The Washington times., 1901-10-13

of the public buildings and to do patrol
! duty. until the arrival of the Sixth Massa-
/ chusetts Regiment in the spring of 1861.
! During the war Mr.. Emery was treasurer
| sociation in Washington. and took charge
of sick and disabled soldiers from his ma
tive State. He visited Gettysburg and
other battlefields in the performance of
these duties. During the war he lived at
BriEhtwood. Some Of his property which
| adjoined Fort Stevens, in that section,
was injured to the, amount OF several
| thousand dollars during and after an en-
gagement there, but no claim was ever
presented for damages, the owner stating
that If the soldiers were made comforta-
bic by the loss he was satisfied.
In the early part of the, civil war the
Brightwood home was given up for the
use of officers in the army and. as 1t was
located on the highest point of land in
that section, 1t was made a signal sta
tiOn, and many messages were transmit
ted between the house and the great white
dome of the Capitol. Marks of the occu-
patton of Brightwood by the soldiers in
the way of raised plateaus OF earth for
the flooring of tents are still visible.
The services Of Mr.. Emery were early
sought for various offices under the local
government. He was for several years
a member of the Board Of Aldermen. In
1870, after a memorable struggle, he was
elected Mayor as the citizens candi-
date" his majority being 3l9i, every
ward giving him a plurality of votes. In
his inaugural address Mr.. Emery said:
Il am a Republican. but my Republi-
caniSm Is based upon principle and is not
4 mere partisa nship. and | claim no right
which l am not willing to accord to all
Americans, without regard to race or re
ligiOn.'
In conclusion he said: Let us all unite
in an honest effort for the greatest good
to the greatest number and for the steady
and healthful growth of our beloved city.
That there should be harmony of SEN
tiInent and unity of action for this
paramount object is my ardent desire"
he election, although held in the inter-
est of reform, had been made a party
issUe. The Mayor redeemed the promises
made in his inaugural address. He was
the last Mayor of Washington, the terri
torial form Of government, which had
long been under consideration, being fl
nally adopted by Congressional enact
ment before Mr.. Emerys term expired.
Mr.. Emery was later. a School
the sup -rintendent of that day that
he performed more work for the schools
than any other person who had held the
position up to that time. Several of the
best schoolhouses of the city We're erect
ed during his incumbency of the Office
OF Mayor. Some Of these were the Frank
lin, the Seaton, the Jefferson, and Sum
ner buildings.
In 1872, in conformity with q resolution
that he would not remain in the business
of contractor and builder more than thir-
" years, Mr.. Emery disposed Of his in
terests Of this class to his brother, Sam
uel Emery, and arranged TO devote him
self thenceforth to the superintendent
Of other business affairs in which he was
then and since Interested.
Mr.. Emery always took an active in
teTest IN undertakings Of a religious, edu-
cational, and charitable nature. He was
one of seven persons to organize the Met
ropolitan Methodist Church. which was
the place where General Grant, General |
Logan, and President Mckinley Worship
ed. He was regent of the Smithsonian
Institution and was for long time trus- |
tee Of Dickinson College at Carlisle, Pa. |
For n number of years he was Vice
Chancellor Of the National University.
He was also regent, one of the incor- |
porators and the Treasure of the Ameri- !
can University. He was director of the |
Night Lodging Association of Washing |
ton and was for many years n director |
and treasurer of the Associated Ch4ri- /
ties of the city. &
Mr.. Emery was known throughout his |
long life as one of the foremost business |
men Of Washington. In 1854 he aided in |
the organization OF the Mutual Fire In |
surance Company. He was made its |
treasurer and was one Of its directors |
until recently. He was for several years |
President OF the Franklin Insurance |
Company and of the National Capitol In |
surance Company, and director of the |
Metropolitan Insurance Company. He !
was the first treasurer OF the Metropoli- |
tan Street Railway COmpany. He aided |
in organizing the Washington Market |
House Company, of which he was presi-
dent for eighteen years, and a director |
for a much longer period. He was for
many years n director irr the Electric /
Light Company and was its vice presi-
dent.
In company with other capitalists Mr.
Emery was associated in the business Of
the Patriotic Bank. Later, in company
with FitZhugh Coyle, he established the
Bank Of the Republic. Of which he was
director for eight years, and one year its |
acting president. In 1877 he was elected
President of the Second National Bank.
and remained in that position until the
time of his death. He was one Of the
organizers. and for many years a direc-
tor of the National Savings Bank. and
was also chosen as one Of the directors
of the National Savings and Trust Com
pany, its successor. Mr.. Emery was a
director of the American Trust Company
Mr.. Emery WAS an able linaucier. as his
wide connection with the financial insti-
utions of the city atteSts. He was con
servative in making investments, though |
ready al all times to put money IN enter
prises that would yield fair dividends,
He believed in moving slowly in financial
matters and in making money by strictly
honest methods. During the active years
of his life In this city Mr.. Emery was
Identified with a greater number OF pro1
ects for its improvements probably thhn
any other citizen. He attained the re-
spect and esteem of the people OF the
District of Columbia as few have done.