New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-05-11

BENJAMIN D. sILLIMAN.
BENJAMIN Douglas Silliman was born at New.
port, r. L. September IA, 1905. His father
was q lawyer but when the boy was ten years
old he removed TO New-Yorll and embarked in
mercantile pursuits. His home was in Greenwich
Village not then a part of the city, and the house
stood about where the Jefferson Market Police
Court non stands. His father removed to Brook.
Ign before young Mr.. Silliman was graduated from
Yale, in 1924. and the sons home has been in thii
city ever since. At one time his father wa,
postmaster OF Brooklyn. Mr. Sillimans grand.
father took part in the Battle of Long Island in
1876 as a Brigadier- General. and made a
prisoner by the British and kept on parole in
Flatbush for year before he was exchanged. 10
serve again under General Washington.
After leaving college Mr.. Silman studied law
with the famous Chancellor Kent and his son.
afterward Judge William Kent. and was admitted
TO the bar in 1920. lie Immediately began the
practice Of his profession, and has continued il
steadily since. save when abroad or engaged
in public service. He has practised in the city.
State and Federal courts. and has conducted many
important cases He recalls with interest the
trips made TO Albany in the days when the General
Term Of the Supreme Court was held in that city
on two days Of each of seven months in the year.
The Journey was difficult one in winter. by stage
coach or sleigh, over the hills, or upon the ice
of the river On the night Of the great fire in
New-fork in ! So he was OUrneying from Albany
with n number Of other Brooklyn lawyers. IL
was the coolest night tor fifty years and after
travelling on the ice as far south as Hudson.
the trip was continued on the roads In the night
the stage. which was on runners, upset. aud tho
party had TO seek shelter IN farmhouse
HIS POLITICAL CAREER
In 1888 Mr. Slliman went to Albany as .
Member Of Assembly from Brooklyn. One Of the
measures he introduced was that In
cooperating Greenwood Cemetery The next
wear he was delegate 10 the Wing National
Convention which net al Harrisburg and nomi-
mated General Harrison for President. In the
Harrison and Tyler campaign Mr.. Silliman was
the Wing candidate for Congress in the Ild Dis
trct then comprising Long and Staten Islands
and Rockland County. The election lasted for
three lays ard enough Democrats were naturalized
on the second and third days TO defeat him by
200 votes Mr.. Sillman had been nominated
against his wish and did not regret his defeat as
it gave him the opportunity TO devote himself ~
his profession. lie declined q nomination tol
State Senator in 1892.
Since the birth of the Republican party Mr..
Silliman has stanchly supported IL, a, his Wing
principles naturally led him 10 do. In 1864 Pres
ident Lincoln appointed him United States Dis
trict Attorney for the Eastern District % New
York, and he conducted number of important
prosecutions. Owing TO the pressure OF private
business he resigned the office in 1856. and was
succeeded by General Il. T. Tracy. Mr. Slliiman
WAS appointed on the State commission LOT Ie-
vising the Constitution in 1872, and did valuable
service in the work. which involved important
legal questions upon which his advice was sought.
I'm 1873 he was the Republican candidate Tor At
torney General Of the State but was defeated be.
| cause 4 Liberal Republican third ticket was lr
| the field Mr. Silliman has not since been called
upou for public service, save as delegate 10 the
National Republican Convention in 1876. lie
received the degree of Doctor nj Laws from Column
bin COLLEGE in 1873, and the following year re-
ccycd the same degree from his alma mater.
For score Of years Mr. Slllman has been
president of the Brooklyn Club, and much oil
The success which has attended II, career has been
due 10 his earnest efforts. At the late election OF
officers he declined to serve again. lie was 'he
| first president of the Ncw-Engand Society Of
,rooklyn and served it in that capacity from It's
| formation in 1850 until 1855. He is an active
member of the Long Island Historical Society and
OF the Ncw-Yorll Ear Association "hen the
Yale Alumni Association of Brooklyn was formed
he was made It's first president. Last year the
sNtcth anniversary of Mr Slllman hiillisspV V
10 the bar made the occasion OF dinner IN
his honor AT Demonico's, AZ which speeches were
made by David Dudley Field, Chauncey VI, re
pew, Frederic X Coudert Judge Calyin Z. fraIo.
scph H. Choate presided. and many other prom
incnt lawyers were present
HIS PERSONAL APPEARANCE
Mr.. Siliman is Of medium height and build'
and has an open and benignant countehance' ne
possesses an old-time courtesy and dignity, anu
while fond of recalling the past is fully ahVe 10
all the important questions OF the day TIC has
extensive knowledge Of the law ana OF lltela'uie;
His addresses in court are modcis oil cosehcs a.,
clcarncss based upon accurate legal ihiorna,ion,
familiarity with decisions and reports, ana Gloss
| acquaintance with legal procedure lie mas .he
IudicioI temperament to a marked degree, ana 'ho
bench would have been adorned by his elevation 10
| !, Rnt Mir. Silliman had the misfortune TO DC,
| long 10 the minority party In the ia Juuo, n,
District and men far less MT to SIT IN ] adgniens
| hnS.n bccn elected by the Democrats TO supreme
| Conrt Iudgcships. His public addresses on
| nnmbcr of notable occasions, such as the mre.i,s
OF the Bar Association in honor OF Judge Mia ohhS
NJ the graduating exercises OF class of 1ol unu,'
| ~ SchooI and the dinner in his honor last YEAR,
| have been models Of excellence; -, ,vod AZ
For nearly forty years Mr.. Silliman has u.eu
No So Clinton-st Brooklyn' dIasonns ,be Street
from, the Long Island Historical Society bau as
The house is an old-fashioned one, WIN I Hhrarv
trance on the side. AZ the rear Is cosy and
| lined with books and adorned with pictures '
here Mr. Silliman spends the leisure tiln 0 Con,
sorerc old age lie has seen Brooklyn gro" lS Ses
= 900 TO $780, 900 inhabitants, and may i've Island
| 900 600 people in the metropolis oil iops '""
In every sense he is an old Brookynlte r ,h.
The Brooklyn Club gave dinner , upGio in in
twenty fifth anniversary of It's orsanIa ong and
d ho%or served as its presiding officer an Office IN
Which he was preceded by the late hanceFFJJ. III.
pierson. His successor is David NJ o,o ,he' ,xas
itor of "The Journal of Commetcci; oc,ineJ pro.
| chosen after Judge Calvin +. Pratt dect".u Tia
| motion from the post OF vce-presu' v,,i,ionoi
! health would not let him take up any nnar and
duties MFR. Stone presided at the ui,,r' SAT at
Mr. Sillman, the guest OF tne 90 rho occa.
his right An appropriate souvenir OF , s'S Ate Of
| sion was presented 10 Mr.. Silliman. lne "S'S -
the dinner was Thursday, April -