The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1892-01-07
PUBLIC BENE FACTOR
George r. Mckenzie Will
Be Missed BY the
Community.
SKETCH OF HIS CAREER.
What Tact Industry, application
and Intelligence Will Do
For A Man.

yesterday afternoon caused Renerut SOE-
row. His benevolence, one of his chief
characteristics, was felt by the deserving
and he always extended a helping hant
IT, those in need, Since the death of Mrs.
Mckenzie, two years ago, Mr.. Nc
kenzie's health had been precarioas, but
it was not until two weeks ago that his
\ c condition caused any alarm. About TINT
Il fine an alta k of sciatic rheumatism
: from which he had been previously sui
fering, a me intensified, and from then
brief peri dds of improvement, followed
by re lapses of great severity. character
lied the progress of the disease until a
lew days before mis- death. He was at
tended during his illness by his son-in-
law, DR.. Burdette P. Craig. DR.. J. d. Nc
Gill and DR.. Janeway of New York.
Every member Of che family was present
at the time of his death. Mr.. Mckenzie
was conscious almost until the last mo-
ment.
Mr.. Mckenzie was born in Rothie-
murchis, Parish of Duthal. Inverness
shire, Scotland, May IL, 1920. When three
years of age his parents removed to kln-
gussie, in the same shire lie attended
school for a time, but as his opportunities
for obtaining instruction were extreme
ly limited he determined to leave school
and earn his own living; consequently he
was largely self taught. lie was early
broughtto the more serious problems OF
life, aud when a mere boy not only sup
ported himself, bat contributed much to
the support Of his widowed mother.
When Il young man he shipped game to
the London market and eyen then display
ell application and talent for trade which
were quiite remarkable for one of his
years.
In l846 he came to this country and Sc
cured employment with !. NJ. Singer. the
patentee of the Singer sewing machine.
lie was al apt mecfanIc and uaIly
industrious, 1t was during his life as a
mechanic that he gained his first step on
the ladder, wiicn he slowly but surely
climbed TO wealth. His strict attention
10 his duties was noticed and when he
perfected au improvement on the style of
machine then being made, it Was adopted
by the company.
In This manner he rose from a very
subordinate position, by diligence ard
Astrict application to general manager,
then Vice President ana finally President
OF the Singer Manufacturing company.
HIS BUSINESS TACT.
In the three capacities named ne re-
manned FROM 1864 TO 1883. When he be-
came President of the company his bust
ness tact asserted itself aud big dividends
were paid To the shareholders, ana the
business was SO established and extended
ltl Il mas DGCtIHC t itiAut. "A bhS ANPkS
sentative of the Company aud OCCASION
ally in his private capacity lie crossed the
Ailantic ifty-ilve tunes and organized
bianch establishments in every civilized
country, many buildings being erected
from designs drawn by himself.
Mr.. Mckenzie possessed abilities of a
very high order. He had IN acute intel
lect aud AL unsuitable thirst tor
knowledge. and displayed an interest
and familiarity with many subjects en-
tt.ely removed from tue sphere oil MS
nci ual lubors. Added to this his kuowl-
edge of human nature was almost III
LuitIye and he found this OF incalculabie
value to him in his long continued bust
ness career. Actuated by humane and
religious motives, his wealth enabled him
to benefit his fellowmen, both as 10 their
secu.a ar interests and moral well being.
He was largely Instrumental ID building
the Scotch Presbyterian Church and
rectory oil Mercer street.
His liberal contributions toward this
church have placed it upon a souud tfnun-
cial basis, In addition to this he estab-
lished, at his own expense, n church for
the Rev. Mr.. Houston, the blind evan.
gelist. That church is now known as
the John Knox.
He was a great benefactor to his native
town and to the people of Kingussie, it
being said that each year, just before
Christmas, he sent there a suAiciert sam
of money to make the day Il happy one
for everybody.
IN PRIVATE LIFE.
He was unOStentaJiOuS anu unaffected
in manner. His wealth had no effect up
on his conduct among men, aud the
friends of his younger and less prosper
Gus years. were regarded with an affec-
ton that no change of circumstances
could diminish. lie was greatly adverse
TO public notice of any KIND, and many of
his deeds OF kindness and charity were
only known to himself and the recipient.
The year succeeding his arrival in this
country he was married TO Rebecca
Elsey. and of this union. more than or
dinarfly blessed, twelve children were
born, six boys and six girls of whom the
following surviye.--Grace, now Mrs. John
Ewing; james s., Alexander. Hugh r..
Margaret, now Mrs. Charles Eikin. Ed
ward E., Jessie, now Mrs. Peter Alex
ander; Isabella, now Mrs. DR.. b. T..
Craig, and Rebecca E. Mckenzie.
Mr.. McKeuZie's success in the Singer
Company opened a field for investment in
real estate, and the first piece of prop
erry he acquired in this city was at No. Al
Mercer street, where he built u small
house and resided humbly with his lam
lily for many years.
This Was directly opposite the present
residence of the family ut NO. At.
HIS SCOTCH THRIFT,
BY strict economy he continued invest
ing his savings in real estate and at the
time of his death had property in this
city alone with All assessable value OF
$3.50, 900. His purchase OF the old Presby-
terrain Church on Washington street aud
the subsequent erection of the kingussie
fat at q cost of..$95. 600. are still fresh in the
minds of the puollc. This fat is named
offer the town in Scotland in which he
began life. He owned property in all
parts of the city and some OF the finest
plots here belong to his estate.
One of the finest country seats in the
State OF New York was owned by Mr..
Mckenzie. It is known rs Glen Spey and
is situated i'll Sullivan county. IL en-
braces 5000 acres and has every modern
appliance known to science ana wealth.
Here the later years of Mr.. McKenzies
Nfe were mostly spent. tits named after
Che river which run through Kingussi e.
Mr.. Mckepzie's wealth is est at
three and "a half millions.
The funeral services will take place at
one O'Clock Saturday afternoon, from the
Scotch Presbyterian Church. on Mercer
street. The Rev. DIR. Mitchell will ofici
ate, assisted by the Rev. Mr.. Houston and
several other ministers. The details will
be carried out by Undertaken Hughes.
a z NInT &c