The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-02-22
OBITUARY..
JAcoR A. WEsTERYELT.

president or the DOCK Depdrtent, uleu at MS resi-
dence this city yesterday morning at four O'Clock
One of the highly esteemed officials of this
city. he was born in Bergen county. N. j.. January
30 1900. He was q descendant of the early Dutch
settlers. his first ancestors in this country having
been Lubbert and willem Lubertsen westerveldt.
who with their families from Meppel Prov
ince Drenthe. Hollsnd in the ship Hope. in
April. 1862 They settled In Bergen. n j., and
many of their descendants reside near there to the
present day. Lubbert settled near Hackensack and
was one of the original members or the Dutch
Church which was organized in that town in 1886.
Mr.. westervelt was of the seventh generation from
Lubbert. He i've years Of age when his father
removed to this city, and q year or two later was
placed under the care of James Foster, who kept
noted private school in Franklin street. Here no
remained until his fourteenth year. when his father
died and he began to think OF his future work in
life.
His boyish mind idealized the life of sailor and
accordingly he shipped boy before the mast upon
vessel bound to Charleston s. G. Soon after arrv-
ing there the ship sold. and young Westervelt
found himself alone in a strange city with all the
world before him and only SIS In his purse. lie was
of generous and adventurous spirit. and like jolly
young tar. spent all his money out Of hand and then
shipped on vessel to the shores Of France. After
this he made many voyages to Europe. but his
experience of seamans lite dissipated all
the illusions of his boyish fancy, and he
resolved to follow it no more. He was at this time
sixteen years old, and had still to gain living.
Stroling along the docks Of New York. his attention
attracted to the shipyards, which then lined the
beach. Christian Bergh. the father of the present
president Of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty
to Animals, prominent shipbuilder at that
time, and in his yard young Jacob westervelt be-
q L.,
declared skilful journeyman Some of the friend
ships contracted with his sturdy fellow workmen
lasted to the close of his life. When the young man
was only twenty years of age Mr. salus, residing
Charleston, offered to give into his hands the
struction of two schooners at that place. AS he
still IN apprentice he not at liberty to undertake
the work. but on explaining the situation to his
master the latter willingly released him from his
contract and wished him God speed. The young me-
chanic reached Charleston, after tempestuous voy-
age of fifteen days, in little sixty ton sloop. The
only labor at his command that of slaves.
He was successful however. in his mission,
and the vessels when completed, gave entire
satisfaction. Returning to New York with tho pres
tige of this exploit. he was at once admitted into
partnership with his former master. Mr. Bergh. and
the firm thus constituted continued until the latter
gentleman retired in 1885. The fifteen years of this
the part of Mr.. Westervelt. No fewer than seventy
one vessels constructed by the firm during that
time, and most OF them ranged from 450 to 600 tons
burden.
The now prosperous shipbuilder retained much
of his early fondness for travel. and to crafty it
spent nine months in rowing about Europe. On his
return he stimulated to new enterprises IN ship
building, and resumed business at Corlears Hook,
foot of Cherry street In those days the demand for
American vessels could scarcely be supplied and
the sound of the axe and the merry ring of the
calker,s mallet resomnded along both rivers.
so full of orders that his establishment
was too small to fill them. and he opened another
yard at the foot of Seventh street The California
trade was then most important one, and many Of
the best vessels in it we're built by him. Later he
located his yard at Greenpoint. on the Long Island
shore, and the spring of the following year found
him settled at avenue and Eleventh street. During
those years Mr. Westervelt constructed the astonsh-
ing number of ia seagoing vessels. These had
total capacity of TONS OF these thirtysx
ssns hsyns ea Of tons five bsris of
2701 TONS four brigs ten schooners nine pilot boats
two yachts, one sloop: two floating liPhships. nine
steamboats,. two ferryboats. two towboats and ono
barge. The splendid ships Washington. Herman,
Franklin. Columbian Goldhunter. Louisiana. Hum
boldt Texas, Winfield Scott Rhine. Cortes. Roanoke.
Perseverance, Iturbide, jamestown, st. Louis. Maui
titus Santa Anna, Sonora. Orizaba Charles Morgan,
onn kne Enss
Castle Favorita Niagara and Saratogs were all made
in his yards.
agement of the business to his son Daniel D.. but
still continued to supervise affairs at the yards and
was seen there daily. In appreciation OF the genius
displayed by him in the preparation of models and
plans for three Spanish trigaes the Queen of Spain
conferred upon him the Order of Isabel la Catolca
Mr. Westervet had contracted to build these vessels
but owing the breaking out Of the Confederate
belion. that rendered it impossible to obtain live
tract About 1870 Mr. westervelt hrst entered poll
tics and elected Alderman from the Thir-
senth ward In 1852 he was m saossn Mayor
his opponent. Morgan Morgans. HIS administration
is we'll remembered one highly conducive to the
public veal In 1870 he was appointed Superinten-
dent of Supplies in the Dock Department, and three
years later ex-Mayor Havemeyer nominated him, and
he was Confirmed. AZ a Dock Commissioner, He was
for many years the president of the Society Of Me-
chanics and Traders. and was member OF the Cham
Der of Commerce, the Marine Society. the Port So
ciety and the st. Nicholas. He always took active
interest in tho educational and benevolent insttu-
tons Of the city and contributed literally but un.
osten tatiously, to their support.
Mr.. Westervelt was plain. intelligent looking gen.
tleman. Frankness and cordiaity were marked char
acteristics of the man, and he universally
termed official and as private citizen. He
leaves three and three daughters.
The funeral will take place on Monday morning
next, in the South Reformed Church. at Fifth
and Twenty first street. of which he u member.
The services will be conducted by the PASTOR Rev.
Dr. Rogers.
ACTION OF THE DOCK DEPARTMENT
At meeting of the Board of Docks, held ycster-
day. il ordered that the following minute be
tered on the records Of the department and trans
United to the family of the late Jacob A. Wester-
vclt:-
This Board has learned of death this day Of
president the Hon. Jacob A. Wcservel,, with feelings
Of profound sorrow A long and most honorable
closed lie led business life Of upward of half
unceasng and useful activity. lie served his
ia many subordinate capacities and as its chief Magistrate
and always with honorable distinction In all his rcla-
tons, public and private, his great distinguishing trait
HIS unbending integrity. No who knew Mr..
Westervct doubted that in every of his life he
did exactly what he believed 20 be right. This pur-
pose the great central fact of his character In
addition TO this appreciation Of what the dom
mating force of his life IL Is permitted to his
colleagues and associates In this department TO indulge In
many tender reeolec,icns OF his anyaying courtesy and
bereavement and ask TO DO permitted with his
family the loss Of who had become dear hearts
We would remind them that In time sweet cancellation will
them in the recollection that this life of his
of usefulness and honorable service and that he died
when full OF and honors leaving behind them and
all the legacy most valuable aud cndurrng-the
record Of a life worthily and uscfuily spent
Resolved. That token OF for the OF
deceased president the Offices OF the department DO
closed until after the funeral services aud that all
suspended the day of the funera that the officers and
employees may have opportunity to attend the
EUGENE I. LYNCH Secretary.
JOHN PARRY, ENGLISH SINGER.