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Scots and Scots Descendant in America
Part V - Biographies
David Brown Fleming


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.


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