New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-12-09
MR. HCRLBUT'S EIGHTY-SIXTH BIRTHDAY
CONGRATULATED BY HIS FAMILY AND MANY
FRIENDs-A LONG LIFE OF PROMINENCE
AND Usefulness

AND usefulness.
Henry A. Hurlbut. of the oldest citizens OF
New-York, celebrated his eghty-sixth birthday yes
terday at his home No. II West Twentieh-st.
which he built for himself forty years ago and has
lived in ever since. He received the congra,ula-
lions and best wishes OF his family and many
friends.
Mr. Hurlbut has been citizen Of NewYork for
upward Of fifty years. rising from modest begin
nings to a position Of prominence as merchant,
manufacturer and inancier He was born In Hart
ford, Conn. December s, 1903. of old New England
stock. His father died when Henry was twelve
years old. and the latter consequently had only the
advantages of a common school education. The
rest Of his broad training he acquired through his
own efforts At sixteen ne apprenticed himself to
a hat manufacturer In New-Haven soon learning
the business thoroughly BY 1885 he had made him
self Indispensable to the firm that he was ad-
mitted to partnership without the payment OF any
capital. Later he prevailed upon his partner to
open a branch store in this city. and himself car
ried the new department with such marked
success that the entire business was removed TO
New-York in 1889. In lsi3 Mr.. Hurlbut had begun
TO think his old partner too conservative. and &C
cordngly looked for another. and found him in the
person OF the late John II. Swift. The firm
was known as Swift & Hurlbut. and soon became
the leading house Of the trade in the United States
Mr. Hurlbut the originator of the Kossuth
hat which acquired such vogue In the interesting
times OF 1SJ ana Is Sdlu 10 DE tHe prototype Oh
soft felt in this country In 1850 the firm OF Swift
a Hurlbut was dissolved by mutual consent and Mr.
HurIbut retired from active business with for
tune.
He was one Of the founders and the first president
of the Second National Bank; one OF the incor-
porators OF the Equitable Life Assurance Society
member Of its Finance Committee, and one OF the
committee that superintendent the building OF the
present edifce OF the company at No 10 Broad
way. He has long been trustee OF the Mercantile
Trust Company. director in the Home Fire 1nsur-
ance Company and the Mercantile Safe Deposit
Company, and a member Of the Chamber OF Com
MERGE He is also OF the Oldest members OF the
New England Society. and was for many years
member OF the New-York Historical Society and
the American Geographical Society. He was one or
the original members OF the Union League Cub
and has served president
war and has been a Republican since. As pubic
duty he became delegate TO the convention IN
Philadelphia which nominated General Grant for
the Presidency and accepted the p.ace-nis only
public postlon--of Commissioner or Emigration, Tor
which his studies Of the poor at home and abroad
had fitted him. The board unanimously elected him
chairman. and he held the place for twelve years
He has been prominent In religious and charitable
works In the Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church
Demilt Dispensary. and also founded "Huribut
scholarship at Yale College.
In 1882 he married Miss Susan Rebecca Kennedy
Of New-Haven, and in 1882 they celebrated their
golden wedding In Paris. Mrs. Huribut died in
1855 He has two sons