William Pryor Letchworth

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William Pryor Letchworth (May 26, 1823 - December 1, 1910) was an American businessman.

[edit] Early Years

William was born in Brownville, New York on May 26, 1823, the fourth of eight children born to Josiah and Ann Hance Letchworth. Raised as a Quaker, Letchworth learned the values of hard work, charity, and development of the intellect from his family.

At age 15, Letchworh was hired as a clerk at Hayden & Holmes, a saddlery and hardware company. Letchworth succeeded at his tasks and in business in general, and by age 22 was partner at Pratt & Letchworth, a company involved in the "malleable iron" business.

[edit] Glen Iris Estate

Although successful, Letchworth found the day-to-day operations of business burdonsome. He sought refuge from the business world and decided to build a home. He settled on the location while as a tourist gazing at the view in what the Seneca Indians called the Sehgahunda Valley through which the Genesee River flowed. In 1859 he purchased his first tract of land near Portage Falls.

Letchworth hired noted landscape architect William Wesbter to design the gounds of the estate, which Letchworth named Glen Iris.