New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-06-07

THOMAS N. ROCKER
ever, that 1. began 10 be suspected that he had
a dropsical trouble Two weeks after Easter his
condition became so alarming that DR.. Sterling
was called in and Or. G. W. Boscovitz was called
In consultation DR. Boscovitz Is connected WIN
the Eclectic College OF New-York. OF which MT
Rocker president. They both decided that
there hopo and that the end would come
Mr.. Rocker not thereafter confined
10 his bed but was able TO sit up and walk about
for tho last ten days only In his room II IL
thought that the ending OF his HE was Immediate
~ due 20 weakness OF the heart
The sudden death OF her husband great
blow Mrs. Rocker. who was only n few years
his Junior Miss Fuller In constant attend
ance upon her sister last night. Several friends
called TO offer their sympathy and coincidence. No
definite arrangements had been made for the
funeral last night but It IL probable that It VIII
be held Friday. The Rev. Or. Charles K.
Baker rector OF the Protestant Episcopal Church
OF the Messiah will conduct the service. Mr..
Rocker was a ves,rymen OF this church. and had
attended II for fifteen twenty years. He former
ly attended the old St AIMS Church.
Thomas Nswberry Rocker born in tho city
OF Hudson, Columbia County. this State on De-
Gambler l. 1915 Some nine years later his father
removed. with his family. TO the village OF Lyons,
WAYNE County y y which the home OF
Nvron Holl-y ono OF the arst commissioners OF
tho Erie Canal. Mr.. Hoiey induced tho senior MI
Rocker TO take UP his residence In Lyons. and there
erected for him a large building. which Mr.. Rocker
used for 4 bakery. grocery and dwelling.
Tho boy attended school AT Lyons but not for
many years HI. intense love FOR horses induced
him 70 NEGLECT his school whenever he could get
homo 10 ride other punishment having been tried
In vain tho boy was finally placed as Il driver on
tho Erie Canal He worked all summer, neither he
nor his father receiving any pay. That ended his
school days
Tho village printing ONCE at Lyons always
c,sed a great fascination over the boy. and no VS.
tied II frequently After three or four years in
Lyons the elder Mr.. Rocker became afflicted with
a disease known at that time Egyptian sore
eyes and lost his sight. Then with his family. he
removed to Albany. There an uncle OF Thomas
Rocker was employed pressman IN the office OF
Tho Daily Advertiser" and the youth became
roller-boy In his spnre moments he learned to set
type and ero long no was promoted 10 be devil
This that he ran errands. made fres. swept
the Office carried papers and set type. lie was a
great favorte with the foreman ana the men. ana
WAS often employed by tho foreman to aid him in
his duties When about nineteen years old he was
asked by his employers to accept the foremanship.
a vacancy having been caused by resignation
Thinking - youth bar. Mr.. Rocker at hrst de-
clined the otter but later accepted II on tho uai-
nous request OF his fellow employee
This place Mr. Rocker held until the sale OF 'he
this time he was married. Then he went 10 Troy
whera he was employed on THE Evening Mall
In n few months no became foreman. Atter
eighteen months In Troy he came 10 TINS CITY anu
worked as a compositor In various Offices. f'ariy
in 1884, hearing that Horace Greeley ihtehueo u
issue The Tribune he applied for position on H.
On April Q. lsn he was OF those who began 10
lay and set tho type for the first number OF the
,ener which was dated April 10. Three years
later Mt Greeley made him foreman. and he re-
tanned this place until the summer OF 1871 when. AZ
h,s own request he was relieved OF his active du-
ties and virtually placed on the retired list.
After n month OF !dleness Mr. Rocker applied Tor
oct,ye work In soma department The cashiers
once needing help Mr.. Rocker was assigned there
IIc had been secretary OF The Tribune Association
continuously stree 1868 and had always been
trustee He owned one share or the Original stocK'
,s,ued In ls49 and was just prior 10 his DEATH tho
only man connected with The Tribune who had
worked It's nrst issue
Al the annual meeting OF tho stockholders OF Tho
Tribune Association. held January ls 1897. when Mr.
Rocker was reelected secretary and trustee, tho
following preamble and resolutions were unani-
mousy adopted;
Whereas, Thomas N. Rocker has within the last
month completed the eighty-hrst year OF his life.
and is now approaching the completion OF the nfty-
sxth wear OF his continuous service on The Trib-
u1 Wbs sna Ho begins to feel the pressure of ad
vancing age. and asks to be retired from active
duty subject. he says. to call In any emergency;
therefore.
Resolved That The Tribune Association expresses
Mr. Rocker it, OF , of H s% a ana
and faithful service and It's best wishes for his con-
tinued health and happiness.
Resolved That April 9. 1897. the name OF
Thomas n Rocker be transferred from the list OF
active Tribune employees. where II was placed on
April o. 1871. but that one-haf OF MS present salary
be continued for life.
On April o. 1897. Mr.. Rocker retired from active
work on The Tribune He had finished ffty-six
wears of active service with The Tribune that
day.
Mr. Rocker had two brothers. One Of them.
Mvron Rocker is Editor Of The Press md Knick-
erbocker Albany. and the other is William Rocker.
who lives in Canada and Is retired from active
business Mr.. Rocker was nephew OF j. {. Lam
,hscr founder OF the Fulton Street MONDAY
Praver Meeting. One Of the dead mans nephews.
i,r Frederick z. Rocker is secretary to the Apos-
tolic Delegate. -. 49,. ,,., -, Ola
Rrookiynites an. Republican. although no
took little part In politics.