Morris Ketchum

Morris Ketchum (February 1796January 1 1880)[1] was an American banker and financier of the 19th century. In 1832 he partnered with Thomas Rogers and Jasper Grosvenor to form the manufacturing firm of Rogers, Ketchum and Grosvenor; this firm eventually grew into Rogers Locomotive Works, the second most popular steam locomotive manufacturing company in North America. [2]

Ketchum was also a director of the Illinois Central Railroad. During his time on the board, he was able to funnel many of that railroad's locomotive orders to Rogers. [3]

Morris Ketchum, with his son Edward B. Ketchum, led the financial firm of Ketchum, Son and Company in New York City. Edward was later found to have embezzled nearly $2.5 million to cover his losses in the 1860s; it was Morris's good reputation that kept the public from suspecting Edward of embezzlement for a time. [4]

References

  1. ^  Reitwiesner, William Addams, The Ancestors of Julia Stimson Thorne. Retrieved October 11 2005.
  2. ^  Moshein, Peter and Rothfus, Robert R., (1992) Rogers locomotives: A brief history and construction list, Railroad History (167) 13-147.
  3. ^  White, John H., Jr. (1968). A history of the American locomotive; its development: 1830-1880. Dover Publications, New York, NY. ISBN 0-486-23818-0. p. 24.
  4. ^  Kalinke, Tom; Museum of American Financial History (2004), Financial History. Retrieved October 7 2005.