Francis L. Eames

Francis Luther Eames
Born	Fall River, Massachusetts, U.S.
Died	10 November 1912(1912-11-10) (aged 68) Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
Occupation(s)	Banker, historian
Known for	President of the New York Stock Exchange

Francis Luther Eames (June 29, 1844 – November 10, 1912) was a prominent American banker and historian who held the position of president of the New York Stock Exchange.

Early life

Born in Fall River, Massachusetts, Eames was the son of Asa Eames Jr. and Harriet (née Seabury) Eames. Following his mother's passing in 1852, his father married Rebekah Potter two years later, in 1854.

Career

Eames received his education in local Fall River schools before starting his career as a clerk at various banking firms, including L. P. Morton & Co., which was established by former U.S. Vice President Levi P. Morton. In 1870, he partnered with H. Ramsdell Moore to create the brokerage firm Eames & Moore, eventually becoming its senior partner in 1885.

He became a member of the New York Stock Exchange in 1866 and was appointed to its Governing Committee in 1879. Notably, in 1892, Eames founded the Exchange's Clearing House, an achievement that earned him a silver service as a token of appreciation from fellow members. He was elected president of the Exchange in 1894, serving a four-year term during which he wrote History of the New York Stock Exchange (1895).

Eames declared his retirement from active business in December 1902, effective January 1, 1903. Despite stepping back from daily operations, he continued serving as trustee for the Brooklyn Savings Bank, Long Island Historical Society, and Stock Exchange Gratuity Fund, along with holding a directorship at Brooklyn Hospital Center. His memberships included the Sons of the Revolution, Society of Colonial Wars, the Chamber of Commerce of New York, and Brooklyn’s Hamilton Club.

Personal life

On October 1, 1875, Eames wed Sarah Wright (1847–1898), daughter of William and Emily Wright. The couple resided in Brooklyn and owned a summer residence in Kennebunkport, Maine. They had two daughters:

• Ethel Eames (1877–1917), who married Rev. Edward Frederick Sanderson in 1912. Sanderson served as pastor at the Congregational Church of the Pilgrims located in Brooklyn Heights and was a co-founder of Goodwill Industries.
• Helen Eames (1879–1883), who passed away during childhood.

Eames passed away at his home in Brooklyn on November 10, 1912.

Descendants

Through his daughter Ethel, he was grandfather to David Eames Sanderson (1915–1970).