HATCH, Alfrederick Smith [1829-1906] -- American financier

In 1849, Alfrederick Hatch, a delicate and slightly asthmatic youth, was dispatched to sea by his physician father to "either cure him or kill him." He signed on as an apprentice seaman on a Liverpool packet, in the company of the "roughest, dirtiest, swearingest, drinkingest men alive."

Some years later, he had become a prosperous and powerful Wall Street banker, one of the principals in selling bonds to finance the Union's effort in the civil War, and President of the New York Stock Exchange. In his later years, he was a pivotal figure in establishing hostels and havens for seamen down on their luck. [Jack Corbett: Mariner]  
 

1849-1850

1872

1883-1884

2002