Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1883-01-09
HENRY BRIGHAM.
Death of the Well Known Merchant
and Banker.

and Banker.
Henry Brigham, ESD, one OF SaVan-
nah's Oldest merchants, and President
of the Merchants National Bank, died at
his residence in this city yesterday morn
ing. His death was not unexpected, but
still il was severe shock to the commu-
nitv. following so closely on that of two
other old and respected citizens.
The deceased was native of SouthbOr0.
Mass. and was born i'm 1871. lie came TO
this city i'm 1885, at the age OF twenty-five,
for the benefit Of his health. and was nrst
employed as clerk III the then prominent
house of Samuel Philbrick. He suDse-
ouentIv became a clerk with l..
Baldwin. and afterwards became assOcia-
ted in the house, in which he continued
for forty wears, Mr.. Brigham ana the late
John J. Kelly being admitted as partners.
under the firm name of l.. Baldwin X co.
On the death OF Mr.. Baldwin the firm was
continued under the name OF Brigham u
Kelly, and subsequently changed to
Brigham, Kelly a Co., Brigham
Baldwin Il Co., and Brigham, Hoist d Co.,
Mr.. Brigham retiring from the latter firm
in 1875. These firms carried on "A large
commission and shipping business, ana
were the agents of several lines OF sailing
vessels. doing besides a large foreign ship
ping business. They were also agents OF the
first line of prOpellers running between
this port and New York, known as the
.'CrOmwell Line" and consisting Oh the
steamships Huntsville, Montgomery, X: IL.
Cuvler and other steamers. of which they
were mart owners. In later years they
were interested i'm a line of steamers run
ming from this port to the Altamaha and
Ocmulgee rivers.
I'm withdrawing from the firm with
which he had been identified from early
manhood Mr., Brigham did not retire from
active business. For several years he was
a partner in the insurance firm OF Brig
ham & Olmstead, and he also accepted the
position of President Ofthe Merchants Ma
tiOnal Bank, of which he was one oil the
incOrporators.
In ISIS he became a member of the house
of w. w. Gordon Il Co., cotton factors, and
was member Ofthat firm, as well as Pres-
ident of the bank, at the time OF ms DEAN.
Mr.. Brigham was several times an Al
derman of the city, and while occupying
that position during the late war, volun-
teeled his services and took personal
charge of the distribution of sup
plies to soldiers families. He was
also member of the Relief Commit
tee, and was ON several occasions at
the front during the campaign In Up
per Georgia. attending TO the wants OF the
soldiers. As was said of his friend and
contemporary. who preceded him only a
few hours in the journey across the dark
river. he loved Savannah, and was ever
ready to sacrifice self to her interests.
His name was to be found upon the list
of members of all her public
enterprises and private charities.
In his younger days Mr.. Brigham was
Lieutenant of the Georgia Hussars, and
all through his long life took warm in
terest in the welfare of that gallant corps,
who will tender soldiers last tribute to
their deceased comrade.
The deceased, though well advanced in
years. bid fair to see another decade, until
last winter. when he contracted severe
cold, which confined him to his house.
Recovering partly from this attack,
he went North and from thence
to Europe. In Paris he had
most acute attack of his complaint,
which by this time had developed into a
dangerous form, and he returned home as
soon as possible. Old associations for a
time revived him, but he gradually sank
beneath the inrOads of the disease, and
breathed his last yesterday morning, lie
leaves a widow and seven children to
mourn his death.
Mr.. Brigham was one of the Nestrymen
of st. Johns Church, where the funeral
services will take place this morning at
IL O'Clock, after which the remains Will
be inferred in Laurel Grove Cemetery.