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Stadnicki, Peter
Civil engineer, banker. Co-founder and co-owner of Holland Land Co. Born in 1735. As civil engineer made first plans for the city of Buffalo, N. Y, The Church street of today was called Stadnicki Street. Among the financiers to help America was Peter Stadnicki, a descendant of Polish immigrants to Holland, a rich and influential banker of Amsterdam. He was the first to show faith in the stability of America by buying up the bonds issued by the colonies during the Revolutionary war. Sold the issues to influential circles in Europe and thus won confidence for the U.S. in the countries of Europe. For some time the leading banker of the U.S. in Europe. Respected for his honesty and business acumen. Helped to colonize the western parts of New York and Pennsylvania. Together with several Dutch bankers under the name "The Holland Land Company," purchased 5,000,000 acres of land, which was subdivided and sold to colonists. In 1788 Thomas Jefferson considered him the principal broker of the United States. In Amsterdam in 1792 published an interesting pamphlet on negotiations about land in America. To a large degree he influenced the early American economic life. After his death, his son John became member of the company. Died in 1795.

From: "Who's Who in Polish America" by Rev. Francis Bolek, Editor-in-Chief; Harbinger House, New York, 1943

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