David Abercrombie
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David T. Abercrombie (June 6, 1867–August 29, 1931) is the founder of Abercrombie and Fitch.
He was born in Baltimore, Maryland the son of John and Elizabeth Sarah (Daniel) Abercrombie. He was educated in the public schools of Baltimore and by private instructors. He also studied at Baltimore City College and became a practicing civil engineer and topographer, including explorer and chief of survey for Norfolk & Western Railroad in the coal and timber lands of West Virginia.
On April 25, 1896, he married Lucy Abbot Cate in Baltimore. They had four children: Elizabeth, Lucy, David, and Abbott. The family resided in Newark, New Jersey for some years and maintained a log cabin getaway on Pine Island on Greenwood Lake, New Jersey. Later they resided in Brooklyn, New York and finally in Ossining, New York.
In 1892, he founded his all-you-need sportsman store for hunters and fisherman. In 1900, Abercrombie joined forces and partnered with Ezra Fitch and opened their first store on the South Street waterfront in lower Manhattan. Fitch eventually bought the company.
In 1917, Abercrombie joined Baker, Murray & Imbrie ("The Sporting Goods Store of Expert Personal Service") as Vice President.
He later founded the David T. Abercrombie Company, a New York City sportsmens outfitter, and Abercrombie Corporation, which packed commodities for export.
He died intestate in Ossining at his country estate, Elda, overlooking the Hudson Valley and Long Island Sound.
[edit] References
- Builders of Our Nation, Men of 1914 Chicago: Men of Nineteen-Fourteen, 1915.
- "D.T. ABERCROMBIE, SPORTSMAN, IS DEAD; Originator of Noted Firm Dealing in Sporting Goods--Was Explorer, Hunter, Fisherman." New York Times August 30, 1931, page N6.
- "ABERCROMBIE LEFT ESTATE OF $10,793; Founder of Sporting Goods Firm Bequeathed Property to Widow and Three Children", New York Times March 12, 1932, page 6.
