National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1873-10-28
OBITUARY.
The Late Joseph saxton-Denth OF M Rs,i-
mont Scientist sketch Of his Life.

The Late Joseph saxtou-Denth OF M Rs,i.
mont scientist-sketch OF his Life.
Mr.. Jos. Saxton, superintendent Of weights
and measures, United States coast survey,
died at his residence, corner Of New Jersey
avenue and ID street southeast, on Sunday
evening, ut $50 O'Clock. Hehad been In fall
ing health for the past four years, having
during that period suffered from succession
Of paralytic strokes, which finally terminated
In his death.
Mr.. Saxton was born In Huntingdon county,
Pennsylvania, on the I'D Of March, 1879, and
was consequently in the seyenty-lifth year Of
his age at the time of his demise. lie was a
man Of extraordinary mechanical genius, and
may be Justly ranked among the eminent self
made men Of the present century. The late
Professor Bache, In an asscmblage of scien-
lists few years since, pronounced him to
he the greatest mechanical genius the world
ever saw"
In early life Mr.. Saxton learned the silver
smith business In his native town, aud when
but sixteen years Of age made II printing
press, and printed small newspaper. When
| quite young man he went TO Philadelphia
In boat built by himself. lie resided In The
Quaker city several years, and was princi-
pally engaged in silyersmithing. While there
he made the old city clock, which yet marks
the flight OF time from the summit OF indie
pendcnce Hall.
Subsequently Mr.. Saxton went to London,
and Ia that city and in Paris he resided nine
years. lie was the inventor of the celebrated
electromagnetic machine by which the first
magnetic spark was produced. and which he
exhibited In London in presence Of forty
thousand people, including forty distin-
guished scientlsts. While IN that city he
made the machinery for the Philadelphia
mint, aud was sent for 10 put 1t up. lie was
employed in the mint for seven years In
making the dies Of the coin then in use.
Mr.. SaXton came to Washington about
twenty-eight years ago, under the auspices OF
Professor Bachc, then superintendent OF the
United States coast survey. Since that time
he has been employed In that Office, and was,
ut the time Of his death, Us above stated, SUI
pcrintcndent OF weights aud measurcs-a po-
sition which he filled with marked ability.
While on this duty he made sets Of weights
and measures for ell the State capitals Of the
Union, and also for the several custom-houscs
throughout the country. A fine pair Of scales
made by him attracted great attention at the
London Exposition, and n gold medal was
| awarded him. lie was also the recipient, ut
various times, OF other medals awarded for
| his meritoriOus works.
The deceased had been a prominent MEM
Der OF the Academy of Sciences, Of the
Franklin Institute of Philadelphia and of
other scientific organizations, and also a
regular contributor to the Scientific Amer
lean aid other standard publications IN tho
scientific world. lie was devotce of me-
chanical science, and was highly honorcd by
the distinguished scientists who were his CO.
temporaries. His funeral will take place
from his late residence tomorrow afternoon,
| at . o'clock.