Hayozoun Hohannes Topakyan

NJGenWeb ~ Morris County, New Jersey

Source: History Morris County New Jersey, Volume II, Lewis Publishing Co., 1914

The incident of birth and family is one for which least of all attending man’s life he can take credit; yet, when an ancestry of honorable record may be claimed, it is certainly a matter for honest, though unspoken pride. Hayozoun Hohannes TOPAKYAN, who resides at Morristown, New Jersey, and has his place of business at No. 225 Fifth avenue, New York City, is a man whose prominence in business circles and other fields of activity demands distinct recognition, and who is a descendent of one of the oldest families of the Armenian aristocracy.

Hayozoun Hohannes TOPAKYAN was born at Sazaria, Turkey, November 5, 1864, a son of Hohannes and Diroauhi TOPAKYAN. The public schools of Sazaria furnished his early education, and he was then sent to the American College at Bardizak to learn English and become versed in English and American methods of transacting business. At the age of eighteen years he became associated with his father in the dry goods business, which he abandoned at the end of a few years in order to establish himself in business independently in Constantinople. He opened a business as a dry goods commission merchant, the bulk of his transactions being with the interior of Turkey. Three years were devoted to this line of business, at the termination of which Mr. TOPAKYAN made a business trip to the United States and so favorably was he impressed with conditions in this country, that he determined to make it his permanent pace of abode. He disposed of his business in Constantinople, and having selected New York for his business operations, commenced the importation of Turkish, Persian, and Indian rugs in 1887. While Mr. TOPAKYAN is recognized at the present time as being at the head of the importation of high grade Oriental rugs in this country, he commenced on a comparatively small scale, and it was his capable management which brought about the development of the business house of which he is the leading spirit.

The Persian government in 1892 appointed Mr. TOPAKYAN Imperial Commissioner and Director-General of their exhibits at the World’s Fair at Chicago. He built the Persian and Ottoman pavilion at his own expense, and so magnificent and interesting were the exhibits he gathered from both countries, that he was awarded forty-eight diplomas and forty-eight medals, this included the personal thanks and a diploma from President Cleveland in recognition of the exceptionally fine work he had done in the interests of the fair. The services of Mr. TOPAKYAN were also recognized in 1896, when the Venezuelan, Persian, and Turkish governments decorated him, the last two mentioned with the most distinguished honors. The Imperial Order of the "Lion and Rising Sun" was bestowed by the Persian Government, the "Magidiya" by the Turkish government, and the "Buste del Lisuetor" by the Venezuelan government. In 1909 he was appointed Consul-General to New York by the Persian government, an office he has filled with a remarkable degree of executive ability. He is a diplomat of the highest order, a ready, forceful speaker, and of a distinguished manner. Probably no foreign consular official has ever won such high appreciation from the American government as Mr. TOPAKYAN. His loyalty to his adopted country is as deep and abiding as his interest in and love for his native land.

In 1907 Mr. TOPAKYAN presented to the United States, to be hung in the White House, a Persian rug valued at $50,000, which is considered the finest specimen of its kind ever brought to this country. Its size is six and one-half by four feet, the texture is of marvelously woven imperial silk, and this is richly set with numerous precious and semi-precious gems. This handsome gift was accepted by President ROOSEVELT on behalf of the nation, and Mr. TOPAKYAN was complimented upon his shill in designing as well as his genrosity. The rug was hung in a beautiful mahogany frame. A second rug was presented by Mr. TOPAKYAN to the government in 1910, and accepted by President TAFT, and he presented a valuable antique carpet to the Field Columbian Museum of Chicago. More recently he presented to the White House, Washington city, (and which was accepted by President WILSON), a painting by Mr. C. CALUSD – "The Statue of Liberty in New York Harbor."

In 1909, Mr. TOPAKYAN was made a life member of the Albany Burgesses Corps, and also an honorary colonel and inspector of the staff of corps. Among other who have been honored in this manner are General Nelson A. MILES; KING EDWARD VII; President DIAZ, of Mexico; Sir Thomas LIPTON, J. Pierpont MORGAN, ex-President Theodore ROOSEVELT, August BELMONT, John D. ROCKEFELLER and Andrew CARNEGIE. He is considered an art connoisseur and world-renowned expert on Persian rugs and tapestries. He is the owner of a turquoise mine in Silver City, and of another near Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Mr. TOPAKYAN is one of the leaders of the American colony in this country, one of the foremost workers in behalf of his countrymen, being always ready to lend his labor and influence to promote their welfare, both in this country and in their native land. American politics have a deep interest for him, and the Republican party is indebted to him for the valuable services he has rendered it as a leader among his countrymen here during the various national campaigns. Since the World’s Fair of 1902, Mr. TOPAKYAN has been especially active in the interests of this party. In his own country he is looked upon as a statesman of great ability, and he is very broad and democratic in his views. Among the many other posts of honor Mr. TOPAKYAN has been called upon to fill is that of the honorary vice-presidency of the International Peace Forum, of which John Wesley HILL is president, and Hon. William H. TAFT honorary president. Mr. TOPAKYAN was one of the guests at the Lake Mohonk peace conference, and in his address upon this occasion said:

"The nations have always believed that their chief duty is to protect their own interests. So each nation has been thinking all the time about herself, and wishing only to get as much as possible for herself. When a man is thinking that way, it is very easy for him to quarrel and fight with others; but while it is dishonorable for gentlemen to fight when they disagree, the nations have come to believe that war is respectable, and they have made rules where and how they shall fight and kill. There are many people who say that a world established in peace is a dream. I think Lake Mohonk is a good place for such a dream. In the Orient our prophets and poets would go to the mountain when they wanted to see great things to tell the people. Perhaps your conference on this beautiful mountain means that if the nations are to have international peace and prosperity they must rise higher than thinking only of their own profit. In a home there is perfect peace if each one is trying only to make the others happy. International peace will surely come when each nation will be thinking of doing good to the others, especially to the weaker and less fortunate ones; when the nations will say" "We are all the children of God; if we take care of each other, God will take care of all of us." You will rejoice with me, I am sure, that in the present happier political condition the august sovereign and people of Persia are with you in heart and soul for the success of your noble mission of peace."

Mr. TOPAKYAN is generous to a fault and entertains with a lavish hand, being especially noted for the unlimited hospitality exercised in his beautiful home, "Persian Court," at Morris Plains, New Jersey. This summer home is one of the most beautiful and interesting in the suburbs. It is a typical Oriental mansion of white marble, beautifully decorated and furnished. Among the gifts most highly prized by Mr. TOPAKYAN are the autographed photographs of former Presidents Theodore ROOSEVELT, and William H. TAFT, and J. Pierpont MORGAN. As in public, so in private life, Mr. TOPAKYAN is the centre of the affections of his family. He possesses a social disposition which well fits him for the important part he has taken is public affairs, His life record will bear the closet scrutiny and commends him to the good will and respect of all.

In December, 1913, Mr. TOPAKYAN was appointed commissioner general of Persia to the Panama Pacific International Exposition of 1915.

This biography was transcribed by John Cresseveur (1949-2003).