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


the last 40 years. The product OF the Bran
dywlne mills has been an important factor
In every American war since the revolution,
aud likewise In several European conflicts.
In 1912 troops were stationed at Wilmington
to protect the only supply of gunpowder In
the country. In the Mexican war the gov
ernnent again looked to the duPonts for
their powder and few years later large
cargoes OF Brand ywine powder eshipped
for the use OF the allies 10 the Crimea, and
during the great struggle of the civil war
President Lincoln never lost sight Of the
duPonts, and at the request OF the Federal
authorities the company sent one OF its
members to Europe TO make purchases Tor
the Union army. In the later enterprises
OF the firm the subject OF this sketch was
the dominant spirit. Enterprise, courage,
fair dealing and liberality were the char
acterlstics of his business life. The firm
was kept abreast of the powder manutac-
turing OF the world. Its director was equal
to every hazardous demand OF his business
and no man, perhaps, ever accomplished
more for himself and bis associates with less
business exaction. "His debtors as well as
his creditors were always glad to see Henry
DUPONT" says one OF his lifelong friends.
"He was a gentleman Of the old school, and
whether in his Office or In his drawing
rtom he wBs uniformly urbane and cor.
dial. He attended sorupulously day by
day to the smallest detail OF his vast busi-
ness, and thus he came in contact with
great many and with all kinds and GLASSES
Of persons, and all bear testimony to his
gentle and engaging manners, his unfail-
ing consideration and his hearty sincerity"
The distinctive family characteristics
were all maintained and continued IN Gen.
Henry dupont. He was wise, prudent and
ssgclous In business and generous In his
private life, looking with almost fatherly
solicitude after the interests of his en-
ployes and tenants, who were treated with
the utmost iiberality. In the local affairs
| of his community he took an active in
terest, needed puolic improvements always
| finding In HIM firm friend and advocate.
His diversion was agriculture, and he
was probably the most extensive land
| owner In Delaware. His holding was the
most valuable In the State. His personal
estate embraces about two thousand acres
OF the finest farm land In the country. L. l.
duPontde Nemours Accompany own as much
more and about their works. Surrounding
this for miles along the banks Of the
Brandywlne are the well-cultivated fields
which were the pride and pleasure OF
Henry dupont for many years. His per-
sonal fortune is largely invested In these,
aud he expended thousands Of dollars In
improving and enricning them. His efforts
| were largely experimental, and were In
| this manner g great benefit 10 the COM
munity. As an example OF his skill in
farming is given the fact that three or four
/ years ago his hundreds OF acres OF wheat
| yielded from 80 to GO bushels per acre,
while the variety OF wheat embraced al
most every kind suitable to this latitude.
During the later years OF his life almost mis-
sole recreation has consisted in driving
over his vast estate, looking at his crops
and his stock, and picking out points for
Improvement In soil and plant. In fence
and building.
In politics General dupont was originally
| a Wing and an ardent member of the
Republican party since It's organization.
| During the late civil war he was a staunch
Uniontst, and at the outbreak of the rebel
lion was appointed malor-general Of the
militia OF this State. He always took an
active interest IN politics, and the Repub-
lican nomination for governor and repre-
sentative in Congress was frequently at his
disposal, though he invariably refused any
thing that looked like direct political
honor. He was, however, on tho Republic
can electoral ticket at the Presidential
elections OF 1876, 1880, 1884 and 1888, but
at each OF these contests the Democratic
electoral ticket was successful. 1t q is re-
markable coincidence that he was not an
elector in 1872, the only time that tho Re-
publicans carried the State for the Presi-
Dental ticket. He was an Inspector Of
elections for his party on anumber of occa-
sions. He lived with profound faith in the
American system of suffrage and did his
utmost to vindicate Its virtues. For so
years, from his earliest connection with
the powder works and the large body OF
man which 1t employed, Mr.. dupont was
challenger at the district polls. He knew
every man In the district, and insisted
upon equal opportunities for voters Of all
parties. He abhorred political fraud, and
woe was unto the rounder or re-
peater who came up to the window where
he stood sentry for half a century.
His first vote was cast In 1886 for Henry
Clay and against Martin Van Buren,. John
NJ. Clayton WAS In the early vigor OF his
long and successful political career, and
young dupont was one of his earliest and
most loyal supporters. They became wa m
friends afterward. and never parted COM
pany until death removed the older and
more conspicuous OF the two. Without any
desire or effort on his part Mr.. DUPONT
obtained a wide acquaintanceship with TIE
leading men OF the Wing party, and among
others be formed very cordial and lifelong
relations with Henry Clay, the leader Of
the Whig party. The great commoner
visited his young admirer and adnerent
when he was still in his prime late In Van
Buren's administration. Mr. dupont re-.
manned loyal TO the Whig principles until
the party was disbauded, Delaware hold
ing its banner aloft longer than any other
state. John NJ. Clayton, who was elected
to the United States Senate for the last time
In 1855, and who died In 1856, may we'll be
said 10 have died with the Whig party. In
1860, true TO his conservative tendencies
Mr. dupont voted for Bell and Everett, ou
the election of Abraham Lincoln was the
signal for his heartiest support to the Re
, publican party.
la addition 10 his army experience, Genera
dupont rendered valuable military service
to the State. In 1871 Governor William
Cooper appointed him aide-de.camp on hi
etalf and in 1916 he was appointed
/ edjutant-general of the State troops, al
office Without emoluments. He served
, fifteen years, or until the breaking out 0
i the late civil war, when Governor Willtan
Burton appointed him maior.general OF tn,
| State Militia, the commission dating from
| May l1th, 1861. In this position he die
, conspicuous service to the Union cause
, General dupont accepted this honor upol
] the expressed condition that he should b.
/ in absolute control of all the armed troop
In the State, This being granted he issuet
J an order that every company should b
q mustered In the Federal service, and tina
l the oath of allegiance to the Federal gov
ernment should be taken by every man
/, Those that declined to takethe oath shoulC
1 be deprived OF their arms. The order car
8 ried CONSERVATION TO every barrack, 10
q many of the militia officers OF Dolawar
: were then weighing the chances Of takinl
/. their State out OF the Union. Siniste
influences brought to bear upon GoverDo
: Burton led him to suspend General dl
!, Points order, and a serious and threatening
q condition OF affairs was brought about. bu
: serious trouble was fortunately averted
3 General dupont resigned his commissio
a as major-general on August 20th, 1866. II
Q was also q member OF the Board of visitor
d TO the United States Military Academy o
n West point In 1850.
!. On July 18th, 1887, General dupont wa
n married 10 Louisa Gerhard, daughter {
: William Gerhard, a retired Philadelphi