Harboe Meulengracht

Harboe Galthen Meulengracht (1767–1853) was a Danish merchant and shipowner in Denmark who was appointed to the Danish Supreme Court and was purveyor to the royal household. Harboe Meulengracht initiated a lineage of prominent businessmen, politicians and land owners in Aarhus which lasted into the early 20th century. He was born on 10 February 1767 to his parents Lars Christian Meulengracht and Marie Madsdatter Brøchner Galthen. He had two brothers, Mads Galthen Meulengracht and NN Meulengracht.^[1]

Harboe Meulengracht was born in Aarhus Mill which was owned by his parents but in 1769, when Harboe was 2 years old, his father committed suicide by drowning himself in the mill pond due to economic problems. When Harboe came of age he married Maren Jensdatter Schmidt (1769-1844) in 1792 and in 1794 he was granted citizenship to Aarhus where he established a trade business on Lille Torv where he built a large mansion with adjoining warehouses. He fathered 10 children including Lauritz Christian Meulengracht who later came to take over his father's business and Marie Meulengracht who married the owner of Marselisborg Manor.^[2][3]

Meulengracht's business became one of the largest in the city and the mansion on Lille Torv became a place for socialites to stay when visiting the town. Especially King Christian VIII, King Frederik II, Prince Ferdinand, Princess Caroline and Countess Danner frequently stayed there. Meulengracht co-founded Kronprindsen's Klub (English: The Crown Prince's Club), a literary debate club for royalty and local members of the upper class, and Meulengracht became an honorary member.^[2]

Harboe Meulengracht died on 27 May 1853.

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