Bledsoe Johnson, Hotelier

Bledsoe Johnson, originally from Boston, made a name for himself by establishing a chain of exclusive hotels along the East Coast. Bledsoe is known for his keen eye for design, often incorporating the most opulent materials in his establishments.

The irony in his success lies in his past as a humble wallpaper salesman, a venture that ultimately failed when a shipment of wallpaper sank during a storm, forcing him to reinvent his career.