The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-09-28
Jacob A. Wesscrvclt, the Democratic Candi-
date for Mayor.

Jacob A. Wesscrvelf, the Democratic Cant.l-
date for Mayor.
The democratic party havo nominated Jacob
A. wes;sryelt, the fhiphuilder, for Mayor of this
metropolis. and. row that be has accepted tic amor
rendered him, it win not be uninterespg to farIian
our reader with brief sketch Of his career dnug
the last fifty years.
In The frs. place, Mr. Westervelt is plain ua
assuming man, and, as might BE- said, s.lfmaie
man, as will tie seeb by his biography. For the last
tortv.kvc years he has been resident Of this city
ana has amassed large fortune by ha mechanical
taitht no snip builder ana srirt attention to pusr
ness, nj bns Lso acquired an Acknowledged rspu-
tation for honesty and integrity. Un3er the direc
ZION OF Mr.. Westsrvet, many of the s nest vessels
have been launched upon oar waters, addiag mu,h
to chr commercial reputation. wh,ch not only re.
fleets Gre dit to this country bat has obtained the
admra!ion Of all the world.
BIOGRAPHY.
Jacob A. Westevvelt was born in the year 1900, in
Bergen county, New Jersey. When at the age Of five
years, his parents removed TO this city, aad resid
ed in the Fifth ward, where they for several
years La 1914, bis father died, leaving the mother
and Jacob the oldest OF three children, on tho vida
world, without means to take of themselves
Jacob now being in his sourteenth year, and not
wishing 20 be q burden on the mothers earnings,
sought employ on boari ship, a sailor before
he mast, which ne continued for upwards of year.
during which time he crossed the Atlantic, and
visited many of our Southern ports. At the expra-
ton Of year, finding that his mechanical genius
was not exactly suited for ocean purposes, he con-
cluGed TO remBn ut home, and accordingly bound
himself an apprentice to Mr.. Cnrislion Rergh, a
ship builder, carrying on business a6 the foo. OF
SCANNED street, in the Seventh ward. Here Mr..
Wesitrvet, by his correct habits aud industry, per-
foeteG himself in the mechanical art Of ship build
ing. serving his four years to the utmost aatsfIcton
| OF his employer.
! Mr.. Westervelt now in his twentieth year, left
! Mr. Bergh, and undertook contract Tor the build
/ in, of Ia ot narlae aaf,..
i this job consumed somewhat over year, by whloa
| be made thousand dollars clear OF all expenses.
Previous 10 his return, however, BIO received letter
! from Mr. Btrgh, his former employer, proposing n
copartneIship This proposition readily accept
ed and in the year 1871 Sir Wectervet ret Icne9
this city, rented house in Mont yomery street, tooS
with bis mother. and hesams partner
OF Mr. BeTgh in he bui9ipg cf ships, ard during q
ltrlod Of fourteen years that firm gfaced the waters
with upwards OF feyenty vessels. In 1885 diesel l..
ton Of eopaTt nershjp took place, the most ami
cable terms, Mr.. Westervelt, haviDs made consi-
| derable mercy thought he would refine from bIl .
ness; ard accordingly, rip TO Europe for
lion was taken, which consumed some limo or ten
I months On his retura home. his mechancs!
genius for sbip-budipg could not be satisfied Ivy
private life. ldeness became painfal, and more
particularly rs his sons were rapidly groWing
manhood, something mast To done TO keep tasr
minds e'api9yed fheTeioEs, Mr.. Western i
a9ain resumed business, aud commenced brf3.
ing ships at Nliam burg. Hero hs TO-
maircd for short TINE, and in 1851,
opcl Cd ~ e2JoIsi,e "a p ard at 'he foot SIX Ii
silect. East river, Ghcfe be has been Ell, eyed
shal.bniltug W TO tho pr s,Et Jay. From tA.s
yard Tas built I,o5.r' Kermi,'J i4mols Sas liza IF
Liverpool packets, the London lius ol paeEs j.
Be- & !, Hncksos Have line III packets; also, b
Have sud B.cmeu steamships Washington, Hec.
mann, Humboldt, ard Franklin. aul many o.bsr
vessels, tco rumeious 70 mention II fact. since
Nc. Ncs.eiyclt's GREER IS 4 Ship builder he hs
launched foIn bis establishmeGt probably nlold
vessels than any other similar yard in The couttry
In addition to the shiphuil5pg Ar. Wes.efvelr has
become on extensive ship owner, and is estimated
TO be worth about Two hundred thousnnd dollars
The subject Of this hiogeapby is now in his fifty
third year Hewas married when twcuty five years
OF age, and has children four boys and theea
girls. lis eldest son is now twenty-five years Of
age. Two Of his sons are in copattnersaip with
tht ii father in ship building.
The grandfather of Mr.. Wes.crvelt, whose name
be bears, was one of the revolutionary patriots in
the war OF 80" and 0ss arrested by the British,
under the denomination of being a rebel, aad
thrown into prison, where he died
Thus staBds the historical life of the democratic
nominee for Mayor of this city, who from pre:cat
appearances will in all human probability be chosen
the next chief magistrate.