Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1860-08-02

OLlyBR NEwBERRY died In Detroit on the
3Oth alt, quite unexpectedly, in the list
year Of bis age. He had been cSnfned TO bis
house for several days but at noon sat up
and partook Of his dinner, and At P. NJ,
when seated in his arm chair, death closed
bis long and active career Of useful en-
terprise. The disease which terminated his
life bore some resemblance to erysipelas
though he believe It to be infammatory rheu-
mRtism.
Mr.. Newberry was born in Windsor, Con-
necticut, and first came to Detroit as early
as 1915. By 1882 he became the most ex-
tensive shipper IN Detroit, and had a feet Of
eight sail vessels That year he built bis
first steamer, the Michigan, at that period the
belle of the Lakes At this time he had
trading posts at Green Bay, Fort Winnebago
and Chicago, and was largely engaged in the
fur trade. He had the Government contract
for building the first Iight-ship stationed at
the Straits, and in 1885 built the Manhat-
tan, full rugged brig, and at that time one of
the finest vessels on the Lakes. AT later
dates he built among Others, the steamers
Nile and Illinois, and within the last dozen
years the present steamers Michigan and Illi-
nois. In the time of the Black Hawk war
Mr.. Newberry transported to Chicago the
whole of the supplies for the army of Gen.
Scott, and Mr.. N. was frequently and largely
Interested in army contracts.
Mr.. Newberry owned large dock property
in Detroit and left a large estate. Six years
ago he erected, for grain elevator, the
splendid brick warehouse he has of late occu-
pied OF lats years his business has been
confined principally to the trade in Lake fish,
and the transportation of goods for the Green
Bay trade. a.
All business men about the Lakes knew
Oliver Newberry, and the Detroit Advertiser,
from which whe have condensed the above
notice Of the old "Admiral," thus speaks Of
his energy, enterprise, peculiatities and yir-
tues:
As the names be chose for many Of his
vessels indicate, Mr.. NeWberry was warm
admirer of the FIRST Napoleon, and indeed be
| exhibited many traits of character that en-
tered largely into composition of that distin-
! guished individual. Thus, starting with
nothing, be made his own fortune by dint OF
| bold enterprise and dominant perseverance.
| He never regarded himself Where business
required his presence, there he went no mat
/ ter if the deadly cholera were there before
him. His winter journeys among the Indi-
ans were another illustration Of the fearless
ness and hardihOod of his character. bis
untiring energy was displayed in everything
he undertook; nothing could cause it to slack
| en-, or could turn him from his object BE
was also of very active disposition, so much
so that even down to his last days, when one
would think that his age would be likely 10
have rendered home and retirement desirable,
he was constantly on the move. Last year
/ he made no less than ten trips to Green Bay,
and this season had already made two OF
three. When more extensively engaged in
business than of late, he was generally at his
warehouse by O'Clock in the morning, and
and often got vessel loaded before he went
| to breakfast
! Great as were his industry and enterprise
they were not more noteworthy than his in
tegrity. No man doing business on the lakes
had a tairer character, or for honesty was
more widely and favorably known. In bis
trade with the Indians, it not unfrequently
happened that he received from them con.
signments of furs, with instructions to return
their value in merchandise, leaving it entire
| ly with him to fix the value. Here in the
city, in those days, be was always able tc
borrow on his word any amount he wished
ha HG @ @feggsi5g egi SaHe6does are t6d 5 Of fha tbe
methods of trade in those egood old times u
4 When quantity Of furs would arrive to be
sold, each buyer in the city would be special
ly notified, and all would gather in the ware
house where the furs were ready for inspec-
ton. Each having satisfied himself what
be could afford to pay for the lot he wrote
the amount on slip Of paper, and dropped
il into a hat, when some dlsinterested per-
! son would examine the slips and announce
the highest bidder.
One popularity Of Mr.. Newberry charac-
ter was his great objection to following in
the footsteps Of others. When in the course
Of time the customs of business changed,
Mr. Newberry continued on the old plan, less
from spirit Of ''old fogyism" than for the
reason we have given above. This peculiar
ity Of mind was without doubt also one cause
Of his generally remaining without a part
ner in business.
He was q man Ofgreat nerve, as we should
! expect from his other qualities It is said
that he could lose at one time $50, 900 with
out indicating by his appearance that any
thing was amiss. His manners were rather
austere, though at times he assumed the
greatest mildness. He always remained un-
married, yet in q measure was fond of socie-
ty. He was q lover at one time of gentle
mems parties, and was great whist player.
Mr.. Newberry had an admirably shaped
head, and doubtless possessed fine natural
talents, and though his educational advantages
were small, he was always a close calculator,
and formed ready and correct Judgment.
In politics he was warm advocate Of
Whig doctrines. He never could be induced
on any consideration, to accept Office, unless
he might at one time have filed place
in the Common Council He was a frequent
attendant of DR.. Dufield's church, though
not a member. y.
Like many men in his circumstances, he
had his eccentricities 1t is related of him
that he used to have habit of carrying
everything in his hat, and even money and
important papers found their way into this
universal receptacle. Of course when
high wind raised his chdpsaL there was an
interesting Settlement It is also related
that when comfortably keeping house on
Congress street, where he formerly lived, his
trunk always had its place in the warehouse,
where, also, he used to resort to perform his
toilet. For these and other similar whims
heartily was he joked By his old acquaint-
ances .i i- lIs- iEl
We cannot conclude this imperfect sketch
ofhis life and character better than by repeat
ing the sentiment of one well calculated from
long acquaintance to estimate the true social
value OF the man, when he said that no one
had done more in developing and extending
the commercial interests of Michigan than
had OLIVER NEWBERRY.
Mr.. Newberry leaves three brothers and
sister, besides several nephews and nieces.