New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-06-07
OBITUARY.
THOMAS McELRATH.

weeks ago, but his death, the result of old age,
peaceful and singularly free from any evidence Of
pain Nearly all the surviving members of his large
family were present when he passed away. The
funeral VIII take place Saturday morning. The
Rev. Ensign McChcsney will conduct the services
and the burial Will probably be at woodlawn
Thomas McElrath was born in wIlliamsport, Penn,
on May L, 1907. While pursuing his academic
studies he spent much of his leisure time In the Office
of the local weekly paper where he acquired fond
ness Tor the printing trade Later he entered tho
ONCE OF =" The Harrisburg Chronicle but, intent
obtaining more perfect knowledge Of the art, he
left Harrisburg and secured a situation in Philadelphia
In the Office of William Brown, In wagner's alley tho
most noted book printing establishment Of that day
In Philadelphia After year or more he returned to
Wilhamsport and began the study of law in the Office
OF General Joseph b. Anthony. Removing later to
New-York City, he was engaged proofreader in the
Methodist Book Concern, and aferward head sales
man In the book department In 1925 he formed a
partnership with Lemuel Bangs In tho publication Of
school and religious books. At the dissolution Of
the partnership he renewed his legal studies, and,
being admitted to the bar, began the practice Of law
In this city. His first partner William Bloom
field, to whom afterward added Charles p. DAILY,
and the firm Of McElrsth, Bloomfield & DAILY soon
established highly respectable and lucrative practice
In 1884 Mr. McElrath elected member Of
the Board of Trustees OF the Public School Society,"
q close corporation composed mainly OF distinguished
citizens, who elected their own members. His first
colleagues were William Beach Lawrence and Ham,
ilton Fish. In 1888 he was elected one Of the thir
teen representatives OF NewYork City In the State
Legislature, the members at that time being elected
on general ticket. Ho was placed the Judiciary
Committee, and was chosen to write report on the
petitions referred to that committee praying for the
abolition OF capital punishment The decision of the
committee was adverse to the prayers of the petition
ers. Mr.. McElrath's report characterized by
Tho Albany Evening Journal "very able,' and
five times the usual number Of copies ordered to
be printed. 1t at this time that he made the
acquaintance Of Governor Seward, which ripened into
o personal friendship and continued to the day Of Mr
Stewards death. Mr. McElrath had early allied him
self 70 the Wing party, and was a warm friend and
earnest supporter Of Henry Clay. In 1910 he was
appointed by Governor Seward and confirmed by the
Senate OF the ten Masters in Chancery for the
City Of New-York.
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH Mr. GREELEY.
In 1s41 he rellnquished the law and entered into
partnership with Horace Greeley in tho conduct Of
The NEw-YoRK DAILY TRIBUNE, under the firm
name Of Greeley d McElrath, which became so
widely celebrated About this time he was
appointed by Governor Fish State
Director of the Bank Of America
In 1s45 he was elected Alderman to represent the
Third Ward in the Common Council, 1t being under
sented the Seventh Ward, to be selected as Prs
dent of the Board. Mr.. McElrath declined TO enter
into any contest, and Mr.. Franklin was accordingly
unanimously elected At the expiration OF his first
term some Of the politicians Of his party, not salts
fed because he failed to for them all the APP
pointments In the Police Board which they had recon-
mended placed another person In nomination for the
office, whereupon a number OF the most influential
residents of the Third Ward including Moses H. Grin
NELL DR.. A. Sidney Doane, David Graham, 1r., ana
Simeon Draper called meeting Of the voters OF the
Ward, who re-nomnated Mr.. McElrath. The Dem
ocras anticipating split In the Whlg vote, put for
ward a distinguished resident Of the ward, ex-Con-
gresham Campbell P. white, for Alderman. The
result of the election was that Mr. Mcrath receVea
more votes than both his competitors together. I'M
medlately after this election q delegation OF wing
young men, among whom were Charles Riddle, Matthew
g. Green and Dr. James A. Wood, waited upon Mt
McElrath and urged him to shape his course In tho
Common Council with a view to receiving the noul-
nation for Mayor at the next election. In 1907 ne
was elected corresponding secretary Of the American
Institute He edited the State annual reports OF the
Ipsti ute until 1861 when he resigned, his successor
being Professor James Renwch In 1861 no was
appointed by President Lincoln as Appralserochora
for the New-York District, which at that Time EN-
braced all the custom houses In the state Oh
and all those in the Southern States South OF virginia
lie resigned this Office in 1s64 to reSule 'no Pos' VI
publisher of THE TRIBUNE.
In 1ses bs was Amounted Chief Appraiser of For
.,rn Merchandise at the port Of NewYork under tho
act OF Congress which provided for an entire new
organization Of that department. The arrangements
of the divisions, the salaries OF the Officers anu 'o
general dspostIon of the Office which were made oy
Mr. McFlrath remain substantially the same ~ .n0
present time In 1867 he was appointed one Vi the
commissioners to the Paris Exposition. Inc Dill
Aotfo, af
which passed tho House Of Representatives aityr an
eloquent speech by General Iawey hung ne ~ "a M NM
MoTirath modified tho bill and spent oonslderaDie
time in Washington to explain IL ana tg9 10
IL passed with little, II any opPosi'ion-
PRAISED BY THE SECRETARY OF STATE
In 1872 Mr.. McElrath published his Dictionary oil
Word, and Phrases Used in Commerce, with Prao-
tical and Explanatory Remarks" The pooA recei'eu
high communication from the press ana continues VI
great use as a work Of reference In mercahe eoui's
houses as we'll as In law Libraries. In 1910 no was
appointed United States Commissioner 10 the in'or
national Exhibition at Vienna and later IN tue sSnU
year he was made with John Jay as colleague opcciA
Commissioner TO adjust and superntend the American
Department In that exhibition In the ioho"ne
spring he was summoned by cable by President Grant
to return to the United States to superlntenu 'no ~
turn Of the goods belonging to tho American o
ors. At dinner given to the Commissioners ~ V'nn
about the time Of tho closing OF the eSmoi''on M
McElrath was highly compllIhehteu W ' -
tho manner in which he had discharged the dulieS en
trusted to him. In an autograph letter to Mr. Nc
Elrath, dated July l. 1874, Secretary Fish aohnowf
edged MI McElrath's final report and added l 10
sire to express the Of this DeparlmpnS made
careful arrangements which you apPeSe ~ Of the
articles, and also Of the prudent ana
regulations adopted for the protection OF no secretary
Of all parties.' In 1875 Mr. McElrat was SeS State
and general executive officer Of tho N9w.i az Pbis
Commission at the Centennla iay,ed in the act
delpha In 1881 Mr. Nc Elrath was nalnea III WorIds
of Congress Of the Commissioners .. ' and AZ the
Fair which held In Newly ork IN lo91' ~ States
meeting Of the Commissioners from an Hto COM
Of the Union he, chairman OF the NcT ae eected
mtcc called the convention to order ana wa t vas
secretary at the same time that Generai "A""'
elected Its president 49, .,.oro Authors
Books and Publishers up M MGErath present
In the following words Mr. NC E,raeh tbts CITY
connected with the National Park BANK VI V MILAN
Ills long career as business man Is one OF uI hsi
ished record have known him in,iirs Century and
ness and social way for nearly bali ceh M many
count II an honor to DO numbered ca sino"s WV