George G. Haven Jr.
George Griswold Haven Jr. | |
|---|---|
| Born | Error: Invalid birth date for calculating age New York City, U.S. |
| Died | July 21, 1925 (aged 59) New York City, U.S. |
| Occupation | Businessman |
| Years active | Late 19th century – 1924 |
| Known for | President of Metropolitan Opera & Real Estate Company |
George Griswold Haven Jr. (June 14, 1866 – July 21, 1925) was a prominent figure in American business.
Early life
Haven was born in New York City to George Griswold Haven Sr. (1837–1908) and Emma Walton Martin Haven (1840–1873), descending from a distinguished New England lineage. His family included siblings Cornelia Haven, who married financier Stephen Peabody; Alice Griswold Haven, spouse of John Nelson Borland; and Joseph Woodward Haven. Among his relatives was niece Alice "Ella" Borland, who became the wife of Orme Wilson Jr., U.S. Ambassador to Haiti during Franklin D. Roosevelt’s presidency.
On his mother’s side, his grandfather Isaac Parker traced ancestry back to Joseph Martin, an early settler originating from the Canary Islands. In 1898, his father purchased the former Callender estate located on Narragansett Avenue in Newport, Rhode Island, thereby elevating the family’s social prominence.
Haven's education included attendance at St. John's Military School in Ossining and Hopkins Grammar School, culminating in his graduation from Yale College in 1887. While at Yale, he was affiliated with Delta Kappa Epsilon, Hé Boulé, and the Skull and Bones society.
Career
Upon completing his studies, Haven commenced his professional journey with the Lehigh & Wilkes Barre Coal Company in New York City. Emulating his father’s career trajectory, he transitioned into the railroad industry, holding positions as secretary and treasurer for the St. Paul & Duluth and New York & Northern Railways before advancing to general manager of New York & Northern.
In 1896, he became associated with Strong, Sturgis & Company, acting as their representative on the New York Stock Exchange. His board memberships extended to several enterprises including Denver & Rio Grande Railroad, Texas & Pacific Railroad, South Porto Rico Sugar Company, Metallurgical Company, Charleston & Ohio River Company, and United States Mortgage & Trust Company.
Haven also assumed a directorship at the Metropolitan Opera & Real Estate Company starting in 1910. By 1914, he had risen to senior member and treasurer roles and was appointed President in 1919—a position formerly held by his father ten years prior. This leadership role facilitated connections with leading financiers such as George F. Baker, J.P. Morgan, Otto H. Kahn, and Robert F. Cutting.
Personal life
Haven entered into matrimony twice during his lifetime. His first marriage was to Elizabeth Shaw Ingersoll (1860–1923), daughter of former Connecticut Governor Charles Roberts Ingersoll; they were wed on September 4, 1889. The couple had three children: Leila Ingersoll Haven (1890–1974), George Griswold Haven III (1892–1944), and Alice Haven (1895–1946), each establishing significant social alliances through their own marriages.
Following Elizabeth’s passing, Haven remarried on February 4, 1925, to Dorothy James, daughter of Henry Ammon James and Laura Brevoort James. After experiencing a nervous breakdown in early 1924, he withdrew from business activities and sought recuperation through travel. Tragically, on July 21, 1925, he took his own life at his residence in New York City. His estate was left to his widow and offspring.