John Mason

Who was John Mason?

John Mason was an early American businessperson, merchant and banker. Mason served as the second president of Chemical Bank from 1831 through 1839 and would later be referred to as "the father of the Chemical Bank". Mason was a founder of the New York and Harlem Railroad, one of the first railroads in the U.S. in 1831 and served as the company's second president.

Mason who made much of his fortune in dry goods was among the wealthiest landowners in New York City in the early 19th century. He purchased a large portion of what is today Midtown Manhattan in 1825 including much of the land bounded by Fifth Avenue and Park Avenue between 53rd Street and 64th Street.