Emanuel S. Mendels
Emanuel S. Mendels, Jr. was a leading curbstone broker who organized the Curb Market Agency in 1908 that developed appropriate trading rules for curbstone brokers. In 1911, Mendels and his advisors drew up a constitution and formed the New York Curb Market Association, which can be considered as the first formal constitution of American Stock Exchange, today known as the NYSE Amex Equities.[1] Mendels died in 1911, after becoming seriously ill from ptomine poisoning.[2]
Early life
Mendels was born in New Orleans in 1850. His father, who had a small business was also active in Whig politics. After his parents moved to New Jersey, Mendels was employed at a brokerage house during the post war boom period. After four years of working in the brokerage firm, he left his position to be a curbstone broker.[3]