Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-10-05
DEATH OF CHARLES ARBUTHNOT.
One OF Pittsburg's Oldest and Best Citizens
Passes AwaY-A UsefuI and Busy Life.


Passes Away-A Useful and Busy Life.
There were many and widespread ex-
pressions of sorrow yesterday upon the
announcement in the city of the death Of
Charles Arbuthnot, which took place at his
residence, Fifth avenue, East End, ut an
early hour OF the morning. Mr.. Arbuthnot
though in his 10th year, was until q few
weeks ago in full vigor, bright and efficient
as young man in attending to the multi
farious details of business and of the charit-
able and religious work with which he was
constantly busted. Over-exertion in walk
ing to his home on one of the hot days in
September brought on spell of weakness,
from which he rallied only to sink gradually
and painlessly into his final sleep. He was
surrounded by ali the members OF his family
at the time of his death.
MI. Arbuthnot was the oldest of Pitts
burg's drygoods merchants. He had a rapu-
tation in business which exten ded over the
country. A native of Ireland, he came to
the United States in 1886 at the age of 90.
After some mercantile experience in the
East he settled in Pittsburg in lS4S, opening
what was then the most considerable dry.
goods and notion store in the city, at the
corner of Diamond and Wood streets. The
great fire of 1S45 destroyed Mr.. Arbuthnot's
store. but it was quickly rebuilt. He con-
he purchased the establishments of James
E. Breading. At the latter place he
conducted trade which grew to large pro-
portions until 1872 when he moved to Liber-
ty street, near Eighth. Under the stimulus
of his keen judgment and unremitting at
tention, business increased there so vastly
that few years ago the firm of Arbuthnot,
Stephenson & Co. was Obliged to seek larger
quarters, and the Arbuthnot block, corner
Penn avenue and Eighth street. was built to
NJ demands history a
growth of Mr.. Arbuthnot's house repre-
sented very fairly the general expansion sof
the interests and trade of Pittsburg. The
qualities which built 1t up were the typical
ones OF close personal attention, persever
ance and unbending integrity which charac-
terized the early school of merchants sin
which deceased was brought up.
Successful though he was as a merchant,
1t was, however, as a man that Mr.. Arbuth-
not was most interesting and of the great
est service to the community through his
ming of his career in this country-and even
before he came to it-he took the deepest
interest in religious and philanthropic
work. member of the Presbyterian de-
nomination, he was always active in pro-
noting its organized efforts, and both from
his time and money contributed on a scale
of the largest hberalitY: Though his bene-
factions were attended by the least possible
ostentation, he was known as one
Of the most generous contributors
in the United States to the work
or Home ana FOre1Rn MISSIONS. AT bne
meeting OF the Pittsburg Presbytery yester-
day individual ministers spoke OF their rer-
sonal knowledge of the large sums which
Mr. Arbuthnot was continually giving for
the opinion tI:at, with the exception perhaps
of the late William Thaw, no Pittsburger
had done SO much i'll so m;tny various ways
for philanthropic purposes. Certainly no
one ever did good with more painstaking
earnestness or sincerity.
But Mr.. Arbuthnot's character was such
that it may be assumed only a small part of
his benefactions came to the ears even of
the ministry of his Denomination. 1t is said
of him that no one ever presented rea ly
meritorious case for his assistance,
one appealing to o,a his judgment witt, with
At the same time deceased was
a man OF the strongest individuality. He
gathered for himself the material for judg-
it was apt to continue steadfast. His sturdy
Independence of thought and directness of
speech won him the respect of those even
who might differ from his conclusions,
while those who knew him intimately ap-
preciated the deep and tender feeling which
was at the bottom OF his good works always.
Mr.. Arbuthnot's generosity was not limited
by dcnominational lines, nor was there
of intolerance in his disposition.
His mind was as broad as it was vigorous.
MI. ArDuthnot took great interest in the
institution for the aged
Sunday passed that he did not
visit them to cheer the inmates.
Deceased was married in 1858 to Elizabeth,
daughter of the late Wilson Shaw, of Glen
shaw, and sister to DR.. Thomas W. Shaw.
Mrs. Arbuthnot and six children survive
him, viz. four sons, Charles Jr, Wilson S.,
Alexander and Thomas s. Arbuthn OF. and
two daughters, Mrs. j. Il. McClintOck and
Miss Sarah Arbuthnot. s..s.
The funeral services will take place to-
Thursday, at O'Clock P. M, at
P oint Breeze Presbyterian Church. Mr.. Ar
buthnot was the leading organizer of that
church, its establishment and success being
most largely due to his efforts. Among the
hundreds OF members, as indeed throughout
the East End, where he was familiarly
known. the sorrow over the death of Charles
Arbuthnot Is very deep, sincere and per-
,onal. 1t will be shared III both cities.