Joseph William Drexel

Drexel{{efn|His middle name is given as Wilhelm in some sources, e.g.{{cite book |section=Drexel, Joseph Wilhelm|title=The National Cyclopaedia of American Biography |date=1895 |volume=II|publisher=James T. White & Company |location=New York |page=[https://archive.org/details/nationalcyclopae02newy/page/366 366] |url=https://archive.org/details/nationalcyclopae02newy}}{{cite book |editor1-last=Johnson |editor1-first=Rossiter |section=Drexel, Joseph Wilhelm|title=Biographical Dictionary of America |date=1906 |publisher=American Biographical Society |location=Boston |volume=III|url=https://archive.org/details/biographicaldict03johnuoft/page/n333?q=%22Drexel+Joseph+Wilhelm+%22}}}} was the son of Francis Martin Drexel (1792–1863) and Catherine Hookey (1795–1870). His siblings were Anthony Joseph Drexel (1826–1893) and Francis Anthony Drexel (1824–1885). Through his brother Francis, he was the uncle of Saint Katharine Drexel (1858–1955). Joseph Willam Drexel was raised a Roman Catholic, but he joined the Episcopal Church later.{{cite book|title=Church and Estate: Religion and Wealth in Industrial-Era Philadelphia|first=Thomas |last=F. Rzeznik|year= 2013| isbn= 9780271063256| page =126|publisher=Penn State Press|quote=}}

Drexel attended the Central High School in Philadelphia, and traveled through Spain, Egypt, Syria, Turkey, and Greece.

Joseph Drexel was a partner in the firm of Drexel, Morgan and Company, where his brother, Anthony, was senior partner. In 1876, tired of battling the brusque J. Pierpont Morgan, Joseph retired from the business and devoted his life to philanthropic and civic organizations.

He owned a {{convert|200|acre|km2|adj=on}} farm near New York City, where people without work were housed, clothed, fed, and taught agriculture until they could find a job. He owned a large tract of land in Maryland, which was developed into Klej Grange, a planned community, where the lots are sold to poor people at cost. About 7,000 acres (28 km²) in Michigan were bought for the same purpose.

He was chairman of New York Sanitary Commission, the commissioner of education, president of the New York Philharmonic Society, trustee of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, founding trustee of the American Museum of Natural History,[http://www.thirteen.org/programs/treasures-of-new-york/american-museum-of-natural-history "American Museum of Natural History," (episode in) Treasures of New York (PBS television series)]. trustee of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences, and director of the Metropolitan Opera house.

In 1887, he donated a painting made by Edward Gay, that cost $2,000, to the State of New York to be placed in the Executive Mansion, which Governor David B. Hill was about to move into.{{cite news|title=THE NEW EXECUTIVE MANSION.; JOSEPH W. DREXEL SHOWS HOW ITS WALL SPACES SHOULD BE FILLED.|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1887/06/05/archives/the-new-executive-mansion-joseph-w-drexel-shows-how-its-wall-spaces.html|accessdate=8 June 2017|work=The New York Times|date=5 June 1887}}

File:Joseph W. Drexel - bust by John Quincy Adams Ward.jpg at the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts]]

Drexel was an avid collector of music, eventually amassing a collection of over 6,000 items. Upon his death, the Drexel Collection was accepted by the Lenox Library. When the Lenox Library was joined with those of John Jacob Astor and Samuel Tilden to form The New York Public Library, Drexel's collection became the basis for the Library's Music Division, housed today in the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts.

The Concordia Polka composed by Theodore Gundlach was dedicated to Drexel.Theodore Gundlach. Concordia Polka. Philadelphia: R. Wittig, [no date].

In 1881, Drexel acquired title to Mount McGregor near Saratoga Springs, New York. He constructed the Hotel Balmoral at the summit and built the Saratoga, Mount McGregor and Lake George Railroad narrow-gauge railway from Saratoga Springs.{{cite web|title=History of Mount McGregor|url=http://www.reocities.com/MotorCity/Downs/3548/facility/mtmcgregor.html|work=DOCS Today|accessdate=August 5, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304054525/http://www.reocities.com/MotorCity/Downs/3548/facility/mtmcgregor.html|archive-date=March 4, 2016|url-status=dead}} In 1885, Drexel loaned his private summer cottage on Mount McGregor to ex-president Ulysses S. Grant.{{cite news|title=Strength for General Grant|url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1885/06/12/103022577.pdf|accessdate=August 5, 2013|newspaper=The New York Times|date=June 12, 1885}} Grant lived there for six weeks until his death and completed his memoirs. The cottage is now the Grant Cottage State Historic Site.

He married Lucy Wharton (1841–1912), the daughter of Thomas Lloyd Wharton (1799–1869) and Sarah Ann Smith (b. 1800) and great-granddaughter of Thomas Wharton Jr. Together, they had four children:{{cite news|title=Mrs. J.W. Drexel Dead. Former Social Leader of Philadelphia and Mother of Mrs. Harry Lehr.|work=New York Times|date=26 January 1912}}{{cite book|last1=Jordan|first1=John W.|title=Colonial And Revolutionary Families Of Pennsylvania|date=2004|publisher=Genealogical Publishing Company|isbn=9780806352398|page=536|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=arAfWBsvO1gC&pg=PA536|accessdate=8 June 2017}}

• Katherine Drexel (1866–1918), who married Dr. Charles Bingham Penrose (1862–1925),{{cite news|title=DR. C.B. PENROSE DIES ON A TRAIN; Philadelphia Gynecotogist and Zoologist Was a Brother of Late Senator.|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1925/02/28/archives/dr-cb-penrose-dies-on-a-train-philadelpia-gynecotogist-and.html|accessdate=8 June 2017|work=The New York Times|date=28 February 1925}}{{cite news|title=LEFT $100,000 TO NURSE.; Dr. Penrose Bequeathed Bulk of $1,000,000 Estate to His Family.|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1925/03/06/archives/left-100000-to-nurse-dr-penrose-bequeathed-bulk-of-1000000-estate.html|accessdate=8 June 2017|work=The New York Times|date=6 March 1925}} the brother of U.S. Senator Boies Penrose, Spencer Penrose, Richard A. F. Penrose Jr. and the grandson of Charles B. Penrose, Solicitor of the United States Treasury, in 1892.{{cite news|title=YESTERDAY'S WEDDINGS.; PENROSE--DREXEL.|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1892/11/18/archives/yesterdays-weddings-penrosedrexel.html|accessdate=8 June 2017|work=The New York Times|date=18 November 1892}} They had two children.
• Lucy Wharton Drexel (1867–1944),{{cite news|title=7 GET DREXEL $1,180,867; Children of Mrs. L.D. Dahlgren|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1944/06/15/archives/7-get-drexel-1180867-children-of-mrs-ld-dahlgren.html|accessdate=8 June 2017|work=The New York Times|date=15 June 1944}}{{cite news|title=SOCIETY TOPICS OF THE WEEK.|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1890/10/19/archives/society-topics-of-the-week.html|accessdate=8 June 2017|work=The New York Times|date=19 October 1890}} who married Eric Bernard Dahlgren Sr. (1866–1922), a son of John A. Dahlgren,{{cite news|title=Oct 15: The Washington Post: ENGAGEMENT OF MISS DAHLGREN.|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9B05E0DD113BE533A25755C1A9669D94619ED7CF&legacy=true|accessdate=8 June 2017|work=The New York Times|date=16 October 1890}} and had eight children. They divorced in 1913.{{cite news|title=Article 5 -- No Title|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1912/03/24/archives/article-5-no-title.html|accessdate=8 June 2017|work=The New York Times|date=24 March 1912}}{{cite news|title=SEEKS TO DIVORCE AN ADMIRAL'S SON; Mrs. Lucy Drexel Dahlgren Was Married to Him 22 Years Ago by Archbishop Corrigan.|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1912/03/24/archives/seeks-to-divorce-an-admirals-son-mrs-lucy-drexel-dahlgren-was.html|accessdate=8 June 2017|work=The New York Times|date=24 March 1912}}
• Elizabeth Wharton Drexel (1868–1944),{{cite news |title=Lady Decies, Widow of Irish Peer, Dies; Former Elizabeth Drexel of Philadelphia Was Once the Wife of Harry Lehr |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1944/06/14/archives/ladydeoieswidow-of-irish-peer-dies-former-elizabeth-drexel-ofi.html |work=New York Times |date=June 14, 1944 |accessdate=2007-07-21 }} who married John Vinton Dahlgren (1869–1899), another son of John A. Dahlgren, in 1889, with whom she had one son who survived infancy.{{cite news|title=JOHN VINTON DAHLGREN DEAD.; Son of the Admiral Passes Away at Colorado Springs.|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1899/08/12/archives/john-vinton-dahlgren-dead-son-of-the-admiral-passes-away-at.html|accessdate=23 February 2017|work=The New York Times|date=12 August 1899}} After his death, she married New York Society leader Harry Lehr (1869–1929).{{cite news |title=Record of the Rich |url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,711722,00.html?iid=chix-sphere |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121019165750/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,711722,00.html?iid=chix-sphere |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 19, 2012 |publisher=Time |date= August 5, 1935|accessdate=2007-07-21 }} After Lehr's death, she married John Beresford, 5th Baron Decies (1866–1944) and thereafter was known as Lady Decies.{{cite news |title=Decies to Marry Mrs. Harry Lehr; Widow of New York Leader of Society to Become Bride of Irish Peer on May 23. Announcement in Paris. Bride-Elect Member of Drexel Family. Wrote Book, 'King Lehr and Gilded Age.' |quote=Mrs. Henry Symes Lehr, widow of Harry Lehr, society leader in New York early in the century, will be married here on May 23 to John Graham Beresford, Lord Decies, Irish peer, according to an announcement made today. |work=New York Times |date= May 12, 1936}}
• Josephine Wharton Drexel (1878-1966), who married Dr. John Duncan Emmet (1857–1923), the son of prominent physician, Dr. Thomas Addis Emmet,{{cite book|last1=Hoyt|first1=James|title=Seen & Heard by Megargee|date=1903|publisher=L.N. Megargee|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=iiQbAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA3221|accessdate=8 June 2017}} in 1904.{{cite book|last1=Barringer|first1=Paul Brandon|last2=Garnett|first2=James Mercer|last3=Page|first3=Rosewell|title=University of Virginia: Its History, Influence, Equipment and Characteristics, with Biographical Sketches and Portraits of Founders, Benefactors, Officers and Alumni|date=1904|publisher=Lewis Publishing Company|page=[https://archive.org/details/universityofvirg02barr/page/204 204]|url=https://archive.org/details/universityofvirg02barr|accessdate=8 June 2017}}{{cite news|title=EMMET-DREXEL WEDDING; Impressive and Picturesque Ceremony at St. Patrick's Cathedral. Trumpeters Herald Arrival of Bride and Starting of Procession in Church -- Reception to the Guests.|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1904/02/10/archives/emmetdrexel-wedding-impressive-and-picturesque-ceremony-at-st.html|accessdate=8 June 2017|work=The New York Times|date=10 February 1904}} They divorced in 1914 and in 1915, she married Seton Henry (d. 1946),{{cite news|title=SETON HENRY DEAD; REAL ESTATE MAN; Son of Maj. Gen. Guy V. Henry, Ex-Governor of Puerto Rico, Retired 20 Years Ago|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1946/10/13/archives/seton-henry-dead-real-estate-man-son-of-maj-gen-guy-v-henry.html|accessdate=8 June 2017|work=The New York Times|date=13 October 1946}} the son of Gen. Guy Vernor Henry and brother of Guy Henry Jr.,{{cite news|title=MRS. J.W. DREXEL WEDS SETON HENRY; Divorced Wife of Dr. J. Duncan Emmet Marries Son of Late General Guy V. Henry. CEREMONY AT CORNWELLS Bride the Daughter of Late J.W. Drexel -- Her Family and Bridegroom's Related by Marriage.|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1915/05/16/archives/mrs-jw-drexel-weds-seton-henry-divorced-wife-of-dr-j-duncan-emmet.html|accessdate=8 June 2017|work=The New York Times|date=16 May 1915}} with whom she had children.{{cite news|title=Paid Notice: Deaths PARKER, JOSEPHINE HENRY|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2002/11/15/classified/paid-notice-deaths-parker-josephine-henry.html|accessdate=8 June 2017|work=The New York Times|date=15 November 2002}}{{cite web|title=Delafield Family Papers (C0391) -- Series 3: Maturin Livingston Delafield, 1836-1917 -- Subseries 3B: Correspondence -- Family and General -- Henry, Josephine Drexel|url=https://findingaids.princeton.edu/collections/C0391/c1896|website=findingaids.princeton.edu|publisher=Princeton University|accessdate=8 June 2017}}{{cite book|last1=Duess|first1=Marie Murphy|title=Colonial Inns and Taverns of Bucks County|date=November 19, 2007|publisher=Arcadia Publishing|page=89|isbn=9781614232384|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6sp-CQAAQBAJ&pg=PT89|accessdate=8 June 2017}}

Drexel died at his home, 103 Madison Avenue in New York City, on March 25, 1888.{{cite news|title=JOSEPH W. DREXEL DEAD; THE WELL-KNOWN BANKER AND PHILANTHROPIST. DYING SUDDENLY YESTERDAY AT HIS HOME IN THIS CITY AFTER MANY MONTHS OF SUFFERING.|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1888/03/26/archives/joseph-w-drexel-dead-the-wellknown-banker-and-philanthropist-dying.html|accessdate=8 June 2017|work=The New York Times|date=26 March 1888}} He had been suffering from Bright's Disease for a year and a half before then. He was buried in The Woodlands Cemetery in Philadelphia.{{cite news|title=Joseph W. Drexel Funeral|quote=The funeral of Joseph W. Drexel occurred yesterday from the Church of the Transfiguration, (the Little Church Around the Corner) in Twenty-ninth-street, near Fifth-avenue...|work=New York Times|date=29 March 1888 }}{{cite news|title=JOSEPH W. DREXEL'S WILL.; ONLY ONE PUBLIC BEQUEST, TO THE LENOX LIBRARY, CONDITIONALLY.|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1888/04/01/archives/joseph-w-drexels-will-only-one-public-bequest-to-the-lenox-library.html|accessdate=8 June 2017|work=The New York Times|date=1 April 1888}}

{{Portal|Biography}}

• Drexel Collection

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• [http://catalog.nypl.org/record=b11652233~S1 Correspondence and bills from J. Sabin & Sons, 1877-1878 (with Joseph W. Drexel)] in the Music Division of the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts.
• {{Find a Grave|13162009}}

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Category:1833 births

Category:1888 deaths

Category:Central High School (Philadelphia) alumni

Joseph William

Category:Businesspeople from Philadelphia

Category:American bankers

Category:American people of Austrian descent

Category:American book and manuscript collectors

Category:American Episcopalians

Category:Converts to Anglicanism from Roman Catholicism

Category:Burials at The Woodlands Cemetery