John Cleve Green (April 14, 1800 – April 29, 1875) was a merchant and former partner of John Murray Forbes in the China trading house of Russell & Company. Green was a major benefactor of Princeton University and the Lawrenceville School, giving upwards of 1.5 million dollars, perhaps 2 million, to Princeton.[1] On his death he also made major bequests to New York University and New York area hospitals.
Green was born on April 14, 1800, in Lawrenceville, New Jersey, where his father, Caleb Smith Green, was a farmer.
Merchant careeredit
As a young man, Green entered the house of N. L. & G. Griswold, merchants in the China trade on South Street in New York City, and displayed so much sagacity as a clerk that he was appointed supercargo of the ship Panama, a well-known tea clipper of the day, and of other vessels. He subsequently made many voyages to China and South America.
In 1833, he was admitted to the house of Russell & Co., in Canton (now Guangzhou), China, and there laid the foundation of his large fortune. In 1839, on his return to New York, he married Sarah Helen, daughter of George Griswold, and carried on the China trade for many years thereafter, acquiring a fortune of about $7,000,000.
Other activitiesedit
Green was prominent in the social, business and public enterprises of the city. For many years he was a director of The Bank of Commerce, a member of the Chamber of Commerce and a manager of several leading charitable and public institutions. Always known as a man of clear views, strong convictions and great force of character, Green took an active interest in New York University, Princeton Theological Seminary and Princeton College. He owned a town house on Washington Square Park in New York City and a large country house with much land at New Brighton on Staten Island where Curtis High School now stands.
Personal lifeedit
The father of three children all of whom died in childhood, Green's brother, Henry W. Green, was at one time Chancellor of New Jersey, and his brother in law, Frederick Frelinghuysen, Senator from the same State.
Green died in 1875, at his residence on Washington Square.
Referencesedit
This article incorporates text from America's successful men of affairs: An encyclopedia of contemporaneous biography, by Henry Hall (ed.), a publication from 1895, now in the public domain in the United States.
^. Princeton University. Archived from the original on October 1, 2016. Retrieved February 5, 2014.
May 02, 2024
john, cleve, green, confused, with, john, green, other, people, named, john, green, john, green, disambiguation, april, 1800, april, 1875, merchant, former, partner, john, murray, forbes, china, trading, house, russell, company, green, major, benefactor, princ. Not to be confused with John C Green For other people named John Green see John Green disambiguation John Cleve Green April 14 1800 April 29 1875 was a merchant and former partner of John Murray Forbes in the China trading house of Russell amp Company Green was a major benefactor of Princeton University and the Lawrenceville School giving upwards of 1 5 million dollars perhaps 2 million to Princeton 1 On his death he also made major bequests to New York University and New York area hospitals John Cleve GreenA portrait of John Cleve Green by Daniel Huntington in 1870 Courtesy of the Princeton University Art MuseumBorn 1800 04 14 April 14 1800Lawrenceville New JerseyDiedApril 29 1875 1875 04 29 aged 75 New York New YorkNationalityAmericanAlma materLawrenceville SchoolOccupationMerchantKnown forPhilanthropy Contents 1 Biography 1 1 Early life and family 1 2 Merchant career 1 3 Other activities 1 4 Personal life 2 ReferencesBiography edit nbsp The John C Green School of Science at Princeton University Early life and family edit Green was born on April 14 1800 in Lawrenceville New Jersey where his father Caleb Smith Green was a farmer Merchant career edit As a young man Green entered the house of N L amp G Griswold merchants in the China trade on South Street in New York City and displayed so much sagacity as a clerk that he was appointed supercargo of the ship Panama a well known tea clipper of the day and of other vessels He subsequently made many voyages to China and South America In 1833 he was admitted to the house of Russell amp Co in Canton now Guangzhou China and there laid the foundation of his large fortune In 1839 on his return to New York he married Sarah Helen daughter of George Griswold and carried on the China trade for many years thereafter acquiring a fortune of about 7 000 000 Other activities edit Green was prominent in the social business and public enterprises of the city For many years he was a director of The Bank of Commerce a member of the Chamber of Commerce and a manager of several leading charitable and public institutions Always known as a man of clear views strong convictions and great force of character Green took an active interest in New York University Princeton Theological Seminary and Princeton College He owned a town house on Washington Square Park in New York City and a large country house with much land at New Brighton on Staten Island where Curtis High School now stands Personal life edit The father of three children all of whom died in childhood Green s brother Henry W Green was at one time Chancellor of New Jersey and his brother in law Frederick Frelinghuysen Senator from the same State Green died in 1875 at his residence on Washington Square References edit nbsp This article incorporates text fromAmerica s successful men of affairs An encyclopedia of contemporaneous biography by Henry Hall ed a publication from 1895 now in the public domain in the United States Green John Cleve Princeton University Archived from the original on October 1 2016 Retrieved February 5 2014 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title John Cleve Green amp oldid 1149998087, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
