A. Barton Hepburn
President of Chase National Bank
In office
1904–1917
Preceded byHenry W. Cannon
Succeeded byAlbert H. Wiggin
8th Comptroller of the Currency
In office
August 2, 1892 – April 25, 1893
President
Preceded byEdward S. Lacey
Succeeded byJames H. Eckels
Member of the New York State Assembly for St. Lawrence Co.
In office
January 1, 1875 – December 31, 1879
Personal details
Born
Alonzo Barton Hepburn

(1846-07-24)July 24, 1846
Colton, New York
DiedJanuary 25, 1922(1922-01-25) (aged 75)
New York City, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
Spouses
  • Harriet A. Fisher
    ​
    ​
    (m. 1873; died 1881)​
  • Emily L. Eaton
    ​
    ​
    (m. 1887)​
RelationsBarton Hepburn (grandson)
Alma materMiddlebury College

Alonzo Barton Hepburn (July 24, 1846 – January 25, 1922) was an American politician from New York, famed for being the Chairman of the New York State Legislature's eponymous Hepburn Committee of 1879 that investigated the operations of what became known later as the Railroad Trust based in New York State. He was Comptroller of the Currency from 1892 to 1893.[1]

Early life

Hepburn was born on a farm in Colton, St. Lawrence County, New York on July 24, 1846. He was the youngest of four sons born to Zina Earl Hepburn (1798–1874) and Beulah (née Gray) Hepburn (1807–1900).[2] His maternal uncle was a founder of the Cleveland Plain-Dealer.[2]

He attended St. Lawrence Academy and the Fuller Academy at Oswego before attending Middlebury College where he graduated in 1871; later serving as a trustee.[3] In 1906 he was given an honorary degree by St. Lawrence University.[2]

Career

Hepburn from a 1913 publication.

In 1871, he returned to St. Lawrence Academy (today's St. Lawrence University) where he became a Professor of Mathematics before serving as Principal of Ogdensburg Educational Institute and was elected school commissioner, while studying law.[2]

New York State Assembly

He was elected as a Republican to be a member of the New York State Assembly (St. Lawrence Co., 2nd D.) in 1875, 1876, 1877, 1878 and 1879. While serving in the Assembly, Hepburn was directed by the New York State Legislature in 1879 to investigate the railroads' practice of giving rebates within the state.[4] Merchants without ties to the oil industry had pressed for the hearings.[5]

Prior to the committee's investigation, few knew of the size of Standard Oil's control and influence on seemingly unaffiliated oil refineries and pipelines, with only a dozen or so within Standard Oil knew the extent of company operations.[5] The committee counsel, Simon Sterne, questioned representatives from the Erie Railroad and the New York Central Railroad and discovered that at least half of their long-haul traffic granted rebates, and that much of this traffic came from Standard Oil. The committee then shifted focus to Standard Oil's operations. John Dustin Archbold, as president of Acme Oil Company, denied that Acme was associated with Standard Oil. He then admitted to being a director of Standard Oil. The committee's final report scolded the railroads for their rebate policies and cited Standard Oil as an example. This scolding was largely moot to Standard Oil's interests since long-distance oil pipelines were now their preferred method of transportation.[5]

Later career

On April 13, 1880, he was appointed Superintendent of the New York State Banking Department, serving until 1883 when Willis S. Paine was appointed as his successor. He then served three years as National Bank Examiner for the cities of New York and Brooklyn before his appointment as Comptroller of the Currency by President Benjamin Harrison.[6] An internationally recognized authority on financial and economic questions, Hepburn returned to banking when President Grover Cleveland took office. He later succeeded Henry W. Cannon as president of the Chase National Bank. Hepburn was a Director of the Studebaker Corporation.[7]

After leaving the office of Comptroller he worked in the field of banking, becoming the president of the Third National Bank of New York then the Vice-President of the National City Bank in 1897 when the Third National Bank merged with other banks to form that company. He then became the President of the Chase National Bank.[3]

A prolific writer on the economy and financial matters, he wrote the books History of Coinage and Currency in the United States: Perennial Contest for Sound Money (1903), A History of Currency in the United States" (1915), and "Artificial Waterways and Commercial Development. He also regularly contributed to magazines and periodicals.[3]

Personal life

In 1873, he married Harriet A. Fisher, of St. Albans, Vermont,[8] who died in 1881, leaving him with two sons:[9]

  • Harold Barton Hepburn (d. 1892)[9]
  • Charles Fisher Hepburn (1878–1923),[10] who married Alice Smith (1881–1914), a daughter of Horatio Alden Smith.[11]

In 1887, he married suffragist Emily L. Eaton (1865–1956),[12] of Montpelier, Vermont. Emily was a niece of Dorman Bridgman Eaton, a lawyer instrumental in American federal Civil Service reform. They lived at 471 Park Avenue and were the parents of two daughters:[3]

Hepburn died in New York City on January 25, 1922, as a result of injuries sustained in a motor bus accident on Fifth Avenue.[18] He left an estate of nearly $10 million. After his death, his wife was involved in the development of the Beekman Tower at the corner of First Avenue and East 49th Street.[12] Through his son Charles, he was a grandfather of actor Barton Hepburn.[19]

Philanthropy and legacy

Hepburn Hall at Middlebury College

Somewhat philanthropic, Hepburn donated funds to allow for the construction of libraries for each school he oversaw when he was District Superintendent in St. Lawrence County, New York. Three of these libraries are listed on the National Register of Historic Places: the Hepburn Library at Norfolk, New York, Hepburn Library of Colton at Colton, and the Hepburn Library of Lisbon.[20][21]

Hepburn Hall, a dormitory at Middlebury College whose construction was financed by a gift from Hepburn, is named for him. The building was initially painted bright yellow per Hepburn's request to brighten the appearance of the campus, but was repainted gray following his death to better match the rest of the campus' buildings. Hepburn Hall also contains the Hepburn Zoo, a former dining area turned black box theater, which is so-named because it was originally adorned with Hepburn's hunting trophies.[22]

Published works

References

  1. ↑ A. Barton Hepburn biography at the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Hepburn Family Papers" (PDF). www.stlawu.edu. St. Lawrence University. Archived from the original (PDF) on November 5, 2019. Retrieved November 5, 2019.
  3. 1 2 3 4 MacDougall, D. (1917). "A. Barton Hepburn". Scots and Scots Descendant in America. Retrieved October 17, 2018.
  4. ↑ "Proceedings of the Special Committee on Railroads, Appointed under a resolution of the Assembly to investigate alleged abuses in the Management of Railroads chartered by the State of New York (Vol. I, 1879)". Internet Archive. New York State Legislature. 1879. Retrieved February 11, 2022. Resolved, That a special Committee of five [afterwards increased to nine] persons be appointed, with power to send for persons and papers, and to employ a stenographer, whose duty it shall be to investigate the abuses alleged to exist in the management of the railroads chartered by this State, and to inquire into and report concerning their powers, contracts and obligations; said Committee to take testimony in the city of New York, and such other places as they may deem necessary, and to report to the Legislature, either at the present or the next session, by bill or otherwise, what, if any, legislation is necessary to protect and extend the commercial and industrial interests of the State. Composed of Messrs. HEPBURN, HUSTED, DUGUID, LOW, GRADY, NOYES, WADSWORTH, TERRY and BAKER, met at the Capitol in the City of Albany on Wednesday March 26th, 1879, at 3 o'clock P. M., and was called to order by the Chairman.
  5. 1 2 3 Hawke, David Freeman (1980). John D. The Founding Father of the Rockefellers. Harper & Row. pp. 145-150. ISBN 978-0060118136.
  6. ↑ "A. Barton Hepburn". www.occ.treas.gov. Office of the Comptroller of the Currency. Retrieved November 5, 2019.
  7. ↑ Erskine, Albert Russel (October 17, 2018). History of the Studebaker corporation. Chicago: Poole Bros. Retrieved October 17, 2018 – via Internet Archive.
  8. ↑ Vermont History. Vermont Historical Society. 1926. p. 263. Retrieved November 5, 2019.
  9. 1 2 Macdougall, Ed (2009). Scots and Scots' Descendants in America. Genealogical Publishing Com. p. 245. ISBN 9780806350738. Retrieved November 5, 2019.
  10. ↑ "C. F. HEPBURN DIES AFTER FIRE IN ROOM; Son of Late New York Banker Is Fatally Injured in Cleve- land Club" (PDF). The New York Times. September 19, 1923. Retrieved November 5, 2019.
  11. ↑ Bulletin of Smith College. Smith College. 1922. p. 22. Retrieved November 5, 2019.
  12. 1 2 "MRS. A.B. HEPBURN, A CIVIC LEADER, 90; Philanthropist Dies Here-- Aided History Group, Urged Restoration of Shrines Built Pan-Hellenic House Assisted Museum" (PDF). The New York Times. August 16, 1956. Retrieved November 5, 2019.
  13. ↑ "Beulah Hepburn Emmet, Founder Of a Progressive School in 1942" (PDF). The New York Times. November 21, 1978. Retrieved November 5, 2019.
  14. ↑ Bamberger, Werner (July 8, 1977). "Adm. Emmet, 89, Dies; SERVED IN TWO WARS Commended for Roles in Invasion of Africa and in North Sea" (PDF). The New York Times. Retrieved November 5, 2019.
  15. ↑ Times, Special to The New York (September 5, 1960). "Mrs. Paul Cushman, a Charities Aide, 65" (PDF). The New York Times. Retrieved November 5, 2019.
  16. ↑ "Paul Cushman; Helped the Poor" (PDF). The New York Times. August 7, 1971. Retrieved November 5, 2019.
  17. ↑ "MISS HEPBURN BRIBE OF PAUL CUSHMAN; Daughter of Mrs. A. Barton Hepburn Is Wed in St. Bartholomew's Chapel RECEPTION AT THE HOME" (PDF). The New York Times. February 21, 1923. Retrieved November 5, 2019.
  18. ↑ "A. BARTON HEPBURN DIES FROM SHOCK; Banker, 75, Unable to Withstand Injuries Received When Hit by Fifth Avenue Bus.LONG CHASE NATIONAL HEAD Lawyer and Teacher, His Benefactions of $3,000,000 Include $2,000,000 to Colleges and Libraries. Mourned in Financial District. Descended from Noted Scotch Family. Turns from Law to Lumber. Becomes Head of Chase National". The New York Times. January 26, 1922. Retrieved October 17, 2018.
  19. ↑ "A. BARTON HEPBURN 2D TO TAKE SCREEN TESTS; Heir, With Sister, to $20,000,000, Is in Hollywood With Griffith to Determine His Career" (PDF). The New York Times. May 13, 1927. Retrieved November 5, 2019.
  20. ↑ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
  21. ↑ "National Register of Historic Places". Weekly List of Actions Taken on Properties: 5/14/12 through 5/18/12. National Park Service. May 25, 2012.
  22. ↑ Andres, Glenn; Callahan, Anne (2005). "A Walking History of Middlebury". The Henry Sheldon Museum of Vermont History. Retrieved October 2, 2018.
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