Frederick deBary
(1815-1898)

Died aged c. 83

Frederick deBary was born in 1815. A successful businessman from New York City, in 1871 he purchased three parcels of land overlooking the St. Johns River and built deBary Hall. His family continued to purchase acreage and owned in excess of 4,000 acres at the time of his death in 1898. DeBary planted more than 10,000 citrus trees and developed the interior commerce along the St. Johns River. He used his steamships to transport citrus and travellers to Jacksonville and points north. On return trips to Florida, hunters, fishermen, and vacationers booked passage.

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