New-York tribune., 1874-01-14
OBITUARY..
GAIL BORDEN.

Gail Borden, the inventor Of the process OF
making condensed imilk, died on the ilth inst' a.
Bordenyilie near Columbus in Texas. His career was
checkered and Interesting He was born in 1901 OF New
En- gland parents In the town OF Norwich N l., tho
elde, of seven children. He went west at the age OF IL
with his father who settled near Madison IND. nus
finding his health impaired by the climate, he went to
Mississippi and there engaged in teaching Hero no
was appointed County Surveyor and also Deputy United
states Surveyor Having married. he removed 10 roh~
in 1879, his father and father-inlaw with theh
families preceding him thther. HIS spiiies
soon brought him into prominence, ana aiter
conducting newspaper, be was appointed by President
Houston Collector Of the Port Of Galveston and subse
queny was agent for twelve years OF the Galveston
City Company, o corporation holding several thousand
acres on which the city is built. His experimental
labors as an inventor resulted first in the pro
duction OF a meat biscuit" which he
manufactured extensively in Texas, with tho
view Of supplying good and portable food for
emgrants crossing the plains; but meeting with the
opposition of army contractors, he lost heavily. and
emerged penniless from the unequal contest he had
maintained.
Coming North he turned his attention TO the preserva
ton Of milk and claimed patent for producing
concentrated milk by evaporation in vacuo the
having sugar other foreign matter mixed w'h
It," Commissioner Mason not convinced that this pro
had any special merits contendng that the sams
opsn and IL not until reinforced by scientific
opinions that Mr. Borden, in 1856, received patent
The development OF the invention source OF
fresh embarrassments. The inventor had parted Will
all but threeeighths Of his interest In the
patent, when after two unsuccessful attempts 70
establish works. the New-York Condensed Milk Com
pany was formed and began business extensive
scale at wassac, Dutchess County, N. Y. This in
1850 after which the civil caused the product
to become quickly and extensively known became
an essential article in military and naval supplies. Tue
business OF milk condensine rapidly expanded.
and works were built st Brewster's Station
the Harlem line. and at Elgin, a miles
from Chicago, Ia both Of which Mr.. Borden
owned one-baf During the war, when our soldiers
needed meat Juices in condense form. Mr.. Borden
sumed his experimental labors, and pro duced an oD
tract OF beef of superior quality Finding during ata
years that retarded the sale OF this article, no
devoted much and money to establishing Its manu-
facture in Texas where IL eonld be made chespy and
well. Mr.. Borden also made excellent preparations
in condensed form OF tea, coffee, and
cocoa, prepared pemmican for use upon
Dr. Kanes polar expeditions. and succeeded In con
densng Juices retain all that constitutes the
peculiar value OF the fruit from which they were made
Mr. Borden made liberal Of the great wealth which
he had acquired Among other acts Of practical benevo
lence IL IL mentioned that ago. hearing tnAs
ministers sbamefully underpsid In Connecticut no
gave salary to o missionary to 20 through the staD
and preach greater nberality TO the churches.