New-York tribune., 1902-01-04
JOHN F. DRYDEN IN THE FIELD
HIS SUCCESSFUL CAREER IN THE IN
SURANCE WORLD.

SURANCE WORLD.
There is general satisfaction in Newark
among all classes. regardless Of political
affiliations. the favorable outlook for the
election Of John F. Dryden as United States
Senator 10 succeed General William J. Sewell
No man stands higher in the community than
Mr.. Dryden. and the army of men and women
3n the great company directed by him are among
the most enthusiastic of his hopeful friends In
fact the premier city of the State apparently
regards his probable election as a compliment
10 the town itself
Mr.. Dryden is built broad lines mentally.
Though over sixty years old, he has all the
aIertness and activity of men twenty years his
Junior. He is not effusive rather the reverse
indeed but is frank. straightforward and clear
cut in all his dealings. While not an orator he
IS fluent OF speech and has the busy mans knack
Of getting at the heart of his subject without
circumlocution. Herea bouts there is decided
and emphatic belief that he would do credit to
New-Jersey in the national legislature. He is
=, Jerseyman-not Of the north or south-but of
New-Jersey.
II is his view that a United States Senator
should represent all of the people of his State,
regardless OF local habitation. OF his fitness and
ability there is room for debate. except upon
the affirmative side In the leading manu-
featuring city of the State he is esteemed as
the broad minded, liberal, cultured man that he
is wherever he is known, and the president
and controlling spirit Of the greatest industrial
insurance company in the world, which he con-
ceived and largely by his own efforts built from
the ground UP. he is well known in every State
in the Union. His acquaintance and association
with public men extensive and his reputation
among them. like his home character is above
reproach His executive ability speaks for itself
In nj Of he ipdu
tuition Of which he is the head. Speaking Of
Mr.. Dryden. a representative New-Jersey Re
publican said yesterday: The fact that Mr
Dryden has the united support Of the twelve
Essex members of the Legislature Will be a
strong factor in the determination Of the choice
of United States Senator especially in view
of the fact that other parts OF the State seem
uncertain as to their stand There is no un-
certainty in Essex County. Moreover, Mr.. Dry
den is in no sense now, nor will he consent to be
at any time. sectional candidate He has
warm and sincere friends in every county of the
State. Important influences of a high character
which IL would be impracticable in politics as
in anything else to ignore, are taking not only
kindly but active interest in his candidacy
These influences have direct and a patriotic
interest in the welfare OF the State politically
industrially and socially, and undoubtedly Will
have due weight With the members of the Iegis-
lature.
SKETCH OF MR.. DRYDEN.
John F. Dryden, president of the Prudential
Insurance Company of America and a lead
ing capitalist in banking, trolley and other
large corporate enterprises. has his home in
Newark In person he much resembles Rear
Admiral Sampson although of stronger
physique. In mental ability he is equalled by
few of the men who have attained, like him,
great success in life. and few men are equal to
the great burdens and responsibilities that Mr.
Dryden has borne for years, and that he seems
10 bear lightly.
John f. Dryden is OF old New England stock.
He born on August e. 1889 at Farming
ton. Ne, and educated for the legal pro-
1esSion. His training in law has been of great
use 10 MN In ms subsequent career He was
not very strong physically, and was of a retir-
ing and studous disposition. At Yale Uni
versity. where his parents sent him, he devoted
himself closely TO study, with the result OF i'm
pairing his health, and by advice of physj-
clans he was compelled to give up his hopes OF
graduation and left the university.
The subject of insurance early engaged Mr..
Dryden's attention. and he devoted his time TO
a study OF its principles, mastering the theory
OF finance. the construction of tables, averages,
percentages, compounds, futurities and scientific
monetary economy. About 1865 he read a re-
port on the subject of industrial insurance TO
The Massachusetts Legislature by Professor
EleazeT Wright. the State Insurance Commits
sioner. II criticised the methods of the Pruden-
fial Insurance Company OF London, England.
Mr.. Dryden procured all the reports OF the COM
pany and analyzed them, and decided that the
Insurance Commissioner wrong. This gave
him the idea of formulating Industrial in
surance system for the United States. He sub
mtted plans TO some New England capitalists.
but they were not received with favor.
In 1873 MIR. Dryden went to Newark. and in
terested such men as Noah T. Blanchard, Will
lam II. Murphy. father Of Governor elect Muir
ply: Horace Alling. Leslie d. Ward and others.
A bin passed by the legislature. and in
1873 the Prudential Insurance Company of
America was founded. From it's inception Mr.
Dryden the soul and spirit Of the enterprise.
For several years he was secretary. and when
Noah r. Blanchard. the president. retired. Mr..
Dryden succeeded him.
The steady faith the unconquerable will and
indornitable energy of Mr.. Dryden carried the
company through several crises and overcame
many formidable difficulties, unth the company
became firmly planted and began its great
growth. From the basement Of the State Bank
the institution moved into the Kremlin Build
ing. and thence 20 the 100000 stone struct-
ure at Broad and Bank SITS, built by the COM
pany, which has recently been added to by
other great and ornate buildings making the
finest single group of office buildings in the
world.
Mr.. Dryden was one Of the founders Of the
Fidelity Trust Company, started fifteen years
ago, which Is about TO increase its capital to
E5O0o,000 and to organize two or more banks