biography
| sex:
| male
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| lived:
| (1797–1879)
|
| biography:
| Capitalist, born in Carmel, New York, USA. He moved rapidly from a successful cattle-driving business (1829) to competing against Cornelius Vanderbilt (1834) in the steamboat business, to opening the brokerage firm of Drew, Robinson & Co on Wall Street (1844). A millionaire, he earned a reputation for being unscrupulous during the ‘Erie War’ with Cornelius Vanderbilt (1866–8) over control of the Erie Railroad and other stock, and bank deals which brought ruin to thousands. In 1870 his former associates turned against him, and the panic of 1873 furthered his decline. Bankrupt, he became dependent on his son during his last years. |
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