City Readers Digital Historic Collections at the New York Society Library
Isaac Bronson (3/10/1760 - 5/19/1838)
Also Known As: Isaac Brownson
Isaac Bronson (March 10, 1760 in Middlebury, CT - May 19, 1838 in Greenfield Hill) was a surgeon during the American Revolutionary War serving in the 2nd Regiment of Light Dragoons under George Washington. He was later a successful banker and land speculator and is credited with co-founding the New York Life Insurance and Trust Company and Ohio Life Insurance and Trust Company. Bronson was a member of the Society of the Cincinnati.
In 1828 he was one of the wealthiest men in New York City, with assets of more than $250,000.
Bronson's home "Verna" in Greenfield Hill later became Fairfield Country Day School. He is credited with planting the first dogwood trees along Bronson Road where today there is a yearly Dogwood Festival.