William Colgate facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
William Colgate
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A depiction of Colgate in his later years, drawn in 1881
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| Born | January 25, 1783 Hollingbourne, Kent, England
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| Died | March 25, 1857 (aged 74) New York City, U.S.
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| Resting place | Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, New York |
| Nationality | Naturalized American |
| Occupation | Manufacturer, philanthropist |
| Known for | Founded Colgate soap company |
| Spouse(s) | Mary Gilbert (married 1811) |
| Children | 9, including James and Samuel |
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William Colgate was born in England on January 25, 1783, and passed away on March 25, 1857. He was a very successful businessman who started a soap company in 1806. This company later grew into the well-known Colgate-Palmolive company.
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William Colgate's Early Life
William Colgate was born in Hollingbourne, Kent, England, on January 25, 1783. His parents were Robert and Sarah Colgate. When William was six years old, his family moved to a farm near Shoreham.
His father, Robert Colgate (1758–1826), was an English farmer and politician. He supported new ideas about freedom and government, like those in the American Revolutionary War and French Revolution. Because of these beliefs, the family moved from England to the United States in 1798. They first settled in Baltimore, Maryland.
In Maryland, Robert Colgate started a business making soap and candles with a partner named Ralph Maher. William helped them, but the partnership ended after two years. The family later moved to Delaware County, New York.
William Colgate's Career
In 1804, William Colgate moved to New York City. He got a job as an apprentice, learning how to make soap. He paid close attention to how his boss worked. He learned what to do and what not to do.
After his training, he connected with other businesses. This helped him start his own soap, starch, and candle business in Manhattan in 1806. His shop was on Dutch Street. In 1820, he opened a starch factory in Jersey City, across the Hudson River.
William Colgate worked hard to achieve success throughout his life. He became one of the wealthiest people in New York City. His success, along with his good advice and willingness to help, made him very respected in the community.
William Colgate's Personal Life
William Colgate was baptized in February 1808 by Reverend William Parkinson, who was the pastor of the First Baptist Church in the City of New York. Colgate became a deacon in the church. In 1811, he joined the Oliver Street Baptist Church. Later, in 1838, he became a member of the Tabernacle Baptist Church (Manhattan), to which he had given a lot of money to help build.
Colgate was known for giving a portion of his earnings to charity and religious work. He started by giving one-tenth of his income. Over time, he increased this to two-tenths, then three-tenths, and eventually half of all his income.
He once shared how he decided to give so much. When he was 16, he left home to find work in New York City. He had some experience making soap. On his journey, the captain of his boat gave him advice: "Someone will soon be the leading soap maker in New York. You can be that person. But you must never forget that the soap you make has been given to you by God. Honor Him by sharing what you earn. Start by giving a tenth of all you receive." William Colgate believed that God was the source of everything he had, including his opportunities and the materials for his products. This belief inspired him to give generously.
William Colgate's Family
William Colgate married Mary Gilbert (1788-1855) on April 23, 1810. They had nine children together:
- Robert (1812-1885)
- Gilbert (1814-1838)
- Sarah (1816-1859)
- James (1818-1904)
- William III (1820-1838)
- Samuel (1822-1897)
- Mary IV (1826-1873)
- Joseph (1828-1865)
- Martha (1831-1837)
Around 1859, his son Robert bought a house called Stonehurst in The Bronx. This house was later added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1983.
William Colgate's Philanthropy
William Colgate regularly gave money to help pay for the costs of the Hamilton Literary and Theological Institution. This school later became Madison University and Theological Seminary. He was also strongly against moving the school to Rochester. His sons, James and Samuel, also gave money to Madison University. Because of the Colgate family's support for over 70 years, the school was renamed Colgate University in 1890.
Colgate also regularly donated to the Baptist Missionary Union. He even took on the full financial support of a foreign missionary.
Images for kids
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William Colgate's signature
See also
