The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-04-04
OBITUARY.
CAPTAIN FREDERICK LAHRBUsH.

CAPTAIN FREDERICK LAHRBUSH.
A long and eventful lite succumbed to the inevitable
master whom Captain Frederick Lahrbush broathcd
his last mortal breath yesterday afternoon, at the
dwelling OF his friend, Mr.. McGrnth No. 5l3 Third
avenue. in this CITY, Captain Lahrbush was
born March 0, 11e6. and consequently
celebrated the 11lth anniversary OF his birthday only
few days ago, which event was noticed in the HER
AID tho time Captain Lahrbush contracted fatal
illness about two months ago, when ho went out
raw and bitter morning Tor tho purpose OF making
call on Mrs. A. 7. Stewart He was urged not TO 90,
but replied that no had not seen Mrs. Stewart
SINCE the death OF her husband, and declined TO
be prevailed upon TO forcgo his intent On his return
that visit be stricken down with illness
caused him TO take TO the bed from which be never
again. During his recent sickness he appreciated
his critical condition, and had expressed himself as
being aware that the tide OF his long existence had
last reached the last OF it's cbb He seemed 10th 10
leave the earth that had borne him Tor such u
length OF time, and IN which he had been
, witness to the fluctuations IN the fortunes Of men
and nations. Up a lew years ago the anniversary
pf the birthday Of this remarkable centenarian
celebrated by dinner party given in his honor by
General John Watts De Pcyster and which usually
attended by n large number OF distinguished people
The most prominent or New York-Thurlow
Weed. A. !. Stewart and many others-have taken
pleasure doing him honor, and il has
been stated that be has received for long time
pension from wealthy citizen Interested In his extra
q PLAIN brlck house Third avenue. near Thirty
fourtn street, he would often breakfast at the
Fifth avenue, who always delighted In nearing
him recount the interesting episodes Of his
chequered career, touching the members OF a
generation who had been sleeping their last
sleep for half q century Some douots have been
raised TO Captain Lahrbush veraclty concerning
his age, but nearly all the prominent who have
gated the and made inquiries ut the Brit
ish War Oicc proclaim their faith IN his claim TO have
been OF the Oldest IN the world. IL IL easy
task even tor who has read n sketch OF Captain
Lahrbushs life, and who ~ familiar with the date OF
his btrh 10 realize the matter OF fact significance OF
IL md Il q 20 nat
born three years before Napoleon l., who has
been dead these 0ity.sx years that AT his birth Louis
XIV. ruled long suffering France. that Maria Theresa
and Frederick the Great swayed the sceptres
Of Austria and Prussia that William Pitt was only
boy OF scven and that Nine dc Stae was born IN the
same Year, Wo may think OF these things by
effort Of memory but who call thu. time viviuIy
before the mind and associate II with the life of
who, until few weeks ago took his meals regu-
larry, and might be riding down town
man2 The dim and iaded historical past seemed to
spring into life and flesh In the presence oil this living
remnant OF nm epoch long. long gone by IL seems
almost Impossible TO believe that this man was
friend OF Butcher knew Marshal Ney, Eugene Victor
and Lcfevre; that he fought under SIT Arthur We.cs-
ley IN the Pennsular war; aud Kept guard nj Napo-
ago. HIS strange history would MI a thrilling chap
tor OF romance Entering the British army at an
early age hghtng against Napoleon's heroes during
the most memorable years OF tic eighteenth ana nine
teepth centuries retiring finally at niIy-two from
styo scrvce and marrying the wife OF his bosom, then
uuncring ehipwrccK and losing both wife aud fortune
shs latter tho savings Ola whole iiic-and bnay living
10 be revercd his venerable past By The members Of
! generation who look upon him as some wondrous
robo OF antiquy-surey this ~ no ord,-
nary career, and II becomes even more astonishing
Wben the pcriIous through which he passed un
harmed are cmembered II almost seems az though
be bore charmed life and as though special Provi-
ispcs had watched him In order TO preserve him
70 ~ Of tho greatest ccntcnarians Of the age