New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-03-28


ter. The party Journeyed IN the yacht Marguerite.
owned BIZ Anthony J. Drexel, Mrs Smiths brother
in-law. The yacht left Naples early in December
and passed through the Suez Canal. In February
the members OF the party were presented TO the
Ameer Of Afghanistan at Calcutta, where the ma
tive potentate was being entertained by the Vice.
roy Of India.
The latest direct word received from Mr.. Smith
by Herman lie Roy, HIS manager, at No. 10 Wall
street, was on March &c. when Mr.. Smiths party
left Hong Kong. China. TO go to Japan On Tues
day AIr. lie Roy received word from Kioto that
Mr. Smith seriously Ill there and had under
gone two surgical operations The nature Of the
operations was not told in the message.
The message received yesterday from the Duke
q Manchester said nothing about the operations
and gave the cause Of death simply heart dis
ease. The message also stated that the party
would leave Yokohama on a steamship for San
Francisco on April 10, taking along Mr. Smiths
body and that the party would be met at San
Francisco by Eugene Zimmerman OF Cincinnati.
father Of the Duchess OF Manchester
James Henry Smith acquired the nickname Of
''Silent" by his extreme retieence about himself
and his business Even the men best acquainted
with him in his own Office could not tell his exact
nge or the place Of his birth Mr.. lie Roy said
yesterday that ne merely knew that Mr. Smith was
about hfty-three years old and had been born
somewhere in the United States. Early in life Mr..
Smith went TO live in London. England in the care
q his -favoFlte uncle. George Smith, an eccentric
bachelor who later left to him a fortune. Mr..
Smith was supposed TO have some cousins living
IN this royntTE but his nearest relative was his
sister. Lady Cooper. the wife Of Sir George A
Cooper. of FTursley Park. London.
Mr.. Smiths education at Kings College
London, and he came TO this city 10 begin bust
ness career at the age OF twenty-one He spent
two years at the Columbia Law School, and was
admitted 10 the bar Then he went into partner-
ha- 90
forming the New York brokerage firm Of Geddes &
Smith. The firms business consisted chiefly OF
looking after the property in America Of George
Smith, who spent al his time in England and Scot
Ieno' ana wanted to be free from business cares
Nr, Geddes. who is now eigfty-sX years old, has
not been active in business for several years
HOW UNCLE MADE FORTUNE.
George Smith the uncle. died in London on
October s. 1889. at the age OF ninety-one Born in
Scotland, he came 10 the United States in 1924 and
by fortunate real estate operations IN Chicago and
IN Wisconsin speedily made a fortune. with which
he returned TO Scotland. In 1897 he came again to
this country bringing with him Alexander Mitchell
and two or three other friends from Scotland. and
among other enterprises he organized at Milwaukee
the Wisconsin Marine and Fire Insurance Company,
under clause in the charter OF which giving bank
ing privileges he conducted a banking business
which brought him wealth and the reputation OF
the leading banker OF the Northwest. His banking
operations embraced the West and South, and the
notes issued by his institution. known popularity as
George Smiths money" had high reputation in
those days Of wildcat" currency.
Much of George Smiths money was invested in
Western railway properties He had particularly
large holdings IN the Chicago. Milwaukee & St
Paul Railway. He lived for years I'm Chicago and
became known IN the commercial world as Chi
cago" Smith. He left this country IN 1860 In the
latter years Of his life his estate was managed
entirely by Geddes & Smith.
With the exception OF a few millions left TO
Lady Cooper. the estate OF George Smith went 10
James Henry smith The State of New York COL
lected an, inheritance tax of 100000 from the
estate. Wall Street ananciers who had never
been able 10 get much information about James
Henry Smith became greatly interested In him. but
learned little about him. Society gave him well
come. lie was said 10 be the richest bachelor in
the world.
AS the possessor OF a great fortune. Mr.. Smith
spent much time and money in the pursuit Of social
pleasures. lie spent a part OF every summer
shooting in Scotland. Ne identified himself with
the Tuxedo colony, and bought a handsome place
there. He bought many fine pictures some Of
which found their way into the house whi,h had
belonged 10 William c. Whitney. IN upper Fifth
avenue. II was reported that he paid nearly 80 OOO
GOO for che Whitney house in 1900. He became one
of the prominent members Of the Coaching Club
ana IN recent years took part In the annual parades
Of the club. ale spent about s5O0.00O in acquiring
property and fitting up a private stable at Nos
lSs and ls5 West 55th street
Inree years ago ar. smith gave 100000 20 St
LiilIes Hospital Of Chicago. To be used as a b,,d
sng fund for the erection Of large annex in mem
DRY OF HIS uncle. He said his uncle had made a
large part Of his fortune in Chicago and he want,
"a 10 have his uncle's memory perpetuated In that
About the same time Mr. smith gave % ,b.
Metropolitan Museum q Art. in this city Rubenss
painting The Holy Family" buying the picfiIrs
Tor tie purpose for $4,000 from Lieutenant Eeorge
II Blow who had bought Il at that price 81 sSe
fsle % the r. o. Matthiessen collection AZ fhe
same sale Mr. Smith bought for himself Afurillo's
MARY AIagdalen az Prayer" for $4,000, and
d5llarirs View % the Square % ST. Marks Ven-
Ice" for $500. AZ l5lalesee sale he bought Sir
5T-lOlae IaWnence's Portrait Of Mrs. Sddons ne
actress" FOR 81. goo; Sir Martin shoes Portrait
~ eqFg O'Aeil' for 50 500. and Sir Thomas Law
4ence'e PORTRAIT og Mrs Bukeley,'' for 1850
DIR. SMITHS MARRIAGE.
More than a year ego agter Wilam RhlnelandeE
5ecfea Mrs stewards name with that % Mr. Smith
,3r,.vl0,se 20 Ter marriage Mrs. Stewart was Miss
ss",sa al Ar1astrong. % Baltimore. Her sister
We fha WIFE % Anthony = Dzexel OF Philadelphia
ss.o- 30 smith bought the Whitney house ne gave
f'aIi fi1ere 81 honor % Mrs. Stewards anughfeI
.-s,S gfra Steward was present "a several other
.ssfsstafnaaenfs 81 TIE house On J.';e 10 1sgS
49, stewayt took up her residence az sioux Falls
Cor the .ug.ess ef obtaining oiVosee tFon 1AE'