Franklin Osgood (1828-1888)
America's Cup Yachtsman, of New York City & Staten Island
He was born at Baltimore, Maryland. In 1856, he became a director of the Silver Hill Mining Company in North Carolina before acquiring a controlling interest after the Civil War. Despite the hope of unearthing silver, it turned out to be a zinc and lead mine that nonetheless led to rich returns and after it was exhausted he continued to mine the same metals in Pennsylvania. This influx of wealth allowed him to become a yachtsman. Becoming a member of the New York Yacht Club (he served three terms as Rear-Commodore), with his brother George, he competed in the first transoceanic yacht race in 1866 against Pierre Lorillard and Gordon Bennett (the winner). He went on to become the first successful defender and two-time winner of the America's Cup (1870 and 1871). He lived between New York City and his summer home at New Brighton on Staten Island. He married Isabella Borrowe, but died without children.
