William Shorter Stell (1800-1863)

He was born in Philadelphia and was married in Baltimore before establishing himself as a cotton merchant in Manchester, England, where he spent most of his business life. He was a director of the United Kingdom Electric Telegraph Company; the leading shareholder in the Northern & Central Bank, and, in South Eastern Rail. By 1850 his fortune was sufficient enough to retire although he maintained an interest in the Consolidated Bank of which he was a founder and director. After George Peabody he was considered the most prominent American businessman in England and in retirement he lived between London and Paris. During the Civil War, he sided with the Union and counted among his friends Charles Francis Adams, Junius S. Morgan, William H. Seward, & George Peabody. His adopted daughter and sole heir, Julia, married Edward Tuck and they became among the best known citizens in France for their philanthropy.