John Wesley Doane was a merchant and banker in the 18th century. He was born at Thompson, Windham County, Conn., on March 23, 1833. John Wesley Doane was educated in the common schools, and, at 22 years of age, came to Chicago and opened a small grocery store, which, by 1870, had become one of the most extensive concerns of its kind in the Northwest.
It was swept out of existence by the fire of 1871 but was re-established. In 1872, transferred to other parties, although Mr. Doane continued to conduct an importing business in many lines of goods used in the grocery trade. Having become interested in the Merchants’ Loan & Trust Company, he was elected its president and continued to act in that capacity.
John Wesley Doane was a merchant and banker in the 18th century. He was born at Thompson, Windham County, Conn., on March 23, 1833;
John Wesley Doane was a merchant and banker in the 18th century. He was born at Thompson, Windham County, Conn., on March 23, 1833. Source
He was also a stockholder and a director of the Pullman Palace Car Company. The Allen Paper Car Wheel Company, and the Illinois Central Railroad, and was a leading promoter of the World’s Columbian Exposition of 1893—being one of those who guaranteed the $5,000,000 raised by citizens of Chicago to assure the success of the enterprise. John Wesley Doane died on March 23, 1901, and was buried in West Thompson Cemetery, Thompson, Windham, Connecticut, United States.
Read More: Potomac River Historical Significance