Hall, Henry, America's successful men of affairs

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

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292                                                              AMERICA'S    SUCCESSFUL    MEN.

Col. John William Hamersley, lawyer, born on Hanover Square in this city.
May 24, 1808, died June 7, 1889, at his home on Fifth Avenue. He graduated
from Columbia College in 1826, practiced law successfully for a number of years, and
then retired to devote himself to travel and literary pursuits. In the early part of his
life, he was presented at the Court of Saint James and travelled extensively through
Europe and Asia at a time when few Americans had crossed the Atlantic. He was a
man of noble presence and fine character, rugged in physique, capable of great labor,
and noted for his religious conviction. Throughout life a devoted Christian, he gave
amply from his means to aid the causes he held at heart. He always declined to hold
public office, preferring calm retirement and study, "otium cum dignitate," rather than
the stormy arena of politics. He collected a fine library, especially rich in rare books,
wrote several works, and translated "A Chemical Change in the Eucharist," written by
Jacques Abbadie, the Frenchman. Mr. Hamersley was a founder of the Union club
and a member of the Century and St. Nicholas clubs. He joined his father in the
management of the family real estate, and by his excellent judgment, common sense,
energy, ability and foresight, greatly increased the property. His Friday night recep¬
tions were famous for the number of eminent writers and artists who attended them,
and his charities liberal and unostentatious. While a young man, he accepted an
election as Colonel of a militia regiment in this city. He came prominently before the
public at one time, in consequence of a strong effort, which he made in favor of the
Mexican Republic against France. In company with James William Beekman, he gave
a famous banquet in New York to a large number of distinguished men, at which earn¬
est speeches were made in favor of Mexico. The strong expression of sympathy by
many of the best minds of the country influenced Congress to recognize the Mexican
Republic. European nations followed, and this resulted in the defeat of Napoleon and
Maximilian and the establishment of the Mexican Republic. In return for this invalu¬
able assistance to Mexico, in her darkest hour, Mr. Hamersley obtained a promise from
Mr. Romero, the Mexican Minister at Washington, that Maximilian's life should be
spared, but popular clamor among the Mexicans was so strong that this was impossible.
Captain Mayne Reid, the distinguished British author, was an intimate friend of Mr.
Hamersley and made him the hero of his novel "The Lone Ranche." Mr. Ham¬
ersley was for many years a member of Grace Church, and after his death his
children presented to that church a massive brass lectern in his memory. One of
his chief favorites among the charitable institutions was The Children's Aid Society.
James Hooker Hamersley has built for this charity, in memory of his father, a library
and reading room at the summer home, Bath Beach, L. I. Mr. Hamersley married
Catherine Livingston Hooker, daughter of Judge James Hooker of Poughkeepsie and
a lady of rare abilities and sterling worth. Their four children are one son, James
Hooker Hamersley, and three daughters, Virginia Hamersley, wife of Cortlandt de
Peyster Field; Catherine Livingston Hamersley, who married John Henry Livingston,
a great grandson of Chancellor Livingston; and Helen Reade Hamersley, who married
Charles D. Stickney, jr.

James Hooker Hamersley, son of Col. John W. Hamersley, born in New York
city, Jan. 26, 1844, is the descendant of several conspicuous families. He is in the
fifth generation from Judge Thomas Gordon, one of the Council for the province of East
Jersey; Deputy Secretary,   1692; Judge of Probate,   1698; Attorne)'General of East
  Page 292