Morris Ketchum

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Morris Ketchum (February 1796 – January 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]

[edit] References

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