New-York tribune., 1896-03-31
CAREER OF WILLIAM II. STARBCCK.
HIS SUCCESS AS sTEAMsHIP AND STEAMBOAT
BRoKER-wHAT HE DID FOR THE OREGON
IMPRANEMENT COME Any

IMPROVEMENT COMPANY.
TIE business career Of William H. Starbuck, who
died suddenly on Sunday morning. was in some re-
spects remarkable one. He emncntly sue
cessful although he encountered some reverses that
would have discouraged many a man OF good cour-
age and stout heart He had the faculty OF I'm
pressing those with whom he came in contact with
the that he fitted TO obtain their confidence
and trust. and this in measure accountable
for his success. Mr. Starbuck born In Nan
tucket In 1885 and came 10 New-York when he was
a young man. He entered the business house OF
Cartwright e. Harrison in Front-st He remained
with them until 1856 when he associated himself in
the commission business with j. Nelson Tappan
They made their headquarters at No. u Water-st
and that firm controlled almost the entire importa-
ton OF whale-oil and whaie5one which as oroughl
In by the New-Bedford and Nantucket whaleshps
After Mr.. Tappan's retirement from the hrrn IN
1862 Mr.. Starbuck continued the business. adding
to IL tnat OF shipping merchant. He became one
Of the most prominent and successful steamship
and steamboat brokers IN the United States.
This business re continued with varying success
until 1879, when hts fortune entirely swept
away in the panic OF that year. With undauntel
courage Mr. Starbuck began lfe anew. and for sew
erdl years after he had re-estabfshed himself X
was rare that steamship or steamboat IN
these waters changed hands other than through
his agency In 1879 he became associated "i'h
Henry Willard in his Pacific coast enterprises and
was largely Interested In the organization and
operation OF the Oregon Railway and Navigation
and the Oregon Improvement companies. with
which he was connected until 1888. He one
OF the first show faith In the revival OF
the merchant marine OF the United states. ani
ne evinced that faith 10y causing be constructed
four large wooden ship and two OF steel. OF which
he sole owner.
In lsSS he again turned his attention 10 rallroaG
matters and became largely interested In and presi
dent OF the Housatonc Railroad COMPANY. and was
also for number of years a large owner IN and
director OF IN. New-York and New-Eng.and Kali
road Company In 1891. when the Oregon Improve
ment Company was placed in the hands OF ne
courts. Mr.. Starbuck. at the earnest request o.
large majority OF the and bond holders. under
took the rehabilitation Of It's Affairs. ana having
gr effort succeeded in raising the necessary
funds to liquidate Its floating Indebtedness, was
elected president. This place he held until June
OF last year when he retired Since that time he
had not been engaged IN any active business put hal
devoted most OF lis fine TO the management OF his
personal interests. .
Aside from his business relations, Mr.. s;arbuek
was well known socially. He member OF the
New-york Larchmont and American Yacht clubs;
Por two years he was commodore OF the last-named
organization. 49,,
He the of the steam yacht TITLE. which
he named after his wife. He bought this vessel from
Samuel j. Tilden. and at the time OF The visit OF
Bartholi the sculptor. to this country he invited
The Frenchman and several Wellknown New York
crs TO a ride about the harbor In his boat
For several years he had been accustomed TO
summer home at Milton Point. which FOR beauty
OF ar rhitecture and surroundings Is probably not
surpassed by any country house In this Vicinity.
The architecture Is OF the old Colonial type. The
house is In the centre OF a beautiful park. about
thirty acres In extent. and from It's windows one
may obtain a splendid view OF Long Island sound
His aged mother and sister live In Nantucket.
and he also had a brother and sister, who live IN
mis- CITY The funeral will be held at his home.
no West Sixty-fourth-st" tomorrow morning al