Overview
Isaac Vail Brokaw (November 27, 1835 – September 29, 1913) was a pioneer New York City clothing merchant who headed Brokaw Brothers.
Early life
He was born in November 27, 1835 in Plainfield, New Jersey to Simeon Brokaw (1792–1854) and Prudence Vail (1795–1887). His siblings included Jemima Vail Brokaw (1824–1838) and William Vail Brokaw (1831–1907).
His paternal grandparents were Isaac Brokaw (1759–1838), who fought in the American Revolution, and Maria (née Van Nortwick) Brokaw (1759–1826). His mother's side of the family were the Vail Quakers of New Jersey. He was descended from Bourgeon Broucard, a French Huguenot who settled on Long Island in 1675 and founded the first French Protestant church in New York.
Career
Brokaw went into business with the cloth importing firm of Wilson G. Hunt & Co. In 1856, Brokaw organized a clothing firm with his brother which they called Brokaw Brothers. The business sold:
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