The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-11-25
OBITUARY..
MOSES II. GRINNELL.

Moses II. Grinneli died about SIX O'Clock last even
log =, residence, No $50 Madison avenue, alter
long though not painful illness His last moments
we're witnessed By his Mr. Irving Grinnei, his
daughter. Mrs Baudoine, and his family physician,
who were gathered around his acathbad. a
uorrowng aud grief stricken group Although
ur. Grunell had been ailiug Tor some
ams past, his death yesterday was quito unexpected,
Is, owing to his wonderful vitality and enduring
mrcnsth, he bad often before rallied. 10 passed
away without struggle, and he had reality been
dead some few minutes before that fact became APP
parent IL would appear that Mr. Grinnells death was
not owing tue ravagcs oil any particular disease
Dut was simply brought about by long and constant
:oursc OF wearing overwork, which nnaily prosraied
HIM and hastcncd his demise. he had been steadily
failing since his last return from Europe. and on
Thursday, the 18th inst, was unable. in accordance
with his daily custom, TO go down town. 10 therefore
kept 10 the house, though not confined to his bed
until Thursday OF the past week Al half
past two O'Clock that day he was seized
With what appeared to DO spasms OF tho heart
md for several hours suffered the most
sxcruciating agony. The spasms subducd by
his physician but left Mr. GriEuell In state OF ex-
tremc physical prostration, from which late In the
evening he appeared TO rally. About the Same hour
yesterday afternoon he was seized with similar
attack OF spasms, from which no also rallied at
ave O'Clock In the evening, leaving him. how
over SO feeble as 10 DO scarcely able to
STIR hand foot HIS Pulse also became
very weak, being At times barely perccptibc, while
his mind seemed TO be wandering, with interrupted
lucid intervals. Despite these discouraging symp-
TOMS however his family did entertain any fears
OF his demise. while the family physician
Eeit quite conhdcns that he would live al least
hree days longer, and might even eventually
recover from the attack. Shortly before six O'Clock,
nowever, his pulse grew ieebler and in a moment
ceased altogether. The venerable merchant was dead.
rhs news OF his death at telcgraphed TO his
laughter Mrs. Thomas Cushing, who resides in Bos-
Ion ana 1t is expected that she will reach town this
evening.
There were few men better known to the citizens OF
New York than Moses II. GrinneiI and no one has
been held higher estimation for plain and persistent
recude business for honesty in political lie, for
jealous fidelity to public and private trusts committed
10 his CONTROL and for high and generous atri
butcs OF the heart probity OF life, warmth OF friend
ship and charming genality which give completeness
TO character and stability to reputation. He was
clean cut type OF the ideal Now York merchant
Hc belonged to that class whose progress to
wealth was by slow and honest means; that
class TO whom mercantile credit dear as honor
and lie itself These dominant motives are seen
whatever part OF his career is encountcred whether
starry institutions, member oil Congress, president
pi the Chamber OF Commerce, as Commissioner OF
Public Charities and Correction Collector OF tho
Port OF New York. 10 tho paternal line Moses H.
Grnnel descended from tho Huguenots, the nrst
represent atives OF the family consisting of three
brothers, having emgrated TO this country In 1852
aud settled in Rhode Island His mother was able to
trace her lineage back TO John Rowland, who camc in
the May flower The father OF Moses H. Grinnel was
successful shipping merchant al New Bedford, Mass
At which deceased was born IN March 3 1904
He Of SIX brotheis-there was also ono daugh-
ter-most Of whom made Tor themselves distinguished
regulations in commercial lilo. Henry Grinnell
one o! the number, whose generosity in sending
Dr. Kane and other explorers to the Arctic regions has
inaisso!uby linged his namo with the vast lone aud
silent lands Of the Ice zone. Until he was sixteen
gears old young Moses Rowland kept regularly
n school, At nch time he had completed the
Ut the academy OF his native town. He not
burdened with special predictions for scholastic
pursuits, and determined to become a shipping
merchant Leaving school he entered as clerk Tho
store Of William Il. kotcn 4 Co., then large I'M
porters OF Russian goods. and also largely engaged
In the whaling trade. The muniacent salary
Of 500 u year paid him for three years,
from which ho was expected to board himself.
He rapidly became mplished clerk
hon. allowed him to mako business ventures his
swn account. many of these yielding him good imam
sal results Not yet twenty years old, young Grnnell
determined to get beyond the narrow horizon OF the
then small. quaint seaport town Of New Bedford He
shipped u supcrcargo a vessel bound Tor Brazil
disposed OF his goods on exceptionally good terms
owing The Dom Pedro revolution then IN progress
and, loading With coffee sailed for Trieste. Arriving
safely lie sailed Tor Liverpool another vessel spent
some time In England and on the Continent. From
Liverpool he took passage packet ship Tor this
a
ing Just ninety days had elapsed since he had
parted company with h's own snip IN trieste. Just
rounding the pier at the foot Of Burning slip his own
vessel came under her stern.
Grinnel.
:" say. Mr. Grinncl is that you ~ shouted back the
Captain, equally surprised.
'Just inYn
sJust in.n
"Please lower n boat and I'll come aboard"
Tho boat was lowered and having been pulled along
side tho packet ship, Grinne was taken board his
own craft Together he and the Captain walked 10
thc shipping office OF Fish Grinne to whom hts
vessel was consigned. and jointly made their reports
Young Moses II. GrInncii then settled IN New York.
AMI his brother beng JUNIOR partner OF the Arm Of
Fish Grinucli he was soon on intimate terms with
Dir. Preserved Fish, It's chief.
Ono day Mr.. Grinncll met Mr. Fish on the wharf.
II want 10 have a lew moments talk with you
viii you step board tho packet ship Leedss" said
gong board and following Mr. Fish into tho cabin.
''You arc out OF employment, SAID Mr.. Fish In that
spoke. Yes, sir," rerl ed GrlnnclL .And you like
the shipping ousincss?" eyes, sir.n 81 Know that
you understand the business thoroughly SAID Mr.
Fish. "Now to the point On the LIST OF January
your brother will retire from tho urn; sail In THIS
very snip Tor Europe Cd Saturday next. want you TO
take my place during my absence anu your Drothcr's
place in the firm on his retirement" "Bnt l
have NO capital and-,n Interrupted young Grin
nell. "None is required" retorted Mr. Preserved
FISH 10 hts blunt way; ''you have youth, health,
ability and honesty, and that is all the capital re-
quire from you; will furnish the rest Will you &C
eept my termsY'
II hardly know what TO say; you are very kind;
bull" stanmered young GriuuelL
mo butts: yes or nor
Eyes, answered Grmnell, promptly.
"Wbcn can you take my paccYn
"Immcdiat-iy" And within half mn hour young
Grinncil had entered upon his duties place Of
Mr.. Fish. The latter sailed Tor Europe, established
branch house there and renamed abroad. Joseph
GriunclI retired to he succeeded by Robert b. MIN
turn, and thus was the house OF GrInuen 4 Minturn
formcd IN the year 1898, the senior PARTNER beng
twenty-two years OF age. Thus was established a
partnership which through al, the financial shocks Of
nearly hity years has stood urn aud unDcmsbed. TO
traco the history oil the house OF GrinnclI, Mnlurn
tn. would "A lOug chapter. In lS1l the business