The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-04-10
Q BIT U A r Y.


seventy eighth year OF his age when he was called
to close the account OF an active, busy and
eventul career on earth, the initial Industrial por
ton OF which he commenced In Troy at the age OF
thirteen years. His demise was caused by gradual
decay and wearing ont OF the vital force and general
exhaustion OF the physical power. HIS mind re-
NAMED with him. He was conscious to the last
moment and perfectly resigned In his obedience to
the inevitable summons which removes man from
the terrestrial sphere upward for judgment. He was
consOled spiritually bv the mnstratons OF the clergy
OF the Protestant Episcopal Cnurcn. From the first
moment when Mr.. Corning entered business for
himself his career was comparatively successful,
passing through the trials and emoarrassments OF
the commercial world with a safe and decided policy
of action, which kept him alike unnarmed and
unsulied while many lmprovident venturers were
wrecked He survived his old political rival, Dean
Richmond, but short time. Like Dean Richmond,
Mr.. Corning was self made man, and, like him,
grew to great influence In politics ana to vast pros
perity In financial affairs solely through ms per-
s0nal efforts. HIS education was superior 10 that
OF Mr.. Richmond, and his tastes lea him to seek
refined and aristOcratic associations, so that
IN becoming, simultaneously with Dean Richmond.
o leader In ms party, Mr.. Corning Welded influence
chiefly with the weather. classes. while Mr.. Rich
mond controlled the more democratic masses OF the
same public organization.
cut, December Ia, 1894. the family was originally
from New England, but some sixty odd years ago
Bliss Corning, the father Of Erastus, removed TO
Chatham, Columbia county, N. Y, where he COM
menced farming, and bred his children TO the same
employment. The family numbered eight, all
athletic and large built men. Erast us suffered In
early years from fever sore. from the effects OF
which ne really never recovered, and 1t was this
circumstance which led him. when only thirteen
years old, 10 seek employment IN his uncle's store
in Troy. That uncle was Benjamin Smith, COM
m only known In that community as "Honest Ben
smith," and who ENJOYED through long lie an
enviable reputation for integrity. Mr.. Smith was OF
the firm Of HeartL Smith, hardware mer-
chants, who established themselves at Troy
IN 1890, when the place was mere
1907 as a porter and clerk, and from that humble
commencement his course has been success.
Jonas, the young son OF Mr.. Hearth, ana one OF
the wealthy men Ot Albany, and Erastus were tel
low clerks and slept in bunk under the counter.
They received light wages, but were allowed 10 buy
and sell small wares on their own account. Among
these were lemons and coffee. the latter OF which
%ss per
resoutc, and IN fact OF an arbitrary turn. and not
easily changed from his purpose Az mat time
was an ardent Jeffersonian got early In
troduced into public matters. In his twenty first
Spencer, leading hardware dealer, VINO had heard
OF his AGILITY. This ability he soon proved by buying
which MS name mas since been iGentiied. Those
VINO knew Mr. Corning ascribed the success OF this
TO sheer resolution, industry perseverance
ana foresight or IN words, to the application
OF the principles OF franklin to trade Common
sense and honesty were the tests to which all mat
tiers were subjected TO MIN.
AS Mr. Corning advanced In mercantile success
and he purchased $50 acres near the city OF Albany
where he devoted much attention to the improve
ment OF agriculture. Here may be found some choice
breeds oil imported stock, and other Indications
OF progress In this important calling. To the farm
was in due time added conservatory which mum.
bers some fifteen hundred plants, Including list OF
rare exotlcs, among which Is The famous flower or
the Rant Esprit. AS natural outgrowing OF THESE
operations nursery was subsequently established,
whose catalogue OF fruit anu ornamental trees,
grapes and shrubbery Is a fitting appendage TO q
great agriculture! enterprise.
Mr. Corning was Alderman OF Albany. Mayor for
three years, State Senator and Representative In
| Congress. lie was a member Of the democratic
! conventions at Charleston ana Baltimore. and also
| OF the convention which nominated Franklin Pierce
in 1852. lie was the Caleb Quoem OF politics,
| Congress. Regent OF the New York unlver-
sy OF Inc New
road, Director In the Hudson River Railroad,
| President and Managing Director oil the New YorK
State Bank, President OF The Albany Per Company,
head OF a large hardware house, owner and part
manager OF a large rolling mill, besides finding time
TO give considerable attention to agricultural Pur
SUITS and all OF this he ala well the age or sew
cnty years. AS business man Mr.. Corning ex-
| were readily formed and his decision given once.
In the management or public affairs his forte
| proper man eacn IN hts proper station. Inc re-
| markable ability with which all his operations,
from the Central Railroad down TO those oil the least
importance were conducted, was manly due TO this
| precision or Judgment.
Mr. Corning was always an earnest politician,
| and maintained his opinions with confidence IN
| their rectltudc succeeding In establishing MS
house, not only as leading one IN Albany, but IN
| eles in more extended fields OF action. Assuming
the presidency OF one Of the largest moneyed nstu.
lions in the State sustained IL for years and car
ried it trumphantiy through every CRISIS The rail
road enterprise as 1t developed ITSELF struck The sa-
| gaclous mind OF Mr.. Corning as one Of the symbols
Of human progress, ana ne turned MS attention to
aa IN ACCOMPLISHING us great results.
When time finally developed continu-
Gus line OF railway, connecting the Atlantic
seaboard at Albany with the great lakes at
Buffalo. there also sprung up the thousand diverse
interests growing out OF many distinct corpora
lions 10 bring their lines into one great whole, TO
connect them together tremendously required not
character for honor ana honesty OF the most ex-
| alted Kind In Mr.. Corning all these elements were
at It's nead revived public confluence enlarged us
usefulness, and has gone on even SURPRISING the
expectations OF It's most sanguine friends OF the
on Thursday, the lst OF March, In the year 1866,
Mr.. Corning celebrated the fftleth anniversary OF
his commencement of business lie In Albany. The
history OF Its progress, tnen, read as bOll0ws:-
March l, 1915, he entered the nrm OF John
partner. Mr. Humphrey retired in 1915; and
| IN 1925 Mr.. Spencer withdrew, and John T..
| Norton became the partner, under the nrm OF
Corning n Norton. In 1929 Jonn T. Norton retired
and James Horner became partner, under the
fteen years, when IN is44 GiiDert Z. DAVIDSON was
admitted; and IN ls4S Mr.. Horner retired, giving
way to Erastus Corning, Jr., the title OF the firm
| being Il. Corning Co., which was retained when
Mr.. Davidson retired In 1862. An advertisement,
| published the same day IN an Albany newspaper,
announced that lie had turned over the remainder
OF his extensive business TO his son ana TO the
| young gentlemen VINO had been connected with
him for some years past, and that he personally
Withdrew from business lie. over year before
Mr. Corning made over the general business OF ms
| store to Edward Wilson n Co., young men brought
up 70 mercantile lie and educated at MS counter.
Mr. Corning retired from the iron business In 1863
| with a fortune oil $3,000,0O0, which has been In
| creasng since.
| Mr.. COrnings countenance was massive and full
| OF EXPRESSION but chiefly marked by the power Of
the eye, which was large and penetrative indicate
ing great mental scope and activity. His manners
| and even his voice reminded one OF New England
simplicity, and THIS contributed IN no small degree
! TO his popularity. .
He rests from his abors. During the nty years
OF his active business life what wonderful changes
| have been Witnessed IN the cause. and onward i'll
no nat "A nj