George Law

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George Law (b. in New York City on November 17, 1843; d. in New York City on July 7, 1896) was president of the Eighth Avenue and Ninth Avenue horsecar railroad companies. Upon his death William was asked to be a co-administrator (with the young widow) of his estate but Law’s sisters objected and he subsequently withdrew.

William dined with Law on at least one occasion(Diary, 1883-11-30) and presumably knew him as a result of the fact that they both owned horsecar railroads.(1)(2)(11) William was the owner of the Steinway and Hunter’s Point Railroad and later the Steinway Railroad Company.(Diary, 1883-04-1702; 1892-03-23)

Law’s father (also George Law (1806 – 81) also had been the president of the Eight Avenue and Ninth Avenue horsecar railroads. Cited in Who Was Who in America he became a millionaire by 1856.(10) Law [the son] was left a fortune(2) and also became president of these same railroads. He graduated from Columbia Law School and was admitted to the bar but never became a practicing attorney.(7) He began work on his father’s railroads as a driver. The rules governing drivers said they could not leave their cars. Once, wanting a drink, he claimed he drove the car off the track to a saloon and had the drink brought out to him.(3)

Before his marriage he was thought to be a somewhat eccentric millionaire, spending money lavishly on his interests in horses, sporting events and boating. He kept horses and owned a 75 ton yacht “Veto.” Quite generous, on one visit to Saratoga he paid all the expenses (including transportation in a special railroad car) of his party for a week. On that same trip to Saratoga he bought his companions nine pieces of jewelry valued at $4550.(4)(8)(12) He often would visit saloons in the Tenderloin district and buy wine for everyone there.(3 )

Law married Alga Smith of New York City in 1894. The next year Josephine Mack sued him for breach of promise but Law denied the charge. The issue was never adjudicated before his death.(2)(3)(7)

Despite his flamboyant life style Law was believed to be an excellent businessman, controlling “… large interests and a vast amount of wealth.”(6)(10) In addition to his railroad presidencies, he was a director in the Brooklyn and East Twenty-third Street Ferry Company and a member of the American Yacht Club.(2)(3)

In 1896 when Law died intestate of erysipelas(3)(4) William was asked by Mr. and Mrs. C. Bainbridge Smith, grandparents of the widow, to be co-administrator with their granddaughter, Alga.(Diary, 1896-07-12) Claiming that Alga was under age, Law’s sisters contested her right to administer the will. The sisters also objected to William’s appointment since he was not close to the family. (1) William withdrew, suggesting the U. S. Trust Co. instead.(Diary, 1896-07-21) Mr. Smith resolved the age issue by obtaining a telegram from the physician attending Alga’s birth and proved her age to be 22.(1)(5)(13)(14)(16) William had met Alga in 1893 when she had been brought by her grandmother apparently to sing for William.(Diary, 1893-09-12) Mrs. Smith often called on William after that date.(Diary, 1894-08-02, 09-07; 1895-02-01) Mr. Bainbridge Smith, an attorney, was listed in King’s Notable New Yorkers of 1896-1899.(9)(15)
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Sources:

1. “The Estate of George Law,” The New York Times, July 19, 1896, p. 17.
2. “George Law Dead,” New-York Tribune, July 8, 1896, p. 7.
3. “George Law Dies at 53,” The Sun, July 8, 1896, p. 4.
4. “George Law is Dead,” The New York Times, July 8, 1896, p. 9.
5. “George Law Left No Will,” The Sun, July 12, 1896, p. 5.
6. “George Law Married,” Evening World. September 25, 1894.
7. “George Law Sued By Miss Mack,” The New York Times, August 24, 1895, p. 8.
8. “George Law’s Checkbook,” The New York Times, August 28, 1888, p. 1.
9. King, Moses. Notable New Yorkers of 1896-1899. New York: M. King, 1899, p. 23.
10. “LAW, George,” Who Was Who in America, Historical Volume 1600-1896, RevisedEdition, 1967. Chicago: Marquis Who’s Who, 1967, p.
11. “Mr. George Law,” Frank Leslie’s Illustrated Newspaper, November 30, 1889, p. 302.
12. “Mr. Law’s Prodigality,” Evening World, August 28, 1888, p. 1.
13. “Mrs. George Law’s Age,” The New York Times, July 17, 1896, p. 2.
14. “No Will Left By George Law,” New-York Tribune, July 11, 1896, p. 7.
15. Supreme Court, First Judicial Department, vol. 34. New York: The Evening Post Job Printing House, 1895, New Britain National Bank v. A. B. Cleveland Company (Limited) and Others.
16. “Undoubtedly Died Intestate,” New-York Tribune, July 12, 1896, p. 22.