The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-11-07
OBITUARY



This wellknown citizen of New York died
yesterday morning at hrs residence at White.
stone, on Long Island Sound, after a lingering
illness OF paralysis. Mr.. Draper was born in
the little town OF Brook6eld, Mass, about the
year 1905, and was consequently at the tune of
HE death In the sixty-6rst year OF his age. When
quite young man he removed to the city OF
Boston, where he commenced his career as
clerk In mercantile house. The great bnsi-
nees capacity which he displayed caused him to
be rapidly promoted, and soon he was admitted,
we believe, partner IN the irm, whore a few
years before he served as junior clerk.
city of New York, as Offering a more
extensive field for business enterprise
here he soon formed the dry goods
house OF Grumpy q Draper. When that firm
dissolved, in few years. he established the
auction house of Haegerty, Draper & Co. His
catecr as a merchant is one OF marked sue
cess. In the great fire of 1885, which swept
away thirty e.hve millions OF dollars, worth of
property, Mr.. Draper suffered enormously.
The house in which he was an active partner
was almost Frustrated by the disaster. His
hne business talents were brought into requi-
sition to save the house from utter ruin. He
worked with zeal and energy which deserved
and was crowned with success. In a short time
they had recovered all the losses caused by the
fire, and entered upon career of greater nrns-
perity than before.
MIR. Draper, at an early period of his life. be-
came prominent as politician. He was a
strong and ardent supporter OF the old WING
IT,
cal friend of Daniel Webster During the ex-
citing political campaign of 1940, which resulted
in the election OF General Harrison to the Presi-
dency, Mr.. Draper was one of the Presidential
Electors on the Wing ticket.
When the old Whig party died out he allied
himself to the Republican organization, and in
that, as in the Whig party, he was selected as
one OF the delegates from this State to the
national nominating conventions. The official
positions which he has held were all secured by
executive appointments or legislative enact
ments.
In 1s49 he was chosen one of the Governors of
the Almshouse, which position he occnpled for
upwards OF ten years. Soon after that the
Almshouse Department became SO thoroughly
mixed up with the dirty pool of politics in this
city that the demand became almost univereaI
for reform. During the session of the Legisla-
ture OF 1860 Mr.. Draper and Mr.. Grinnell applied
to the Legislature for the passage OF a law
abolishing the Almshouse Governors, and the
creation of the Commission of Charities and
Correction in It's stead. Tnis measure was a
party affair, but was finally passed after severe
contest and special ruling OF the pre- ,iding Off
Ger OF the House, just in time to receive the
signature of Governor Morgan before the Legls-
lature adjourned sine die. Mr.. Draper was made
one OF the Commissioners under this bill and
as such was the presiding officer and leading
member OF the Board. He occupied that posi-
ton until the commencement of the wear is65.
the expiration OF the term for which he was
appointed.
AT the commencement OF the Rebellion he
took prominent part in all the war meetings.
and was one OF the leading members OF the
Union Defense Committee. In 1862 he was an
pointed Provost Marshal of the War Depart
ment in this city, and held that Office until the
appointment OF General Hayes, but was never
called upon to take very active part in the
duties OF the position. In 1864, during the con-
test between the Weed men and the radicals in
this State, President Lincoln appointed him
Collector OF this port. He resigned this posi-.
tion in 1866, when Mr. johnson app ,inted Pres
ton King as his successor Mr.. Draper was also
cotton agent for the Government, specially ap-
pointed by the Treasury Department to take
charge OF the cotton which tell into the hands
of the army at the surrender OF Charleston
and Savannah; and also had charge of all the
Government, cotton arriving at this port
during the latter part of the war. This was
principally sold through the auction and comulis-
sion house OF Simeon Draper & Sons of which
he was the senior partner at the time of his
death. The position OF Collector of this port
was the last public office that he has held He
was, for many years, personal and political
friend of Secretary Seward and was identified
with that wing of the Republican party until
the latter part OF the year 1868, when through
some personal disagreement, those friendly
relations were sundered. He then became a
leader OF the antl-Se ward faction in this city.
The associations ORGANIZED in this city in the
interest were called among pollti-
clans, the Diaper Organization.
The man object at which they aimed was TO
secure an anti-Seward delegation from this State
to the Baltimore Convention which renomi-
mated Lincoln in 1864 IN this effort they were
defeated, only securing about one-thIrd of the |
delegation. The Draper portion of the delepa.
tion concentrated all their efforts on the nom-
nation of Daniel 8. Dickinson tor Vlce-Presi.
dent and on this point the New York delegation
divided, the Seward portion pressing the nomi.
nation of Andrew Johpson.
Mr.. Draper delighted in the excitement of
public life, and possessed an intimate acouaint- |
ance with political fnesSe, aud without HAVING
the higher and nobler qualities OF a statesman
he could Justly claim most of those which serve
10 form the mere politician.-N. p. World,