New-York tribune., 1910-01-12

Who died yesterday.
his bedside. Mrs. Twombly and their two
daughters were also with him when the
end came.
Mr.. Twomby had been i'll since last June.
About a month ago his physicians practi-
cally gave up all hope of his recovery Mr.
Twonbly had lived at Florham Park for
pearly twenty years
Hamilton McKown Twombly one Of the
important factors in the management Of
the New York Central Railroad system
in his sixty-f1rst year He had been
closely associated with the Vanderbilt in
terests since his marriage, in 1877. six years
after his graduation from Harvard 10 Miss
Florence Adele Vanderbilt, daughter of
William H. Vanderbilt
From the time of his graduation from
college he had been in the paper business
with his father in Boston. Through his
father -in-Iaw. however. he soon became in
terested in railroad affairs. Mr.. Vanderbilt
had been impressed with the young mans
business acuteness and made him d direc-
tor in several companies. Among the first
OF these connections the Western
Union Telegraph Company. 1t was not
long before Mr.. Twombly became a member
OF the boards of a large number of rail-
roads, and at a later period he was looked
to as an outliner of important policies.
In recent years Mr.. TwombIy had devoted
more and more OF his time to the manage
ment of the New York Central It was his
intimacy with the affairs of that system
which enabled his brother-in-law, William
K. Vanderbilt to spend so much of his
time in Europe during the last few years.
and it believed to be Mr.. Twombly's
falling health which brought DIR. Vanderbilt
back TO this country early in October.
Mr.. Twomhly was. according to the latest
Directory of Directors" director in fifty
nine corporations, his chief corporate af-
fliation having been with the New York
Central system. He was a director of the
New York Central & Hudson River Rail-
road Company and of most Of its controlled
properties, large and small. He was also
a director of the Erie Railroad Company
the Reading company. the Philadelphia &
Reading Railway Company, the Central
Railroad Company of New Jersey, the New
York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad
Company and several Of its subsidiaries. the
Chicago 6, Northwestern Railway Company
and the Chicago. st. Paul, Minneapolis &
Omaha Railway Company, a manager of
the Delaware. Lackawanna & Western
Railroad Company and a director Of the
Metropolitan opera Company and Of the
Metropolitan Opera and Real Estate Com
pany.
Mr. Twonibly became a member of the
board Of trustees of the Mutual Life In
surance Company in 1900, and served until
1906 He was one of the trustees who
successfully withstood the ordeals OF the
special insurance grand jury and the Arm
strong and Truesdale committees. His
name was placed in nomination again in
1906 and it was said that the Peabody
Rogers interests were anxious that he
should stand for reelection but he refused
to reconsider his resignation.
Early in July of 1906 his friends were
shocked by the news Of the death by
drowning Of Mr. Twomblys only son.
Hamilton Mex Twomby jr, while swim
ming in Big Squam Lake, at Holderness
! n II. He had Just been graduated from
Groton School, al Groton. Mass, and in
! tended TO enter Harvard in the fall. His
father never recovered from the grief OF
his sons death and to that in part is at
! tributed the breaking down of his health
Several years ago Mr.. Twombly pur-
| chased VineIand, the Lorillard estate. on
| the cliffs at Newport, which adjoins The
| Breakers, the Cornelius Vanderbilt estate
| He had a winter home at No 6S4 Fifth
| avenue, and a beautiful country place at
Madison, y. J. where he spent much of his
time and to the development and cultiva-
tion of which he devoted a great deal Of
careful and intelligent supervision The
property includes a model dairy farm
Mr.. Twombly was interested in many pub
lie benefactions, but modestIy sought to
keep his participation private. He was in
strumentaI in raising large sums for Har-
ward University and was a liberal contrib
utor 10 the building fund of the Harvard
n oft a of tv-pu
| two years, beginning In 1881 he enabled the
Tribune Fresh Air Fund TO provide day
excursions for mothers and small chill
! Gren. He gave the free use Of fine grove
on the Hudson River nearly opposite Yon-
kers two three times a week provided
a barge and tug and = string band, and
also furnished barrels Of ginger cookies
and cans Of milk sufficient to give all on
! board a substantial addition to the lunch
con which they carried. Many of the peo-
pie had only what was supplied gener-
ousiy. Only condition eXacted:
The name of the giver should not be pub
lished during his lifetime, and it never
was The benefciaries numbered 429,071.
most OF whom would have had no relief
from the sitting tenements had 1t not been
for his thought Of them. Scores of work
ers among the poor who were grateful TO
this unknown friend. and many thousands
Of those whom he benefited so greatly will
learn to-day for the first time to whom
they were indebted for their days on the
river and at the grove
The Twombly homes at Madison and
Newport are filled with pictures. tapestries
and furniture selected with great care by
Mr.. and Mrs. Twombly. Frank Miet, the
artist. advising and assisting them in the
choice.
Mr. Twombly was a member OF the
Union League, Lawyers Metropolitan,
Tuxedo. University, City Harvard and New
York Yacht clubs. Mrs Twombly and two
daughters. Mrs. William A. NJ Burden and
Miss Ruth V. Twomby survive him.