New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-04-21

Colonel Charles BARCLAY Tsppen was nearly 100
years old. and had made his home for many years
with Ids son. Frederick D. Happen, the wellknown
nnancier and president of the Gallain E1nk. lie
for many years a prominent business man. bu retired
about thlrty.fve years ago In his early life he he'll
important political and military positions. Durns
his later years he took no active part in politics. hut
kept Informed Of the questions Of the day. and
ardent Republican. Almost the last time he went
out when he cast his vote for President last fail
He was born In Morris County, y. J.. on February
s. 1875, year before Washingtons second term as
President expired and consequently lived under the
Administrations q all the Presidents Of The United
States Ills fathers family came from England In
1887. and settled originally at Newburg. Mass. His
mother was born In Morris County. - j.. where he.
father settled in 1915. His ancestors on both sides
sturdy pioneers, and from them he Inherited Il
strong constitution. His father died when h. was
eight years old and his mother shortly afterward
moved TO NewYork with her four young children.
He went 10 school here and devoted himself TO the
study Of architecture. As he became Of age
he entered business for himself an architect and
builde: and pursued a successful career for over
forty years In lie married Elizabeth DIbbs, by
whom he had eleven children
In appearance Colonel Tappcn was tall, with broad
shoulders and powerful frame He was a firm believer
In a strong mind In strong body as the fall meas
urc Of "a man. Gifted with a well proportioned and
vigorous FORM he mad: the most OF his strength, ana
always took excellent Of himself lie Schoo"d
himself to regular habits, insisted abundance OF
exercise and was temperate In all things lie never
knew a sick day until extreme old age finally crept
upon him, and he enjoyed Hfc as few do up TO the
last.
IL was his custom for years TO walk from his sons
house. In sixty -cghth-st. to the Galiatln Iank In
Wal.st and back, each day. In addition he would
frequently be seen walking uptown and In the Park
He was a remarkably handsome man. HIS hair was
thick and white. and his beard was snow-whitc. lie
was always genial and interesting, and was great
favorite with old and Young.
To illustrate his great strength and Kind heart
story IS told OF how he rescued woman from drown
ing nearly fifty years ago. He was on steamship
hound from q southern port for New York, when tn"
heller exploded sinking the vessel and casting her
Messengers into the sea. Colonel Happen conid )1S'
bo.r tbe roar Of the breakers the shore. ana ne
boldly struck out for land When the shore he saw
woman struggling In the water. lie turned DacH
and with some difficulty succeeded In bringing her 10
the beach, having Just strength enough LEFT 70 dras
b,ms.lf 10 a ncgrO's cabin and OBTAIN help.
DurlnQ the wa: OF 1912 h. was "a member Oh 'hP
tain Robert Emmett's company, ana look pirt III ,lc
dSa,cc 81 the north side Of the city. lie was 'ir1
only seventeen years Old lie alterWaiu eii''I'u ~,
n,,I,,o service and was promoted 10 the command ol
',, e,imcnt with the rank Of colonel by Governor
WiiIisu L. Marcy. From lS.}3 10 i5''- IL, h'lu W
oG,cn ~ commissioner of Public Works ~ Wv fu!h,
oI nod eleven children and thirty grandchildren ana
o,ca grandchildren. His VII" dl.d seven l'aS nIv'
ID. Happen, OF thiS "'S anu ~ "
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