Charles Fox Hovey facts for kids
Charles Fox Hovey (1807–1859) was a successful businessman from Boston, Massachusetts. He started a large department store called C.F. Hovey and Co. on Summer Street. Over the years, he worked with several business partners. A famous company, Fidelity Investments, got its start when Samuel Johnson Jr. worked at Hovey's store. In 1947, another big store called Jordan Marsh took over Hovey's.
Charles Hovey was also a strong supporter of social change. He believed in ending slavery and helped other important movements.
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Who Was Charles Fox Hovey?
Charles Fox Hovey was born in 1807 and lived until 1859. He became well-known in Boston for his business skills. His department store was a popular place for people to shop.
His Department Store
C.F. Hovey and Co. was a very important department store in Boston. It was located on Summer Street. This store sold many different things, like clothes and household items. It was a big part of Boston's shopping scene for many years.
A Champion for Change
Beyond business, Charles Hovey cared deeply about making the world better. He was a leading abolitionist. This means he worked hard to end slavery in the United States. He was one of a few Boston businessmen who gave a lot of money to the American Anti-Slavery Society. This group fought to abolish slavery.
Hovey also supported other important causes. He signed a call for the first National Woman's Rights Convention in 1850. This meeting was a big step for women's rights in America.
Supporting Important Causes
When Charles Hovey passed away, he left a large sum of money, $50,000, in his will. This money was meant to help social reform movements. It supported groups working for ending slavery, women's rights, and peaceful protest (called "non-resistance"). It also helped groups that supported fair trade and reducing alcohol use (called "temperance").
This money created something called the Hovey Fund. The fund provided important support to many social change groups at that time. A famous abolitionist named Wendell Phillips was in charge of the Hovey Fund.
Images for kids
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Interior of C.F. Hovey & Co., Summer Street, Boston, 19th century
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Exterior of C.F. Hovey & Co., Summer Street, Boston, 19th century
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Hovey's after the fire, 1872
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Women's Victorian era garment from C.F. Hovey & Co. including label
