New-York tribune., 1896-05-01

spirits and no apnrehension of any serious Illness
entertained. lie out of town on business
and last evening went TO the theatre with MRS.
Disston, dining afterward at the Bellevue with
Mayor and Mrs. Warwick. on returning home he
went to bed, but this morning did not respond with
his customary promptness to the breakfast call
Accompanied by F. F. Steek, Mr.. Disston's private
secretary, Mrs. Disston went to his room and
found him dead. Death is attributed to valvular
disease Of the heart. Besides Mrs Disston, one
son and two married daughters survive him.
Hamilton Disston born in this city Au-
gust 23 1874 His father was Henry Disston. who
came to Philadelphia from England at the age OF
fourteen and established the plant which now re-
quircs about thirty for the buildings and
grounds and gives employment to 1000 men. The
business Is carried at Tacony, the Delaware
River, In the suburbs OF Philadelphia. Upon the
death Of Mr.. Disston. in 1875 the control OF his
business passed to his sons. Hamilton. Horace c..
William and Jacob s., who became incorporated as
Henry Disston & Sons with Hamilton the eldest
son. as head of the house and a representative
Of his mothers interest In the corporation. Mrs.
Disston died last year From the time OF the
fathers death Hamilton who with his brothers
had been educated to the business. became the
controlling spirit In the management and develop
ment Of the corporation.
Hamilton Dlsston. In 1871 in a tour through
Florida. became convinced Of the practicabity OF
retaining a vast region Of that State to agri-
culture by draining Lake Okeechobee. by the con-
structlon OF cana opening westward to the Gulf.
In 1851 he formed the Dlsston Land Company. which
acquired from the State OF Florida 100000 acres OF
land In the Everglades The land was entirely re-
claimed, Nj Dsston himself for months living
In Florida and supervising the work. kissimmce
CITY Is practically monument to this development
begun by him. lndcr the system os draining Lake
Okcechobcc was lowered twenty feet. and the rich
lands above were raised beyond overflow.
In politics Mr. pisston had been conspicuous for
years He was sturdy Republican and generous
contributor 20 all lOca. State and National cam
palgns lie was and had been for years "A leader.
. md his counsel important in deciding local
Issues For twenty years Mr. Disston had been
representative man In the State delegations 10
National Conventions. and in all movements TO
strengthen the Protecti0nst Idea IN National rg,s-
laton he was conspicuous. In 1881 he was chosen
a member Of the Old board OF fas trustees, and In
the suhacquent year ended his last term director
OF the Union League. with which for years he had
been Identified. He was Mason and Knight
Teinplar. and member OF tho Columbia Club,
show Association. the Union Republican club of
which be was vice-presdent. and the Anti-Cobden
club lie was connected with a number Of financial
Institutions and with many oui-of-lown enter
ps.scs. -
Mr. Disston a man generally liked His
friendships were many and strong. his generosity
sponiancous ilis family Fas Identified with the
oxford Presbyterian Church he and his wife being
members MIR Dlssion had the reputation OF being,
with single exception. the most heavily insured
man In this country He carried for years total
OF 10000, an1 about four years ago raised the
amount to <Jp.rO.