Henry White Pickering
Henry White Pickering | |
|---|---|
| Born | Template:Birth date Salem, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Died | August 15, 1898 (aged 87) Beverly, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Entrepreneur, bank president, educator |
| Known for | President of Boston Stock Exchange; president of Old Boston National Bank |
Henry White Pickering (May 27, 1811 – August 15, 1898) was a prominent American entrepreneur who held leadership roles as president of both the Boston Stock Exchange and the Old Boston National Bank.
Early life
Originating from Salem, Massachusetts, Pickering was the son of John and Sarah White Pickering. He descended from notable lineage as the grandson of Timothy Pickering and was related to naturalist Charles Pickering. After completing his studies at Harvard College in 1831, he initially worked as an educator at Chauncy Hall School before establishing his own educational institution in 1834.
In 1835, he wed Frances Dana Goddard. Together, they had three offspring: Rebecca White, Frances Goddard, and Henry Goddard. Rebecca later married Rear Admiral John Grimes Walker, and their daughter, Susan Walker Fitzgerald, became among the pioneering women elected to the Massachusetts House of Representatives.
Business career
Pickering embarked on his commercial journey within the counting room of his father-in-law, Nathaniel Goddard. Following the passing of his brother-in-law George A. Goddard in 1845, he assumed control of the stock and exchange brokerage. His tenure as president of the Boston Stock Exchange spanned three separate periods: 1847–1852, 1856–1860, and 1864–1870. Transitioning from exchange operations in 1876, he took on the presidency of the Old Boston National Bank. Although he retired in 1891, he continued serving as a bank director until his death at his residence in Beverly, Massachusetts on August 15, 1898.
Government service
Pickering held several terms on the common council of Roxbury. Following Roxbury's incorporation into Boston, he contributed as a member of Boston's common council, participated on the license commission, and served on the board overseeing assistance for the poor.
Music
As a co-founder of the Harvard Musical Association, Pickering led the organization as president from 1852 through 1877. The association sponsored the building of the Boston Music Hall, where Pickering also maintained a long-standing directorship with the Music Hall Association.