New-York tribune., 1888-03-26
OBITUARY.
JOSEPH w. DREXEL.


Joseph W. Droxel, who. until his retirement from
active business about ten years ago, the head Of
the we'll known banking firm OF Drexe Morgan d Co.,
died st his homo, No 103 Madlsonave, at 4 O. m.
yesterday. He had been suffering from Brighps
disease for about year and half. and that was the
cause of his death.
Oh, yes, we shall carry Virginia There Is no doubt
His father, Frncs NJ Drexel, ws born In Austria and
was an artist, Q profession no followed until about
I84O when no started bank In Philadelphia and tool
his oldest son. Frank, who died about year ago. as
partner. Three years after another son, Anthony j.,
was taken In the firm. and two years after that
Joseph was taken In, and the firm was
known Drexel Co. Joseph had not
boon with tho Phlsdelphia firm long when
he started in business for himself in Chicago, where
he gained great popularity, Is shown by the fact
that Drexel Boulevard in that CITY 10 named sfter
him After his father died he returned to Philadel
pha and in 1871, with J. S. Morgan, OF London es-
tabshed the house Ut Drexcl, Morgan q Co. In thss
city, He was tho head of the firm Of Drexel, Hartes
& Co., of Paris. He was also Interested In The
PhIladclphla Ledger" For tho last ton
years no has not been actively engaged
In business He was greatly interested in artistic
and musical affairs, and his namo is connected with
largo number of local institutions Of various kinds
He was member Of tho board of trustees and Of tho
auditing committee Of the Metropolitan Museum OF
Art, and he gave literally to that institution. In
1881 no gave carly Italian paintings, collec-
ton Of Egyptian casts and collection OF Egyptian
coins in 1885 collection Of anclont musical instru
ments, and in 1885 painting called Harpsichord"
He was president Of tho Society and sang
in O quartette at Q musicale held at his house last
Thursday evening. He owned largo and valuable
musical library, director OF tho Metropolitan
Opera House and q member Of the Stage Committed
His musical collection will probably bo given to tho
Lenox Library He was treasurer Of the Cancer Hos
pItal Of this city. In 1885 his naue was presented
to the State Convention ct Saratoga for Governor,
but ho withdrew his name in favor Of Davenport
Statue Fund and member Of tho Executive. Com:
mittee. A large tract Of land In Mary and was was
owned by him and he called it "Klcj Grange The
name Kle1' is made up of tho Initials of his four
daughters names To this place he sent poor ram
es and after having them taught hey hoy. to run
at the Tombs whose bu iDoss It was to look
after the families Of poor convicts. ne tooR
a deep interest In tho American Museum OF Natural
History and did much to make 1t complete instltu-
tion of its kind. or the Knckerbockor Trust Company
and the American Bank Note Company he was trus-
teo, and he was director In eleven banks having
been Of the founders OF the Garfield Nationai
Bank He had summer home at Elber0n, N. j. and
contributed largely to tho support Of tho Episcopal
Ing crossed tho Atlantic thirty times. His fortune Is
estimated at $40, 100000.
Ono brother, Anthony j.. OF Philadelphia. survives
him. He leaves q wife and four daughters, the
oldest Of whom is at VasSar College and mono OF
whom is married Tho funeral will be held In tho
Church Of tho TRANSPORTATION, In Twenty nintI1st. s
near F1hh-ave., at IL a. on Wednesday, The
hnr nj will ha PhiladGlDhA