Hall, Henry, America's successful men of affairs

([New York] :  New York Tribune,  1895-1896.)

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290                                                              AMERICA'S    SUCCESSFUL    MEN.

partnership in Lanman & Kemp, and his persevering endeavors finally brought him a
fortune. In later life he devoted himself to charitable institutions, especially to the
Hebrew Institute for deaf mutes and the Mount Sinai Hospital, serving the latter for
many years as president.    A wife, son and two daughters survived him.

. JULIUS HALLQARTEN, stock broker, born in Europe about 1842, died in Dabos,
Switzerland, Jan. 7, 1884. In 1851, he came to New York city with his family and
learned brokerage and banking in the house of Hallgarten & Co. He joined the old
Open Board of Brokers and in 1869, the Stock Exchange. The high character, ample
capital and able business methods of the firm commanded success and, when Mr. Hall¬
garten died, he left a fortune of several millions to Matilda, his wife, and his son Albert.
Mr. Hallgarten served for several years as president of The Philharmonic Society and
displayed especial interest in musical and art matters. His gifts to the Academy of
Design and for the encouragement of artists were large, and at his death, he willed
$192,000 to philanthropic objects.

JOHN HALSEY, hatter, born July 19, 1801, died Sept. 22, 1877, in Brooklyn.
His mother was a member of the Crafts family of Boston, and his father traced his
genealogy back in England to the Norman conquest. The ancient residence of the
family was at Gladdesford Park, Hertfordshire. Mr. Halsey's childhood was spent in
Boston. The family came to New York about 1811, and young Halsey a few years
later entered the store of D. L. & J. E. Haight, merchants of hats and hat furnishing
goods. He was rapidly advanced and finally became a partner, the firm then adopting
the style of Haight, Halsey & Co. About 1835, Mr. Halsey and his two brothers
bought estates in Brooklyn on Clinton avenue near Myrtle. This was then almost a
country region and Mr. Halsey's house stood far back from the street. The three
brothers married three sisters, the Misses Curtis. None of them had any children, and
they adopted three boys and a girl, all of one family. Mrs. John Halsey died in 1875.
Mr. Halsey was noted for his liberal spirit and aided many young merchants to gain
their start. He was a Christian gentleman and unswervingly devoted to principle. He
never held political office but was honored with high positions in benevolent institutions
and at the time of his death, was vice president of The Dime Savings Bank of Brook¬
lyn.     He had been a director in The Mechanics' and other banks.

JAMES HOOKER HAMERSLEY, lawyer, is the present head of one of the notable
families of the Island of Manhattan, whose history is worth recounting. His ancestor
William Hamersley, merchant, born in England in 1687, died in New York city,
August 3, 1752. He derived his descent from Hugo le Kinge, who came to England
from Provence, France, about 1366, and acquired a large estate in England, known
as Hamersley, whence the family took their name. Sir Hugh Hamersley, of this
line, a notable merchant of London in the trade with East Indies, America and Europe,
rose to be Mayor of London in 1627. William Hamersley, his great grandson, served
as an officer in the British navy, his letter of appointment, dated March 10, 1700, signed
by G. Rooke, D. Mitchell, and George Churchill, all noted men, being now in the pos¬
session of James Hooker Hamerslsy, together with the original letters of commenda¬
tion, signed by the commanders of the vessels in which he sailed, advising his prefer¬
ment. About 1716, he came to New York city, married Miss Van Brugh, of an old
Dutch family, and planted here the family of his name. He was prominent as a mer¬
chant and a vestryman of Trinity church.    His tombstone is in Trinity church yard.
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