Wing, Frederick

Submitted by Mike Miller

Frederick Wing, retired architect, New Orleans, La. Among the people who have assisted in erecting some of the notable buildings of this city and seen the rise and growth of the same, none is more worthy of mention than Mr. Wing. He was born in Philadelphia, Penn., in 1814, and there received his education in the city schools. At the age of sixteen he turned his attention to architecture and entered a drawing school of that city.. In 1835, or at the age of twenty-one years, he went to New York and there worked at his trade one year when he came to New Orleans.

He took a position with Robert Crozier, and a few months later formed a partnership with him, which association lasted many years. During this time the firm put up many buildings of note, Paul Tulane often employing them, and their reputation was such that any one employing them could be quite sure the work would be done as promised. He severed his connection with Mr. Crozier, and associated himself with Jacob Wing. He died soon after when Capt. John A. Muir, a young man who had grown up in the employ of Mr. Wing, became his partner, this partnership lasting until about ten years ago, when Mr. Wing retired. He has held a number of official positions in the city, and has always been a democrat in politics.

He is a member of the Mechanics' society and takes a great interest in the same. During the late war his whole sympathies were with the South and the confederate cause. On December 10, 1840, Mr. Wing married Miss Mary A. Drabble, of this city, but a native of the Quaker city. They were the parents of three children: Mrs. Hugh Allison (deceased wife of a prominent cotton commission merchant), Jessie R. (wife of Mr. A. G. Tebo, of this city) and a son who died in infancy.

Mr. Wing has been a constant reader of the "Picayune" ever since the first issue, and the prospectus for the paper was thrown in his room. He was, in connection with Samuel Jamison, the architect and builder of the "Picayune" building. The father of Frederick Wing, Capt Jacob Wing, was a sea captain and commanded vessels many years. He was a native of the Quaker City, but of German descent. On the mother's side the Robertson family were of English descent.

Biographical and Historical Memoires of Louisiana, (vol. 2), pp. 462-463. Published by the Goodspeed Publishing Company, Chicago, 1892.