New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-09-02
OBITUARY.
BENJAMIN MOVES.


New-llaven, Conn, sept. 1 (special). -Denjamin
Noyes, in many respects the most prominent and re-
marknble citizen this State has produced, died Mt the
hospital in this city this morning Of Bright's disease
and paralysis. Mr.. Noyes was born in New-Canaan,
Conn., seventy-nve years ago. At the age of fourteen
years he came TO New-Iaven and became an GRAND
boy in the bookstore OF General f. Howe, ut that time
the leading bookseller OF the state. BY untrng In
dustry young Moves soon mastered the most impor-
tant details Of the business and promoted step by
step until he became the head salesman In the store
When twenty years of age, he formed partnership
with Edward Kerrlck, then the Yale librarian and
purchased the business of his employer The firm after
ward became B. & W. Noyes the junior partner being
Benjamln's brother wilton, now OF New-York This
firm sold out and Benjamin NOyes went TO New-fork
and engaged In tho insurance business, In when ne
continued for many years, he being the principal
founder OF tho American Mutual Life Insurance Com
pany and the American National Life and Trust COM
pany. The company opened an Office In this city ana
twenty years ago erected the finest business building
now in this city, II is known as the Insurance Build
ing and is often alluded to as Ben Noyes's folly.'
some years after the insurance building had been com
pletcd proceedings were instituted in the courts
aenlnst the companies in which Mr. Noyes was mter-
ested Bankruptcy was tho result. NewJersey
officials charged Mr.. Noyes with conspiracy, because
he sought to rensure the polcy-holders In New
Jersey company, and he arrested and imprisoned
in that State
When the war broke out and the State Of Connecticut
was in great need Of nsohey, before the Legislature
couId be assembled 10 make appropriations Mr..
Moves te!egraphed to Governor buckingham: ORA"
an me at sight for $4,000" Two New-HaYen
horl, presidents followed his example, offering
sIo 600 and the other $4,000. Mr. Noyes immedi-
atov went to New-Y York and bought cloth to DO made
mo SHIFTS for the soldiers. The uniforms were partly
made I'm New-York and partly In NewIIaven. Arms
and accoutrements were bought during the week for
600 men, The suits wero all finished 1or the soldiers
nv saturday night and on Sunday evening the 1000
men fully armed aud equipped, marched INTO TRINITY
Church to attend service The next morning they
started for Washington. 30 Mr. NoSeS NH'""iiS
raised armed and equipped the first regiment to go
a. var from Connecticut. Mr. NOyes was always at
te head Of some great enterprise and often was the
leader of several. lie built or assisted In building
the first horse railroad In the state lie hIst sus
Cest,d the appointment Of state insurance commas
sion and for years lie served as Commissioners WIFI
out nav lie also served state BANK Commissioners
for severaI.years In 1873 he founded "The Elm City
Press which later became I" The New-Haven Jour
naIo Mr. NOyes was always IN ardent Republican,
In the Fremont campaign he stumped the state
everywhere organizing clubs and contributing I'D
eraUy toward their maintenance. business reveIseS
came to NJ. NOyes because he had attempted 100
many enterprises, and could not wen attend 10 tneHi
ALL Those who charged him with dishonesty nave
since freely stated that Investigation proved him to
be the soul of At time he was the rlches'
man I'm the state and owned a beautiful residence in
this city. During his trouble in NewJersey his
property was taken possession Of and when , ne re-
health and owning nothing but the inferior clothing
he wore lie managed 10 earn moderate living Ior
a few years, but OF late he has been supported py
Tcnc Rlient friends one year before his death he
rised potatoes on the land OF friendly farmer. who
gave him one half the crop for his labor: The money
received for his share paid ~ 4 fiend VINO had
granted him small loan In hour Of dlrest need.