Historic New York People – Legends of America

Historic New York People – Legends of America

Alright, history buffs and curious minds! Let’s take a stroll through the vibrant tapestry of New York’s past and meet some of the unforgettable characters who shaped this iconic state. From trailblazing activists to notorious mobsters, these figures left their mark on the Empire State and beyond. Buckle up for a whirlwind tour!

(Image: People in the Theater District of New York City by Thomas O’Halloran, 1974)

Caption: A snapshot of life in the Theater District, New York City, back in 1974. Can you imagine the stories these streets hold?

The Movers and Shakers:

• Susan B. Anthony – Political Activist: Talk about a powerhouse! Susan B. Anthony was a tireless champion for women’s rights, playing a pivotal role in the fight for suffrage. Her unwavering dedication helped pave the way for future generations.

• John Jacob Astor & the American Fur Company: Before real estate empires, Astor made his fortune in fur. A shrewd businessman, he built a vast trading network that stretched across the continent. Love him or hate him, he was a force to be reckoned with.

• Francis Branch – Trader & Pioneer: These were the unsung heroes who ventured into the unknown, trading goods and forging connections with Native American tribes. Their stories are often overlooked, but they were essential to the expansion of the frontier.

• John Butterfield – Expanding the Routes in the West: Before airplanes and highways, stagecoaches were the lifeline of the West. Butterfield’s Overland Mail Company braved harsh conditions to deliver mail and passengers across vast distances.

• Al Capone – Leading the Chicago Outfit: Okay, so he wasn’t exactly a New Yorker, but Capone’s influence reached far beyond Chicago. This notorious gangster built a criminal empire on bootlegging, gambling, and violence during the Prohibition era.

(Image: Frederick Douglass appealed to President Lincoln and his cabinet to enlist African Americans.)

Caption: Frederick Douglass, a beacon of hope, advocating for the rights of African Americans. What a powerful moment in history!

• Frederick Douglass – From Slavery to Renowned Activist: Escaping slavery, Douglass became one of the most eloquent voices for abolition and racial equality. His speeches and writings inspired countless people to fight for justice.

• General Thomas Ewing, Jr. – Fighting For Kansas: The fight over whether Kansas would be a free or slave state was a brutal and bloody affair. Ewing was a key figure in the struggle to keep Kansas free.

• Clark “Old Chieftain” Foss – Boisterous California Stage Driver: These guys were the cowboys of the coaching world! Foss was known for his skill, daring, and colorful personality.

• Robert Fulton and the Steamboat: Fulton revolutionized transportation with his invention of the steamboat. This innovation opened up waterways for trade and travel, transforming the American economy.

• Ulysses S. Grant – Civil War Hero & 18th President: From humble beginnings to leading the Union Army to victory, Grant’s story is one of perseverance and determination. He later served as president during a turbulent period of Reconstruction.

• Nathan Hale – The Patriot Spy: "I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country." Hale’s famous last words epitomize the spirit of the American Revolution. He was a true patriot who sacrificed everything for the cause of freedom.

• Alexander Hamilton – Founding Father & Political Philosopher: One of the most brilliant minds of his generation, Hamilton played a crucial role in shaping the United States. His contributions as a Founding Father, economist, and political thinker are still felt today.

• Henry Hudson – Northeast Explorer: Sailing under the Dutch flag, Hudson explored the waterways of North America, including the river that bears his name. His voyages helped lay the foundation for Dutch colonization in the New World.

• James B. Hume – California Lawman & Detective: This was the wild west, and these guys were the real deal. Hume brought law and order to the rough and tumble gold rush towns of California.

• La Cosa Nostra – American Mafia: A dark chapter in American history, the Mafia emerged as a powerful force in organized crime. Their activities cast a long shadow over the nation for decades.

(Image: Typhoid Mary Mallon)

Caption: Typhoid Mary, a controversial figure who unknowingly spread disease. A cautionary tale about public health and individual rights.

• Typhoid Mary Mallon – Spreading the Fever: The woman who became known as Typhoid Mary was an Irish immigrant who worked as a cook in the early 1900s. She was an asymptomatic carrier of typhoid fever, meaning she could spread the disease without showing any symptoms herself.

• Bat Masterson – King of the Gun Players: A real gunslinger of the Wild West. Masterson was a lawman, gambler, and sports writer.

• William E. Mathewson – The Other Buffalo Bill: There was more than one! Mathewson was an American bison hunter, U.S. Army scout, plainsman, and interpreter.

• Edward P. McCabe – Nicodemus Colonizer & State Auditor: McCabe was an African-American who helped to found the town of Nicodemus, Kansas, one of the first all-black towns in the United States.

• Henry “Hank” Monk – Famous Stage Driver of the Old West: Stagecoach drivers were the pilots of their day. Monk was known for his skill, courage, and sense of humor.

• Giuseppe “The Clutch Hand” Morello – Leading the Morello Crime Family: This guy was a real OG in the Mafia world. Morello was one of the first bosses to establish a major crime family in New York City.

• Murder, Inc. – Part of the Italian-American Mafia: A group of contract killers associated with the Mafia. They were responsible for hundreds of murders in the 1930s and 1940s.

• John Wesley Powell – Exploring the Grand Canyon: A one-armed Civil War veteran, Powell led the first expedition to explore the Grand Canyon. His explorations opened up the West to scientific study and tourism.

• Porter Rockwell – Destroying Angel of Mormondom: A controversial figure in Mormon history, Rockwell was known for his loyalty to Joseph Smith and his willingness to use violence to protect the Mormon community.

• Rough Riding Theodore Roosevelt: Before he was president, Roosevelt was a cowboy, a soldier, and a man of action. His adventurous spirit and "Rough Rider" image made him a popular figure.

• Mobster Dutch Schultz & His Hidden Treasure: One of the most flamboyant and ruthless gangsters of the Prohibition era. Legend has it that Schultz buried a fortune in treasure before his death.

(Image: Bugsy Siegel)

Caption: Bugsy Siegel, the gangster who helped put Las Vegas on the map. A visionary with a dark side.

• and the Re-birth of Las Vegas: Siegel was a key figure in the development of Las Vegas as a gambling mecca. He brought Hollywood glamour and mob money to the desert, transforming it into a world-famous destination.

• Jedediah Smith – Blazing the Rockies: A fearless explorer, Smith opened up new routes through the Rocky Mountains. His explorations paved the way for westward expansion.

• Thomas “Bear River” Smith – Marshalling Abilene: A tough lawman who brought order to the wild and woolly town of Abilene, Kansas.

• Wells Spicer – Tombstone Judge: The judge who presided over the aftermath of the O.K. Corral shootout. He was known for his fairness and integrity.

• Elizabeth Cady Stanton – Working For Women’s Equality: A leading figure in the women’s rights movement. She was a passionate advocate for women’s suffrage and equality.

• Giovanni “Johnny” Torrio – Italian-American Mobster: Torrio was a key figure in the development of organized crime in Chicago. He was a mentor to Al Capone.

• Harriet Tubman – Moses of the Underground Railroad: An escaped slave who risked her life to help others escape to freedom. She was a courageous and selfless leader.

• Big Dave Updyke – Crooked Sheriff of Ada County, Idaho: Not everyone in law enforcement was a hero. Updyke was a corrupt sheriff who used his position for personal gain.

• Sarah Rosetta Wakeman – Fighting in the Civil War: A woman who disguised herself as a man and fought in the Civil War. Her story is a testament to the courage and determination of women during this time.

(Image: Mary Edwards Walker about 1867.)

Caption: Dr. Mary Edwards Walker, a trailblazing surgeon and advocate for women’s rights. An inspiration to us all!

• Mary E. Walker – Brave Surgeon of the Civil War: A pioneering female surgeon who served in the Civil War. She was the only woman to receive the Medal of Honor.

• William Wheeler – U.S. Deputy Marshal in Montana: Lawmen in the Wild West faced danger and challenges. Wheeler was one of the brave men who upheld the law in Montana.

• Frank Wolcott – Enforcer in the Johnson County War: A cattleman who played a role in the Johnson County War, a conflict between cattle barons and small ranchers in Wyoming.

Keep Exploring!

This is just a taste of the incredible people who have shaped New York and American history. Want to dive deeper? Check out these resources:

• American History
• Historic People Photo Galleries
• United States Trivia, Fun Facts, and Firsts
• Who’s Who in American History

© Kathy Alexander/Legends of America, updated April 2024.

Let me know if you’d like me to expand on any of these figures or add more!