Matilda Armstrong

JOHN CRAIG HAVEMEYER, the celebrated merchant and sugar refiner, was born in New York City in 1833. His father, William F. Havemeyer, and grandfather, William Havemeyer, were both sugar refiners. The latter named came from Buckeburg, Germany, in 1799, and settled in New York, establishing one of the first refineries in that city. William F. succeeded his father, and at an early age retired from business with a competency. He was three times mayor of his native city, New York.

    John C. Havemeyer was educated in private schools, and was prepared for college at Columbia College grammar school. Owing to failing eyesight he was unable to finish his college course, and began his business career in a wholesale grocery store, where he remained two years. In 1854, after a year's travel abroad, he assumed the responsibility of the office work in the sugar refinery of Havemeyer & Molter, but two years later etablished (sic) a refinery of his own in Brooklyn. This afterwards developed into the immense business of Havemeyer & Elder. The capital was furnished by his father, and, chafing under the anxiety caused by the use of borrowed money, he sold out his interest and returned to Havemeyer & Molter. This firm dissolving the next year, John C. declined an offer of partnership from the successors, not wishing to use borrowed money. For two years he remained with the house, receiving a share of the profits as compensation. For some years thereafter he was engaged in the commission business, until failing health caused his retirement. In 1871, he again engaged in the sugar refining business at Greenport, Long Island, with his brother and another partner, under the firm name of Havemeyer Brothers & Co. Here he remained until 1880, when his health again declined. During the greater part of his life Mr. Havemeyer was identified with many benevolent societies, including the New York Port Society, Missionary Society of the Methodist Church, American Bible Society, New York Sabbath School Society and others. He was active in Young Men's Christian Association work in New York, and organized and was the first president of an affiliated society of the same at Yonkers. He was director of several railroad corporations and a trustee of the Continental Trust Company of New York. 

http://www.usgennet.org/usa/ne/topic/resources/OLLibrary/mbrcd/page...