The daily morning journal and courier., 1898-07-26
THE LATE 1UcIuS F. FINCH,


 Plainfeld, N. J., Press of last Friday:
 With the burial of Lucius R. Finch, of Park avenue in New Haven this morning, the business world of New York city has lost an able represena- tive Like so many men prominent in the business world, as well as in the professions and the trades, MT. Finch was born a poor boy, but by an ener- getic and upright life made his name a power in the New York exchanges, and won for himself the title of "The Grand Old Man"
 Large and massive, with a physique of unusual vitality and strength, a childlike sympathy for all mankind, and a strong love for his God, his reli- zion and everything good, he well de- served the title and wore his honors with as little display of vanity as could be expected from one of his popularity and extensive acquaintance.
 MT. Finch was born in Wolcott, Conn.,, March 19 1913, and at his death was in his eighty-sixth year. Wolcott was at that time small country vil- lage, and remains in much the same condition to-day. When MT. Finch was about sixteen or eighteen years of age he moved to New Haven, where he immediately set himself up in business as a contractor. One of his first con- tracts was the building of the railroad from Albany to Schenectady in New York state. This was the first railroad built between the two places, and nearly the first one built in New York state.
 MT. Finch was hustler from boy hood, and to this quality is attributed much of his success in life. He was al- ways the first to go to work and often the last to quit at night, He was a strict temperance man. and used to of fer his men higher wager to tempt them to abstain from drinking whis- key while in his employ. His example was such a good one that his men were forced to follow it, and in this way employees were generally the best workmen to be had, which meant more business for MT. Finch.
 While still young man, not having reached his majority, he joined the Methodist church in New Haven, and attended services faithfully in church. es of that denomination until a short time before his death.
 When about twenty-tWo MT Finch was married to Miss Charlotte Tur- ner of Susquehanna county, Pennsyl vania, who was considered the most handsome woman in that part of the state. The couple lived happily to- gether up to sixteen years ago, when she died.
 While still young man MT Finch organized the firm of Finch x Barnes, in New Haven, and did an immense business in the grocery trade, He also founded the Second National bank there, and with the assistance of eX Governor Morgan, of Connecticut pro- cured it's charter. MT. Finch succeed ed in getting a law passed to permit banks to hold their surplus in money instead of investing 1t in real estate, as was then the usual way.
 Among MT Finch's business associ- ates in New Haven were F. T. Barnum the famous circus man, and eX-Gover- nor English, of Connecticut.
 In 1855 Mir. Finch came to New York and founded another firm of commis- sion merchants known as Finch & Hill to do business in conjunction with the New Haven firm. Both Messrs. Barnes and Hill are dead He rapidly became prominent figure on the exchanges and could remember when half a dozen men would gather together on the corner of Broad and South streets instead of meeting in one of the costly exchanges.
 MT. Finch was a member of the Pro- duce Exchange. He was intimately acquainted with many of New York s best known business men, all of whom are expressing sorrow at his death. Among his most intimate friends might be mentioned F. C. Calhoun, the first president of the Fourth National bank in New York.
 Upon the death of his wife, MT. Finch came to this city and took up his residence with his son, Edward L. Finch, of Park avenue. He continued to commute regularly until within a year past, although he retired from &C., tive business several years ago. Re- gently his health had been falling slowly but he had no real disease and the physicians said that death was due to general breakdown of the system consequent upon old age. His fine physique was what kept him up, and it was his superior bodily strength that enabled him to live beyond his three score years and ten and pass the four score mark,
 Many anecdotes are related of Mir Finch by his friends in New York It is said that he was the first one to mix flour and water together to test the flour as to it's soundness thing that now is done by every flour merchant all over the land. He was among the first ones to make the trip to New Or | leans after sugar and molasses, and it is to MT Finch's keen foresight that MT. Hartshorn, of Saratoga, proprietor of the famous spring there, owes his wealth. Mir. Finch suggested that he fence in his spring and charge each person drinking five cents. Mir. Harts- sorn did it and is to-day worth thou sands. MT. Finch was very fond of Lake George and Saratoga, and used l to spend much of his time at one or the other. MT. Finch was republican, but always voted for the best man. MT. Finch leaves two sons, Henry T., 1 of Brooklyn, an insurance broker, and Edward L., of this city
 The funeral services were held yes-