New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-07-02
OBIT UARY.
uENRY GRINNELL.

HENRY GRiNNELi"
The name of Henry Grlnnell, who died at
his residence. In Bondst Tuesday afternoon was prou
inent in the list great merchants who had established
fine mercantile renown Of this city in the thirty years
before the war OF the Rebellion while his active Efforts
and liberal outlay for expeditions In search OF Sir John
Franklin and for Arctic exploration made MIN worry
widely known aud called out universal commentator
Mr.. Grinnell was born in New-Bedord, Mass, at the
beginning of this century lie was the fourth son OF
Cornelius Grinnell, well known shipping merchant OF
New Bedford OF Huguenot ancestry. The family name
can still be recognized IN the designation OF street.
square, and artesIan well IN Paris In 1852 tnree
brothers of the French family OF GrnDe, or Greune
came this country ana settled In Rhode slanH from
which State the great grandfather of Henry Grnne
went to Ncw-Bedford On the mothers SIDE, Henry
Grinne drew his descent from John Rowland, one OF
the devoted band who crossed the Atlantic in the May
flower Cornelius Grinneil served his country III the
Revolution both the army and the navy He had good
business talents and his devotion 10 mercantile pursuits
was transmitted to his sons, three Of whom Joseph
Grinue Moses II. Grinnell, aud Henry Grinnen, have
ranked among foremost merchants Of this country
or the sons, Joseph Grinnell and Moses H. GrinneH
alone survive now the former residing in NewBedford
at very advanced age, but still actively engaged IN
the conduct of great business enterprises For elght
years ho represented his district in Congress. The
father Cornelius Grinnel built several ships, one OF
which, the Euphraes, built in 1893 was famous In her
Shenandoah In the Pacific IN 1864 For the entire Gu
wears In which this vessel was used she remainedsn
the hands OF the GrinIell family. Henry GriDnell
passed his boyhood and youth in his native city, where
he received sound education. He was graduated at
the New Bedford Academy, then one OF the best insu
lions of its class in New-Engiaud. His bent toward
mercantile occupation was early apparent and was los
tered father AT the Of 10 he came TO this
city, aud became CLERK in the counting-rOOm OF H. d.
q II Iarpa M esiO firm n
remained there several years. In S0hs brother Joseph
Grnne had formed partnership with Preserved
Fish, under the firm name OF Fish 81 Grinnell The
house was established at the OF Frontst and
Pine The aim OF the founders of the house as they
expressed II, to do legitimate straightforward COM
mission business, without speculation Of any kind In
this object they remarkably successful and their
transactions expanded with rapid but healthy growth
In 1926 the member Of the frm Capt Preserved
Fish, retired from the house, and the three brothers,
Joseph Grinnel Moses III. Grinnell, and Henry Grin
nell became associated under the old firm name. This
arrangement continued for two years, when Joseph
Grinnen left the firm and Robert B. Minturn, whose
sister Henry Grinnell had married six years before,
entered 1t. The firm name then became Grin
NELL Minurn & Co.. and 10 the "a years in which Henry
Grinnell was a partner in this house the volume
OF busness constantly increased till it assumed vast
dimensions. In the Liverpool and London trade, In
shipping and from Brazil and the West Coast OF South
America in the East Indies and indeed In almost every
quarter OF the world, the vessels OF Grlnnel
& Co. were known to all men. The house did great
deal for American commerce, and probably built more
ships up 1860 than any other mercantile house in this
country. In all the OF the firm the rule
adopted the start to swerve into specula
tive enterprises strictly adhered to- although the OPP
portunes such enterprises especially IN the English
trade appeared most tempting In consequence credit
of the house was never shaken questioned from the
OF the origin OF the parent house in 1910 through the
worst Of financial rres and pancs. In the affairs Of
the firm Henry Grinnell noted for good Judgment
caution. rmness of resolution, and the soundes
with "a proper devotion to the interests OF his house
and q prediction for mercantile life. he ap
pied himself earnestly TO trade or to the accumula
ton Of fortune that he did leave ample room for
qualification OF his tastes In reading and recreation
lie fond OF books and was particularly attracted by
works OF history, OF travel and exploration.
His interest in exploration and explorers was Illus
trated in a memorable way In the OF Sir John |
Franklin. The expedition which left this city IL May
1885, search OF Franklin and his men, wac fitted out
by Henry Grlnnell This expedition was commanded
by Lieut.. E. j. De Haven. sHa nE r. z. Kane went as
surgeon and naturalist d. Kane published an account
OF the trip which attracted much attention The dis
coverv 6f land till then unknown, at 75o "a n" north
which was called Grnne's Land, was made oy this ex-
The house OF Grinneli mintrsn & Co. inspired TO
interest in the work OF Arctic exploration ny the zeal OF
Henry Grinnell, which was not down by the ~eaC
of OF the first expedition regard the object
for which 1t was sent out In 1853 he bore large
part OF the expense or sending the second expedition
search OF Franklin (Which was under command Of Dr.
Kane and was indefatgabe in his efforts for the LIBERAL
provision and proper equipment OF that expedition His
desire 10 advance tue work OF exploration did not fail
even in the last years OF his life. He very anxious
for the success OF Capt Halle expedition In Polars
aud one OF his sons came from Australia, with his |
fathers appreciation, to with Capt. Hail. but before
the departure or the Polaris Mr. GInne became con
Ynecd that the expedition was but poorly prepared
the work 1t proposed 70 undertake aud his SOU did not
20.
In 1852 Henry Grinnell retired from the firm of Grin.
nell, Mlnturn Co.. aud spent considerable time In
the easy enjoyment OF the fruits OF his ine ca
reer After an interval OF leisure he became engaged
and for the last fifteen years has
nected with the Liverpool ana London Insurance Com
pany, mas been for considerable time head
conspicuous 10 tho public OF late years, took
active part In the movements OF the outside u
his favore Held For fey years previous 20 hfs re-
tirement from the firm OF GrHnel, Minturn & Co. he
much Interested IN politics, and Ia 1s45 was very
earnest opponent OF slavery. AIS political Oplniohs
hfefward underwent considerable aud he
took no part In party struggles noteworthy element
IN bis character. which has made his name less prom
OF recent years than IL would otherwise have been
was his marked inclination for privacy aud retirement
He deprecated the mention OF his n pubo prints
and cOureOusY deGlned ~ give ala IN the OF IN
formation 10 any desired TO make mention OF his
fe ana services In the OF Arctic exploration In
books. His decision OF character and strength or Will
we're s0ftened by liberal disposition and ready
courtesy OF manner. His lie bore out the principles on
ghch.his business conducted, and q striking
OF tho sound the straightforward and
earnest and Ills sterling Integrity never showed the
highest flaw. In religious belief he followed the doc
nes OF the Protestant Episcopal Church. and has been
member OF st. fhomass Church In this for several
ears His mother was II member OF the Society OF
Friends and his father attended the services OF that
denomination. ~ 1 !.