Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1889-08-15

IN the Otd family pcInehteau, Nemour5,
on the Brandywine where, just n years
ago Thursday he first saw the light, Gen.
Henry DUPONT head of the great powder
manufacturing firm of L. l. dupont de
Nemours & Company, died about
O'Clock Thursday morning.
His death was not unexpected. It had
been looked for almost daily for the past
two weeks. Two months ago he was
prostrated with an attack OF heart failure,
and il was then feared that death would
soon ensue, but his surprising vitality
enabled him to rally from the effects Of
the attack. DR.. z. p. Greenleat, the
family physician, and DR.. William Gar
rett of Philadelphia attended him assid-
uously. He improved to such an extent
as to resume his attention to the business
OF the works, to have his correspondence
read to him and to dictate answers. For
awhile hopes were entertained that he
would recover. About two weeks ago,
however, he sustained relapse, and it
AZ was apparent that his end was near.
Everything possible was done for his re-
lief, but he gradually grew weaker, until
N death occurred on Thursday morning.
SKETCH OF HIS LIFE.
IA Henry dupont was the second son Of
z Eieuthere ICenee DUPONT, who, In July,
n 1902, founded the famous powder works on
the Brandywine that have made the family
name familiar throughout the civllizsd
world. Irsnee dupont was born In Paris In
i l77l, and In his early youth evineed a taste
for the sciences OF botany and chemistry
AZ that attracted the attention Of the eminent
chemist Livosier, at that time supetnten-
"A dent OF ths royal manufactures and depots
at Of gun powder and sat petre. He re.
i& quested tina. the young mar be permitted
to come to him, promising to secure for
him q reversion OF this important and lucra.
tive 0iflae. The parental assent being
z given, Irenee dupont began at the govern
E y ment mills at Essone, the career which ne
II carried out with such signal success In this
N county, and acquired practical knowledge
of the details OF the manufacture OF gun
WY powder.
But the breaking out Of the French revo-
2 luton changed the course OF his life and
y as the result OF their political professions
f Iranse dupont and his father Pierre. Samuel
DUPONT de Nemours were arrested and con
M fined In the Laiorce prison. Their turn
n for the scBffold had almost come when the
N fall of Rooesplerra ended the Reign OF
H Terror and opened their prison doors.
a Though their lives were saved they had
"A lost everything and the emb lrrassed con-
n dttIon OF their fortunes made them turn
latter part OF 1893 Irenee dupont, his father
and his elder brother Alfred Victor set sail
for this country, arriving at Newport, r. L.,
on New Years day OF 1900.
Il was some months later when Rcct-
dental circumstance called lrenee duPont's
aitentionto The poor quality of the gun
powder made In this country, and gave
MIN the first idea of establishing works for
Its mauuf4c ure here, projsct deemed by
mahy as little short OF madness, so great
fhap n thR M 10 I'M mn AA
Ram England. Having decided upon the
enterprise he went back to France, In jan
nary, 1871, and revisited Essone, to ao-
quaint Himself with the various improve
ments In powder manufacture which had
been made since his departure from that
place. At the end of the following August
he returned to the United States, well pro-
vlded with plans and models and bringing
With him some OF the machinery for his
future mills. 1t now remained to fix upon
a suitable location. He examined sites near
Paterson. N. j., and in Maryland and W.T.
ginla. Thomas Jefferson, a warm friend OF
mis- father was anxious that the new works
should be located in hts state, but there, as
In Maryland, Irenee dupont was deferred
from locating by the institution OF slavery
and the effects 1t had produced upon ths
white race. Finally, In June, 1902, he
bought tract OF land with ample water
power on the Brantywine near this city,
and on the 18Th OF the following month
arrived IQtTb Nllu ula luluily. hbEb luF
now famous works were established, and
though .he owners sustained many losses
and dlscoura9ements, success crowned
their Efforts and Within 80 years the estab'
lishment of E. l. DUPONT de Nemours 4
Company became the largest OF the kind IN
the country.
Irenee dupont died on October Slst, 1884
of cholera, In Philadelphia, while on
temporary visit to that city. After his
death tine works were conducted by hit
brothers and subsequently by his son, Gen
eral Henry DUPONT just deceased.
Henry DUPONT was the second son o.
Elsuthers Irenee aud Sophie Madeleine
Dalmas dupont, and was born at Nemours
the family residence, in Chrlstlana hun
dred, August Sth, 1912. He entered tht
Uutted States military academy at Wes
Point, and graduated at the head OF hi
class. After bis graduation he served two
or three years In the United States army
during which time he actively participated
In the Seminole war. After the death o
his father, In 1884, he resigned hia commits
sion aud Ia company with his two brothers
Alfred Victor aud Alexis Itenee, conducted
the powder works established and so sue
cess fuily continued by their father, Alfret
Victor dupont died October 4th. 1856, ant
AluSIs IreDee was a victim OF the teJriH
explosion at the mills on August 22d, 1857
tho INJURIES he received resulting In nj
death on the following day. Henry duPon
had succeeded to the heAd OF the tfm Il
1901, anu upDD Inb uhutu VI MS DEuluot
the chief care and management of tn
business largely devolvei upon him, AM
so continued until few years since
a Associated with him were his nephews
"A Irenee and Le Motto. sons OF Alfred, bot
now deceased, Eugene and Francis, son
OF his younger brother Alexis, and his ow
sons, Henry A. and William, they con
stituting the firm under the old name OF
/. dupont de Nemours d Company.
To the management of this concsrn Ger
eral DUPONT gave his time and attention
and though they were quite extensive whe
he LETT the army, In 1884, he saw them IL
crease until they are to day as complete d
any in the world. Their products have
world vide reputation, particularly th
sporting powder, which is used the worl
over, and one MALT of the powder dsed
the Crimean war was made at these work
OF late years especial attention has bee
given TO superior grades of blasting pow
dsrs. The capacity OF the original works WI
b000puunds per day to-day they have q
pacity OF Az, 900 pouods per day or IL 600 0l
pounds psr year. This production IS prii
eipnlly consumed In the United States. an
embraces all descriptions OF gunpowde
including prlsmatic, heSagonal, squ6r
mamnoth, cannon, mortar, musket an
rlfe for army and navy ordnance service
crystal grain, eagle and the various grad
OF canister aud sporting powders; ais
n shipping, blasting, mining and fuse poN
III ders.
~ At the time Of the second war with Gre
M Britain these works were the sole source
|W funpowder for the American armies, had
~ capacity Of 1000 pounds day. st prese