The civil, political, professional and ecclesiastical history, and commercial and industrial record of the county of Kings and the city of Brooklyn, N. Y., from 1683 to 1884, Volume II, Part 59

Author: Stiles, Henry Reed, 1832-1909, ed
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: New York, W. W. Munsell & Co
Number of Pages: 1345

USA > New York > Kings County > Brooklyn > The civil, political, professional and ecclesiastical history, and commercial and industrial record of the county of Kings and the city of Brooklyn, N. Y., from 1683 to 1884, Volume II > Part 59

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Gen. Barnes has made two extended tours in Europe with his family, in 1873 and 1883. In 1870, he visited California, and published his observations in a series of papers for the New York Home Journal, entitled "On the Pacific Rail," over the signature of " Barnacle."

EDWIN BULKLEY.

EDWIN BULKLEY, the son of Andrew and Sarah Dimon Bulkley, was born at Southport, Conn., December 2d, 1817, and was a descendant of the Rev. Peter Bulkley, who settled in Concord, Mass., in 1635, being obliged to leave England on account of his non-conformity to the requirements of the English Church, and who was of the tenth generation, from Robert Bulkley, who was born in the reign of King John.

About 1642, several of the sons of the Rev. Peter Bulkley settled in Fairfield county, of which Southport is one of the towns. Most of Mr. Bulkley's early ancestors were engaged largely in the shipping business, at a time when American ships held the supremacy on the high seas. His grandfather, Eleazer Bulkley, in the year 1788, founded the firm of E. Bulkley & Sons, which continued in business in New York nearly three-quarters of a century.

At an early age, leaving his native town, he came to New York, where, after a few years of business experience as a clerk, in 1838, at the age of twenty-one, in connection with Hiram Gookin and Jeremiah L. Cross, he founded the whole- sale paper house of Cross, Bulkley & Gookin. He continued in the paper business until his death. The firm name changed to Bulkley, Dunton & Co. in the year 1865, and has been so known since, his two sons, after his death, taking his place in the firm.

In the year 1865, in connection with the late Colonel Alvah Crocker, of Fitchburg, Mass., and other capitalists, he started the then small village of Turner's Falls, which, by the devel- opment of its unsurpassed water power and natural advan- tages, has since become a thriving town.

Besides being instrumental in founding the Montague Paper Company and Keith Paper Company, in that place, he

was one of the organizers of the John Russell Cutlery Com- pany and the Crocker National Bank, all of which undertak- ings were carried to a successful completion. He was also largely interested in other undertakings, principally in New England, among them the Winnipisiogee Paper Company, at Franklin, New Hampshire, and the Russell Paper Com- pany, at Lawrence, Mass., of both of which he was President for many years, and several other mills, to all of which he devoted the untiring energy and steadfast endeavor charac- teristic of the man.

He came to Brooklyn to reside in the year 1846. He was, till the time of his death, a prominent member of the Church of the Pilgrims, and always gave liberally of his means to the different charitable organizations and educational insti- tutions of the city.

As a man, he was of a quiet disposition, obtaining a degree of pleasure and enjoyment in his home circle which others are accustomed to seek vainly in public life. He was re- markable for his fine judgment in selecting skillful workmen or men to fill positions of trust; and, in times of financial un- certainty, his practical expenditure of time and means were often more helpful than the pleasurable theories often advanced by others of less characteristic decision and energy. In the latter years of his life he suffered from a stroke of paralysis, which resulted in his death, at his old homestead at Southport, July 7th, 1881, at the age of 63.

He left a widow and six children-two sons and four daughters. At the time of his death, besides being director and officer in the several large corporations in his own line of business, he was a director of the Bank of North America, the Standard Fire Insurance Co, and the Southport National Bank.

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BIOGRAPHIES OF BROOKLYN CITIZENS.

881

HENRY C. HULBERT.

HENRY C. HULBERT, at present senior member of the firm of H. C. Hulbert & Co., New York City, and for over 30 years a resident of Brooklyn, is a descendant of Lieutenant Thomas Hulbert (or Hurlbut), the ancestor of the Hurlbut family of Connecticut, and who is said to have been born in England, in 1598, and emigrated to this country in 1630. In 1636, he was an officer of the first company that garrisoned the fort at Saybrook, Conn .; served and was wounded in the Pequot war, and later, settled in Wethersfield, Conn., where he died, about 1673, aged 75 years. From his second son, John, born 1638, and who settled in Middletown, Conn., and through his third son, Ebenezer, born 1638, and his son, Ebenezer 2d,* who died in 1777, and his son, Amos, born in 1752, and died at Lee, Mass., in 1835, and his son, Amos Geer Hulbert, born in 1799, at Weathersfield, Conn., and now liv- ing, at the age of 85, at Lee, Mass., was descended Henry Car ton Hulbert, and two daughters, Maryette, who died at age of 4 years, and Julia, who married Dr. E. Wright, and is now residing at Lee, Mass.

HENRY C. HULBERT was born at Lee, Mass., December 19, 1831, and attended the old Lee Academy until 13 years of age. He then began his mercantile career in his native place hy entering the general store of William Taylor. After Bix months he returned to school at the Lee Academy, where he remained until he was 16 years of age. Early in 1848, he re- entered the store of William Taylor as junior clerk. In May, the same year, he obtained a position in the dry goods store of Plunkett & Hulbert, at Pittsfield, Mass., then accounted the largest dry goods establishment in Berkshire county, where he remained for three years, serving in turn as errand hoy, salesman, and, the last year, having been carefully in- structed in accounts, acted as book-keeper and cashier.

*Ebenezer 2d, was a large property-hoider and shipping merchant in Chatham, or Portiand, Middie Haddam, Conn. He traced back the family to England, and found the true spelliog of the name was Hulbert. He, at that time, adopted the ancient form, which has heen continued by his descendants.

His mother was Cynthia Bassett, a descendant of the family of Bassett and Dymoke, both early settiers of Plymouth, Mass., and who migrated from Cape Cod, Mass., to Lee, Mass., ahont 1770. She was a descendant of Sir William Bassett, who landed at Ply- mouth, Mass., in 1621. Her mother's maiden name was Hannah (daughter of Syivaous and Thankfui) Dymoke, cousins; thereby being, as she was very proud of ciaiming, " s doubie Dymoke," a descendant of the very ancient and honorable family of Dymoke, in which was vestsd the hereditary championship of the King and Queen of Eogiand.

The office of Royal Champion is a very ancient ooe. It was insti- tuted by William the Cooqueror; and, since 1377, has been attached to the manor of Scriveisby, then heid by the Marmion family. There being no msie descendant, & Tournament was called, the successful Knight to marry Margery, the daughter, and continue the office. Sir John DeDymoke was the fortunate Knight, and his descendants have since heid the honorabie position to the present time, through some twenty generations. The late Sir Henry Dymoke, Bart., acted at the coronation of Willism the IV. and Queen Victoria.

The office is attached to the Lord of the Manor of Scriveisby, which is heid by the ancient tenure known as "grand sergeaotry," in which one hoids lands of the King by service which he has to perform. The service by which Scriveisby ie heid, is that the Lord thereof shail be the King's Champion. The duty of the Champion beiog "at the coronation of the King or Queen of England, when the Sovereign is at dinner to ride cap-a-pie into Westminster Hail, and by the proclaina- tion of s herald make a challenge that "if any man shali deny the King or Queen's titie to the Crown, he is there to defend it," and hs throws down his gage. This being done, the King or Queen drink to him and send him a covered gilt cup, full of wine, which the Champion drinks, having the cup for his fee.

During the last year of his clerkship at Pittsfield, he had a great desire to try his fortune in New York, to which his father strongly objected. Neither the offer of capital to em- bark in business in his native town, nor the representation that only three out of a hundred succeeded, deterred him from his project, his reply being that he intended to be one of the three. To quiet the boy, his father bid him go and see what he could do, feeling there was but a slight chance of his procuring a situation.

On a stormy day, in February, 1851, having procured letters of recommendation and introduction to the firms of Cyrus W. Field & Co., and White & Sheffield, he started for New York in search of employment. The next morning, un- expectedly, he met Mr. Edward S. May, of the firm of E. & S. May, paper manufacturers, of Lee, who accompanied him to the warehouse of Cyrus W. Field & Co., then a power in the paper trade.

Upon his introduction to Mr. Field by Mr. May, and the presentation of his letters, Mr. Field, with his characteristic promptness and suavity, said: "I have no place for you. I know your father. You are of good stock, and if you need New York references, refer to me."

He did not find it necessary to call on Mr. Field again; for, with Mr. May, he proceeded to the office of White & Shef- field, then a leading house in the trade, where, after a few moments' conversation, he was requested to call at 12 M. Prompt to the minute he entered the office, and, during the conversation which ensued, Mr. Sheffield asked him, "what is your intention in coming to New York?" The reply was promptly made: "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." Pleased with the boy's evident honesty and determination, he made him a proposition to come for a salary of $400 per annum.

He returned the next day to Lee, consulted with his father, accepted the position, and, after arranging his matters in Pittsfield, on March 17, 1851, with $10 given him by his father, and $5 by his mother, with a tearful request that if he needed money at any time, to send to her, but which, fortunately, he never found it necessary to do, he started forth, determined to work his way upward without assistance, if industry and perseverance could accomplish it. Determined to live within his income, he (with a boy from his native town) engaged board in Willoughby street, Brooklyn, occupying an attic bed-room, with only three light of glass in a sliding window, one chair, and small wash-stand. He soon, how- ever, managed, with his friend, to obtain a larger room at a moderate price, but always managed to live within his in- come, and save a little. On the 19th of March he entered the employ of White & Sheffield as office and outside boy.

Although the youngest clerk in the house, Mr. Hulbert was not long in making his usefulness felt. While in Pittsfield he had been accustomed to being at the store from 7 A. M. until 10 to 11 o'clock at night, and the hours of from 8 A. M. to 6 P. M. seemed short to him. He was the first one at the store and the last one away. Having no acquaintances, he was early to bed; and in the morning, refreshed and ready for his day's work, brought to his business all the energy of a New England boy, willing to work in any department where he could be of use to his employers.

In December the same year, the book-keeper and cashier was taken sick, and the firm were discussing how and what

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HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.

should be done to keep up the work and get out the semi- annual account of sales. Young Hulbert, hearing the conver- sation, volunteered to do the work. His offer was received with incredulity at first; the idea that the youngest boy could fill the place of the highest salaried man in their employ seemed absurd; but as nothing better could be done, he was bid to try and see what he could do, and, it must be added, with his experience as book-keeper and cashier at Pittsfield, he proved himself competent, and the work was done to the entire satisfaction of all concerned; and from this time on he was pushed forward, acting as most needed by the firm, in selling, buying, negotiating, etc.

Soon after, a misunderstanding having arisen between White & Sheffield and Cyrus W. Field & Co., the feeling ran so high that the latter returned unanswered the letters of the former. Mr. Sheffield directed Mr. 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, sug- gested at this point that a settlement was no doubt desired by all parties, but that it could never be reached by returning letters unanswered. "Are you empowered to settle this mat- ter," 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 advanced rapidly in the trust and confidence of his employers, and so valuable did he become, that January 1st, 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. Jan- uary 1st, 1856, at the age of 24 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 they would give him an interest in their firm.

September 13th, 1854, at the age of 22 years, Mr. Hulbert was married to Miss Susan R. Cooley (step-daughter of Wm. Porter, Esq., Attorney-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 hed, and for three years re- mained in this most helpless condition, and it was over seven years before she was restored to full health again. The ex- penses 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 im- portant services 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 1, 1858, the term of the co-partnership of J. B. Sheffield & Co. expired, and Mr. Hulbert declined to renew it, although offered fifty per cent. advance on his former interest. In March, 1858, a settlement with J. B. Sheffield & Co. having been effected, he formed a new co-partnership with his cousin, Milan Hulbert, of Boston, as general partner, and Otis Daniell, of the same place, as special partner. The name of the new firm was H. C. & M. Hulbert, its capital was $40,000, and the principal business it proposed to carry on was the sale of paper makers' supplies, the sale of paper

being only a secondary object. H. C. Hulbert was then only 26 years old. Immediately on the formation of the firm he went to Europe to make connections for purchasing paper- makers' materials, and succeeded in obtaining valuable exclu- sive agencies, which the house retains at the present day. He returned in October, 1858, and opened a house at 83 John street. Thus began the firm of H. C. & M. Hulbert, which enjoyed a prosperous and honorable career to the time of its dissolution in 1872.

At the time of Lincoln's election Mr. Hulbert was in Eng- land, and the news reached Liverpool the day after he had sailed for New York. It was not until the steamship 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 this city, and the recollection of that circumstance at this time not unnaturally caused Mr. Hulbert the gravest anxiety. When the ship reached her pier the first representative of his house that he met was a small boy. "Well Johnny," said he, what is the news?" "Oh, nothing, sir," replied the boy, " except every- body's 'busting.'" "What ! have we 'busted,' Johnny?" "Oh, no, sir ! We ain't that kind." Mr. Hulbert said after- wards that the relief afforded by the boy's answer was inex- pressible. 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 fully 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 Church, who had been president of the Lee Bank, at Lee, Mass., but had afterward removed 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 gentlemen proceeded to argue the question. Mr. Hulbert's lawyer cited a precedent which Mr. Leavitt's lawyer declared was not in a parallel case. The former hegan to argue that it was a parallel case, when Mr. Hulbert 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 saw at once the advan- tage to be gained by pressing that question, and the other side, finding that it was not as easy to demonstrate as to deny, yielded within three minutes. Mr. Hulbert therefore got his money. This transaction greatly pleased Mr. Leavitt,

& Farmer

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BIOGRAPHIES OF BROOKLYN CITIZENS.

notwithstanding that he lost money by it; and 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 American 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 you are well cared for."

On May 1, 1861, the firm moved from 83 John street to.13 Beekman street, where it remained for twenty years. On January 1, 1862, Mr. Daniell sold out his interest in the busi- ness to the general partners, on the most liberal terms, giving them three years, to pay in installments without requiring any security whatever. Notwithstanding that the firm sus- tained heavy losses from the panic of 1861, Mr. Daniell re- ceived, in addition to his original capital, a handsome share · of profits.

On the first of January, 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 H. C. Hulbert & Co. Both of these young gentlemen had been clerks in 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 part- ners 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, one of whom, Susan C., is the wife of Mr. Jos. H. Sutphin (Mr. Hulbert's only partner); the younger daughter, Caroline Beardsley Hulbert, was born October 5, 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 avdisors.

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. He is one of the trustees of the South Brooklyn Savings Bank. He is also one of the directors of the Pullman Palace Car Co., as well as of several other companies.

January 1, 1880, Mr. Hulbert shook off the cares of busi- ness, which he had borne for nearly thirty years, and, with his family, started on a pleasure trip for England, Egypt, Palestine, Athens, Constantinople and the Continent, return- ing to New York in September the same year, since which time he has, as usual, been managing his various in- trests.

AARON D. FARMER.

AARON D. FARMER .- There are in the United States nearly 10,000 newspapers, and probably twice that number of printing offices for the production of every class of printing, from a business card to an encyclopedia; and in every one of these offices, to every printer employed therein, the name of the firm of Farmer, Little & Co., is as a household word. This house was established in 1810; and, in the early part of this century, was owned by Elihu White, and located at the corner of Lombard and Thames streets, New York.

Aaron D. Farmer, the senior member of the firm now, and for many years past, the owner of this time- honored enterprise, was born in Bolton, Tolland county, Conn., in January, 1816.

In 1830, he came to New York, and entered Elihu White's type foundry, then located as above stated, where his efficiency in the manufacturing department was recognized, and he was made manager of the same. Charles T. White & Co. were the successors of Elihu White, and were superseded, in 1857, by Farmer, Little & Co.

Of the present members of the house it can be said that they are all active workers and practical men in their trade; the senior member of the firm having been for more than half a century continuously connected with the business, to numerous details of which he still gives his personal attention, though past the age

at which a less active man would have relinquished his cares to younger heads and hands.

Mr. Farmer is exceedingly strong and well pre- served, mentally and physically, and the enterprise of his younger years, the influence of which contributed not a little to the growth and prosperity of his cel- ebrated house, seems to be unimpaired by the passage of time. He is a Republican in political faith, though in no sense of the term a politician, and has for many years been an attendant upon the services of old St. Anne's church, and a liberal supporter of its various interests. He married Sarah Burns, of New York, and has two daughters and a son. The latter, Mr. William W. Farmer, is a member of the firm of Farmer, Little & Co., and from early youth has accus- tomed himself to the various processes of type manu- facture, and is now practically conversant with the entire range of knowledge in this special department; surpassed, perhaps, by his father only, who is often called upon by type founders of long experience as an expert in many nice questions, which, from time to time, arise concerning type and its manufacture.

The firm of Farmer, Little & Co. employ from two hundred to two hundred and seventy-five hands, and make all descriptions of plain and ornamental types, borders, rules, dashes and ornaments, besides making their own type-casting machines, steel punches, mat- rices, and other necessary appointments to a first-class type foundry.

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HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.

DANIEL C. ROBBINS.

DANIEL C. ROBBINS, of the well-known firm of Mckesson & Robbins, wholesale druggists and manu- facturing chemists, was born at Roslyn, New York, in the year 1815. He engaged in the drug business as an assistant in an apothecary establishment in the year 1826, and continued in this pursuit until April 1st, 1833, when an arrangement was made with the firm of Olcott & Mckesson, who had commenced the wholesale or jobbing trade in Maiden Lane, New York, in the month of Jannary previous. Mr. Robbins, while engaged in this establishment, continned his studies in pharmacy; and graduating in the New York College of Pharmacy in the year 1836, was admitted into partnership with Charles M. Olcott and John Mckesson in the year 1841. The new firm took the title of Olcott, Mckesson & Co., and commenced business by purchasing the stock and good will of David Pratt, the successor of the old house of Warren, Pratt & Co .; and in the following year they purchased the premises and building at 127 Maiden Lane, to which they removed on the Ist of May, 1842.

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The civil, political, professional and ecclesiastical history, and commercial and industrial record of the county of Kings and the city of Brooklyn, N. Y., from 1683 to 1884, Volume II, Part 59

Author: Stiles, Henry Reed, 1832-1909, ed Publication date: 1884 Publisher: New York, W. W. Munsell & Co Number of Pages: 1345

Author: Stiles, Henry Reed, 1832-1909, ed
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: New York, W. W. Munsell & Co
Number of Pages: 1345