M.

DAVID HUNTER McALPIN, whose name is known wherever the brands of tobacco
he manufactures are used, and that is nearly everywhere, was born in Pleasant Valley,
Dutchess county, N. Y., Nov. 8, 1816. His father, James McAlpin, came to this coun¬
try in the early part of the nineteenth century, with Jane Hunter, his wife, and estab¬
lished himself in a small way as a grocer. James McAlpin came from Belfast, County
Antrim, Ireland, and sprang from the Scottish stock which emigrated from Ireland in
Cromwell's time, his father being among those who were driven from Ireland by the
Rebellion of 1798. From such ancestors descend many of the Scotch-Irish race, who
have been so instrumental in building up the fortunes of this country.

Mr. McAlpin was the fourth of eight children and found his flrst employment in a
cotton factory when he was only ten years old. His father had been ruined by busi¬
ness reverses and by a flre which destroyed all his property. Until 1836, the youth
worked at various occupations in Dutchess county, but removed during that year to
New York and embarked in the cigar business in Catharine street. There are many
New Yorkers yet alive, who well remember the store. He also opened and operated a
branch store at No. 305 Broadway. He retained these places of business until 1857 or
1858,-when he became a partner in the flrm of John Cornish & Co., manufacturers of
tobacco. Four or five years later, he was able to buy the interest of his partners and
establish the firm of D. H. McAlpin & Co., of which he remains to this day the head.
By dint of persistent enterprise, strong common sense, sound business methods and
knowledge of the public tastes and wants, acquired by years of experience, Mr.
McAlpin has brought his house to the front, and it now holds a leading position
among the tobacco manufacturers of the country. He makes the well known brands of
Virgin Leaf and Navy chewing tobaccos, which are known wherever tobacco is used.

The firm of D. H. McAlpin & Co. were incorporated in 1894, retaining the oldname
and with a nominal capital of $500,000. Mr. McAlpin is the president of the company.
The large factory on Avenue D gives employment to over 250 persons, many of whom
have been employed for thirty years or more. It has been a practice with Mr. McAlpin
throughout his life never to discharge one of his employes without the gravest cause
and always to take a deep personal interest in the people who work for him. He has
always shown himself solicitous for their welfare, and, as a result, there are few em¬
ployers more highly respected and honored by their working people.

From the first day when his business began to prosper, Mr. McAlpin has always
had the conviction that real property would be the best investment, and to-day he is
largely interested not only in New York but elsewhere in real estate. One of his prin¬
cipal holdings in this city is the Alpine block on Broadway between 33d and 34th streets,
which is occupied by a splendid apartment house. Besides this and his factory build¬
ings, which are very valuable, he owns a large establishment in West 23d street and
considerable property in residence neighborhoods. In 1866, he was compelled, owing
to the stress of increasing business and the temporary failure of his health, to take a
long rest in the country. Morristown, N. J., having been commended to his attention,
he finally selected that town as his place of residence for a time. He remained there
about a year, and then, becoming impressed with the healthfulness of the place and the