Isaac Dudley Fletcher (1844-1917)

He was born in Bangor, Maine, and came to New York in 1865 where he laid the foundation of his wealth in the paving and roofing business. Moving into manufacturing, he became President of the Barrat Manufacturing Company (afterwards bought up by Allied Chemicals) and President of the New York Coal Tar Company. His art collection included works by David, Gainsborough, Rembrandt, Reynolds, Rubens, Wyant, Corot, Daubigny etc. He also collected stained glass, rare rugs, and ancient Egyptian & Persian pottery. He left his collection along with his mansion on Fifth Avenue to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Socially, he was member of the Lotos, Union League, Metropolitan, and New York Whist Clubs. He was the elder brother of Horace Fletcher "The Great Masticator" and the stepfather/father figure of Jefferson who subsequently changed his surname to "Fletcher". He was also survived by his sister, Mrs A. Whiting.