Abram Hewitt

Abram Stevens Hewitt
Abram Stevens Hewitt
	Hewitt in 1888
87thMayor of New York City
	In office; January 1, 1887 – December 31, 1888
Preceded by	William Russell Grace
Succeeded by	Hugh J. Grant
Member of theU.S. House of Representatives; fromNew York's10thdistrict
	In office; March 4, 1881 – December 30, 1886
Preceded by	James O'Brien
Succeeded by	Francis B. Spinola
	In office; March 4, 1875 – March 3, 1879
Preceded by	Fernando Wood
Succeeded by	James O'Brien
Chairman of theDemocratic National Committee
	In office; 1876–1877
Preceded by	Augustus Schell
Succeeded by	William H. Barnum
Personal details
Born	Abram Stevens Hewitt; July 31, 1822; Haverstraw, New York,U.S.
Died	January 18, 1903(aged 80); New York City, New York,U.S.
Resting place	Green-Wood Cemetery,Brooklyn
Political party	Democratic
Alma mater	Columbia College
Signature

Abram Stevens Hewitt(July 31, 1822 – January 18, 1903) was an American politician, educator,ironmaking industrialist,and lawyer who wasmayorofNew York Cityfor two years from 1887 to 1888. He also twice served as aU.S. CongressmanfromNew York's 10thand chaired theDemocratic National Committeefrom 1876 to 1877.

The son-in-law of the industrialist and philanthropistPeter Cooper,Hewitt is best known for his work with theCooper Union,which he aided Cooper in founding in 1859, and for planning the financing and construction of thefirst lineof what would eventually develop into theNew York City Subway,for which he is considered the "Father of the New York City Subway System".^[1]

Early life[edit]

Hewitt was born inHaverstraw, New York.His mother, Ann Gurnee, was of FrenchHuguenotdescent, while his father, John Hewitt, was fromStaffordshireinEnglandand had emigrated to the U.S. in 1796 to work on asteam engineto power a water plant inPhiladelphia.

Hewitt earned a scholarship to attendColumbia College.After graduating from the college in 1842, he taughtmathematicsthere, and became a lawyer several years later.^[when?]

From 1843 to 1844, Hewitt traveled toEuropewith his student,Edward Cooper,the son of industrialist entrepreneurPeter Cooper,and another future New York City mayor. During their return voyage, the pair wereshipwreckedtogether. After this, Hewitt became "virtually a member of the Cooper family", and in 1855 married Edward's sister, Sarah Amelia.^[2]^[3]

Corporate career[edit]

In 1845, financed by Peter Cooper, Hewitt and Edward Cooper started an iron mill inTrenton, New Jersey,the Trenton Iron Company, where, in 1854, they produced the first structuralwrought ironbeams, as well as developing other innovative products. Hewitt's younger brother, Charles, was a manager at the iron mill. Hewitt also invested in other companies, in many case serving on their boards.^[4]

Hewitt supervised the construction of theCooper Union,Peter Cooper's free educational institution, and chaired its board of trustees until 1903.^[4]

Political career[edit]

In 1871, inspired by reformerSamuel J. Tilden,Cooper prominently campaigned to remove the corrupt "Tweed Ring", led byWilliam M. "Boss" Tweed,from control ofTammany Hall,and to reorganize theDemocratic Partyin New York, which Tweed controlled for years through hispolitical machine.

Congress[edit]

Hewitt first ventured into electoral politics in 1874, when he won a seat in theU.S. House of Representatives,where he initially served two terms representingNew York's 10th congressional district,from March 4, 1875, to March 3, 1879. During his first stint in Congress, he was made head of theDemocratic National Committeein 1876, when Tildenran unsuccessfully for President.^[4]

After defeatingJames O'Brien,his successor in Congress who was a staunch opponent of Tammany Hall, for the Democratic nomination in the 10th district during the1880 elections,Hewitt regained his old seat and once again served in the U.S. House from 4 March 1881 to 30 December 1886.^[5]Hewitt's most famous speech was made at the opening of theBrooklyn BridgebetweenManhattanandBrooklynin 1883.^[6]

Mayor of New York City[edit]

Hewitt was electedmayor of New York Cityin 1886. He defeated the labor candidateHenry Georgeas well as the Republican candidateTheodore Roosevelt.Hewitt's election campaign had the support ofTammany Hall.The endorsement was formal and included organizational muscle.^[7]

Hewitt refused to review theSaint Patrick's Dayparade, a decision that alienated much of the Democratic Party'sIrish–Americanbase in the city. Hewitt also refused to allow Tammany the control ofpatronagethey wanted,^[4]and Croker saw to it that Hewitt was not nominated for a second term.^[8]

Hewitt was considered a defender of soundfinancial management.He is quoted as saying "Unnecessary taxation is unjust taxation". Hewitt also upheld thecivil service reform in the United States.He oversaw the passage of the Rapid Transit Act of 1894, which would provide public funding for the construction of the firstNew York City Subwayline.^[9]^: 19–20

A 1993 survey of historians, political scientists and urban experts conducted by Melvin G. Holli of theUniversity of Illinois at Chicagoranked Hewitt as the twenty-sixth-best American big-city mayor to have served between the years 1820 and 1993.^[10]

Entrepreneurial career[edit]

Hewitt had many investments in natural resources, including considerable holdings inWest Virginia,whereWilliam Nelson Page(1854–1932) was one of his managers. He was also an associate ofHenry Huttleston Rogers(1840–1909), a financier andindustrialistwho was a key man in theStandard Oil Trust,and a major developer of natural resources.

One of Hewitt's investments handled by Rogers and Page was the Loup Creek Estate inFayette County, West Virginia.TheDeepwater Railwaywas a subsidiary initially formed by the Loup Creek investors to shipbituminous coalfrom coal mines on their land a short distance to the main line of theChesapeake and Ohio Railway(C&O) along theKanawha River.After rate disputes, theshort line railroadwas eventually expanded to extend all the way into Virginia and across that state to a newcoal pieratSewell's PointonHampton Roads.It was renamed theVirginian Railway.^{[citation needed]}

In 1890 Hewitt partnered withEdward CooperandHamilton McKown Twomblyin forming the American Sulphur Company, which then entered into a 50/50 agreement withHerman Fraschand his partners to form theUnion Sulphur Company.^[11]

Philanthropy[edit]

As philanthropist Hewitt was interested in education.Columbia Universitygave him the degree ofLL.D.in 1887, and he was the president of its alumni association in 1883, and a trustee from 1901 until his death.

In 1876, he was elected president of theAmerican Institute of Mining Engineers,and was a founder and trustee of theCarnegie Institution of Science.He was also a trustee ofBarnard Collegeand of theAmerican Museum of Natural History.^[6]

Death and family[edit]

Abram Hewitt died at his New York City home on January 18, 1903, and was interred atGreen-Wood Cemetery.His last words, after he took his oxygen tube from his mouth, were "And now, I am officially dead."^[12]

Hewitt's daughters, Amy, Eleanor, and Sarah Hewitt, built a decorative arts collection that was for years exhibited at the Cooper Union and later became the core collection of theCooper-Hewitt National Design Museum.His son,Peter Cooper Hewitt(1861–1921), was a successful inventor, while another son, Edward Ringwood Hewitt (1865–1957), was also an inventor, a chemist and an early expert on fly-fishing. He publishedTelling on the Trout,among other books.

Hewitt's youngest son, Erskine Hewitt (1871–1938), was also a lawyer and philanthropist in New York City. He donatedRingwood Manorto the State ofNew Jerseyin 1936.^[13]On February 18, 1909, Erskine Hewitt was named a director of the newly formedNational Reserve Bank of the City of New York.^[14]On March 2, 1909, Hewitt was elected chairman.^[15]

Legacy[edit]

Abram Hewitt Memorial Building ofCooper UnioninCooper Square,Manhattan

One of Cooper Union's academic buildings was named in his honor. It was demolished and replaced by41 Cooper Squarein 2007. An historic twenty-foot column in the Hewitt Building designed byStanford Whitewas transported—appropriately enough—to its former home at theGreen-Wood CemeteryinBrooklyn, New York,where it now stands on Abram S. Hewitt's memorial plot.^[16]
A New York Cityfireboat,Abram S. Hewitt,which served from 1903 until 1958 was named in his honor. The fireboat was eventually scrapped, and its remains may be found at theWitte Marine ScrapyardinRossville, Staten Island.
There is a life-sized white marble statue of Hewitt in the Great Hall of theChamber of Commerceof the State of New York inAlbany, New York.
The historic village ofHewitt, New Jersey,located within the Township ofWest Milford,is preserved withinLong Pond Ironworks State Park.The village contains the ruins of the iron smelting furnaces operated by Cooper and Hewitt.
Ringwood ManorinRingwood, New Jersey,the Hewitt family's summer estate from 1857 to the 1930s, is preserved as the centerpiece of New Jersey'sRingwood State Park.
Abram Stevens Hewitt School (P.S. 130) in theBronx, New York,was named for him.
Hewitt Hall ofBarnard CollegeatColumbia Universityis named for him.
Abram S. Hewitt State Forestalong theAppalachian Trailwas named in his honor.^[17]

References[edit]

^"The Great Subway".The Week's Progress.New York, NY: The Wilson Company. October 8, 1904. p. 321 – viaGoogle Books.
^The Dictionary of American National Biography,Oxford University Press, (2000)
^"Cooper Hewitt Family at Ringwood Manor"
^^a ^b ^c ^dMushkat, Jerome. "Hewitt, Abram S(tevens)" inJackson, Kenneth T.,ed. (2010).The Encyclopedia of New York City(2nd ed.). New Haven:Yale University Press.ISBN 978-0-300-11465-2.,p.594
^
- United States Congress."Abram Hewitt (id: H000552)".Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
^^a ^bChisholm 1911.
^Daniel Czitrom (2016).New York Exposed: The Gilded Age Police Scandal that Launched the Progressive Era.Oxford University Press. p. 87.ISBN 9780199837014.
^Burrows, Edwin G.andWallace, Mike(1999).Gotham: A History of New York City to 1898.New York:Oxford University Press.ISBN 0-195-11634-8.
^Cudahy, Brian J. (1995).Under the Sidewalks of New York(Second revised ed.). Fordham University Press.ISBN 0-8232-1618-7.
^Holli, Melvin G. (1999).The American Mayor.University Park: PSU Press.ISBN 0271018763.
^Haynes, Williams (1959).Brimstone, The Stone That Burns.Princeton: D. Van Norstrand Company, Inc. pp. 32–39, 60.
^"The Man In The Street: Abram S. Hewitt".The New York Times Magazine.New York, NY. January 25, 1903. p. 35 – viaNewspapers.
^"Ringwood Manor Gift of Erskine Hewitt in Memory of His Sister".The Morning Call.December 21, 1936. p. 1.RetrievedJune 24,2024– via Newspapers.
^"Oriental Bank Merged",The New York Times,Charleston, West Virginia, p. 6, February 19, 1909,retrievedApril 20,2022– via Newspapers
^"Allison Heads Bank Merger",The New York Times,p. 16, March 3, 1909,retrievedApril 20,2022– via Newspapers
^"The Cooper Union Builds".Archived fromthe originalon September 7, 2006.RetrievedSeptember 1,2006.
^"NJDEP - New Jersey State Park Service".

Chisholm, Hugh,ed. (1911)."Hewitt, Abram Stevens".Encyclopædia Britannica.Vol. 13 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 417.

U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Fernando Wood	Member of theU.S. House of Representatives fromNew York's 10th congressional district 1875-03-04 – 1879-03-03	Succeeded by James O'Brien
Preceded by James O'Brien	Member of theU.S. House of Representatives fromNew York's 10th congressional district 1881-03-04 – 1886-12-30	Succeeded by Francis B. Spinola
Political offices
Preceded by William R. Grace	Mayor of New York City 1887–1888	Succeeded by Hugh L. Grant
Business positions
Preceded by Edward Cooper	President of Cooper Union 1898–1903	Succeeded by John E. Parsons

[1] "The Great Subway".The Week's Progress.New York, NY: The Wilson Company. October 8, 1904. p. 321 – viaGoogle Books.

[2] The Dictionary of American National Biography,Oxford University Press, (2000)

[3] "Cooper Hewitt Family at Ringwood Manor"

[encnyc2-4] Mushkat, Jerome. "Hewitt, Abram S(tevens)" inJackson, Kenneth T.,ed. (2010).The Encyclopedia of New York City(2nd ed.). New Haven:Yale University Press.ISBN 978-0-300-11465-2.,p.594

[congressgov-5] 
United States Congress."Abram Hewitt (id: H000552)".Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.

[6] United States Congress."Abram Hewitt (id: H000552)".Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.

[FOOTNOTEChisholm1911-6] Chisholm 1911.

[7] Daniel Czitrom (2016).New York Exposed: The Gilded Age Police Scandal that Launched the Progressive Era.Oxford University Press. p. 87.ISBN 9780199837014.

[8] Burrows, Edwin G.andWallace, Mike(1999).Gotham: A History of New York City to 1898.New York:Oxford University Press.ISBN 0-195-11634-8.

[Cudahy95-9] Cudahy, Brian J. (1995).Under the Sidewalks of New York(Second revised ed.). Fordham University Press.ISBN 0-8232-1618-7.

[10] Holli, Melvin G. (1999).The American Mayor.University Park: PSU Press.ISBN 0271018763.

[Haynes-11] Haynes, Williams (1959).Brimstone, The Stone That Burns.Princeton: D. Van Norstrand Company, Inc. pp. 32–39, 60.

[12] "The Man In The Street: Abram S. Hewitt".The New York Times Magazine.New York, NY. January 25, 1903. p. 35 – viaNewspapers.

[13] "Ringwood Manor Gift of Erskine Hewitt in Memory of His Sister".The Morning Call.December 21, 1936. p. 1.RetrievedJune 24,2024– via Newspapers.

[nyt-oriental-14] "Oriental Bank Merged",The New York Times,Charleston, West Virginia, p. 6, February 19, 1909,retrievedApril 20,2022– via Newspapers

[nyt-merger-15] "Allison Heads Bank Merger",The New York Times,p. 16, March 3, 1909,retrievedApril 20,2022– via Newspapers

[16] "The Cooper Union Builds".Archived fromthe originalon September 7, 2006.RetrievedSeptember 1,2006.

[17] "NJDEP - New Jersey State Park Service".

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