Jacob Aaron Westervelt
Jacob Aaron Westervelt (born January 20, 1800 in Tenafly , New Jersey , † February 21, 1879 in New York City ) was an American shipbuilder and mayor of New York from 1853 to 1855. His shipyard built 247 ships.
Westervelt was the eldest son of Ari (Aaron) Westervelt, a building contractor of Dutch origin, and Vrowti Westervelt. His father died when Westervelt was 14 years old. From 1817 he learned and worked in Christian Bergh's shipyard, where he remained active until 1836, from 1822 as a partner. From 1836 to 1864 he managed the company Westervelt & Co, built smaller sailing ships, clippers , and then paddle and screw steamers . The company went through the ups and downs of the shipping economy. Shortly before the Civil War, Westervelt was one of the richest shipbuilders and shipowners in the United States, but lost many of its ships to Confederate attacks and the company was left in the doldrums after the end of the Civil War To be liquidated in 1868.
Westervelt's political career as a Democrat began in 1840 and culminated in his brief term as mayor. He inherited a difficult financial situation and tried, against great resistance, to push through reforms such as the uniformity of the New York police. The Exhibition of the Industry of All Nations (1853) at New York's Crystal Palace fell during his tenure. With his initiative of January 1854 to reduce Central Park , he made few friends.
From 1868 until his death he was a dock commissioner .
Individual evidence
- ^ The New York Times obituary, February 22, 1879, p. 2.
Web links
- Website of the Bergen County Historical Society . Retrieved March 20, 2009.
- " Ex-Mayor Westervelt's Funeral; The Services at the South Reformed Dutch Church Yesterday - A Eulogy ". The New York Times (February 25, 1879). Retrieved March 19, 2009.
| predecessor | Office | successor |
|---|---|---|
| Ambrose Kingsland |
Mayor of New York City 1853–1855 |
Fernando Wood |
| personal data | |
|---|---|
| SURNAME | Westervelt, Jacob Aaron |
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION | American shipbuilder, Mayor of New York City (1853–1855) |
| DATE OF BIRTH | January 20, 1800 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | Tenafly , New Jersey |
| DATE OF DEATH | February 21, 1879 |
| Place of death | New York City |