Chauncey Depew

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Chauncey Depew (b April 23, 1834 in Peekskill, NY, d April 5, 1928 in New York City), a prominent lawyer, businessman in the railroad industry, and Republican political figure, was an acquaintance of William Steinway. From time to time William attended public events at which Depew spoke and occasionally held conversations with him.(1)

Depew graduated from Yale and studied law in the office of a Peekskill attorney. He supported the Republican Party in New York State and, during the Civil War, served in the state legislature. He soon became a leader of his party in New York. In 1864 he led the New York campaign for Lincoln's reelection, which brought him national prominence. In the Andrew Johnson administration, he was confirmed for the position of first United States minister to Japan, but turned it down to become an attorney for the Vanderbilt railroads.(1) As early as 1875, William mentions Depew in the diary and so was acquainted with him.(Diary, 1875-03-31) Depew was the chief attorney in arranging the combination of various railroad lines in 1882 to form the New York Central, and became president of that organization in 1885. In 1898, he transitioned to the position of Chairman of the Board for the railroad. In 1889 he was elected to the U.S. Senate, where he served until 1911.(3)

From time to time, William commented in the diary that Depew had made an impressive speech.(Diary, 1889-011-19, 1890-01-11) Drawing on his experience with railroads, Depew occasionally provided advice to New York City's Rapid Transit Commission, on which William Steinway was chairman.(Diary, 1894-12-06) In late 1895 Depew edited a volume entitled 1795-1895, One Hundred Years of American Commerce, for which William wrote a chapter on American Musical Instruments.(2)

Depew died in 1928 of pneumonia.

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Sources:

  1. "Chauncey M. Depew Dies of Pneumonia in his 94th Year," The New York Times, April 5,1928, p. 1.
  2. Depew, Chauncey, ed., 1795-1895, One Hundred Years of American Commerce, New York: D.O. Haynes & Co., 1895.
  3. "Depew, Chauncey Mitchell," Malone, Dumas (ed.), Dictionary of American Biography, New York, Scribners, 1930, vol. V, p. 244.