New-York tribune., 1882-02-17
JOSEPH E. SHEFFIELD DEAD.
HIS BENEFACTIoNs TO YALE COLLEGE.

Conn. June 10, 1898. His father and grandfather
were extensive shipOwners and took an active part
in the war of the revolution in a vessel commits
stoned by Con Eress, but equipped and sailed by
themselves. His mother, Mabel Thorp was the
daughter of Captain Walter Thorp of Southport a
ship-master and ship-owuer who was engaged in
the West India trade. Mr.. Snefield's early educa-
tiOn was Obtained in the common schools which
he left in 1sOS when hardly fifteen years of age
to become clerk to Stephen Fowler, of New
berne, n. c. In 1918 he formed partnership with
house in New-York residing himself in Newberne
and attending to the business in that city. His
success gave early evidence of the energy and wis
dom which in after years characterized in a remark
able degree all his operations. In carrying out his
business plans in the South he rode on horseback
through what was then the frontier country OF
North Carolina and Georgia TO Fort Claiborne, on
the Alabama River. On this expedition he visited
the city Of Mobile, which then
small place. Observing at once the adj
vantages of its situation he transferred
his business TO Mobile. In connection with men
since prominent in mercantile life-and especially
in connection with Henry Kneeland, an old and
respected merchant of New-York-Alr. Sheffield
soon became one of the largest shippers of cotton in
the country. He was also of the cOnfden ial
advisers of Nicholas Biddle in the direction OF the
MOBILE branch of the United States Bank. He re-
turned to the North in 1885 when his commercial
standing was at lis height and his business cOnnec-
tions such as to promise very large returns.
When Mr.. Sheffield returned to Connecticut in
the summer 1885 be established himself in New
Haven. To him belongs, among other enterprises
the credit of being of the chief projectors OF the
railroad between New-Haven and New-York. In
obtaining the charter raising the funds aud all the
labor of the construction period he was the active
II he
dent of the New-Haven and Northa1np
ton Railway Company, the charter of which
Mr.. Sheffield obtained in 1916. He was the
chief mover in the building of the road, and was
large holder of its stock until within the last year
when he sold his shares to the New-IOIk, New
Haven and Hartford Railroad Company.
In 1851 Mr Sheffield engaged with Mr.
Farnum in the construction of the Chi
cago and Rock Island Railroad, the be-
ginning of what is now known as the Chicago,
Rock Island and Pacific Railroad. Within two
years after the signing of the con-
tract, and one year short Of the time allowed,
the road was finished at an expense of over
80 100000. BY the terms of the contract Mr. Shelf
field and Mr. Farnum secured by the early compile
ton Of the road the right TO control il up speci
fed date, and to receive all its earnings. The
result was found exceedingly profitable, AZ
the earnings of the road were large, and
Mr. Shetfeld'4 fortune considerably increased
Mr. Sheffield continued a director of the COM
pany which cons Tuced the road until 1850 when
be declined a reelection. At this time he visited
Europe where he remained for two years. Since
his return TO New-liaven he continued, up tn the
time of his death, active business life, giving
constantly his personal ,uperinreudence TO the
rious great enterprises with which he con-
nected Mr. Sheffield was prominent in banking
Loo lou
Haven and holding large amount of stock in
banks in this city.
Mr. Sheifiell's donations TO Yale College are well
known as one branch Of the institution-the Shelf
field Scientific SChoO-bears his name, monument |
at once Of his philanthropy and virtues.
In 1S4G hc gave birth to the impetus
thal resulted in this successful school,
and in the following year it
operation. His benefactions TO the school were
usually unexpected. His principal donations
were as follows: The building on the corner
of Grove and Propect-sts., known Sheffield Hall,
twice enlarged and fitted up throughout; fund of
81 10000 for Irofessorslips; a library fund of
$4,000. increased to $1,000; the Hilhouse
mathematical library purchased at a cost Of
Sal 600 a gift to the Collier Cabinet of $500
n umeTous contributions TO current expenses. and
n orth Sheffield Hall, erected and thoroughly
equipped a cost Of over 100000. In addition to
what MIR. Sheffield did for educational purposes in
New Haven he made large and generous donations
TO Trinity College Hartford and to the Theological
Seminary Of The Northwest in Chicago. He als)
established a parish home in connection with
Trinity Church in New-Haven at cost
Of $4,000 and contributed literally TO
a great number of public institutions o. various |
kinds in New-fiaven and elsewhere. The agEre- |
gate amount of his educational benetactlOns alone
Nr Sbeficld had very severe illness in 1879 and |
thought that he was going 10 die H had /
seen that the Scientific School needed |
new building, but he had then made no ar |
rangements TO provide one. He sent Tor |
Professor c. J. Brush the executive officer Of the
school. and tod him that he was the only one ont
side # his family whom he had that he did not
expect 10 live and that with great cxertiOn he had
that morning attended to some little business III
connection with the school. He gave the
Professor a sealed note which he to hand
TO his executors in of his death, saying that
they would carry ont the iniunctions contained III
it, He had that morning made al the practcai, ar
rangements for putting up the new building,
which upon his recovery he proceeded TO
carry into effect and which is a noble monu-
ment TO his memory. his interest IN the
school was first excited by the fact that his
son-in-law, j. A. Porter, was a. professor
in it. While in Venice, he sent home instructions
use of the school. The faculty and students moved
into the building, but were then at a standstlll
there was DO endowment for, running expenses.
On Mr.. Shefheld's return he instantly saw
the needs of the school, and proceeded 70
satisfy them. He walked one morn;
ing into the Office of the treasurer, and asked
him to return 10000 in stock which he had gwen
TO the school before the purchase Of the building.
The treasurer gave him the stock and, knowing he
generosity of Mr. sheffield, not sur
prised when he returned not long after
bringing gift of $4,000 for the
school ms set IL gong, and since then us oehe-
factor has watched it car fully, and has always pro
vided for IFS wants. He never had 10 be asked for
any gift his many benetac lions were wholly unso-
licted The executive officer of the school was con-
showed "A thoughtful