, 1883-01-19
HENRY BERGH.
THE ANIMALS FRIEND.

Henry Bergh's everyday life during
nearly twenty years, has been an express
sion of sympathy with ''our poor earth
born companions and fellow-mortals,' v
the dumb creatures.
He was born in New York City, in the
wear 1898. His father was wealthy
man, the leading American shipbuildor
Of his time. He was native of the
Empire State, and longtime resident
OF New York City, which deeply mourn
cd his loss when, at the age Of eighty
three, he departed this life. Mr.. Bergh's
grandfather was native of Germany.
His mothers maiden name was Eliza
beth Ivers. She was daughter of
Connecticut family distinguished for its
excellent qualities. Blessed with SUI
perior parentage possessing ample means
Mr.. Bergh received a superior education,
but did not complete the course at Col
umbia College. He married while young
a Miss Taylor, daughter of English pa
rents. In 1862 he was appointed Secre-
tary OF Legation at st. Petersburgh, and
began there that active interference in
behalf of the right of animals to kind
treatment, which has given him reputa-
ton wide as civilization OF course, his
services to abused animals in the Rus
sian capital were entirely unofficial, but
they were effective, thanks to the dis
tinguished character OF his equipage and
the fine livery of his coachman. Mr..
Bergh resigned his position on account
Of ill-health. On his way home he in
dulged in the luxury Of leisurely travel
and became acquainted with the Earl of
Harrowby, President Of the Royal So
ciety for the Prevention of Cruelty to
Animals, London. The society of which
m,. E2rsh was the founder, is modelled
hcIo > y alter the English one presided
oIer by this nobleman until his death.
He returned to New York in 1864, and
spent year in maturing his plans for
the establishment of means to check and
prevent cruelty to animals The Ameri-
can Society for the Prevention of Cruel
ty to Animals was instituted in 1865. In
1866, it was given by statute the powers
Of prosecution and even arrest, which il
still possesses. Mr.. Bergh has been its
president since its inception, and its in
valuable services to beast, and man as
well-for men are made better by being
taught the practice of humanity towards
dumb creatures-are largely due to his
resolution, the moral elevation of his
character, his tact, his unhinching cour-
age and unconquerable perseverance. He
stands six feet high, and his appearance
and carriage denote power of will
which readily commands respect. But
Lis appeal to the moral sense and his
alslnterestedness are the principal ele.
ments OF his success. He receives no
salary for his work, freely gives his time
and engeries to it, and the public knows
this to be the case and respect and honor
the man who makes the sacrifice. The
statute of 1866 constitutes Mr.. Berch an
assistant district attorney in New York
Ci.y and assistant OF the attorney gener.
al OF the State, in the enforcement OF the
laws agsinst cruelty to animals. He is a
member OF the bar, and effective in the
courtroom, as well as in interferences in
behalf OF animals in the public streets
and elsewhere, and on the public plat
form as a lecturer enforcing the wisdom
and duty OF humane feeling and action.
The New York society has 1926 workers
in the State. Thirty-six States in the
Union have founded similar organiza.
tions, and Mr.. Berghs correspondence
contains many applications from foreign
lands for information as to bis methods
and the laws under which he works
During the first year OF its existence a.
an agency enforcing that law Of the
State which included principle new in
American Jurisprudence, namely, that
mems ownership OF inferior creatures IS
limited by the claims of an elipbtepcL
humanity. the American Society for
tle Prevention OF Cruelty 70 Animals