Matthew C. Brush

Matthew Chauncey Brush (October 12, 1877 – October 15, 1940) was an American industrialist who was president of American International Corporation, one of the largest investment trusts of its time. He was previously president of the Boston Elevated Railway and the American International Shipbuilding, which constructed the Hog Islanders.

Early life Brush was born on October 12, 1877, in Stillwater, Minnesota. In 1909, Brush became the general manager of the Buffalo and Lake Erie Traction Company, Jamestown and Lake Erie Railroad, and Jamestown and Chautauqua Steamship Company. In 1916, he succeeded William Bancroft as president of the Boston Elevated Railway. He led negotiations that allowed for the takeover of the Elevated by the commonwealth of Massachusetts. Later that year, he was named president of the American International Shipbuilding Company, a subsidiary of AIC. He managed the company's shipyard on Hog Island, which built 122 ships for the U. S. government between 1918 and 1921. On February 4, 1921, the company turned over the shipyard to the United States Shipping Board. Due to his success at Hog Island, AIC gave him general control over its subsidiary and trading companies. He also served as president of the G. Amsinck & Co. In 1923, Brush was named president of the American International Corporation. He succeeded Charles A. Stone, who resigned due to ill health. Brush retired as president in 1933, but remained with the company as chairman of the board.

By the time of his retirement, Brush was a member of 47 corporate boards.

Personal life and death On June 17, 1933, Brush married his secretary, Elizabeth Hunger, at the home of AIC vice president Henry Arthur in Larchmont, New York. They resided in Norwalk, Connecticut. At the time of his death, he was a candidate for Republican presidential elector in Connecticut. He left an estate of $3.6 million gross and $1.9 million net.

In 1957, his widow sold his 10.4 acre estate to the Norwalk Jewish Center. She died in 1982 at the age of 85.