William Barklie Henry (December 5, 1867 – December 24, 1930) was an American stockbroker and yachtsman. He became a millionaire as the co-founder of Henry & West, later known as West & Company, a brokerage firm in

Philadelphia Philadelphia, often called Philly, is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the sixth-largest city in the U.S., the second-largest city in both the Northeast megalopolis and Mid-Atlantic regions after New York City. Sinc ...

. Described as "one of the most expert yachting sailors" in the United States, he was a member of the

Corinthian Yacht Club of Philadelphia The Corinthian Yacht Club of Philadelphia is a yacht club near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Its clubhouse and dock are located at 300 W. 2nd Street in Essington, Pennsylvania. History The club was established on January 12, 1892, by 13 members of ...

and the New York Yacht Club, winning many yachting races held off the coast of

Long Island Long Island is a densely populated island in the southeastern region of the U.S. state of New York (state), New York, part of the New York metropolitan area. With over 8 million people, Long Island is the most populous island in the United Sta ...

Early life

Henry was born December 5, 1867, in Quaker City, Pennsylvania. His father, Morton Henry, was an attorney. One of his cousins married Anthony Joseph Drexel Jr., son of

Anthony Joseph Drexel Anthony Joseph Drexel Sr. (September 13, 1826 – June 30, 1893) was an American banker who played a major role in the rise of modern global finance after the American Civil War. As the dominant partner of Drexel & Co. of Philadelphia, he founde ...

, investment banker and the founder of

Drexel University Drexel University is a private research university with its main campus in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Drexel's undergraduate school was founded in 1891 by Anthony J. Drexel, a financier and philanthropist. Founded as Drexel Institute of Art, S ...

. Henry was educated at St. Paul's School. He graduated from the

University of Pennsylvania The University of Pennsylvania (also known as Penn or UPenn) is a private research university in Philadelphia. It is the fourth-oldest institution of higher education in the United States and is ranked among the highest-regarded universitie ...

in 1889.

Career

Henry began his career as the president of the Standard Supply & Equipment Company. The company was a supplier of goods to the railroads. In 1910, Henry co-founded Henry & West, a brokerage firm, with William West. Their office was on Walnut Street in Philadelphia. Henry remained a partner until 1914. It later became known as West & Company. Henry became a millionaire. During

World War I World War I (28 July 1914 11 November 1918), often abbreviated as WWI, was one of the deadliest global conflicts in history. Belligerents included much of Europe, the Russian Empire, the United States, and the Ottoman Empire, with fightin ...

, Henry joined the

United States Navy The United States Navy (USN) is the maritime service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the eight uniformed services of the United States. It is the largest and most powerful navy in the world, with the estimated tonnage ...

, where he served as lieutenant commander of the secret service division of the 4th naval district. He became a member of the Military Order of Foreign Wars. Henry was a yachtsman. He was a member of the

, where he served as rear commodore, and the New York Yacht Club. He was the winner of many yachting races held off the coast of

. He was described by ''The Philadelphia Inquirer'' as "one of the most expert yachting sailors" in the United States.

Personal life, death and legacy

Henry was married twice. He first married Alice Belknap (1874–1962), daughter of the 30th

United States Secretary of War The secretary of war was a member of the President of the United States, U.S. president's United States Cabinet, Cabinet, beginning with George Washington's Presidency of George Washington, administration. A similar position, called either "Se ...

Brigadier General Brigadier general or Brigade general is a military rank used in many countries. It is the lowest ranking general officer in some countries. The rank is usually above a colonel, and below a major general or divisional general. When appointed ...

William W. Belknap William Worth Belknap (September 22, 1829 – October 12, 1890) was a lawyer, soldier in the Union Army, government administrator in Iowa, and the 30th United States Secretary of War, serving under President Ulysses S. Grant. Belknap was impeach ...

, on June 7, 1898. They had a son, Barklie McKee Henry (1902-1966), who married Barbara, the daughter of

Harry Payne Whitney Harry Payne Whitney (April 29, 1872 – October 26, 1930) was an American businessman, thoroughbred horse breeder, and member of the prominent Whitney family. Early years Whitney was born in New York City on April 29, 1872, as the eldest son ...

and a daughter, Alice Ellen (1906-1989), who married Hans von Briesen. Henry's marriage to Belknap ended in divorce. His second wife, Mary Faris Pancoast Conaway, was the widow of John L. Conaway, a renowned horseman. They wed in

Bar Harbor, Maine Bar Harbor is a resort town on Mount Desert Island in Hancock County, Maine, United States. As of the 2020 census, its population is 5,089. During the summer and fall seasons, it is a popular tourist destination and, until a catastrophic fire i ...

in 1912. They resided at Pine Cottage in Rosemont. She predeceased him on July 20, 1930, in England. Henry was a member of the Philadelphia Club and the

Racquet Club of Philadelphia The Racquet Club of Philadelphia (RCOP) is a private social club and athletic club in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It has facilities for squash, real tennis, and racquets. The club is ranked in the Top 20 Athletic Clubs on the Platinum Club of A ...

. Henry died on December 24, 1930, in Palm Beach, Florida, at 63. His stepdaughter,

Gertrude Conaway Vanderbilt Gertrude Conaway Vanderbilt (1901 - August 6, 1978) was an American socialite and philanthropist. She was one of the first women to compete in the America's Cup alongside her husband, Harold Stirling Vanderbilt, in 1934 and 1937. Early life Gertr ...

, married yachtsman

Harold Stirling Vanderbilt Harold Stirling Vanderbilt CBE (July 6, 1884 – July 4, 1970) was an American railroad executive, a champion yachtsman, an innovator and champion player of contract bridge, and a member of the Vanderbilt family. Early life He was born in Oakdale, ...

in 1933, and she became a socialite and philanthropist.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Henry, W. Barklie 1867 births 1930 deaths People from Berks County, Pennsylvania Businesspeople from Philadelphia Military personnel from Pennsylvania St. Paul's School (New Hampshire) alumni University of Pennsylvania alumni American stockbrokers American company founders United States Navy personnel of World War I