National Republican., 1884-05-16
a TRULY GOOD MAN.

Sketch OF Phiinnthropio Millionaire
VINO Gave Away Millions in Charities,
Lived Like Prince, ana specuIatcd
Wildly.
Mr.. George I. Seney, who has been the ruling
spirit Of tho Metropolitan bank so long, is we'll
known throughout the country not alone
because Of his extensive charitable and other
gifts, but also for some of the gigantic rail-
road enterprises in which he has been en-
barkod. lie was born in Astoria i. l., on May
IL, 1926, His father was tho leading Method
ist clergyman Of that place. He began his
business career as paying teller Of the Metro
poltan National bank, with which he has
over since been connected. He was successful
in his numerous financial enterprises, and
about ten years ago he camc prominently be-
fore the public through his splendid benefac.
tions to Methodist and other charities,
astonishing his most intimate friends by the
princely magnihcence of his gifts.
Among his more important gifts wero tho
following: Wesleyan university, $j50,000 to
literary institutions in Georgia, 1925 900; to
the Long Island Historical society's library
fund, 100000; the Seney hospital In Brook
lyn, S5oO,00O; the industrial school for homo
less children Brooklyn, $4,000; the Brooklyn
eye and cor infrmary, $4,000; the Brooklyn
library, $4,000. Mr.. Seney's railroad opera
tions have been large and successful. His
fortune has been variously estimated at from
Sl2, ,OOO, 900 TO $20,00O0O0, of which $4,000, 600
is said TO have been made in few years by
railroad operations. Among the notable en-
terprises with which ho has been connected
arc tho Ohio Central, the Peoria, Evansville
aud Decatur, tho Erie and Western, the New
York, Chicago ani 81. Louis and the East
Tennessee, Virginia aud Georgia. lie is prosi-
dent Of the last named, and his speculations
In It's stock are supposed to have had much
to do with tho failure. Ihostock was selling
yesterday at D for common and
for tho preferred. Less than year ago
largo blocks Of this stock, supposed
to be for tho account Of Mr.. Senoy. were
bought at IL and l2 for tho common and "A
for the preferred. Tho stock has been fall
ing in price ever since, and it is believed
that Mr.. Senoy has lost large sums of money
in endeavorinR to support 10. Ohio Central
has also boon on tho decline, and he is cred
tied with supporting that stock also ut great
loss. Ono of Mr.. Seney's greatest operations
was the sale OF New York, Chicago and 81.
Louis road, known as the "Nickel Plate" to
Mr.. Vanderbilt On Oct 90. 1882, j. II.
Dovoroaux, president of the Cleveland, Co.
lumbus, Cincinnati and indianapolis, pur-
chased q controlling interest in the Nickel
Plato paying 81 for tho preferred stock, of
which there was an issue of $22,O0O,OO0, and
II for the common, of which there were
S2S, ,00O0 900. Mr.. Devereaux's connection with
hr. Vanderbilt justified every one in sup
posing that the purchase was in his interest.
which proved to be the case on Jan. 8, 1888,
when the road was formally turned over to
the Vanderbilts.
In explanation of these gifts, he said he
regarded them as hostages to the Lord"
that he found it better to give than to receive;
that he took pleasure in parting with half u
million dollars in this way; that he preferred
giving in his lifetime to waiting until death
for a bequest which might be defeated by
cnntnat his will la ucnl IN tulk of tha
bad effects upon n mans disposition of hoard
ing wealth, and took pride in saying his gifts
did not go to the idle, the dissipated, or the
undeserving.
Yet at the time most of these gifts were
made, while many who had long known him
were surprised at these unexpected evidences
| Of wealth, others who knew something of his
real situation, and the immense resources
required by his extensive enterprises, romon-
strated with him. Ho was warned that he
could not afford it, that ho might get his
affairs into serious complications. But he
| replied with great nrdor and enthusiasm that
he could we'll afford it, and that it was his
right and pleasure to do what he chose with
his own. He, at the same time, disclaimed
any desire for notoriety in the matter, and
did not givo oStentatiously, but rather quietly.
Ho prided himself upon being governed by
business common sense in his gifts.
Mr. Seney lives in the splendid mansion
built by ). 8. Rockwell, ON the crest of the hill
opposite Wall street ferry, in Brooklyn. Mr..
Seney, since purchasing it, has added to it an
art gallery containing the choicest collection of
paintings in Brooklyn He was a domestic man,
reticent in habit and was but little known
by sight in Brooklyn. Like Ferdinand Ward
he was an attendant of tho church of the
| Pilgrims. Tho persuasiveness of tho Rev. DIR.
, II. ). Storr was potent in opening his purse
strings, especially for additions to the book
treasures in the Long Island historical library,
| Of Whit inb la n libnral at I'm
classics, engravings, and rare things which
connoisseurs recommended to him. He was
| for time SO systematically liberal to chari-
ties that one of his bright daughters once
said to him: Papa, wish l was u charitable
| institution"
Mr.. Senoy rarely gave where his charity
was sought He refused to notice begging
letters, and when his name became famous
and women wrote to him threatening suicide
| If not aided and young girls threatening sin
If not assisted, he gave orders to have his
mail winnowed Of such letters, and for years
this has been systematically done. His first
noteworthy benetice, which was to the Netho-
dist college in Georgia, was prompted by a
sermon preached by the Rev. DIR. Haygood
| upon q reconciliation between the north and
south. Mr.. Seney sent for DR.. Haygood and
told him that in his opinion the usefulness of
man who could preach a sermon like that
should be increased, and made him q large
donation for his school.
Mr.. Seney possesses a powerful frame and
great energy. He is swarthy in complexion,
and his dark eyes dash even in repose under
the shadow of heavy black eyebrows. His
full beard does not conceal his firm and cner
gotic cast of features. lie is almost habitu-
ally alone. In crossing the ferries, he
usually takes cornor seat in tho boat, and
drops his head forward, as though in deep
thought. Although attending DIR. storrss
church. Mr.. senoy held pew in the Hanson
Place Methodist church, and he was foremost