William Frederick Havemeyer

William Frederick Havemeyer
William Frederick Havemeyer (1804-1874)
66th, 69th and 80th Mayor of New York City
In office 1845–1846
Preceded by	James Harper
Succeeded by	Andrew H. Mickle
In office 1848–1849
Preceded by	William Brady
Succeeded by	Caleb Smith Woodhull
In office 1873–1874
Preceded by	Abraham Oakey Hall
Succeeded by	Samuel B. H. Vance
Personal details
Born	(1804-02-12)February 12, 1804 New York City, New York
Died	November 30, 1874(1874-11-30) (aged 70)
Political party	Democratic
Spouse(s)	Sarah Agnes Craig
Alma mater	Columbia University

William Frederick Havemeyer (February 12, 1804 – November 30, 1874) was a German American businessman and politician of New York who served three times as Mayor of New York City during the 19th century.

Havemeyer's middle-class ancestors lived in Bückeburg, in the German principality of Schaumburg-Lippe. Some spelled the last name Hoffmeyer or Hoevemeyer. In 1644, Hermann Hoevemeyer formed, with nineteen others, a bakers' guild. Dietrich Wilhelm Hoevemeyer, born in 1725, was a master baker, and a member of the city council of Bückeburg, and also served in the Seven Years' War.

Havemeyer's father, William, was the first of the family to emigrate from Germany to America. He had been left an orphan in childhood, and at the age of fifteen went to London, where he learned the trade of sugar refining, becoming in time the superintendent of the refinery. In 1799, he came to New York City under contract to Edmund Seaman & Co. and took charge of their sugar house on Pine Street.

After completing his contract, in 1807, Havemeyer's father began business by himself, establishing one of the first sugar refineries in New York City, on Vandam Street, between Hudson and Greenwich Streets. In the same year he took out his naturalization papers. He died August 13, 1851, at the age of 81.

William F. Havemeyer was born in New York City at No. 31 Pine Street. He grew up in the neighborhood of Vandam St. where the family sugar refinery was located. He received a liberal arts education, attending Columbia College of Columbia University and Wykoff Village Academy, graduating from the former in 1823.

Soon after graduation he entered his father's service as clerk and obtained a thorough business training. In 1828, he formed a partnership with his cousin, Frederick Christian Havemeyer, under the firm name of W. F. & F. C. Havemeyer, sugar refiners. In 1842 he sold out his interest in the firm to his brother Albert. Thus after fourteen years, while still young, he retired from business a wealthy man.

In 1844, Havemeyer entered local politics with the Democratic Party as an elector for James K. Polk and George M. Dallas during the United States presidential election. He had been a supporter of President Andrew Jackson. He was also friendly with President Martin Van Buren with whom he had corresponded and urged vehemently to emulate Jackson's firmness in the face of popular outcry.