New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-06-24

on mis- fathers side was attached TO Washngton's
army as a private when Washington was stationed
a Newburg. and one OF the guard OF the unfor-
tunate Major Andre at the time OF his execution
His great-grandfather on his mothers side was
major in General Washnyton's army at the same
time.
Mr. Plants education was confined largely to the
common schools Of the country and to private In
structon from the late Rev. Timothy p. Gillette.
a CONGREGATIONAL ciergymIl and was finished 81
the Lancasteran School OF New-daven under the
tuition OF the late John E. Lowell.
In 1887 he entered the service Of the New-Haven
Steamboat Company and soon afterward
naced in charge Of the express business on the
steamboats, between New-York and New-Haven
and on the New-York ana New-Haven Railroad
upon its completion between those two places. Mr..
Plant remained in charge or this business unth
the formation OF the Adams Express Company,
wien he went South, and in the autumn OF 1874
was appointed superintendent OF the Southern d.
vision of the Adams Express Company, with head
quarters at Augusta, Ga. and was also maoe su-
perntendent of Harnden's Express.
In 1872 Mr. Plant married Miss Ellen Elizaoeth
Blackstone laughter OF James Blackstone and nad
only one child living, Morton F. Plant, who was
associated with mis- father his assistant and as
yice-president Of the Southern Express Company
and vice-presdent and manager OF the Canada At
lantc and Plant Steamship Company interests MI
Plants first wife died in 1861. and he married In
daughter Of Martin Loughman, OF this city.
From the autumn Of 1854 until 1861 Mr.. Plant was
in charge OF the southern division Of the Adams
Express Company and in the last-named year
organized the Southern Express Company OF which
he had since continuously been president He re-
mained in active charge the business during the
war until the autumn OF 1868, when in consequence
OF failing health he received from the President OF
the Confederate States a passport and permission TO
leave the South by whatever route he might select
4 tba ma
In the ship Hansa for the Bermudas, and went
thence to Europe where he passed a year. His
Journey resulted In restored health, and In the
autumn OF 1864 he returned and resumed charge Of
the express business at the South.
In 1867 he became president OF the Texas Express
Company, which position he held for many years
In 1879 with others Mr.. Plant purchased the At
lantic and Gulf Railroad OF Georgia. and subss-
quently organized II as the Savannah. Florida and
Western Railway Company After this reorganiza-
ton he shortened the line 10 Florida by construct
ing the road from Waycross to Jacksonville which
was followed by the extension OF the line by way Of
Live Oak to Gainesville and from Banbridge to
Chattahoochee, in Florida connecting with the Pen
sacola and Atlantic Railroad. Later on the road
between Thomasville and Monticello
structed
In 1850 Mr. Plant and his associates purchased
and rebuilt the Savannah and Charleston Railroad.
now known as the Charleston and Savannah Rail-
way.
I'm these enterprises It was the purpose OF Mr..
Plant and his associates to extend and add TO the
various properties. which 1t was believed could best
be accomplished under a single organization, with
ample powers to promote such development. With
this object in view several OF his associates, being
residents OF Connecticut, the birthplace OF Mr..
Plant, "a charter obtained I'm 1882 from the
Legislature Of that State, and the Plant Investment
Company was organized. Mr.. Plant being chosen
president which place he had held continuously
Al IN H.,
Plant Investment Company the following properties
have been acquired by purchase:
In 1885 the South Florida road. at the time rum
ming only between Tampa and Kisslmmee which
was changed from narrow TO broad gauge. with an
extension OF the line to Port Tampa. Fla. port Of
entry for the West India Fast Mail steamers Piant
Steamship Line) between Port Tampa and Havana,
Cuba subsequently the line WAS extended north
from Lakeland to connection with the Gaines
vile division OF the Savannah Florida and West
ern Railway AT High Springs. thus completing the
line from Charleston. 5. c. to Port Tampa. Fla.
In 1857 the Brunswick and Western Railroad. be-
tween Brunswick and Albany, Ca. Via Waycross.
which road was rebuilt.
In 1889 the Alabama Midland Railway. from
Montgomery. Ala. to Bainbridge. Ga.
In 1892 the Silver Springs. Ocaa and Gulf Rail-
road extending from ocala to Homosassa and
Inverness. Fla.
In 1898 the Tampa and Thonotosassa Railroad
was constructed, from Tampa to Thonotosassa,
End the Winston and Bone Valley Railroad ac-
qured by purchase, TO accommodate the people
In 1884 the Abbevie southern Railway. from
Abbeyille. Ala 70 junction OF the line OF the
In 1895 the Florida Southern Railway and tho
Sanford and 81. Petersburg Railroad were ac-
In addition to the railway properties as en- amer:
ated, Mr. Plant established. about lsN. a line OF
steamboats, TO run between jacksonville and San