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Updated December 24, 2004

Character Sketches - Father & Son

John W. Mackay

Picture from June 1924 issue of "The Postal Telegraph"

"His name was constantly on the people's lips---almost invariably with words of praise. Everything about him was distinctive; his modesty, his reserve, his unfailing kindness to old friends, his inumerable benefactions, his uprightness, and his simplicity and decency of his life. Riches did not corrupt or steal away his good name, but rather served as his means to further develop American resources." Above quotation from the Dedication page of The History of the Comstock Lode, 1850-1920 by Grant H. Smith. First edition, revised 1966; ninth printing, 1980. Printed by Vanier Graphics Corp., Reno, Nevada.

Clarence H. Mackay

Picture from June 1924 issue of "The Postal Telegraph"

"Last of all to the IT&T table there advanced, in the sprightliest manner, a trim, dapper gentleman who is the most puzzling phenomenon in Wall Street. It is perfectly easy to say that Mr. Clarence Hungerford Mackay is a charming, accomplished dilettante. Stemming from that rough and lucky miner, old John W. Mackay, and the proud woman who was his wife, Clarence Mackay was far from rough and had no need to be ambitious. He was and is one of the best squash-tennis players in the world. His peerless collection of medieval armor (which requires the constant services of one man plus silver polish) is internationally admired and envied. He is the god-father of the Philharmonic Orchestra in New York. Yet Mr. Mackay is deeply attached to that country from which he sprang---the graceless, dirt-rich hills of Nevada. That state will never again enjoy such a benefactor as Mr. Mackay. He supports its university; last month he opened its school of mines. Debonair as he is, his dilettantism surprisingly extends to those homely roots which are not usually remembered on Long Island. In the offices of the Postal-Telegraph Company, Mr. Mackay is at once the armor-collector and something altogether different. He is casual, unpredictable, often inconsequential. But there is not a man in IT&T's great building at Broad and Beaver streets who does not like him, listen to him, and become increasingly loyal to him. And there is scarcely a door in downtown New York through which he cannot walk, unannounced and welcome. He built the Postal into a great company. Others are the executive chiefs today, but Mr. Mackay is very much there, very much needed, very much loved." Above quotation is from a December 1930 "Fortune Magazine" article, simply titled, "IT&T". It details the addition of Clarence H. Mackay to the IT&T Board of Directors upon acquisition of the Mackay Companies by IT&T in 1928.

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