Henry G. Lapham
Henry G. Lapham was an American investment banker, oilman, philatelist, philanthropist, and sportsman.[1] He was the founding president of the Boston Garden-Arena Corporation and a major sports promoter in Boston during the 1920s and 1930s.
Early life
Lapham was born in 1875 in Brooklyn to John Jesse and Mary Elizabeth Walker Lapham. His father was a leather merchant and tanner who ultimately merged several companies to create the Central Leather Co. of Pennsylvania, which eventually became part of the United States Leather Company. The family relocated to Boston, and they continued to financially prosper due to involvement with American-Hawaiian Steam-ship Co. and ownership in Texas and California oil fields.[1]
Lapham graduated from Yale University in 1897 and a year later moved to Boston.[2] Lapham married to Rebecca Lounsberry, a fellow native of Brooklyn, shortly after graduating from college. They had two children, Raymond and Kathryn.
Business career
Lapham's first position was as a clerk in the offices of the
Sports
BAA
Lapham joined the Boston Athletic Association in 1914. He was the BAA's vice president from 1918 to 1920.[5] Lapham then served as president from 1920 to 1926, when he chose not to continue in that role due to business pressures. He was succeeded by George W. Wightman, husband of Hazel Hotchkiss Wightman.[6]
Boston Arena and Boston Garden
Lapham played an instrumental role in the construction of the
Other
In 1920, Lapham was elected president of the National Association of Amateur Billiard Players.[9]
In 1924 he was elected first vice chairman of the
In 1924, Lapham donated $350,000 for the construction of an athletic clubhouse on the Yale campus, which was named the Lapham Field House.[2]
Philately
Lapham was known for his collection of
Threats
In 1924, Salvatore Schiavone, a resident of Boston's North End, was arrested for sending a letter in which he threatened to kill to Lapham if he did not pay him $5,000. Schiavone sent a second letter in 1932, this time asking for $10,800. Schiavone admitted to sending the second letter, stating he felt that Lapham owed him the money as he had been imprisoned unfairly.[13]
In 1934, Lapham's daughter-in-law received police protection after she received a phone call that police interpreted as a threat to kidnap her.[14]
Death
Lapham died on December 16, 1939, at his home at 514 Warren Street Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, following two years of poor health.[2] His wife died in April 1940, less than four months after Lapham's death.[15]
References
- ^ a b c d e Bierman, Stanley, M., M.D. (1988). "Henry G. Lapham: United States Primitives Extraordinaire" (PDF). U.S Philatelic Classics Society. 40 (4): 6. Retrieved 7 July 2018.
{{cite journal}}
: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Henry G. Lapham, Noted Promoter of Sports Events, Dies". The Boston Daily Globe. December 17, 1939.
- ^ a b "Henry G. Lapham". The Wall Street Journal. October 20, 1926.
- ^ "Homes Renews Fight Against "Lapham Group"". The Boston Daily Globe. October 17, 1924.
- ^ "Present Lapham with Set of Clubs". The Boston Daily Globe. October 17, 1924.
- ^ "Wightman Chosen B.A.A. President". The Boston Daily Globe. April 28, 1926.
- ^ Hurwitz, Hy (September 7, 1934). "Garden-Arena Plan Adopted". The Boston Daily Globe.
- ^ "Boston Garden Is On Its Own". The Boston Daily Globe. November 8, 1936.
- ^ "Lapham is Elected to Head N.A.A.B.P". The New York Times. March 30, 1920.
- ^ "Tennis Body in Olympics". The Boston Daily Globe. November 23, 1922.
- ^ "Lapham to Resign from Olympic Committee". The Boston Daily Globe. September 27, 1927.
- ^ "MacArthur Chosen U.S. Olympic Head". The New York Times. September 18, 1927.
- ^ "Schiavone Held For Letter to Lapham". The Boston Daily Globe. May 20, 1932.
- ^ "Guard Mrs. Lapham From Kidnapers". The Boston Daily Globe. February 15, 1934.
- ^ "Mrs. Rebecca Lapham". The Boston Daily Globe. April 9, 1940.