The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-12-12
w. ATLEE BURPEE.

Gardeners the world over have lost
q good friend. Az announced in the
news columns at the time. W. .Atlee
Burpee died at his home. Fordhook. at
Doyleetown, Pa, Nov. 26. M the age
Of 81 years. His illness was undoubt-
.tsdly caused by years of patient labor
and close application. carrying q null
titudc of business details in his head.
Nothing was too small for his attcn-
lion II 1t WIS not exactly right and
he was constantly planning the ex-
tension of his business. MIR. Burpec
was far sighted and clear In his COM
mercinl vision. bold and tlrelessly en-
ergetic. Moreover he was absolutely
honest and upright.
Born at Sheffield, New brunswick.
he removed In childhood with his
parents TO Philadelphia. where he was
educated nj the Friends School and
the University OF Pennsylvania. :
Jus the kind of a man Mr.. Burpec
was gan be seen from an article that
appeared in the Philadelphia North
American. which We give in part:
Many a man and woman In Phila-
delphia will choke up to-day when
W. Atlee. Burpee's death becomes
known. Many of these will be folk
widely known within and far beyond
this city. for his circle Of friends in
cludcd nearly every parsonage Of af-
fairs. And quite as many are m
known to the great mass. for the
heart behind his ever open hand made
&C distinction.
Together the rich and the poor will
be sad owe the passing of this most
generous man. For of him 1t may he
said. as Of few who have succeeded In
like degree. that he never TUNED from
those vino needed either his counsel
his assistance or his friendly guidance,
Though he came to be known as a
leader In his line Of business. his fines;
achievement was the cultivation OF =
Eatur so Thoughtful for others, what
ever their place or portion. that every
ono WHO came within It's radiance was
warmed by 1. and In ONE measure
inspired 10 kinder thinking and doing.
'Of course lie was human, a man Q:
iron VIII aud !ntieSible purpose; and
his keen Insight into human nature
and strong mentality made his opinion
OF value on many subjects foreign ia
his chosen task. But tho thing n
carried away from him was a remem-
brancc OF Il generous thoughtfulness
such as too seldom is met. He
had heard from "A friend of ~
convict just released from prison.
whose need was dire. That was a few
days before his last trip 10 Europe. on
the morning Of his sailing, half an
hour before he vas to cntrain for New
York, that friend stopped in to bid
him bon voyage. As they shook hands
10 part Mn Durpee said;
"'By the way. what about that ON
vict you told me Of? Have his wants
been p~rovidedy
HE was told they had, But before
these words reached his ear he had
turned to his financial secretary and
ordered the writing of n liberal check.
"'There may be something that has
been forgotten,' he said as he thrust
tho slip Of papen into the others hand.
His largest pleasure seemed to lie in
making others happy and comfortable
and safe" ,
william Henry Maule. another
prominent Philadelphia scotsman who
died a little more than a year ago,
was also born In 1858, and az boys
Rurpee and Naule We're schoolmates.
When they were but is years old they
with another schooirlate by the name
of Benson started business in a small
Way in 1876 az 2.i Church street, Phil
adelphia, dealing la fancy pigeons and
pure bred live stock such as sheep.
hogs. cattle n collie dogs. They
also handled seeds in a small way.
The Arm name was Benson. Burpee &
Co, !Abou' two years later Burpee
Withdrew nom the firm and located
at 213 Church street, Benson, Maule
4 Co. continuing at the old stand.
Burpee and Maule were strong com
petitors in business, but their friend
ship was always of the very closest,
and II there was any doubt regarding
stocks of seeds or other business mat
tiers or which the other might be
Informed there nevor was any hesi-
fancy in asking and giving informa-
ton. Mr.. Burpce wos greatly af-
fccted by Mr. Maule's sudden death.
Although Burpe" was an unusually
kindly man he sympathizcd with