Isaac Vail Brokaw
| Isaac Vail Brokaw | |
|---|---|
| Born |
November 27, 1835 Plainfield, New Jersey |
| Died | September 29, 1913 (aged 77) Elberon, New Jersey |
| Residence | 5th Avenue Manhattan |
| Net worth | $12,318,569 in 1916 (approx. $260 million in 2017 dollars) |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) | Elvira Tuttle Gould (m. 1860; his death 1913) |
| Children | 7, including George, Irving |
| Parent(s) | Simeon Brokaw Prudence Vail |
Isaac Vail Brokaw (November 27, 1835 – September 29, 1913) was a pioneer New York City clothing merchant who headed Brokaw Brothers.
He was born in November 27, 1835 in Plainfield, New Jersey to Simeon Brokaw (1792–1854) and Prudence Vail (1795–1887). His siblings included Jemima Vail Brokaw (1824–1838) and William Vail Brokaw (1831–1907).
His paternal grandparents were Isaac Brokaw (1759–1838), who fought in the American Revolution, and Maria (née Van Nortwick) Brokaw (1759–1826). His mother's side of the family were the Vail Quakers of New Jersey. He was descended from Bourgeon Broucard, a French Huguenot who settled on Long Island in 1675 and founded the first French Protestant church in New York.
Brokaw went into business with the cloth importing firm of Wilson G. Hunt & Co. In 1856, Brokaw organized a clothing firm with his brother which they called Brokaw Brothers. The business sold:
"Boys' and children's outfits in every style; men's garments of all kinds, adapted to all seasons, load the long counters and the immediate shelves of this extensive establishment. Each season finds them changing their make and style to suite the various wants of the time, and nothing which the most fashionable custom houses in the City produce is wanting to the stock of Brokaw Brothers."
Brokaw was a Republican in politics, though he never held office. He was a member of the Union League Club and the Huguenot Society.
After Brokaw's death in 1913, his son Howard became president and head of the clothing firm.
In 1887, Brokaw hired Rose & Stone build a mansion for him at Fifth Avenue and 79th Street. The grand and imposing mansion was completed in 1891.
In 1905, Brokaw built twin Gothic style adjoining houses at 984 and 985 5th Avenue, designed by Charles Frederic Rose, for Howard and Irving. Henry Mandel attempted to purchase the homes in 1940. The land where the properties were was bought by Bernard Spitzer in 1968.
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