The New York herald., 1879-08-10
OBITUARY..
MAJOR WILLIAM LELAND.

Major William Ii. Leland, one of the oMest hotel
proprietors of the United States. and the eldest Of
1--WE brothers well known throughout the country.
died yesterday morning at Saratoga Springs. His
death caused by Inflammation of the bowels, was
comparatively sudden occurring after illness of
only eight days. He seized with attack of
cholera morbus while visit to the family home
stead in Vermont.
Major Leland was born at Land Grove. VT. March
Is. 1921 in hotel kept there by his father. who was
also the proprietor of the first line of stages running
from New Hampshire to Saratoga and Troy. His
grandfather likewise had been a hotel keeper.
About forty years ago the Major then boy left his
home in Vermont, and on arriving in New York OBJ
tanned position in the Astor House. kept by
Colonel Nudge. Afterward he entered the employ
of one Hodges, who engaged him clerk i'll the
Clinton HOTEL in Beekman street. opposite the old
Brick Church. His brother Simeon bought Hodges
out in 1s46 and William went to Cleveland. Ohio,
where he embarked in trade When the California
fever broke out in 1S49 he set out for the Golden
State, where he remained until 1852. Returning to
New York in that year he and his brothers Warren
Rnd Charles opened the Metropolitan Hotel In 1856 he
sold out his interest for 100000 and engaged with
Colonel Gowen, of Boston, in project TO raise the
Russian fleet sunk in the harbor of Seoastopol dur
ing the Crimean war. He accompanied that gentle
man to Russia. and although the work was success
fully accomplished. it failed to realize for it's pro-
moters the handsome return anticipated. With the
remains of his fortune he purchased large tract of
land in Texas. which he stocked with the very
choicest breeds OF horses, cattle and sheep, intend
ing 90 into the business of raising grand
scale. He successful at first. but the sectional
strife, which then just about eliminating,
destined thwart his schemes and blight his pros
poets. Major Leland was elected delegate from
karnes county, his home. to the Texas Convention
which passed the ordinance of secession. He op-
posed the action of that body strongly and was out
spoken in defence of the Union The result was that
in the feverish excitement which then reigned Major
Leland given two hours to leave the State, his
property was confscated, and he once more turned
his face homeward utterly ruined. He Joined the
army and was appointed Chief Commissary OF Sub
the staff of General Grant. At the close
OF the war he purchased the Grand Union Hotel
Charles and Warren, resumed his old and congenal
occupation. Since then lie had also been connected
with the Grand Central Hotel, Saratoga, and the
Eutaw House. in Baltimore. For the last two years
he had been chiefly Interested in mining interests
and sheep ranches i'll California. Nine months ago
he purchased q house in Saratoga, intending to
settle down and end his days the enjoyment Of
domestic quiet His wife and six daughters survive
him, one of whom is married to Lieutenant Conln
little Church Around the Corner" in Twenty ninth
street near Fifth avenue at eleven o'clock to-mor-
row morning.
COLLECTOR BRAxToN, OF NORFOLK, VA.
Major John S. Braxton. Collector OF the port of
Norfolk, va died suddenly last evening, at six
o'clock He had been for time afflicted with
gout of the stomach and yesterday had attack of
cholera morbus and sank rapidly. Deceased
ffty-one years of age, and native Of King and
Queen county, and lived in the northern neck Of
Virginia, where he prlctised law. He
United States Register in Bankruptcy until ap
pointed Collector Of Norfolk about two years ago
by President Hayes to ill the vacancy caused by the
death of Luther Lee During the war Braxton was u
quartermaster in the Confederate Army, he also
several times member of the State Legislature be-
fore and since the war. He belonged OF the
most distinguished families of Virginia.