BIOGRAPHY: James Depeyster Ogden; New York co., NY
surname: Ogden

submitted by Elizabeth Burns (burns at asu.edu) 
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Submitted Date: June 1,2005
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Author: Walter Barrett

James DePeyster Ogden
Page 92
Old Merchants, 
Walter Barrett, 
Thomas R. Knox, 1885


James DePeyster Ogden is an old merchant of this city and none have been more 
eminent that he. I have before me writing of his in 1805.  At that time he was 
a clerk with Van Horne and Clarkson, merchant, of high standing, shippers and 
importers. Their counting-house was at 129 Pearl Street.  The senior of the 
firm was old Garrett Van Horne. The junior partner was David M. Clarkson.

Old David M. Clarkson was in business at 73 King Street (Pine) as early as 
1784. A few years after he formed the partnership with Garrett Van Horne. The 
signature of Van Horne and Clarkson, as written by old David, is the bold, 
large, old-fashioned hand-writing so prevalent among the merchants of the 
Revolutionary period. It has a world of character and meaning in itself.

Even "James D.P. Ogden" as he signed himself fifty-six years ago, wrote a 
bold, open hand and one that evinced character.

Mr. Ogden received a regular education in the counting-house of Van Horne and 
Clarkson. He went out to the north of Europe, where he remained three years, 
acting as the agent of the New York House of LeRoy, Bayard and Company.  I do 
not know precisely when the noble old firm of Van Horne and Clarkson 
dissolved, but I think it was about 1809 or 1810.

Garrett Van Horne the merchant, lived at No. 31 Broadway (where the counting 
house of Van Horne and Clarkson had been in their last years) as late as 
1825.  I think he died about that time. The next year it was occupied by David 
Clarkson and for many years after.  They called him "Long David."

Thomas S. Clarkson lived next door at 33 Broadway.  Long David was the son of 
David M., although the partner of Mr. Van Horne in 1790, who lived at No. 16 
Courtland Street, some seven years after he dissolved with Mr. Van Horne.  Old 
David Matthew (father of David and Matthew) died at No. 16 Courtland Street 
about 1817 or 1818.

Never was there a nicer family than these old fashioned Clarksons.  Not only 
the male members but the female members of it were splendid specimens of the 
human race.  It was a sight to see them all go to Trinity Church as they moved 
slowly up Broadway thirty or forty years ago.

James DePeyster Ogden went into mercantile business in this city in 1820.  His 
store was at 24 Broad Street, near the corner of Garden and he lived at the 
City Hotel.  He continued business at that place for some years and then went 
abroad to Liverpool, England.

While General Jackson was President, Mr. Ogden acted as the U.S. Consul at 
that port for a short time.

After his return and for twenty five years, his course in this city was one 
that is to be envied. His family on both sides is coeval with the settlement 
of New York.  Father and Grandfather were eminent in their day and 
generation.  His father was a contemporary of the celebrated Dr. Hosack and 
they were students together in the office of Dr. Bard.  Dr. Ogden was 
intimately known and esteemed by the great Washington.

He has been one of the most prominent and esteemed members of the Chamber of 
Commerce for years. In politics, he has always occupied a prominent position 
in this city.  He has always been a national Whig of liberal principals. He 
was one of the most active members of the Union Safety Committee. He greatly 
dreaded the effect of the warfare waged against slavery, as it existed under 
the Constitution.