André Poniatowski

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Prince Poniatowski, 1916

Prince Louis Léopold Charles Marie André Poniatowski (24 January 1864 – 8 March 1954), was a Polish nobleman, member of the House of Poniatowski who became a prominent French financier and industrialist.

Early life[edit]

Prince André Poniatowski was born in Paris, France on 24 January 1864. He was the youngest son of Prince Stanisław August Poniatowski (1835–1908) and Countess Louise Le Hon (1838–1931). His father served as Master of Horse to Emperor Napoleon III of France.[1] He had an older sister and brother, Prince Charles Poniatowski,[2] who married Maud Ely Goddard of New Brighton (a grand-niece of Mayor Smith Ely Jr.).[3][4][5]

His maternal grandparents were Charles de Morny, Duke of Morny and the Countess Le Hon (née Fanny Mosselman; although she was married to Count Charles Le Hon when Louise was born).[1] His paternal grandparents were Prince Józef Michał Poniatowski, a prominent composer and a singer, and Countess Matilda Perotti.[6][7]

Prince Poniatowski graduated from the French Saumur School of Cavalry.[8]

Career[edit]

In pursuit of investment opportunities, Poniatowski went to San Francisco and formed a syndicate to rework old Gold Country mines using modern methods. To facilitate transportation, he backed Thomas S. Bullock in the construction of the Sierra Railway to get to the mines, and financed construction of the Blue Lakes powerhouse on the Mokelumne River to get electric power to the mines. Realizing the vast potential of this river for hydroelectric power, Poniatowski and his brother-in-law, William Henry Crocker, he formed the Standard Electric Co. in 1897 to build Electra Powerhouse (which later merged into the Pacific Gas and Electric Company). In addition to their railway, mining and power interests, Poniatowski and Crocker built Tanforan Racetrack near Sky Farm, his winter residence in Burlingame.[8]

Return to France[edit]

In 1904, after fifteen years in California, he sold his interests and returned to France with his family. He became "one of the leading authorities on finance, headed the French Finance Company, formed to float issues of American securities in France, and was head of Banque Privée."[9]

In World War I, at the age of 52, he served in the French Army as liaison officer with the British Army.[8]

During the Interwar and early World War II period, Poniatowski leaded the design of experimental infantry tank, SEAM G1P, which had reached the prototype stage, unlike the vehicles proposed by other contesters, however, without weapons and proper engine,[10] which then was captured by German forces. He also proposed a design for superheavy tank, the SEAM 220t.

Personal life[edit]

Portrait of his wife, Princess Poniatowski, by Jacques-Émile Blanche, 1906

On 6 October 1894, Poniatowski married Elizabeth Helen Sperry (1872–1911), an heiress from Stockton, California, in Paris. A daughter of Simon Willard Sperry and Caroline Elizabeth (née Barker) Sperry, her sister, Ethel (née Sperry) Crocker, was the wife of banker William H. Crocker.[11][12] Together, they were the parents of at least five sons, including:[13]

In June 1911, the Princess attended the coronation of King George V in London with her sister. She died in Paris only two months later in August 1911, at only 39 years old.[11] Poniatowski died on 8 March 1954 in Cahors, France.[8]

Descendants[edit]

Through his son Charles, he was a grandfather of French politician Michel Poniatowski (1922–2002), who served as Minister of State and Minister of the Interior under his longtime friend, President Valéry Giscard d'Estaing (after having previously served as Minister of Health under President Georges Pompidou).[20][21]

Through his youngest son Jean, he was a grandfather of writer Elena Poniatowska (b. 1932), who married Mexican astronomer Guillermo Haro.[22]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b Marquise de Fontenoy (14 January 1908). "Prince Stanislas Poniatowski". Chicago Tribune. p. 8. Retrieved 24 February 2023.
  2. ^ "DIED -- PONIATOWSKI". The New York Times. 7 May 1906. Retrieved 24 February 2023.
  3. ^ "COL. ELY GODDARD DEAD.; Union Club Member Dies of Typhoid Fever In New York Hospital". The New York Times. 20 October 1910. Retrieved 24 February 2023.
  4. ^ "HIS PRINCESS AN AMERICAN". The New York Times. 14 May 1884. Retrieved 24 February 2023.
  5. ^ Archives de Paris, Arrondissement 16, Mariages, Commence à 12 mars 1884, Termine à 22 avril 1884, Cote V4E 7285, acte 152, vue 17, consulté le 21 juillet 2020.
  6. ^ Almanach de Gotha: annuaire généalogique, diplomatique et statistique (in French). J. Perthes. 1893. p. 432. Retrieved 24 February 2023.
  7. ^ Shaman, William; Smith, Edward Joseph; Collins, William J.; Goodwin, Calvin M. (1999). More EJS: Discography of the Edward J. Smith Recordings : "Unique Opera Records Corporation" (1972-1977), "A.N.N.A. Record Company" (1978-1982), "special-label" Issues (circa 1954-1981), and Addendum to "The Golden Age of Opera" Series. Greenwood Publishing Group. p. 89. ISBN 978-0-313-29835-6. Retrieved 24 February 2023.
  8. ^ a b c d "PRINCE PONIATOWSKI, AN INDUSTRIALIST, 90". The New York Times. 18 March 1954. Retrieved 24 February 2023.
  9. ^ TIMES, Special Correspondence THE NEW YORK (9 February 1908). "PRINCE PONIATOWSKI ON AMERICAN FINANCE; The Famous French Economist Says We Will Overcome All Our Difficulties. RECOVERY WILL BE RAPID Situation To-day Not at All Like That of 1893 -- Every Essential Condition Better Now Than Then". The New York Times. Retrieved 24 February 2023.
  10. ^ Stéphane Ferrard. Le Futur Char G1, 1re partie 1935—1938: Le Char de 20 Tonnes // Histoire de Guerre, Blindés & Matériel. — 2007. — № 78. — С. 38—47.
  11. ^ a b "PRINCESS PONIATOWSKI DEAD; She Was Elizabeth H. Sperry, Sister of Mrs. Crocker of San Francisco". The New York Times. 7 August 1911. Retrieved 24 February 2023.
  12. ^ "MISS LAWRANCE WEDS PRINCE'S SON Daughter of Mrs. Francis C. Lawrance of New York Marries Andre Poniatowski. | CEREMONY HELD IN PARIS | Bride is Sister of Baroness Ribblesdale, Once the Wife of the late Colonel John Jacob Astor" (PDF). The New York Times. December 29, 1919. Retrieved 16 July 2018.
  13. ^ L'Intermédiaire des chercheurs et curieux (in French). 2004. Retrieved 24 February 2023.
  14. ^ Almanach de Gotha: annuaire généalogique, diplomatique et statistique (in French). J. Perthes. 1940. p. 495. Retrieved 24 February 2023.
  15. ^ TIMES, Special to THE NEW YORK (2 May 1952). "ANNE D. GOODRICH IS WED TO PRINCE; Becomes Bride in Rhinebeck of Edmond Poniatowski at Vincent Astor Estate". The New York Times. Retrieved 24 February 2023.
  16. ^ Vizetelly, Henry (1882). A History of Champagne: With Notes on the Other Sparkling Wines of France. Vizetelly. p. 173. Retrieved 5 June 2023.
  17. ^ Almanach de Gotha (in French). Johann Paul Mevius sel. Witwe und Johann Christian Dieterich. 1926. p. 543. Retrieved 5 June 2023.
  18. ^ Staff (December 5, 1919). "Frances Lawrance Asks 160,000-Franc Allowance to Wed Prince Poniatowski" (PDF). The New York Times. Retrieved 7 April 2016.
  19. ^ "MME. PONIATOWSKA SEEKS MORE INCOME Referee Recommends Additional $19,000 Grant from Francis Lawrence Fund. BRIDE OF FRENCH OFFICER His Means small and She Wishes to Open a House in Paris" (PDF). The New York Times. March 7, 1920. Retrieved 16 July 2018.
  20. ^ Lewis, Paul (28 January 2002). "Michel Poniatowski, 79, A Backroom French Rightist". The New York Times. Retrieved 24 February 2023.
  21. ^ Times, Richard Eder Special To the New York (25 July 1980). "In France, Even Scandals Take Holiday; Poniatowski Shows Contempt Contradictions and Suspicion President's Wife in the Market". The New York Times. Retrieved 24 February 2023.
  22. ^ Recardo, Jorge (3 August 2013). "Ojala hubiera sido eterno Bunuel: Poniatowska". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. pp. A7. Retrieved 24 February 2023.

External links[edit]

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