The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-07-31
Henry Keep.


The numerous friends OF this gentleman aud the
fnancers OF New York generally VIII be surprised
learning that he died at his residence, COL Fifth
avenue, at half past ve O'Clock yesterday ening
He had been for some time past IN declining health
but It was not supposed that hts end was 80 near.
Mr.. Henry Keep was born in Jefferson county, IN
this State, some time during the year 1915. IL is
stated that the death OF nis father. while he was
quite small boy, and the inability OF his relatives
who were very poor, TO support the widow and or.
phan compelled both OF these to seek relief from
county authorities. As soon as he had grown Old
enough TO work lie was bound out 10 farmer,
who in taking him agreed to have him educated at
the public school. This last was never DONE and
the boy, becoming wearied Of the hard work he was
compelled to perform and the harsh treatment he
received, ran Away Sns day and alter vafi6ts adj
ventures succeeded In making his way to Honeoye
Falls. near Rochester, to which latter place he sub
seauently went and obtained employment with
General Gould, first driving team for few months
for one Mr.. Thler, cooper BY dong odd jobs
for others he laid Dy httle money, aud when the
financial crisis OF 1851 came, and ciiy.ano country
shnplssters deprecated to O. udicrously small
price, be quietly invested his funds IN
them. With the return OF monetary ease
and confidence he found his little capital almost
quadruped by the appreciation OF his bonds, which
money at q good profit when continued TO swell
ms capital, as he still engaged IN other work ana
himself economically, though always respectable
About this time Mr. Keep ascertaned that there
was considerable amount OF Canada bank notes on
| the American frontier which, not being legal
| tender In the United states, the holders were
glad to get rid Of at q fair sacrifice. He
paving state notes for ali he purchased, and then,
as soon as he had accumulated sufiiciency TO war
she sxphse gong ever 20 as '0T ss
speculation was q source or double profit to him.
| Not only did he make handsome percentage upon
bnf0 No ap1pfo va
orally at discount OF from quarter to one and
half per cent he also did well by them. This sort
Of financial business he carried on for several years,
| and when he finally abandoned 1t, he found himself
| the owner or quite O little fortune. with the
money thus accumulated MI; Keep moved 10 water
Here he met and married the daughter oil prOmi-
nent citizen OF the place, named woodruff most
estimoDie lady, WHOM nc leaves Dehind, together
Tue career OF the deceased gentleman In Water
town was quite successful He established several
other country banks and continued 10 increase the
! fortune which his shrewdness and economy had
gained for hun. Having enlarged the scope Of his
Speculative operations, Mr.. Keep came tD New YORK
| and took up his residence here. One OF the lucky
| few, who, II not born with silver spoon in their
success IN business, he entered Wall street. and
! became widely known as one OF the boldest ana
most successful opersiofs IN railroad Stocks on anae
had elapsed he placed among the hat OF milliou
mares IN the United states. IL would, OF course be
impossible to narrate all the operations IN which
he was engaged or all the railroads wnicn
he controlled or became onlcally connected
with. From 1901 TO 1868 he was treasurer OF the
Michigan Southern Railroad In 1865 after haed
Bght he was elected President OF the New York Ce
trail but after holding the position Tor about SIX
months he resigned and Commodor1 EanderDllt
assumed control-if he had not controlled It an
along In June OF last year Mr.. Keep was elected
President OF the Chicago and Northwestern Raif0a,
controlling S250O0.ovD OF the stock and own'hg
81 900 az IL himselt In addition he contro'scl
Cleveland and ONO railroads, OF the latter which
] he was second PRESIDENT tiuancias circles In New