The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-12-19
Pleasing Type Of an Old New York
Merchant,
The Whipping Trade as II Used to Be-Memo.
fisS OF Oceanic Packet Ships-EleetiOn to
Congress Connection with Various None.
tary Institutions and Chamber OF Com
merce and Commission Of Public
CHARITIES and Correction
lsstor Of the Port q New
H. Y0rk-Personal Life.

MOScn uTlnncii, ana no one nelu III grehteI cstl'
nation for plain and persistent rectitude In bus-
ness for honesty in political lfe for jealous fidelity
70 public and private trusts committed to his con-
troll, and for those high and generous attributes Of
the heart, pr0bity or life, warmth Of friendship and
| charming genlaty, giving completeness TO cnarac
ter and stability to reputation. He IL noble type
| OF our old city merchants-that class whose progress
to wealth was by slow and honest means That class
TO whom mercantile credit was as dear as honor and
life ITSELF and which, Ia to be reared in these days
| OF gigantic specnarions, immense enterprises and
GREATNESS haste 70 get rich, is fast fad-
| ing away. A young man when he began
| business, and though entering upon his mer-
/ camille career under circumstances more favora-
| bic than many, IL h to oneness OF purpose
| and conscientious uprightness he owes hs success
| THESE qualities, ingram and Unborn In him; these
| qualities noby derived from his mingled purtanic
and Huguenot descent shine out in beautiful domi-
nancy In every path OF duty and endeavor--as bank
I president, director OF other monetary insCitu-
lions, as member OF Congress, as President OF the
Chamber OF Commerce. as Commissioner ol Public
Charities and Corrections and Collector OF the Port
| OF New York. The subj0ined record OF his life
| though compressed within briefer compass than
most OF our previous biographical sketches shows
life unsurpassed in Its ceaseess activity and unn-
! termittent usefulness.
GENEAL0GY AND EARLY DAYS.
In the paternal line Moses II. Grnnel s descended
from the Hugnenots, the FIRST representatives, Of the
family consisting OF three brothers, having In 1852
| emigrated to this country and settled in Rhode
| Island. His mother traces her ancestry back TO
| John Rowland who came over in the Maynower.
| The father OF Moses was q successful shipping
merchant at New Bedford, Mass, and at one time
quite extensively engaged in the whaling trade.
The subjeCt OF sketch, who was born In March.
1904 one Of six brothers-there was one
daughter besides-most OF whom had made for
themselves distinguished regulations in commercial
life. Among these brothers, as well known,
il Henry Grinne, whose expeditions under
DR.. Kane and others to the Arctic regions
have linked indissolubly his name with
these heroic venturers INTO the far-away re.
gons Of the Fngid zone Young Moses was kept
pretty steadily school until he sixteen years
old, having completed hls education at the New Bed
ford Academy lie was toerabiy assiduous student,
but not burdened with special predictions Tor
scholastic pursuits. He early determined to be.
come shipping merchant Leaving the Academy
he entered as clerk the store Of William r. Roch
Co., large importers OF Russian goods, and also
| largely engaged in the whaling business He re-
manned here three years and half receiving Is
salary OF 800 year and boarding himself. He rap
idy grew into eaicent and accomplished clerk,
and very soon acquired complete mastery OF all
the details OF the shipping trade. HIS employers,
mark Of their appreciation OF hrs services, after
while allowed him TO make business ventures or his
own, most of which attended with
successful financial results. His keen sagacity
and discrimination in these ventures gave early
revelation OF the shrewdness III later years exercised
In larger field and bringing with IL proportonatey
larger rewards. owing TO the length OF voyages,
ana particularly the long absence OF whaling expe-
ditons, It WAS long time before some Of these
very many Of them settled until after be
mad gone into business Tor himself.
TRIP AS suPkgoAkGo AND THE TOUR OF EUROPE.
Not yet twenty years old, young Moses began TO
feel yearnng desire 30 see something more OF the
world than that afforded by the narrow horizon OF
his counting room and the not muc broader hOrl-
Zon OF the then small, quaint seaport town OF New
Bedford. An opportunity presented itself for the
qualification Of thus wish, in gong out supercargo
OF vessel bound for South America. The voyage
to Brazil, the vesse's destination, was accomplished
without difficulty: but disposlng OF the cargo to
The revolution or Dom Pedro was then at its height
AtDtervals along The coast active lighting was in
progress Dodglng IN and out Of such ports he
could along the coast he finally succeeded in dis
posing OF his cargo on much better terms than he
expected and then loading with cofYee he set sail
Tor Trieste Landing al Trieste he could not resist
the temptation TO extend ms travels. Going to
the Continent. lie travelled with his open. He
visited every spot OF interest he could. His young
ess aver Of h eSs
haiowed memories OF the past His only regret was
having to complete his trip so soon. From Liver
pool he took passage on packet ship for this city,
And mere we Will relate a somewhat remarks
bic coincidence, concluding the return voyage
OF himself and his own snip, from which, rs already
stated, he parted company at Trieste. Just ninety
three days bad passed SINCE then This was before
beat their way TO the city. Just the packet ship
was rounding the pier foot OF Burning slip his own
ship came under her stern
Il say, captain, Is that you ~ called out young
Crunch 10 the captain OF his ship
Il say. Mr.. 1rnneil Is that youfn shouted pack
tho captain.
.Just ~
"Just in.r
please lower boat and win come aboard
the boat was lowered and pulled alongside OF the
packet ship. Grinnel jumped into The boat and
went aboard his own ship, and, together with the
captain, walked TO the shipping house OF Fish ~
Grinne. 10 whom his vessel was consigned, and
Jointly made their reports
COMMENCING BUSINESS .As SHIPPING MERCHANT
Returning to New Bedford our young voyager and
voyage. His friends however, dissuaded him, fear
Ing that II he INDUCED his rowing disposition ne
would become a rover all his life. lie accordingly
came TO this city to look about for employment IN
some chipping house. An unexpected opening TO
20 into business suddenly presented itself. His
nrm OF Fish u Grinnel. This Mr.. Fish was Pre-
served Fish. at one time widely known in CONNER
business life is still held IN such high regard ia tie
mercantile community. Young CrnneIl met Mr.
II want to nave few moments tafk with you,-
said Dir. Fish 10 him; VIII you be kind enough 10
come on board the packet ship LeedsW
Certainly; wil go with pleasure" answered
Grinueil.
"You are out of employment" satd Mr.. Fish to
him, amer they had gone board anu had taken
seats In. the cabin.
Eyes, Sir" replied Griunell.
"iou Ike the shipping businessV'
ayes, sr.n
You understand the business thoroughly, I
know.v
II have tried hard TO improve my opportunities
and am pleased 10 hear your good OPINION"
wow, 70 the polnt,n said Mr.. Fish, changing his
fhA 1fafi
Will retire from business. leave this packet ship
for Europe on saturday. l want you to take my
place in absence and your brothers. place Ia the
hrm on mis- retirement
But have no capital" Interrupted young Grin
nell. y
NO capital Is required" said Mr. Fish, In his
blunt way. lyon have youth, health, ability ana