Division street for many years, where by industry, prudence, and economy he has become rich ; he is likewise the originator and vender of the celebrated hoar- hound candy, by which, it is said, he made great profits. His close application to monetary affairs has led him to neglect, almost wholly, the more refined branches of literature and art, and, although a very kind and benevolent man, he is certainly a very plain one in his acquirements, in an educational point of view. He is much re- spected on account of his property, of which he is reputed to have $150.000.
PELL, DUNCAN & Co., Auctioneers. The firm consists of three brothers. Dun- can C. Pell married a daughter of the late George Clark, of Cooperstown, by his second wife -- some facts concerning whose history it may be interesting to intro- duce here. Mr. Clark was an Englishman, whose grandfather had emigrated to America before the Revolution, married the daughter of an Indian sachem, and through her influence obtained possession of a large extent of territory in Otsego county, New York. Readers of English history will recollect that about forty years ago, during the reign of George III, the Duke of York, Commander-in-Chief of the British army, was brought into confusion and disgrace, and degraded from his high office, through circumstances growing out of his connection with an artful and unprin- cipled woman. It is unnecessary to explain more particularly an event which forms so striking a page in the history of the period ; suffice that this woman was the wife of George Clark, and such were the ineidents that led him to forsake his native land
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and seek ajhome and an inheritance here. On his arrival, however, he found the broad lands of his grandsire had passed into the possession of the state, and it was only through application to the Legislature, and after a long and persevering prose- cution of his suit, that he succeeded in attaining his object. His claim was opposed among others, by De Witt Clinton, which so exasperated the claimant as to call forth from him a challenge, which was not accepted. He now married the widow of Richard Cooper, Esq., brother of James Fenimore Cooper, and built a splendid mansion in Springfield, adjoining Cooperstown, where he closed his earthly career about 15 years ago, leaving to his son George, the homestead and other property, to the amount of $100,000.
Mr. Pell and his lady are now in Europe, where it is understood they intend to remain. The firm of D. C. Pell & Co. are worth about $200,000.
Alfred Pell, brother of the above. is Vice President of the Mutual Benefit Insurance Company, for which he receives a salary of $5000 per annum. He deserves credit as being the chief instrument in forming this, the pioneer of Mutual Insurance Com- panies in this country. He served his time as a bookseller in the house of Collins, Keese & Co., in Pearl street, and afterwards was connected in some way with George Dearborn, in publishing and stereotyping, in which he was unsuccessful. He is now, we hope, worth at least $30,000. 4
The progenitor of the Pell family was a patentee of the Duke of York, afterwards James II, in honor of whom our city was named, from whom he received a grant of eight miles square, called Pelham Manor, a part of which is still known as Pelham. This domain was occupied by the Pelis down to the time of the Revolution. When the Huguenots sought an asylum in this region, the incumbent of the Pell estate granted them a lease of the town of New Rochelle, for 99 years; the nominal rent being a fatted calf annually. But the old manor house being destroyed by fire by the soldiers of' Gen. Howe, on the occasion of their landing at New Rochelle, this lease, among other papers, was consumed. Consequently, at the expiration of the century, the heirs, possessing no. proof of their claim to the township, the setlers retained their houses undisturbed, and the original proprietors were never able to recover their right. At the period of the Revolution, one of the members of the Pell family being a Tory, joined the British army as a Captain. His large estate in New York, occu- pying that portion of the city near Pell street, was confiscated by the government, and by way of remuneration for the loss, the British conferred on the loyalist, at the close of the war, a large grant of land in Canada, near Niagara Falls. A brother of the above, at the same time, removed to this city and established an importing house. His dwelling was in Pearl street, a fine stately mansion for those days, and was ultimately demolished to make way for the opening of Beekman street. His eldest son, William F., was father of the present Duncan C. Pell. He was an auctioneer, and the owner of the old Fort Ticonderoga, where he built a residence which is now kept as a hotel. Another son, Alfred, married a daughter of Judge Duane, of Duanesburg, was an extensive owwer of real estate in New York, and built the row of buildings in Broome street, near Laurens, which recede from the street. He is father of Robert S. Pell, the famous agriculturist, who lives on the North River, and raises so many fine apples for the foreign market.
A third son, Ferris, (brother of Wm. F. and Alfred T.) was secretary of De Witt Clinton, and aided him essentially in carrying out his favorite project, the construc- tion of the Erie Canal. Many of the pamphlets written ;on that subject and attri- buted to Mr. Clinton, really emanated from Ferris Pell. His wife, who is from Newport, is a niece of the celebrated Dr. Channing.
The fourth and youngest son, Gilbert T., removed early to Illinois, where he mar- ried a daughter of Morris Birkbeck, author of " Notes of a Journey in America," and " Letters from Illinois," which books it is worthy of remark, are the first by an English tourist, that contain just and unprejudiced views of our country.
" Mr. Pell was in the Legislature of Illinois several years, but from 1836 till the breaking out of the war, was in Mexico as agent for an English mining company.
PHELPS, DODGE & Co .- Anson Green Phelps, the principal of this firm, has risen to wealth and distinction by shrewdness, industry and perseverante. He is from Connecticut. Forty odd years ago he was a saddler in Hartford, and shipped
his wares south, tin pedler fashion. During the war-Intercourse and war of 1$12 __ he was a successful speculator-in various ways. On his removal to New York he became a large importer of British metals, tin plates, wire, &c., in which business
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his previous connections gave him great advantage. He established a house in Liverpool for general commission business. The credit of both houses suffered in the storms of 1836 and 1837, and the Liverpool house was given up.
Mr. Phelps has entered largely into the manufacture of many hard-ware articles formerly imported, principally from Great Britain. The tariff of 1842 gave a great impulse to these concerns. It is to be hoped that they are so well established as not to be jeopardized by the repeal of that measure. His new Birmingham, in Connec- ticut, is likely to be famous. They have here erected the most extensive copper works in the U. S., and they contract with the government to supply it with nearly all the copper used for the National vessels. He is a large owner of the iron mines in Pennsylvania, and also a part of the Missouri iron mountain. Mr. Phelps lives in an old fashioned mansion, with ample grounds, (good old fashion), between 29th and 31st streets, East River, formerly the country seat of the widow Coster, who married the celebrated Dr. Hosack. His son lives in an elegant modern house corner 15th street and Union Square.
For more than forty years Mr. Phelps has been a rigidly Orthodox Congrega- tionist. Such opinions are not apt to give liberal views, or amenity to manners -- especially in minds of narrow education. In several public charities Mr. Phelps is conspicuous ; especially the Temperance and Colonization. Mr. Phelps married early Miss Olive Eggelston, who kept, with anfolder maiden sister, a candy and - small grocer's shop in Hull street, Hartford, of similar religious views, much respected. The firm are worth at least $300,000.
REESE, Dr. D. M., is a native of Baltimore, Md., where he studied his profes- sion, and became a member and local preacher in the M. E. Church. By his own active energies, and sound mind, he procured for himself the respect and patronage of some of the first families in that city. But having, from some cause or other, in- curred the displeasure of a pretty extensive set in that city, he thought best to get beyond their persecutions, and therefore came to this city. Here again he met with remarkable success in practice, and gradually got around him a circle of good pa- trons and friends ; but upon his father's death he returned to Baltimore and stayed some time, but finally became dissatisfied and returned to this city, where he mingled in politics to some extent, and at the time when the Native American Party were in the ascendant, became County Superintendant of Common Schools, in which situa- tion he became conspicuous for the bold stand he took on the Bible question, which was at that time agitating the community. He is at this time resi- dent Physician at Bellevue Hospital, and is much complimented by those who are not interested in opposing him, for the order and good government prevailing in the in- stitution, under his regime. Dr. R. has a great number of warm friends, and as well, a great many enemies, who would, if we may judge from appearances, do quite as much, or more, to injure him, than his friends would to benefit. He is respected, not so much on account of his money, although well to do in the world, as for his medical skill.
Dr. Reese has been a professor in the Medical College at Albany. and also in a College in South Carolina. He is the author of a work called "Humbugs in New York," the object of which was to throw ridicule on various new move- ments of the day. He has recently been revising and preparing for the American public a series of educational works, by the Chambers' of Edinburgh.
RICHARDSON & WATSON, have come into notice the past year as a prominent British shipping house. They were among the early shippers of Indian corn to British and frish ports, and are said to have realized half a million profit before it advanced to high prices here ; in fact, before it had attracted general attention as an article of shipment. They are supposed to be worth about $500,000.
SEARS, ROBERT, a native of St. Johns, New Brunswick, and son of an Ameri- can refugee from New York. He served his apprenticeship as a printer in his native place, came to this city about two years ago, and established a small jobbing office in an attic corner of Chatham and Frankfort streets. As a publisher, his first issue was a chart called " The World at one View," by which he inade quite a sum of money. He, some time after, commenced the publication of a newspaper called the Baptist Recorder, and his first book was a work called " Illustrations of the Bible." . He expended incredible sums in advertising, and sold not less than 50,000 copies.
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Barnum, of the American Museum, was at that time his general agent for the sale of the work. He has since published a great variety of other works ; was at one time in company with Walker, the boospinder ; at another with Reodfield, the stereotyper, but is now doing business for himself. He.is worth $10,000.
SUCKLEY, GEORGE, (Estate of ) .- Mr. Suekiey was by birth an Englishman. Ile came to this country when quite a young man, and being a methodist, was asso- ciated in the church with some of the leaders. He became in this way acquainted with Miss Rutson, a descendant of one of the old families of this state, at the time residing at Rhinebeck. It seems that upon their first acquaintance he paid some attention to this lady, but discontinued his suit after a short time, and went back to England, where he married. Upon the death of his wife, which occurred soon after their marriage, he again came to this country, and revived his addresses to Miss Rutson, with whom he this time married, and by whom he obtained the principal portion of his property. The unfortunate circumstances of some of his children wore heavily upon his mind, and in latter years made deep inroads upon his health. He was a man of the kindliest sympathies, and is deeply lamented for his benevolent qualities. He was interested in and a bountiful patron of the charitable institutions of his time, The estate is worth nearly $100,000, and consists chiefly of real estate located in Dutchess county and this city.
SWAN, BENJAMIN L., was born in Medford, near Boston,ol. Tim son a Cof-o thy Swan, of Revolutionary service and title, and afterwards a tanner. Dr.Swan, a respectable lame physician in Medford, is a brother of Benjamin L.
Bedford is a somewhat noted town. Many of the Boston vessels have been built on the little River Mystic, that flows through it into Boston harbor. It is or has been the residence of many families of note. Peter C. Brook's country seat is there. The late John Brooks with his triple titles, Major Brooks of the Revolu- tion, and a favorite with Washington, Dr. Brooks, the village physician, and Gov- ernor of the State-lived and died there, poor, honored, and beloved in all his rela- tions.
Mr. Swan was a clerk with Otis & Colburn, importers of dry-goods, Union street Boston. They dissolved about forty years ago, and Thomas Otis removed to New York, bringing with him young Swan, and established the house of Otis & Swan. Otis went to Manchester as buyer. Their business was well managed here by . Swan. They acquired a fortune rapidiy and retired. Mr. Otis died in this city hut a few years since.
Mr. Swan furnishes a rare instance among those who have made a fortune young, and who have retired from their former business. He has married well, and in- creased it. He lives in one of the elegant detached houses on the west side of La- fayette Place.
Mr. Swan is a valuable counsellor in various public institutions. He is not anx- ious for display, not obtrusive, but sagacious, cautious, and efficient. He is worth at least $750,000.
SELDEN, DUDLEY, one of three brothers, is by birth a Trojan, at which place he studied law, but first commenced the practice in this city. with no capital at first bat such as nature gave, he has risen to good standing in his profession, and. is an honored member of the Whig party. He married a lady of some fortune after he had become known, and is at this time highly respected for his many good qualities and pretty well to do in the world. He at one time, represented the City in the Legislature, and is now worth about $250,000.
STILLWELL. JOHN, a brother of Silas MI., late U. S. Marshall for Southern District of New York. and Rey. William L., leader of the Stillwellite Methodists, is now retired from active business. He owes his large fortune, at the commence- ment of its accumulation, to his own industry, econotay, and perseverance. He started a small dry goods store at the corner of Renwick and Spring streets, where his honorable dealing and gentlemanly manner were the means of procuring for him the friendship and patronage of his neighbors. Somewhere about the year 1828, he removed his establishment into the Sixth Avenue, near its commencement, in the row of three story and attic houses, at the time known as Corphill Row, and while there bought the property situate on the South East corner of Bleecker and Carmine streets, and occupying some several lots on each street, which he still holds, together with a large quantity of other real estate, located in various places up town, and in the Bowery, where he resides.
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