John F. Dryden
John F. Dryden | |
|---|---|
 Drydenc. 1905 | |
| United States Senator fromNew Jersey | |
| In office January 29, 1902 – March 3, 1907 | |
| Preceded by | William Joyce Sewell |
| Succeeded by | Frank O. Briggs |
| Personal details | |
| Born | John Fairfield Dryden August 7, 1839 Temple, Maine,U.S. |
| Died | November 24, 1911(aged 72) Newark, New Jersey,U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Cynthia Jennings Fairchild |
| Relations | John Dryden Kuser(grandson) |
| Education | Worcester Academy |
| Alma mater | Yale College |
| Signature |  |
John Fairfield Dryden(August 7, 1839 – November 24, 1911) was an American insurance executive andRepublicanpolitician who representedNew Jerseyin the United States Senate from 1902 to 1907. Prior to his election, Dryden founded theFidelity Trust CompanyandPrudential Insurance Company.He served as president of Prudential from 1881 until his death, when he was succeeded by his sonForrest F. Dryden.He was known as the "father of industrial insurance".[1]
Early life
[edit]Dryden was born inTemple, Maine,on August 7, 1839. He moved in 1846 with his parents toWorcester, Massachusetts.He graduated fromWorcester Academyand later attendedYale College.[1]
Career
[edit]In 1875, he founded the Widows and Orphans Friendly Society (nowPrudential Financial) inNewark, New Jersey,becoming its first secretary and in 1881 its president, serving in the latter position until his death in 1911.[1]His sonForrestsucceeded him as president, serving until 1922.[2]
Dryden was one of the founders of theFidelity Trust Companyand was involved in the establishment and management of various street railways, banks, and other financial enterprises in New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania.[1]
Political career
[edit]He was elected as aRepublicanto the U.S. Senate to fill the vacancy caused by the death ofWilliam J. Sewell,serving from January 29, 1902, to March 3, 1907. Dryden was a candidate for reelection but withdrew because of a deadlock in thestate legislature,which at the time elected U.S. Senators. While in the Senate, he was chairman of the Committee on Relations withCanada(57th Congress) and a member of the Committee on Enrolled Bills (58th and 59th Congresses).[1]
Personal life
[edit]Dryden was married to Cynthia Jennings Fairchild (1842–1916). Together, they were the parents of:
- Forrest Fairchild Dryden(1864–1932),[2]who married Grace Marion Carleton (1865–1936).
- Susan Fairchild "Susie" Dryden (1870–1932), who married prominent businessman and philanthropistAnthony R. Kuser.[3]
Dryden died inNewark, New Jersey,on November 24, 1911, frompneumonia,[1]following removal ofgall stonestwo weeks earlier.[4]After a funeral at the Third Presbyterian Church in Newark, he was buried atMount Pleasant Cemeterythere.[5]
Legacy
[edit]His estate was valued at $50,000,000. In addition to his home inBernardsville, New Jersey,Dryden was in the process of constructing a home inHigh Point, New Jersey,that was to be one of the largest homes in the country.[1]
His daughter Susan used part of the Prudential fortune to donate 10,500 acres (42 km2) fora state park at New Jersey's highest point.John Dryden Kuser,Dryden's grandson, was a state senator andBrooke Astor's first husband.[6]
References
[edit]- ^abcdefg"John F. Dryden Dies Worth $50,000,000. Ex-Senator from New Jersey Succumbs to Pneumonia, Following an Operation".The New York Times.November 25, 1911.RetrievedOctober 20,2010.
Ex-United States Senator John F. Dryden, President of the Prudential Insurance Company of America, also known as the "Father of Industrial Insurance", died at 6 o'clock last night at his home, 1020 Broad Street, Newark, N.J. The ex-Senator was operated on a week ago to-day for the removal of gall stones.
- ^abTIMES, Suecial to THE NEW TOHK (July 20, 1932)."FORREST F. DRYDEN, FINANCIER, IS DEAD; Former Head of the Prudential Insurance Company, Which Was Founded by His Father. ACTIVE IN JERSEY UTILITIES Also Served on Board of Newark Public Library u Was Long Active in National Guard".The New York Times.RetrievedMarch 20,2020.
- ^Reel, Special To The New York Times international News (February 9, 1929)."COL. A.R. KUSER DIES; JERSEY CAPITALIST; | Donor of Huge Park and Bird Sanctuary at High Point, N.J., Succumbs in Florida. | POWER IN HOME STATE | Long a Director of Public Service Corporation--Aided Medical Centre in City. On Governor's Staff. Gave Great Game Preserve".The New York Times.RetrievedJanuary 31,2017.
- ^"John F. Dryden Operated On".Hartford Courant.November 20, 1911.RetrievedOctober 20,2010.
John F Dryden president of the Prudential Insurance Company was operated on for gallstones yesterday at his home in Newark, N.J....
- ^"JOHN F. DRYDEN'S FUNERAL.; Many Prominent Financiers Attend Simple Services for ex-Senator".The New York Times.November 28, 1911.RetrievedMarch 20,2020.
- ^"Dryden Kuser, 66, Jersey Aide, Dies".The New York Times.March 6, 1964.RetrievedMarch 20,2020.
External links
[edit]
- United States Congress."John F. Dryden (id: D000507)".Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
- John F. DrydenatFind a Grave
- Works by John Fairfield DrydenatProject Gutenberg
- Works by or about John F. DrydenatInternet Archive
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| People | |
| Other | |
- 1839 births
- 1911 deaths
- Worcester Academy alumni
- Burials at Mount Pleasant Cemetery (Newark, New Jersey)
- People from Bernardsville, New Jersey
- Politicians from Newark, New Jersey
- Politicians from Worcester, Massachusetts
- Prudential Financial people
- Republican Party United States senators from New Jersey
- New Jersey Republicans
- Deaths from pneumonia in New Jersey
- Businesspeople from Worcester, Massachusetts
- 19th-century American politicians
- Businesspeople from Newark, New Jersey
- People from Temple, Maine
- Yale College alumni
- 19th-century American businesspeople
- 19th-century American philanthropists