BARHYDT, THEODORE WELLS

WELLS, CHRISTIANCY, BROWN, MASON, MESSRS, PATTERSON, MCKELL

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 1/31/2025 at 23:43:06

BURLINGTON CITY.
(P. O. BURLINGTON)

BARHYDT, THEODORE WELLS, President of the Merchants' National Bank ; was born in Newark, N. J., April 10, 1835, but brought up in Schenectady, N. Y., being there educated at the Lyceum ; he is a descendant from the old Knickerbockers, known as the first and wealthiest families of the Hudson River, N. Y., who were among the first and at the front to struggle for the independence of America; during the war of the Revolution ; his grandfather was active in the service, and, during the war of 1812, was in the Quartermaster's Department ; his father was a boot and shoe manufacturer in Schenectady, N. Y. ; Mr. Barhydt left his home of youth to enter upon the cares of life and the scenes of personal and telling activity, in March, 1855 ; locating at Burlington, he acted as Assistant Postmaster for some time ; in 1859, Mr. Barhydt started in the retail boot and shoe business, and, warranted by success, commenced wholesale trade in 1860 ; this he still continues ; however, as his time is entirely occupied by business, which has come into prominence through his untiring efforts, the boot and shoe business has been placed under the supervision of his partner, H. A. Brown. He has been twice elected Alderman of the 5th Ward, and is a hard-money Democrat; he was a Director and member of the Executive Committee of the B., C. R. & M. R. R. for several years, until the new company organized; elected during his absence from home, without his knowledge, he is now a Director of the Burlington & Northwestern Narrow-Gauge R. R. ; through the long-continued exertions of Judge Mason, Messrs. Barhydt, Patterson, McKell and others, the Burlington Water Works came into existence ; Mr. Barhydt is a Director of the Burlington Water Company ; assisted by others, he organized the Merchants' National Bank in 1870, was elected its first President, and, owing to his superior financial ability, has been continued in that position ever since ; although yet a young man, Mr. Barhydt has for many years been, and is now, prominently identified with the general public enterprises of Burlington. To no one man does the present attractive city owe more for its public improvements and erection of fine business buildings, than to T. W. Barhydt ; he is the owner of some of the most valuable property in Burlington, including one of the blocks most prominently located in the city, corner of Jefferson and Main streets ; also the Gorham House, now undergoing great improvements and embellishments, which will make it one of the most popular hotels in the State. Mr. Barhydt married Miss Eleanor C. Christianey, descended from the same race 'as himself, and who it may be said has virtually grown up with him. They are both members of the First Presbyterian Church; Mr. Barhyde's parents were strict adherents to the religious faith of the same denomination.

Source: BIOGRAPHICAL DIRECTORY
HISTORY OF DES MOINES COUNTY IOWA
CHICAGO: WESTERN HISTORICAL COMPANY, 1879

Transcription typed/proofed as article was originally published in 1879