New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-01-28
OBITUARY..
HENRY BREVOORT RENWICK.


Henry Brevoort Renwck. q descendant OF one
of the Oldest families in York and himself
prominent citizen. died at II a. m. yesterday at
his home. No. q Park-ave., at the age OF seventy
eight. He had been i'll for weeks and fatal
termination OF his sickness, due principally to the
infrmties OF old age. not unexpected by the
members Of his family.
He the oldest son Of tho late Professor James
Renwic who for hfiy years before his death oc-
cupied the chair of natural philosophy and mo
chanics in Columbia College. lie was born IN isl
in The ancestral home then standing on the site
now owned AMI occupied by Grace Church. IN
broadway. near feminist, when little more than
lad young Renwick entered Columbia Coleg" and
graduated from tina; Institution In thy class Of
1888 at the age o. sixteen Immediately after lcav-
ing college he accepted employment as clerk III
well-knOwn drygOods store in Pear-st. This store
WAS burned down IN the great fire Of lSa After
tina. youne Renwck who had a remarkable in'i-
ation for mechanics began the study Of civil ara
mechanical engineering
For 4 long time he was an examiner In ~" ia'-
ont Office Washington and WAS aft'rwari ap-
pointed United states Inspector ~ steam Vessels
belng the first incumbent ~ that office 81 tns port
AS such. he Is well remembers! 10y soH" ~ the
Oldest steamboat captains He wns 'nT'F"I IN
many Of the engineering works undertaken hy the
National Government. among them helms ne con-
structon OF hrcikwatcrs at Sandy Hook and Egg
iarbor He also took part III the Government, sur
vey which settled the boundary inc between the
State Of Maine and the province of New-'rnnswi'h
Canada But 1t az an expert IN patent cases
that he became especially prominent. for HIS knowi
edge of mechanics made him eagerly sought after
by the best patent lawyers OF the time. He took
part on side the other IN nearly al the
prominent patent ltigatODs ~ :he las. quarter OF
century more. Am0na the cases In which ~
testified were those of the decorated sewing ma
chine suits. the Mccormick reaper suits ana the
Bell telephone
He attended ST. Marks Protestant Episcopal
Church. whore he FOR forty years vcsily-
man and warden. having been for many years IN"
senior warden as his GRANDPA thcr was h"for" him.
and was active In church affairs. Upon his iu1g-
mcnt and advice. the Rev. DR.. j. ~. Ryance. the
rector Of the church. largely relied While Or Ky-
lance conducting the service yesterday morn
Ing message came TO him announcing the death
OF his old friend The preacher was 50
affected by the intelligence that he dismissed the
congregation with the blessing saying thai he
could not go on with his sermon. In tones trcmh-
Ing with grief he told his people Of their loss and
paid glowing tribute 10 the consistent Christian
life Of the officer Of the church whose death thcy
called upon 10 mourn.
Mr.. Renwick IN, oldest OF three brothers.
The survivors being James r. Reuwck. tho vel
known architect. and Edward y. Renwck. also
acknowledged authority in patents He leaves =
widow. formerly Miss Margaret Brevoort: son.
Jemes 4. Renwck. end daughter. Mrs Robert
Sclgwlck. The funeral Will probably De he'd In
81 Marks Church. 81. Marks Place next Thurs
day. at 10 a. ~.