The New York herald., 1871-12-10
IHE GEN. ALOGICAL SOCIETY.

Meeting Of the Society Lnst Evcning-The
Late Mr.. Ganiier- What the society IL
Doing.
regular meeting OF the Genealogical and Bio.
graphical Society was held last evening at the
rooms OF the association. No. Ga Madison ave.
nue. There was q goodly attendance OF ladies'
and gentlemen, the majority OF wnom were doubt
less attracted to the meeting from the that it
had been announced that tho President, Dr. Stiles,
would read sketch OF the lie OF the late secretary,
Mr.. John S. Gauter, who was held in high esteem
by the association, ana IN whose death the society
experienced o serious loss.
After the general routine OF business had been
gone through with, DR.. stiles read the sketch whicn
he had prepared on the life OF Mr. Gautier. rhe Doc
tor began by tracing the genealogy OF the late Secre
tary's family back far beyond the American period
which tried mems souls. He then gave history or
Mr. Gautier's connection with the Society from the
evening when he entered his home, few years ago,
loyously. and exclaimed, do you know there Is q
genealogical society In this city, and yet knew it
nott' until the day when he was obliged to rein-
quish his duties as Secretary on account OF III
health. The Doctor seemed to be very much
affected as he 'od nov now the deceased e nSa lSa
were the results Of the genealogical abors he had
willingly performed ior the mere love OF the work
ITSELF Tue sketch throughout was a beautiful
tribute to the virtues OF Mr.. Gantier as father
broncr and husband, and member of the assocla-
ton, and the fact that 1t was delivered as feeiingy
as II was certainly did not rob 1t OF any OF Its atrac
tons.
1t may not out OF place just here to state that the
Genealogical and Biographical Society is not an
Old iogy Institution as some people love TO style all
associations which have Tor thelr final aim 10 give
the families OF the present day an insight into the
families OF the past, and TO afford instruction ar
the same time that they may excite the curious
mind and cause even the most sceptcal, 10 see
some good IN the idea OF tracing ones name or fam
ku TIA snrttn a nr N ht1 elm
OF the lie OF Mr. Gantler, showed how the latterbya
dlllgent work oil love for genealogy had been
in whicn the origin OF many Of the leading families
IN this state were heretofore enveloped Certainly
II one man. by his own individual labors, could add
so much as Ii is alleged Mr. Gautcr did to this end
combination OF such men could do an incaculable
amount OF good m the way OF tracing families back
doubt vino VIII sncer at the idea anu
declared that suen WORK Is at best work that
benents no one; but who Will maintain that he
takes no interest In the resultsa Tne society, OF
which mention has been made, was Incorporated In
Stiles, NJ. D.; David Parsons Hoton, NJ. D.; william
Frederick Hocombc NJ. D.. Edward Chauncey Mar.
shal, Seth Hastings Grant, samuel Edward Stiles,
seymour Augustus Baker ID. D.; samuel Smith
Purple NJ ID. The objects Of the society are 10 dis
cover, procure, preserve and perpetuate" whatever
may relate to genealogy and biography, and more
particularly to the gcnealogies and biographies Of
families, families, persons and citlzens associated and
principal features OF the meetings which are
held from tune TO time by tue society are general
iulcICnduke vi VlcWS anu TIC TedulnB vi aPpTU'
prate papers, and discussions relative 10 the best
methods OF genealogical investigation. The society
has exerted ltseD successfully In the formation OF
library OF reference OF such works on history, gen
ealogy, biography, &C., both In printed and manu-
script form as may In any way contribute 10 tne
purposes Of the association. Besides thls ~ Keeps
up correspondence with other societies OF similar
character as well as with genealoglsts ana loca!
historians IN this and other states Of tne Union anu
also dsseminates gcnealogical information oy puo-
licatons, In such form and manner and at such
times as the Executive Committee or the society
may deem best OF genealogical and biographical
material. The society now numbers ninety active
members resident in The clly, has seven lie mem.
bers. three honorary members ana eighty CORE
spending members Ontsde the Statet