James W. Bleecker
James Ward Bleecker (October 16, 1787 – October 5, 1864) was an American banker and the fourth president of the New York Stock Exchange. Early life. He was a son of John Jacob Bleecker (1745-1795) and Hester (nee De Veaux) Bleecker (b. 1753). Among his siblings was Frederick Devoe Bleecker, John Schuyler Bleecker, John Anthony Bleecker, and Henry Fletcher Bleecker. His paternal grandparents were Jacobus Rutger Bleecker (son of Albany mayor Rutger Jansen Bleecker) and Abigail (née Lispenard) Bleecker (daughter of Anthony Lispenard). His paternal uncle was Anthony Lispenard Bleecker, the prominent banker, merchant and auctioneer (and  namesake of Bleecker Street in lower Manhattan). Career. In 1792, his father John and cousin Garret Bleecker were among the twenty-six men who signed the Buttonwood Agreement, which was an effort to organize securities trading in New York City that preceded the formation of what became known as the New York Stock Exchange. Bleecker focused on marine insurance before focusing on securities later in his career. From 1827 to 1830, he succeeded Edward Lyde to serve as the fourth president of the New York Stock Exchange. Bleecker was, in turn, succeeded by Russell H. Nevins and the Mohawk and  Hudson Rail Road became the first railroad to be listed on the Exchange. Following his tenure as president, beginning in 1833, he became the first Treasurer of the Board, serving until his retirement in 1861 with the sole exception of 1835 when John Ward (also a former president) served as Treasurer. He was succeeded as Treasurer by LeGrand Lockwood. Personal life. On August 17, 1811, Bleecker was married to Sarah Elizabeth Fanning (1796–1881) in New York City. Sarah was the only daughter of Edward Fanning. Together, they were the parents of eleven children, including: Bleecker died on October 5, 1864 . His chair on the Exchange was sold, at auction for charity, for $460. A portrait of Bleecker is on the wall of the Stock Exchange.