Frederick Baldwin Adams
Frederick Baldwin Adams (5 February 1878 – 23 October 1961) was an American businessman and philanthropist.
Frederick Baldwin Adams | |
|---|---|
| Born | February 5, 1878 |
| Died | October 23, 1961 (aged 83) River House, New York City |
| Nationality | United States |
| Education | St. Paul's School |
| Alma mater | Yale University |
| Occupation | Businessman and philanthropist |
| Employer | New York Central Railroad |
| Board member of | West Indies Sugar Corp Air Reduction Company |
| Spouse(s) | Ellen Walters Delano
( m. after 1907) |
| Children | Frederick B. Adams Jr. Laura Adams |
Early life
Adams was born in Toledo, Ohio, the son of a bank cashier. His father had moved to Ohio from New England. Frederick was sent east to attend St. Paul's School in Concord, New Hampshire, at the age of fourteen. From St. Paul's, he went to Yale, where he received an AB in 1900. He was a member of the Skull and Bones society.[1]
Career
His first job after Yale was as a claim agent for the Mohawk Division of the New York Central Railroad. In 1902 he became secretary to Robert C. Pruyn, and the following year became secretary of the Union Trust Company of Albany. It was only a few years later when Robert Pruyn would hire Charles Edward Adams as his secretary, Frederick's brother, a graduate of St. Paul's and a member of Skull and Bones. Adams moved to New York City in 1905 to become a partner in the firm of Potter, Choate and Prentice.
During his lifetime he served as Chairman of the West Indies Sugar Corp. He was also connected with the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad; the Louisville & Nashville Railroad; the Clinchfield Railroad; and the Chicago, Indianapolis & Louisville Railroad. Adams also branched out into other areas, becoming involved with the Union Trust Company of Albany; the Wright Aeronautical Company; the Air Reduction Company; Potter, Choate & Prentice; and Schroder, Rockefeller & Co.
Adams was Chairman of the Board of the Air Reduction Company. It was engaged in the manufacture and sale of oxygen, acetylene, and other gasses and oxy-acetylene cutting and welding equipment. It was the leading company of its field and had links to Lee, Higginson & Co., the Chase Manhattan Bank, and the Guaranty Trust Co. In 1930, the company made over $5 million in profits.
Adams was involved with the Boys Club of New York, the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis, the Fifth Avenue Hospital, and served on the planning committee of the Roosevelt National Memorial. He was a member of the Knickerbocker Club of New York.[1]
Personal life
In 1907, he was married to Ellen Walters Delano.[2] Ellen, a first cousin of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, was the daughter of Warren Delano IV,[3] and the granddaughter of William Thompson Walters, a merchant and art collector.[4] They had two children:
- Frederick Baldwin Adams, Jr., who graduated from Yale
- Laura Delano Adams (1927–2005), who married John Eastman, Jr.
- Gillian Adams (1934–2016)
- Ann Baldwin Adams (1937–2017)
With the small fortune he made from his business interests, Adams maintained a house in New York City, a summer home on Campobello Island, and a plantation on the Cape Fear River.[1]
Adams died in 1961 at River House, New York City, from a long illness.[1]
References
- "Frederic Adams, Rail Officer, Dies: Director of Several Lines, 83, Had Also Been Banker". New York Times. 24 Oct 1961. p. 37.
- "ELLEN DELANO ADAMS" (PDF). The New York Times. April 18, 1976. Retrieved 26 February 2019.
- "WARREN DELANO KILLED BY TRAIN AT BARRYTOWN His Favorite Horse, Frightened by Express, Dashed On Track, Carrying Him to Death. BORNE 150 FEET BY ENGINE Uncle of Franklin D. Roosevelt and Had Large Coal interests in Pennsylvania. OWNED STABLE OF HORSES He Intended to Exhibit Animal HeWas Driving at Dutchess County Fair Tomorrow" (PDF). The New York Times. September 10, 1920. Retrieved 26 February 2019.
- "AMERICA'S GREAT ART COLLECTOR William Thompson Walters, Known Everywhere for His Devotion to Art, Dies in Baltimore" (PDF). The New York Times. November 23, 1894. Retrieved 26 February 2019.