Elbert Adrain Brinckerhoff, vice-president, was born in Jamaica, N.Y., on November 29, 1838, and is the son of John N. Brinckerhoff, principal of Union Hall Academy there from 1837 to 1865, and grandson of Robert Adrain, L.L.D., a distinguished mathematician. His ancestry is traced back to the landing of the early Dutch settlers in New Amsterdam in 1638. He graduated from the academy of which his father was principal, and was about entering college when an opportunity offered for a voyage around the world in a sailing vessel. In January, 1855, he sailed from New York for San Francisco. The unexpected charter of the vessel in San Francisco for New York, instead of China, changed his plans. Accepting an offer from a commercial house in San Francisco, he entered upon a business career, and remained in California. In 1856 the social evolution of San Francisco took place, and from May to August of that year he served as an active member of the historical Vigilance Committee which purged the city of corruption and for years after left San Francisco one of the best-governed municipalities in the United States. In February, 1858, a new position called him to Shasta, then the principal town in Northern California. While there, inducements were offered by Wells, Fargo & Co. which led him to accept the position of cashier in their bank and express office at Shasta. This place he filled from August, 1858 to August, 1859, when he returned to San Francisco, where he was placed in the cashier's department of the express company, and afterward appointed first messenger on the principal route, that is between San Francisco and Sacramento, carrying all treasure and mail passing to the seaboard from the northern mines. It was during this service that the famous Pony Express was established and Mr. Brinckerhoff carried the first packet to Sacramento, where it began its wild and dangerous trip overland. In August, 1860, after an active and eventful life in California, he returned via the Isthmus to New York, and entered the employ of the American Express Company at Albany, resigning it to accept the position of bookkeeper and cashier in the house of Fox & Polhemus, of 59 Broad Street in this city, then the leading commission merchants and manufacturers of cotton duck in this neighborhood. In 1865 he became a partner in the house, and a few years later, owing to deaths and retirements, the senior partner. Since 1870 the house has been known as Brinckerhoff, Turner & Co. After more than twenty-five years in the manufacture and selling of cotton duck Mr. Brinckerhoff retired in 1887 from an active interest, withdrawing entirely in 1890. His connection with benevolent institutions and business corporations make large demands upon his time, calling for active work and keeping him constantly employed.
Elbert Adrain Brinckerhoff, vice-president, was born in Jamaica, N.Y., on November 29, 1838, and is the son of John N. Brinckerhoff, principal of Union Hall Academy there from 1837 to 1865, and grandson of Robert Adrain, L.L.D., a distinguished mathematician. His ancestry is traced back to the landing of the early Dutch settlers in New Amsterdam in 1638. He graduated from the academy of which his father was principal, and was about entering college when an opportunity offered for a voyage around the world in a sailing vessel. In January, 1855, he sailed from New York for San Francisco. The unexpected charter of the vessel in San Francisco for New York, instead of China, changed his plans. Accepting an offer from a commercial house in San Francisco, he entered upon a business career, and remained in California. In 1856 the social evolution of San Francisco took place, and from May to August of that year he served as an active member of the historical Vigilance Committee which purged the city of corruption and for years after left San Francisco one of the best-governed municipalities in the United States. In February, 1858, a new position called him to Shasta, then the principal town in Northern California. While there, inducements were offered by Wells, Fargo & Co. which led him to accept the position of cashier in their bank and express office at Shasta. This place he filled from August, 1858 to August, 1859, when he returned to San Francisco, where he was placed in the cashier's department of the express company, and afterward appointed first messenger on the principal route, that is between San Francisco and Sacramento, carrying all treasure and mail passing to the seaboard from the northern mines. It was during this service that the famous Pony Express was established and Mr. Brinckerhoff carried the first packet to Sacramento, where it began its wild and dangerous trip overland. In August, 1860, after an active and eventful life in California, he returned via the Isthmus to New York, and entered the employ of the American Express Company at Albany, resigning it to accept the position of bookkeeper and cashier in the house of Fox & Polhemus, of 59 Broad Street in this city, then the leading commission merchants and manufacturers of cotton duck in this neighborhood. In 1865 he became a partner in the house, and a few years later, owing to deaths and retirements, the senior partner. Since 1870 the house has been known as Brinckerhoff, Turner & Co. After more than twenty-five years in the manufacture and selling of cotton duck Mr. Brinckerhoff retired in 1887 from an active interest, withdrawing entirely in 1890. His connection with benevolent institutions and business corporations make large demands upon his time, calling for active work and keeping him constantly employed.
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