The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-08-06
o B I T U A r Y.
Simeon Leland.

Simeon Leland's remains will be buried tomor
row Wednesday, the funeral cortege taking Its
departure from his late residence, Castle View
New Rochelle Westchester county, at the hour Of
two O'Clock In the afternoon Mr. Leland was in
the fftysixth year OF his age His life career ter
minated rather suddenly last Saturday. The occur
renee of the event will be mourned by his friends
numerous In the New World and the Old, who will
read Of the demise OF OF the wellknown builders
OF the name and reputation Of the Metropolitan
Hotel, New York. He was native of the town of
Chester, w. and born in the year 1916. His father
was one of those hardy pioneers OF the United States
mail service, and first to establish O line of
mail coaches across the Green Mountains. While
engaged in this laborious enterprise he acquired
an acquaintance with the people that was SO CO.
extensive with the State, and secured their undi-
vided esteem. The elder Leland was born in the
town OF HOLSTER, Mass. brother of an
eX-Lieutenant Governor of Vermont, and allied in
family to the late Reverend John Leland. AS is the
custom with the Vermont and New England fathers,
the elder Leland taught his sons early in lfe that
they must depend upon their own industry for
good fruit. This lesson was early impressed on
Simeon, and IN the year 1884, with no other capital
started for York city, to seek his fortune Whilst
wandering about, he stepped into the Clinton
and asked that famous publican 'if he didn't
want to hire ~ Mr.. Hodges looked at the
youthful applicant, surveyed him from head to
foot, put on his glasses and made second survey,
and then, with all that suavity and deicacy OF ex.
preston for which he was proverbial, said to Le-
land:-"Wel my son, you may go into the house,
and Wen see what we can do for your Simeon
obcyed the mandate, and thus laid the foundation
for that success which attended him. The Clinton
Hotel had, under the management of Preston
Hodges, acquired an exalted reputation, and was
one of the best hotels in the United States. This
reputation had been honestly acquired; for Mr..
Hodges, with eccentrlcties and political prejudices
was perfect hotel master, and In very few years
secured some 100000. Simeon Leland had not been
with Hodges many months before his worth and
talent were perceived, and he was pro-
noted to the position Of barkeeper and
cashier. Here he speedily won the respect
and good will of everybody who visited the
Clinton Hotel. After serving in this capacity
short time he was placed at the head Of affairs, and,
nnally Mr. Hodges, vested the sole control OF the
establishment in his hands In 1915 Mr.. Leland left
idly gong down. for Mr. Hodges had become too
wealthy 10 attend to it personally; and, In obedi-
encc TO the dictates OF interest and inclination, in
1916 he sold II out to Mr. Leland. The building was
was then with the exception OF the City Hotel, the
largest establishment OF the kind In New York. Its
original occupant, Mr. Bspman, died OF cholera,
IN 1882, when 1t passed into the hands OF Mr..
Hodges, who secured for that high reputation that
Mr.. Leland SO successfully upheld Mr.. Leland
was then in the thirty-second year of his
age. lie perfected himself in his profession, for
Win MIN hotel keeping was made q grand profess
sion, and rose In name ana fame rapidly, browning
his glory as a caterer In the Metropolitan Hotel.
lie experienced the "shades and shadows OF
the world to some extent as well as its
joyOusneSs; but IL may be said truly that half the
world VIII dcpl0re his loss. He had right hand
for every one. Uncle Sim's genial smile has sent
munily VIII not soon forget his geniaty popularity
and generosity.