Jacob Barker Autograph and CDV Portrait

Jacob Barker Autograph and CDV Portrait - Neat historic figure - Read History! - Inventory Number: DOC 331

"DEATH OF JACOB BARKER Jacob Barker, one of the oldest residents of Philadelphia, died yesterday morning at the home of Abraham Barker, Esq., one of his sons, on Spruce street. The deceased was born December 18, 1778, on Swan Island, at the mouth of the Kennebec River, Maine. At the age of 16 he left home and passed a year at school in New Bedford. He commenced business in a store in Nantucket, but, tempted by love of adventure, shipped as a green hand on a packet for New York, with the intention of visiting the East Indies. He abandoned the idea, and on reaching New York entered the commission house of Isaac Hicks.

In 1801 he commenced business on his own account and at the outset of his career was ruined financially by the failure of an Irish merchant for whom he had indorsed heavily. He recovered rapidly, however, and at the outbreak of the second war with Great Britain became interested in raising national loans, in which work he was very successful. With the extension of his business he opened a banking house on Wall street. Through the failure of a Liverpool Bank this was obliged to close its doors. He then removed to New Orleans, where he was successful in business, and at the outbreak of the Rebellion was one of the largest capitalists there and a staunch Union man. The war ruined his business and he came to Philadelphia about two years since. He was elected United States Senator under the Johnson administration, but found the doors of Congress closed to him."

Additional notes for Jacob Barker to the obit above. In 1814, he was involved at the request of Dolly Madison to aid in the removal of the Washington portrait in the White House prior to the British burning of the city. He was successful in taking the portrait to a hiding place in Montgomery County, Maryland until it could be returned safely.

In addition, it should be noted that after he was elected senator from Louisiana, he was not allowed to take his seat in Congress. This was because Louisiana had not been readmitted to the union yet after the conclusion of the Civil War.

Comes housed in 8 x 12 riker display case with black velvet and descriptive card.

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