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MR. DAVID BROWN FLEMING, the
successful merchant and manufacturer of leather, Jacob Street, New York,
was born August 12, 1845, in Musselburgh, Scotland, the son of William and
Jane Brown Fleming. His parents were both strong old church Presbyterians.
Mr. Fleming studied at Musselburgh Borough School, Allan Robertson,
Master; and afterward learned his father’s business of tanner and currier
of leather with Messrs. W. & I. Miller, Fisherrow.
He has been in the same business for
forty years and has one of the best establishments in the world for the
making of fine harness leather,
which goes all over the world: "No
leather like oor ain." Mr. Fleming came to the United States in 1868. His
success in business is due to hard work, honesty and the production of
reliable goods. He personally superintends all the details of the
business, and his sons show equal fidelity and thoroughness. In the
beginning, he had little money and was unable to hire help, so worked hard
early and late; and this tells in the end. The firm now owns its
commodious building, 10 Jacob Street, and has a very extensive business.
In competition with other firms, shortly after the beginning of the Euro-pean
War, they were awarded by the British Government a contract for 55,000
hides for saddles, amounting to $450,000. Their reputation as a clean,
honest firm reached the buyers directly
through United States officials.
During the war, they have furnished the Allies $186,000 in hides for
accoutrements.
Mr. Fleming is a member of the St.
Andrew’s Society, New York, the Caledonian Club, and the Brooklyn Bowling
Club. He is a member of the School Board, Prospect Heights Presbyterian
Church, and Vice-President and a member of the New York Mariners’ Church
for 45 years.
He married, September 21, 1869,
Elizabeth Robertson, daughter of Thomas Robertson, of Musselburgh,
Scotland. Mrs. Fleming died April 24. 1909. Of their five children, three
sons and two daughters, the eldest son, William R., died May 19, 1914.
Thomas R. married Effie Gray, Brooklyn, January, 1907, and has three sons:
William, Thomas and David. David B., Jr., married Carrie Gray, daughter of
the celebrated singer, Alexander Gray, Kansas City. Sarah married David
Anderson, son of Captain Anderson, of City Line, Glasgow. Jane married W.
Beattie, a farmer at Newburgh, N. V. Thomas R. and David B., Jr.,
are partners with their father in the firm, D. B. Fleming & Sons. Thomas
is a Major in the 13th Regiment, National Guard, N. V. |
