1886 - He Was the Man.

Colonel Ethan Allen, of Lisbon, Conn., was at one time a guest at the Howard Hotel, corner of Broadway and Maiden lane, New York. On entering the dining-room no waiter advanced to give him a seat. The Colonel cooly walked to a table near by, and taking a chair which was turned up at the head of the table and took a seat. He was hardly in the chair before a waiter came hurried to him, saying:
"This seat is engaged."
"To whom?" asked the Colonel.
"To a gentleman," replied the waiter.
"He's come," said the Colonel, and remained at his dinner undisturbed, amid peals of laughter from the guests at the table. - Norwich Bulletin