Interview · moment 4 of 23
Prescott Bush, Brown Brothers Harriman, and Skull & Bones
from Dead President with Russ Baker · #125
Audio-only archive episode — no video to seek.
4 minGuest
Baker traces the Bush family's rise through ministers to the wealthy, into Brown Brothers Harriman and the Harriman railroad fortune, and Prescott Bush's partnership in the powerful, secretive investment bank.
- 10:12Bush family called "old money" but wealth only began in the 19th century, tracing back to Rochester, New York connections.
- 10:38One of Tim's great-great-great grandfathers was a founder of Skull and Bones at Yale.
- 11:13Reverend James Bush ministered to very wealthy congregations, establishing the family pattern of serving the wealthy.
- 11:49Reverend James Bush flipped out, abandoned his ministry, and became a Quaker—a latter-day hippie.
- 12:10Samuel Bush rebelled against his hippie father by going deeply into the system and business.
- 12:39Prescott Bush connected with the Harriman family, most known for Union Pacific Railroad and massive finance wealth.
- 12:56Brown Brothers Harriman is the oldest investment bank in the country, private and historically very secretive.
- 13:09Prescott Bush became a partner in Brown Brothers Harriman.
George H. W. BushBrown Brothers HarrimanSkull and BonesPrescott BushReverend James BushHarriman familyRockefeller familyUnion Pacific RailroadSamuel Bush