The New York herald., 1874-12-01
SKETCH OF MAYOR HAvEMEYER,

william +. Havemeyer was born In Pine street,
In this CITY, IN February, 1904. He was the son of
william Havemeyer, who had emigrated to this
country from Germany six years previously. The
elder Havemeyer had acquired a knowledge Of the
mechanical processes in the refining OF sugar as
they were then In use In his native land and soon
alter landing In this country he obtained employ.
ment In sugar house In this city. He there be.
gan life which ended in highly successful bust.
less career, and he was long recognized 40 among
the leading sugar redners ol the metropolis.
MR. HAvExEYERs EARLY TRAINING.
Young Havemeyer received his elementary edu.
cation In private schools one Of his instructors
being Mr.. Wilson, well known In his day as "the
blind teacher" AT the age or fifteen he entered
Columbia College, from which he was graduated
in 1928 with distinguished honors. After
leaving college he went with his iatner
10 learn the sugar refining business, which from
small beginnings had grown TO be prosperous and
profitable branch OF industry. In the sphere OF
lie which he chose Tor himself he showed the same
conspicuous qualities ana superior business quail.
ncations which had made his father successful,
and 1t was not long till he began pera,ing on his
own account. Alter some years his father,
warned by the advance or age, reltnquished the
business, and the son became the purchaser OF his
father's interest. From the very beginning he
had so combined prudence, economy and integ.
rty with unrlring industry and strict attention
to business details that he not only amassed great
wealth, but commended himself to the notice ana
honor OF the business men with whom he was
brought In contact Thirty years ago he already
held the front rank among the merchants OF New
YORK, and II was his hign standing as q business
man which first brought him into prominence as a
political leader. Three times elected Mayor or
New York. first in the vigor OF his youth and again
In his old age, he was never entirely out OF the
sight OF the public eye, and few men nave reaped
more honors In their day than william F. Have.
meyer.
Mr. HAvEMEYER, MAYOR OF NEW YORK.
Mr. liavemeyer began his public career In 1874
In that year he was chosen a member Of the Gen.
eral Committee OF Tammany Hail. and on account
oi his business ability he was appointed chairman
OF the nnance committee Of that society. He dis.
played so much skill and wisdom In this position
as to gain many friends In the democratic party,
and In the political canvass or municipal officers
In ls4S he was nominated as the candidate OF his
party Tor Mayor. Mr.. Havemeyer was elected py
large majority, coming into ONCE with the best
wishes VI the whole community. That we are
often told, was the palmy era OF Manhattan his.
tory. IT must De remembered. however, that
while the municipal government was then car.
ried on at an annual expense OF only s4oo000o the
city proper scarcely extended beyond what are now
the limits ol the Fiitn Congressional district. No
more remarkable illustration OF the changes which
have taken place In the development and growth
oil the city within a comparatively recent period
can De ound anywhere than In this simple fact.
Dying as the ruler OF the proud metrop-
oils OF the New World he was also
Its ruler in the infancy OF It's commercial suprem-
acy. AT that time the Department OF Charities
aud Correction was governed by single officer;
the police were appointed, controlled and dis.
missed by the Mayor; jobs were unknown and
"lings" nad not yet been invented. At mat time
loo, the once of Mayor was something more than
q clvic honor. 10 be Mayor OF New Yufk III those
days MAS TO be at the mead OF the city government
IN TACT as well as In name, ana nouoly pegrudged
the Chici Executive oi the metropolis either the
power or the patronage oil his position, nor feared
mat ne would iatl TO govern wisely and well.
ynouRn 4 was easier to 10 honest and frugal and
then better men were chosen TO once. when M