Leonard Jerome facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Leonard Jerome
|
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born |
Leonard Walter Jerome
November 3, 1817 Pompey, New York, U.S.
|
| Died | March 3, 1891 (aged 73) Brighton, England, United Kingdom
|
| Education | Union College |
| Spouse(s) |
Clarissa Hall
(m. 1849) |
| Children | 4, including Jennie Jerome |
| Parent(s) | Aurora Murray Isaac Jerome |
| Relatives | Winston Churchill (grandson) |
Leonard Walter Jerome (born November 3, 1817 – died March 3, 1891) was a very successful American businessman. He worked in finance in Brooklyn, New York. He is also known as the grandfather of the famous British leader, Winston Churchill.
Early Life and Education
Leonard Jerome was born on November 3, 1817, in a town called Pompey. This town is in Onondaga County, New York. He was one of ten children born to Aurora and Isaac Jerome. His family had a long history in America. His ancestor, Timothy Jerome, came from France in 1717. Leonard's grandmother was Betsy Ball, who was related to George Washington.
Leonard first went to Princeton University. Later, he moved to Union College to study law. He became a lawyer in Rochester, New York. After that, he moved to New York City. There, he became a stock investor and promoter. This meant he bought and sold parts of companies to make money.
Business and Influence
Leonard Jerome was known as a very bold and successful investor. People even called him "The King of Wall Street" because he made and lost large amounts of money many times. He owned parts of several railroad companies. He often worked with another famous businessman, Cornelius Vanderbilt.
Jerome also loved the arts. He helped start the Academy of Music. This was one of the first opera houses in New York City.
During the New York Draft Riots, Leonard Jerome helped protect the New York Times office building. He even used a special gun called a Gatling Gun to defend it.
His home, the Jerome Mansion, was very grand. It was located in New York City at Madison Avenue and 26th Street. The mansion had a theater with 600 seats. It also had a breakfast room big enough for 70 people. The ballroom was decorated in white and gold. It even had fountains that spouted champagne and perfume! The mansion was later sold and torn down in 1967.
Sporting Interests
Leonard Jerome was a very active person and loved sports. He enjoyed yachting with his friend, William K. Vanderbilt. They both loved horse racing. They even helped create the American Jockey Club.
In the late 1860s, Jerome went on several hunting trips in the American West. These trips were guided by the famous Buffalo Bill Cody.
In 1866, Jerome bought a large estate near Old Fordham Village. This area is now part of The Bronx. Jerome and another investor, August Belmont, Sr., built the Jerome Park Racetrack there. The first Belmont Stakes horse race was held at this track in 1867. Jerome and his brother also built a wide road leading to the track. This road is now called Jerome Avenue. The racetrack was later removed in 1894 to make way for the Jerome Park Reservoir.
Jerome also lived in Brooklyn. He, Vanderbilt, and other investors started the Coney Island Jockey Club. This club built the Sheepshead Bay Race Track in 1884.
Family Life
On April 5, 1849, Leonard Jerome married Clarissa Hall. She was the daughter of a wealthy man named Amos Hall. They had four daughters together. Sadly, one daughter, Camille, passed away when she was eight years old.
Their other three daughters were Jeanette, Clarita, and Leonie. They were known for being "the Good, the Witty and the Beautiful." Because of their father's wealth, the girls spent a lot of time in Europe. There, they met many important and aristocratic people. All three daughters married men from Britain or Ireland:
- Lady Randolph Churchill (Jeanette Jerome), known as Jennie, married Lord Randolph Churchill. He was the son of the Duke of Marlborough. Jennie was the mother of Winston Churchill.
- Clarita Frewen (Clarita Jerome), known as Clara, married Moreton Frewen. He was known for spending a lot of money. They had two sons and one daughter, Clare Sheridan.
- Leonie, Lady Leslie (Leonie Jerome), married Sir John Leslie. He was an Irish nobleman whose family owned a very large amount of land. They had four sons.
Leonard Jerome passed away at age 73 in Brighton, England. His wife and daughters were with him. He was first buried in England, but later his body was moved to the Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn.
Legacy
Several places and events are named after Leonard Jerome. These include Jerome Avenue in the Bronx, Jerome Avenue in Brooklyn, the Jerome Park Reservoir, and the Jerome Stakes horse race.
