The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1890-08-11
GARRETT B. WINANHS.
Sudden Death Of Bayonne's
Most Noted Citizen.
HIS EXTRAORDINARY CAREER.
He Won Fortune in the Coast
Traffic---His Extensive Travels
and Public Services.
is EXTRAORDINARY CAREER.

County Park Commissioner Garrett E.
Winants died last evening at his home on
East First street, Bayonne, from sud-
den attack of heart failure. Mr. Winants
returned home on Saturday afternoon
from fortnight's sojourn at the Temple
Grove Hotel, Saratoga Springs complains
ing that he was not feeling very well.
Yesterday morning he arose at his usual
early hour and reported himself much
better. During the day he was
unusually cheerful and active.
and late in the afternoon
he ate hearty dinner At about ten
o'clock in the evening, while seated on
the front veranda of his residence. chat
ting pleasantly with his family, Mr. VIM
ants was suddenly prostrated by re-
newal of his illness. His family becom-
ing alarmed by his condition, carried him
to his bedroom and summoned DIR. Fred.
M. Corwin. Before the physician arrived
Mr.. Winants was beyond recovery and
death ensued few minutes thereafter.
A NOTABLE CAREER.
Mr.. Winants was born in Staten
Island farm house during October, 1913,
and was consequently in his seventy
seventh year. He was one OF six chill
uT6u, anu Wu6A l6 WAS 1lu6 years OlQ Ills
father, Captain Peter Winants, q veteran
of the war of 1912, was lost at sea through
shipwreck during a homeward voyage.
At the age of eighteen he left
home and shipped before the mast
on coasting vessel at IS per month.
The next year ne was put in command of
the trading schooner Gilletta- Three
years later he purchased the vessel, and
few months subsequently was ship
wrecked in Long Island Sound. All his
property was swept away by this disas-
ter, but he soon had built a
large schooner, called the Ellis
Amanda. Within a few years his
fleet numbered fifteen smart coasters.
When the Rebellion broke out he built
and equipped five steamboats,, and char
tered them to the government. He re-
tired from business at the close of tho
war, but soon accepted the street
cleaning contract for New York
speculation Mr.. Winants purchased thir-
ty acres under water in what was then
the Harsimus cove, this city, paying $780,
coo cash for the property, and began fill
ing it in with his street sweepings and
ashes. Upon this property the Pennsyl-
vania Railroad Company's freight yards,
Lorillard's tobacco factory and other es-
adjustments now stand.
A GREAT TRAVELLER.
Made Independently rich by his shrewd
scheme Mr.. Winants sought to make up
for his lack of early education by travel
ing. He visited every quarter of the
| globe, making three great tours, one of
| q, 800, one of 20, 600 and another of IL 900
| miles. His narrative of these travels he
! had published in 1879 and 1877 in
| two interesting volumes. He removed
his home to Bayonne in 1871, after
refusing political honors from the DEM
ocracy of New York city. He became an
| elder OF the Bergen Point Reformed
Church, was elected delegate to the de-
nominations General Synod and a trus-
tee of its Board of Foreign Missions. He
WAS also for thirteen years director of
| the Union Dime Savings Bank and u.
S. Custom House official. In June,
1888, Justice Knapp appointed him
a County Park Commissioner, and
renewed the appointment in June, 1889.
Early last year Mr.. Winants donated
| $75, 600 to Rutgers College for new
| dormitory. to be known as Wlnants Hail
| He subsequently made another donation
OF $25, 900 for the structure. Today he
had intended to inspect the building and
arrange for furnishing it as it is to be
completed this week.
| On February 10, 1S41, Mr.. Winants mar
ried Amanda Miller, daughter of James
4 and Abigail Bridge Miller. Five chill
/ drrn, two Of whom are dead, were the re-
/ suit of the union. The surviving children
/ are adults. The arrangements for Mr..
/ Winant'S funeral and burial are not yet
| fully COMPLETED