In calling attention to the practical utility of colored people of the present day, we shall not be general in our observations, but simply, direct attention to a few particular instances, in which colored persons have been responsibly engaged in extensive business, or occupying useful positions, thus contributing to the general welfare of communty at large, filling their places in society as men and women.
It will studiously be borne in mind, that our sole object in giving these cases publicity, is to refute the objections urged against us, that we are not useful members of society. That we are consumers and non producers, that we contribute nothing to the general progress of man. No people who have enjoyed no greater opportunity for improvement, could possibly have made greater progress in the same length of time than have done the colored people of the present day.
A people laboring under many disadvantages may not be expected to present at once, especially before they have become entirely untrammeled, evidence of entire equality with more highly favored people.
When Mr. Jefferson, the great American Statesman and philosopher, was questioned by an English gentleman, on the subject of American greatness, and referred to their literature as an evidence of inferiority to the more highly favored and long existing European nations; Mr. Jefferson's reply was: "When the United States have existed as long as a nation, as Greece before she produced her Homer and Socrates; Rome, before she produced her Virgil, Horace, and Cicero; and England, before she produced her Pope, Dryden, and Bacon;" then he might consider the comparison a just one. And all we shall ask, is not to wait so long as this, not to wait until we become a nation at all, so far as the United States are concerned, but only to unfetter our brethren, and give us, the freemen, an equal chance for emulation, and we will admit any comparison you may please to make in a quarter of a century after.
For a number of years, the late James Forten, of Philadelphia, was the proprietor of one of the principal sail manufactories, constantly employing a large number of men, black and white, supplying a large number of masters and owners of vessels, with full rigging for their crafts.
On the failure of an extreme house, T. & Co., in that city, during the pressure which following a removal of the deposits of the United States Treasury in 1837, Mr. Forten lost by that firm, nine thousand dollars. Being himself in good circumstances at the time, hearing of the failure of old constant patrons, he called at the house; one of the proprietors, Mr. T. On his entering the warehouse door, came forward, taking him by the hand observed, "Ah! Mr. Forten, it is useless to call on us, we are gone, we can do nothing!" at which Mr. Forten remarked, "Sir, I hope you think better of me than to suppose me capable of calling on a friends to torture him in adversity! I came, sir, to express my regret at your misfortune, and if possible, to cheer you by words of encouragement. If your liabilities were all in my hands, you should never be under the necesssity of closing business."
Mr. Forten exchanged paper and signatures with some of the first business men in Philadelphia, and raised and educated a large and respectable family of sons and daughters, leaving an excellent widow.
Joseph Cassey, recently deceased, was the "architect of his own fortune," and by industry and application to business, became a money broker in the city of Philadelphia; who becoming indisposed from a chronic infection, was obliged to retire from business for many years previous to his death. Had Mr. Cassey been favored with health, he doubtless would have become a very wealthy man. His name and paper were good in any house in the city, and there was no banker of moderate capital, of more benefit to the business community than was Joseph Cassey. He also left a young and promising family of five sons, one daughter, a most excellent widow, and a fortune of seventy five thousand dollars, clear of all encumbrances.
Stephen Smith, of the firm of Smith and Whipper, is a remarkable man in many respects, and decidely the most wealthy colored man in the United States. Mr. Smith commenced business after he was thirty years of age, without the advantages of a good business education, but by application, qualified himself for the arduous duties of his vocation. For many years, he has been known as the principal lumber merchant in Columbia, Lancaster Co., Pa., and for several years past associated with W. Whipper, a gentleman of great force of character, talents, and business qualifications, Mr. Smith residing in Philadelphia. Smith and Whipper, are very extensive business men, and very valuable members of the community, both of Lancaster and Philadelphia counties.
William Whipper
By judicious investment of their capital, they keep in constant employment a large number of persons; purchasing many rafts at a time, and many thousand bushels of coal. It is not only the laborer in "drawing boards," and the coal hauler and heaver, that are here benefitted by their capital, but the original owners of the lumber and coal purchased by them, and the large number of boatmen and raftsmen employed in bringing these commodities to market.
In the winter of 1849, these gentlemen had a store, several thousand bushels of coal, two million two hundred and fifty thousand feet of lumber; twenty two of the finest merchantmen cars running on the railway from Philadelphia to Baltimore; nine thousant dollars' worth of stock in the Columbia Bridge; eighteen thousand dollars in stock in the Columbia Bank; and besides this, Mr. Smith was then the reputed owner of fity two good brick houses of various dimensions in the city of Philadelphia, besides several in the city of Lancaster, and the town of Columbia. Mr Smith's paper, or the paper of this firm, is good for any amount wherever they are known; and we have known gentlemen to present the paper of some of the best men in the city, which was cashed by him at sight. The principal active business attended to by Mr. S. in person, is that of buying good negotiable and other paper, and speculating in real estate. The business of the firm is attended to by Mr. Whipper, who is a relative. Take Smith and Whipper from Lancaster and Philadelphia counties, and the business community will experience a hiatus in its connexion, that may not be easily filled.
Samuel T. Wilcox of Cincinnati, Ohio, also stands conspicuously among the most respectable business men of the day. being yet a young man, just scanning forty, he is one among the extraordinary men of the times. Born, like the most of colored men in this country, in obscurity, of poor parents, raised without the assistance of a father, and to a common place business, without the advantages of schools, by his own perseverance, he qualified himself to the extent that gave him an inclination to traffic, which he did for several years on the Mississippi and Ohio rivers, investing his gains in real estate, until he acquired a considerable property. For the purpose of extending his usefulness, and at the same time pursuing a vocation more in accordance with his own desires, a few years since, he embarked in the wholesale and retail Family Grocery business, and now has the best general assortment and most extensive business house of the kind, in the city of Cincinnati.
The establishment is really beautiful, having the appearance more of an apothecary store, than a Grocery House. Mr. Wilcox has a Pickling and Preserving establishment besides, separate from his business house, owning a great deal of first class real estate. There is no man in the community in which he lives, that turns money to a greater advantage than Mr. Wilcox, and none by whom the community is more benfited for the amount of capital invested. He makes constant and heavy bills in eastern houses, and there are doubtless now may merchants in New York, Boston, and Baltimore cities, who have been dealing with S.T. Wilcox, and never until the reading of this notice of him, knew that he was a colored man. He has never yet been east after his goods, but pursuing a policy which he has adopted, orders them; but if deceived in an article, never deals with the same house again. He always gets a good article. The paper of Mr. Wilcox, is good for any amount.
Henry Boyd, is also a man of great energy of character, the proprietor of an extensive Bedstead manufactory, with a large capital invested, giving constant employment to eighteeen or twenty five men, black and white. Some of the finest and handsomest articles of the bedstead in the city, are at the establishment of Mr. Boyd. He fills orders from all parts of the West and South, his orders from the South being heavy. He is the patentee, or holds the right of the Patent Bedsteads, and like Mr. Wilcox, there are hundreds who deal with Mr. Boyd at a distance, who do not know that he is a colored man. Mr. Boyd is a useful member of society, and Cincinnati would not, if she could, be without him. He fills a place that every man is not capable of supplying, of whatever quarter of the globe his forefathers may hve been denizens.
Messrs. Knight and Bell of the same place, Cincinnati, Ohio, are very successful and excellent mechanics. In the spring of 1851, (one year ago) they put in their "sealed proposal" for the plastering of the public buildings of the county of Hamilton (alms house & c.) and got the contract, which required ten thousand dollars security. The work was finished in fine artistic style, in which a large number of mechanics and laborers were employed, while at the same time they were carrying on many other contracts of less extent in the city, the public buildings being some four miles out. They are men of stern integrity, and highly respected in the community.
David Jenkins of Columbus, Ohio, a good mechanic, painter, glazier, and paper hanger by trade, also received by contract, the painting, glazing and papering of some of the public buildings of the State, in autumn, 1847. He is much respected in the capital city of his state, being extensively patronized, having on contract, the great "Neill House," and many of the largest gentlemen's residencs in the city and neighborhood, to keep in finish. Mr. Jenkins is a very useful man and member of society.
John C. Bowers, for many years, has been the proprietor of a fashionable merchant tailor house, who has associated with him in business, his brother, Thomas Bowers, said to be one of the best, if not the very best, mercers in the city. His style of cutting and fitting, is preferred by the first business men, and other gentlemen of Philadelphia, in whom their patrons principally consist.
Mr. Cordovell, for more than twenty five years was the leading mercer and tailor, reporter and originator of fashions in the city of New Orleans, Louisiana. The reported fashions of Cordovell, are said to have frequently become the leading fashions of Paris; and the writer was informed, by Mr. B., a leading merchant tailor in a populous city, that many of the eastern American reports were nothing more than a copy, in some case modified, of those of Cordovell. Mr. Cordovell, has for the last four or five years, been residing in France, living on a handsome fortune, the fruits of his genius; and though "retired from business," it is said, that he still invents fashions for the Parisian reporters, which yields him annually a large income.
William H. Riley, Philadelphia, has been for years, one of the leading fashionable gentlemen's bootmakers. Riley's style and cut of boots, taking the preeminence in the estimation of a great many of the most fashionable and business men in the city. Mr. Riley is much of a gentleman, and has acquired considerable means.
James Prosser, Senior, of Philadelphia, has long been the popular proprietor of a fashionable restaurant in the city. The name of James Prosser, among the merchants of Philadelphia is inseparable with their daily hours of recreation, and pleasure. Mr. Prosser, is withal, a most gentlemanly man, and has the happy faculty of treating his customers in such a manner, that those who call once, will be sure to call at his place again. His name and paper is good among the business men of the city.
Henry Minton also is the proprietor of a fashionable restaurant and resort for business men and gentlemen of the city. The tables of Mr. Henry Minton are continually laden with the most choice offerings to epicures, and the saloon during certain hours of the day, presents the appearance of a bee hive, such is the stir, and buz, among the throng of Chestnut Street gentlemen, who flock in there to pay tribute at the shrine of bountifulness. Mr. Minton has acquired a notoriety, even in that proud city, which makes his house one of the most popular resorts.
Mr. Hill of Chillicothe, Ohio, was for years, the leading tanner and currier in that section of country, buying up the hides of the surrounding country, and giving employment to large numbers of men. Mr Hill kept in constant employment, a white clerk, who once a year took down, as was then the custom, one or more flatboats loaded with leather and other domestic produce, by which he realised large profits, accumulating a great deal of wealth. By endorsement, failure, and other circumstances, and died in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in 1845. He gave his children a liberal business education.
Benjamin Richards, Senior, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, forty years ago, was one of the leading business men of the place. Being a butcher by trade, he carried on the busienss extensively, employing a white clerk, and held a heavy contract with the United States, supplying the various military posts with provisions. Mr. Richards possessed a large property in real estate, and was at one time reputed to be very wealthy, he and the late general O'H. being considered the most wealthy individuals of the place with Mr. Richards taking the precedence; the estate of general O'H. now being estimated at seven million dollars.
Mr. Richards has been known to buy up a drove of cattle at one time. By mismanagement, he lost his estate, upon which many gentlemen are now living at ease in the city.
William H. Topp of Albany, N.Y., has for several years been one of the leading merchant tailors of the city. Starting in the world without aid, he educated and qualified himself for business; and now, has orders from all parts of the state; the city of New York not excepted, for "Topp's style of clothing." Mr. Topp stands high in his community as a business man, and a useful and upright member of society. His paper or endorsement is good at any time.
Henry Scott & Co. of New York city, have for many years been engaged extensively in the pickling business, keeping constantly in warehouses, a very heavy stock of articles in their line. He, like the most of others, had no assistance at the commencement, but by manly determination and perseverance, raised himself to what he is. His business is principally confined to supplying vessels with articles and provisions in his line of business, which in this great metropolis is very great. There has doubtless been many a pursuer, who cashed and filed in his office the bill of Henry Scott, without ever dreaming of his being a colored man. Mr. Scott is extensively known in the great City, and respected as an upright prompt, energetic business man, and highly esteemed by all who know him.
Mr. Hutson, for years, kept in New York, an intelligence office. At his demise, he was succeedded by Philip A. Bell, who continues to keep one of the leading offices in the city. Mr. Bell is an excellent business man, talented prompt, shrewd, and full of tact. And what seems to be a trait of character, only to be found associated with talent, Mr. Bell is highly sensitive, and very eccentric. A warm, good hearted man, he has not only enlisted the friendship of all his patrons, but also endeared himself to the multitude of persons who continually throng his office seeking situations. One of his usual expressions to the young women and men in addressing himself to them is, "My child," this is kind, and philanthropic, and has a tendency to make himself liked. His business is very extensive, being sought from all parts of the city, by the first people of the community. It is said to be not unusualy, for the peasantry of Liverpool, to speak of Mr. Bell, as a benefactor of the emigrant domestics. Mr. Bell is extensively known in the business community, none more so, and highly esteemed as a valuable citizen.
Thomas Downing, for thirty years, is in the city of New York, has been proprietor of one of the leading restaurants. His establishment situated in the midst of Wall street bankers, the business has always been of a leading and profitable character. Mr. Downing has commanded great influence, and much means, and it is said of him that he has made "three fortunes." Benevolent, kind, and liberal minded, his head was always willing, his heart ready, and his hands open to "give." Mr. Downing is still very popular, doing a most excellent business, and highly respected throughout New York. Indeed, you scarcely hear any other establishment of the kind spoken of than Downing's.
Henry M. Collins of the City of Pittsburgh, stands among the men of note, and we could not complete this list of usefulness, without the name of Mr. Collins. Raised a poor boy, thrown upon the uncertainties of chance, without example or precept, save such as the public at large presents; Mr. Collins quit his former vocation of a riverman, and without means, except one hundred and fifty dollars, and no assistance from any quarter, commenced speculating in real estate. And though only rising forty, has done more to improve the Sixth Ward of Pittsburgh, than any other individual, save one, Capt. W., who built on Company capital. Mr. Collins was the first person who commenced erecting an improved style of buildings; indeed, there was little else than old trees in that quarter of the city when Mr. Collins began. He continued to build, and dispose of handsome dwellings, until a different class of citizens entirely, was attracted to that quarter of the town, among them, one of the oldest and most respectable and wealthy citizens, an ex Alderman. After this, the wealthy citizens turned their atention to the District; and now, it is one of the most fashionable quarters of the City, and bids fair to become, the preferred part for family residences. Mr. Collins' advice and counsel was solicited by some of the first lawyers and land speculators, in matter of real estate. He has left, or contemplates leaving Pittsburgh in April for California, where he intends entering extensively into land speculation, and doubtless, with the superior advantages of this place, if his success is but half what it was in the former, but a few years will find him counted among the wealthy. Mr. Collins is a highly valuable man in any community in which he may live, and he leaves Pittsburgh much to the regret of the leading citizens. Without capital, he had established such a reputation, that his name and paper were good in some of the first Banking houses.
Owen A. Barrett of Pittsburgh, Pa., is the original proprietor of "B. A. Fahnestock's Celebrated Vermifuge." Mr. Fahnestock raised Mr. Barrett from chilldhood, instructing him in all the sciences of practical pharmacy, continuing him in his employment after manhood, when Mr. Barrett, discovered the "sovereign remedy" for lumbricalii, and as an act of gratitude to his benefactor, he communicated it to him, but not until he had fully tested its efficacy.
The proprietor of the house, finding the remedy good, secured his patent, or copy right or whatever is secured, and never in the history of remedies in the United States, has any equaled, at least in scale, this of "B.A. Fahnestock's Vermifuge." Mr. Fahnestock, like a gentlemen and Christian, has kept Mr. Barrett in his extensive House, compounding this and other medicines, for sixteen or eighteen years.
In 1840 it was estimated that of this article alone, the concern had realized eighty five thousand dollars. Doubtless, this is true, and certainly proves Mr. Barrett to be of benefit. not only in his community, but like many others we have mentioned, to the country and the world.
Lewis Hayden
Lewis Hayden of Boston, is well deserving a place among the examples of character here given.
Calvin Fairbanks
But eight years ago, having emerged from bondage, he raised by his efforts, as an act of gratitude and duty, six hundred and fifty dollars, the amount demanded by mutual agreement, by the authorities in Kentucky, as a ransom for Calvin Fairbanks, then in the State Prison, at Frankfort, accused for assisting him in effecting his escape. In 1848, he went to Boston, and having made acquaintance, and gained confidence with several business men, Mr. Hayden opened a fashionable Clothing House in Cambridge street, where he has within the last year, enlarged his establishment, being patronized by some of the most respectable citizens of that wealthy Metropolis. Mr. Hayden has made considerable progress, considering his disadvantages, in his educational improvements. He has great energy of character, and extensive information. Lewis Hayden by perseverance, may yet become a very wealthy man. He is generally esteemed by the Boston people, all seeming to know him.
George T. Downing, gentleman of education and fine business attainments, is proprietor of one of the principal Public house and places of resort, at Newport, Rhode Island, during the watering Season. This fashionable establishment is spoken of as among the best conducted places in the country, the Proprietor among the most gentlemanly.
Edward V. Clark, is among the most deserving and active business men in New York, and but a few years are required to place Mr. Clark in point of business importance, among the first men in the city. His stock consists of Jewelry and Silver Wares, and consequently, are always valuable, requring a heavy capital to keep up business. His name and paper, has a respectable credit, even among the urbane denizens of Wall street,
John Julius and Lady Julius, were for several years, the Proprietors of Concert Hall, a Caffe, then the most fashionable resort for ladies and gentlemen in Pittsburgh. Mr. and Mrs. Julius, held Assemblies and Balls, attended by the first people of the city, being himself a fine violinist and dancing master, he superintended the music and dancing.
When General William Henry Harrison in 1840, then the President elect of the United States visited that city, his levee to and reception of the Ladies were held at Concert Hall, under the superintendence of Monsieur John and Madame Edna Julius, the colored host and hostess. No house was ever better conducted than under their fostering care, and excellent management, and the citizens all much regretted their retirement from the establishment.
In Penyan, Western New York, Messrs. William Platt and Joseph C. Cassey, are said to be the leading Lumber Merchants of the place. Situated in the midst of a great improving country, their business extends and increases in importance every year. The latter gentleman was raised to the business by Smith and Whipper, the great Lumber Merchants of Columbia, Pa. where he was principal Book Keeper for several years. Mr. Cassey has the credit of being one of the best Accountants and Business Men in the United States of his age. Doubtless, a few years perseverance, and strict application to business, will find them ranked among the most influential men of their neighborhood.
Anthony Weston, of Charleston, South Carolina, has acquired an independent fortune by his mechanical ingenuity and skillful workmanship. About the year 1831, William Thomas Catto, mentioned in another place, commenced an improvement on a Thrashing Machine, when on taking sick, Mr. Weston improved on it, to the extent of thrashing a thousand bushels a day. This Thrashing MIll was commenced by a Yankee, by the name of Emmons, who failing to succeed, Mr. Catto, then a millwright, since a Minister, improved it to the extent of thrashing five hundred bushels a day, when Mr. Weston took it in hand, and brought it to the perfection stated, for the use of Col. Benjamin Franklin Hunt, a distinguished lawyer of Charleston, upon whom it belonged. Anthony Weston is the greatest Millwright in the South, being extensively employed far and near, and by Southern people, thought the best in the United States.
Dereef and Howard, are very extensive Wood Factors, keeping a large number of men employed, a regular Clerk and Book Keeper, supplying the citizens, steamers, vessels, and factories of Charleston with fuel. In this business a very heavy capital is invested besides which, they are the owners and proprietors of several vessels trading on the coast. They are men of great business habits and command a great deal of respect and influence in the city of Charleston.
There is nothing more common in the city of New Orleans, than Colored Clerks, Salesmen and Business men. In many stores in Chartier, Camp and other business streets, there may always be seen colored men and women as salesmen, and saleswomen, behind the counter. Several of the largest Cotton Press houses, have colored Clerks in them; and on the arrival of steamers at the Levees, among the first to board them, and take down the Manifestos to make their transfers, are colored Clerks. In 1839 to 40, one of the most respectable Brokers and Bankers of the City, was a black gentlemen.
Mr. William Goodrich of York, Pennsylvnia, has considerable interest in the branch of the Baltimore Railroad from Lancaster. In 1849, he had a warehouse in York, and owned ten first rate merchandise cars on the Road, doing a fine business. His son, Glenalvon G. Goodrich, a young man of good education, is a good artist, and proprietor of a Daguerreotype Gallery.
Certainly there need be no farther proofs required at least in this department, to show the claims and practical utility of colored people as citizen members of society. We have shown, that in proportion to their numbers, they vie and compare favorably in point of means and possessions, with the class of citizens who from chance of superior advantages have studiously contrived to oppress and deprive them of equal rights and privileges, in common with themselves.
