The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1882-03-10

FRANols S. LArHRop

issue, Judge Francis S. Lathrop died at
bis home in Madison--at 9 O'Clock on
Friday evening. The immediate cause
OF death is said to have been heart dis
else accelerated by dyspepsia, but may
be set down as the hnal break
ing up of constitution which fora long
series Of years withstood the pressure OF
an unexceptionally active and useful
life.
Judge Lathrop was born lnWestSprlnge
field. Mass, in 1896. He was one Of
three SONS, and his father was Dwight |
LatIrop, prominent Springfield n7er>
chant. and his grandfather, Reve DR..
Isatllrop, was for 60 years pastor Of the
Congregational Church Of West Spring.
field. At fifteen years Of age Judge
Lathrop lad received common school
education and became clerk III a
Springfield store. Three years later he
went to New York City where he subs
sequently engagedin the dry goods busi-
ness. under the firm name Of Lusk q
Lathrop. After dissolving partnership
with Mr.. Lusk, he entered into another
partnership with Daniel Arnold and car,
ried on the importing dry goods business
underline firm name OF Arnold & Lathrop,
in Pine street. Still later he engaged in
the same business with his brother in
William street
In l853,when the Mutual Union Insllr.
ance Company was organized, Judge Las
throp was elected President, which posi-
ton he held during the existence OF the
Company. EIe was quite prominent
man in insurance circles and was Presi-
dent OF the Marine Board of Underwrit~
ers from 1871 to 1877.
In 1866 Judge Lathrop was elected a
director of the Morris & Essex Railroad,
and became member OF the Executive
Committee, Ex-Governor Randolph be-
ing then President, and it was mainly
through the influence of the President
and the new director that this road was
leased by the Delaware, Lackawanna &
Western, an arrangement which proved
mutually advantageous to all parties cons
cerned.
On the 18th. of February, 1877, Judge
Lashrop was appointed Receiver of the
New Jersey Central Railroad, and filed
the position with signal success until the
time OF his death. He was also elected
President of the road in May last. As
the direct result of his management
Central stock, valued at 5000, when he
took hold of it, is at present quoted at
sos, while the bonds OF the road have
risen from SIS to SIl0.
Although Judge Lathrop never receive
ed what might be termed legal educa~
ton, he was appointed Associate Judge
g II. 4 4
New Jersey in 1869, by Gov. Randolph,
and subsequently reapp0inted BY Gov.
Bedle, He was member Of the Chanl-
Der Of Commerce of New York, and its
/ Treasurer for number of years. He
/ was President OF the Riparian Commits
sion. and largely instrumental in lis orig
j inal organization. He was also mainly
instrumental in the construction of Nor
ris Plains Asylum. and was President oil
the Commission appointed to superin-
tend its erection. He was valued
trustee of this institution at the time oil
his death.
Judge Lathrop took up his abode at
Madison III iona. xhere he established
tlgz ss;snseliand family + sssa,a gi.;al, sor
years past fzes been recognized ss.s,,a ~
the most elaborate and best appoints,
in this section OF the State.
ocrat and S;sleS - ,s '...1s
4; liz ,,art.
gas n,aat b;alv a s.I.e. ~ LIE =,
knew hi.n TT;s $500 = st 8 e
handed l;baral;t W., H. a IT, ~.
If thousands fl,To,,,,,o,,s H. sss sos
,s.s;t,' - any
neciallv nroverb;aI NJ e;t;aan "aIs . 81
State probably ever WELDED = ,nore a sn,s
eral influence within its borders or did
more to enhance its interests and pro-
Iect lts good name Although not to the
,Aalior porn, ne was aJerseyman IN the
pest sense at the term, and as such his
memory VIII oe reyered throughout the
state. lis wonderful influence over his
lieiiow men was not 80 much owing to
weaitil ana position as to his remarkable
knoWledge OF human nature. He was a
natural ieaaer, and possessed the faculty
o. ieaaing men TO his own views by shere
lorce o character. lis peculiarly ur>
eails' ssnlai aisposltion won rather than
iofce respect. In all things pertaining
% the advancement Of his fellow man he
was ever ready to extend ahelping hand.
IL was mainly through the aid OF himself
and the late A. NJ. fredwell that Grace
Episcopal Church at Madison was built
and maintained.
Two years ago he celebrated his golden
wedding, having married North Caro-.
ina lady ~ 1880. Mrs. Lathrop has ever
been fitting help mate, and worthy
seconder OF her now lamented husband's
schemes for tightening the burdens of