New-York tribune., 1874-12-01
OBITUAR
MAYOR WILLIAM F. HAvEMEYER.

reAuer OF sugars and with his brother Frederick G.
HAvemeyer carried on a refinery in yandamst. for
many years and during the youthful years OF VIM f.
Havemeyer. the two brothers nved plainly in Vandan
their OldashiOned houses being situated each on one
side Of tAe gate Of the refinery. The of William
Havemeyer received liberal education. Among
! the principal schools which he attended before
he entered Columbia College in 1879. were Picketts' IN
Chambers-sOne of the largest and bestknOwn schools
in the city that dly-and Wykof Village Academy IN
| Domiuckst. He IS spoken OF by one OF hls schooF
fellows as having been good-tempered and companion
able boy OF aptness in learning In 1928 he was grau
uated at Columbia College. His leanDGs we're to"aru
business pursuits and he learned the trade IN the re
fnery Of his father, who retired from the business SOME
years before his death, and in 1873 ". F. HavemeGei
| and his cousin Frederick c. Havemeyer succeeded 10
the control The senior partner in the new
firm had an office n Front-st., Maiden-ane anu
sold the sugars from the refinery He soon gained the
esteem OF his fellow merchants by his uncompr0nlslnH
integrity. his just and honorable dealing the care lie cA
erclsed every detail OF his business and the pFuueH'
caution which he displayed But his rugged posl'l'e
character, prompt and fOrcIOe way he hau Oh eA
pressing opinions which were not always agreea"e u
those with whom he associated. did not Win dA'o'4o
| swiftly but Impressed all came IN contact WIN
him. He was Democrat OF the most uncompromislhs
! kind and in that time the principes' oi '"o
| Democratic party by no means popular uo"h-
| town. The administration OF General Jackson com
manded his heartes support and he was tnen anu Aiel
enthusiastic his expressions Of admiration for JdcA
| son. From early ace he took a warm interest III
politics and public affairs. and it frequent re-
proach Of his through life that respectable ctzehs
III general take far too little part IN determining now
they shall be governed To indame such iukeWarmhess
with Zeal he prompt to use all MS IHH1en0o
and his heartest Efforts In time he took prominent
position among the leading Democrats OF tie city ho
was intimate with Slas Wright aud Marcy and Flagg
and his words OF weight with those Who guideu the
OF the parry ia this city and with Mr wright "heu
he became Governor Of the ate His admiration ana
support OF Gen. icksOD followed b. friendly rei-
lions with Van Buren, and correspondence passed De-
tween the two whicn Mr. Hdyemeyer yehementy
urged Mr. Van Buren, to be firm IN spite OF all popular
outcry TO initiate the example Of Jackson ana
not TO falter waver, tnat would DE fatal. Mr'
| uavemeyer's confidence IN his own opinions and MS
fraukness expressing them were shown long before
| When he was still comparatively young man he De-
came a director in the Merchants Exchange Bank III
the early days Of that institution. He predicted the
collapse Of tue United States Bank before 1t hap
y ned, ana insisted the assertion again and again.
| although he welnigh looked upon as affected Ia
mind for utteruS 1t.
Mr.. Havemeyer only remained in the sugar business
fourteen years after hc became the head Of bis firm,
| and retired in 1912 with competency H often told
his friends that he had desire TO make great wealth
aud expressed little admiration for men who made th"t
their ufcs aim. While his business relations he had
shown scrllug honesty and b sl tone OF mercantile
| sentiment his part IN trade Lad not been oi
! such q character to dcmt.d talent OF the very
| highest order. Refining w.s fairly profitable IN
those day-, but the HIycmeyer refinery. always cung
TO the old methods OF refining. but tie finn carried
on business e'Y that there never any doubt of
their strength the widespread failure and distru't OF
1887 Men who Vern associated friendly terms with
Mr. Havemeycr in the years when he sold sugar in
Front-st say that he willing To help Others. was
gentle and benevolent in heart and act though IN his
language something OF a,pcrty was not unknown But
un.r4cious language with Inn was sometimes
| assumed to cover his feelings Ho is declared
been willing through lie give his time for the
beLeht of Others, especially for the rlendess and 10
have charitable in secret. while his hatred OF
tense and show made hin strict in Its cOneealment.
Only those who knew him thoroughly kne" his unde
WAITING rectltue of intention. hi, whole souied de-
yoton to wnat he con> iered the true interests
Of the public and his genuine kindness OF heart
Mr Havemeyer's early retirement from active Iusi-
pursuits aid 10: prevent his connection Win pIo-
inent intAcss with wic his investments Of As prop
erty had TO DO II President Of the
Bank OF North America and held that position for ten
wears having The OF tie interests Of the bank
IN the crisis 1857 For many years before his death
he had large interests the Pennsylvania Coal Com
pany in which he va, a drcc.or and OF which lie acted
A. President IN absence q Mr Even 10 Europe Ie
held 'aree amount OF in The L1nS Island Rail
nected with Insurance company and other corpora
tons,
For several years after hs retirement from the sugar
nrm public AFFAIRS W much Of MS time. In loii he
was a Presidential elcctOr tnc POLK and Dallas ticket
In the following year he nominated Nv Tie Demo-
cratic party for the Mayoralty. The nomination was
genera " acceptable the partr, and Mr. Havemeyer
was readily elected although WI rs and the Demo
Gratis were not very unequal IN streng IN the city, -Four
wears later Mr. HIyencyer again nominated as the
Democratic candidate ;or Mayor and was elected His
administration during bis TWO terms was satisfactory to
h. party and aroused especial viruence Of attack
Oh the Part Of the opposition. Il notable Tor thc
scrupuious which the Mayor gave To all the Dusl-
ness details Of Office, the rlsd way IN which he scru-
tiu,z.d warrants 90 wuich signature required,
ana for eor for honesty and economy IN pupc
expenditure During part OF his administration Mr.
F,acy was CITY Controller, ana JOAN Even who after
ward became President Of the PENNSYLVANIA Coal Com
paoy through Mr. Hayemeyer's iahlerce, was Street
Commissioner. In 1916 Mayor Hlvemeyer together ih
Robert T. Mnturn and Cuban Z. verpanck, sroye to do
,wav with the abuses pracficed grants. and
result OF their efforts the Board Of Emigration CommIs
soners was established, OF which Mr.. Havemeyer was
the first President being ceded by Nj V-rpanck.
The police system OF the city had its foundation during
Mr.. HavemeyeT's mayoray, night watchnen before
that time having been tho only guardians Of
the peace. The Mayor thinking that the hearty
support Of both parties would be necessary to the
highest success OF the system, and wishing to re-
move its control from partisan ship, appointed Chief
OF Police a Wing, Mr. Taylor but the appointment,
although confirmed by the Assistant Ad.rmen was re-
ecied by Board Of Aldermen and 1t Is said that the
name OF George W Matsell first suggested to the
Mayor for the appointment by Of these Aldermen.
Asan Illustration OF the care Mayor Havemeyer at
that time displayed for the city finances the following