I F it be asked why another biography is added to the almost endless number now in our bookstores and libraries, an answer is found in the countless distinctions of individual character, and in the varied experiences which come to men in different walks of life. The botanist says that of all leaves in the forests of the world, no two can be found alike in every particular. The phrenologist says the same of the various forms of the human head, and the psychologist affirms it of the intellects and

The author takes pleasure in acknowledging his indebtedness to many of the Southern Express and “Plant System” officials for their prompt and valuable assistance in the preparation of a biography of their able and esteemed President. Chief among those to whom thanks are due may be mentioned Messrs. A. P. C. Ryan, M. J. O’ Brien, D. F. Jack, B. W. Wrenn, and G. H. Tilley. The last named furnished not only much material in manuscript and print, but many valuable suggestions as to their use. The le

The Plant Family—Birth of Henry Bradley Plant—Mr. Plant’s Parents—Ancestors Came from England in 1639—David Plant Occupied Many Positions of Honor and Trust—A. P. Plant’s Successful Business Career—H. B. Plant on his Mother’s Side is Descended from Joseph Frisbee, a Major in Washington’s Army—Reverend Levi Frisbee, Father of Professor Levi Frisbee of Harvard College—Connection with Sir William Pepperell, Bart.—The Historian of the Frisbee Family—Richard of the Second Generation Went from Virgini

Branford, Connecticut, Purchased by the New Haven Colonists from the Totokett Indians in 1638—First Settlements were Made 1644—First Church of Logs Surrounded by Stockade to Protect from Indians—Guards at the Gate during Service—Church and Town Records Preserved at Branford—John Plum the First Town Clerk—Style of the Second Church Building and Character of its Services—Rev. Timothy Gillett its Pastor—He Taught an Academy in Addition to his Pastoral Work—Prominent Families of Branford—Intelligent

The Blackstone Family—The Ancestor Came from England before 1630—His Name was William Blaxton—Settled First in Massachusetts, afterwards Went to Rhode Island—His Beautiful Character and Numerous Descendants—Origin of Yale College of Branford—The Blackstone Memorial Library. F ROM a pamphlet history of the Blackstone family, in which the name is spelled Blaxton, we gather the following interesting account: “For several years before Winthrop came, in 1630, William Blaxton constituted the entire po

The Plants Came from England to Branford, between Two Hundred and Three Hundred Years ago—Still Own the Lands First Acquired—Henry’s Father Died of Typhus Fever when Henry was about Six Years Old—His Tender Recollection of his Mother—Henry’s First Day at School—His Natural Diffidence—Mr. Plant’s After-Dinner Speeches—His Mother’s Second Marriage—Stepfather Kind to Henry—Thrown by a Plough Horse and nearly Killed—Attended School at Branford—Engaged on Steamboat Line Running between New Haven and

Mr. Plant Goes from New Haven to New York—Captain Stone’s Friendship—Mrs. Plant’s Health Fails again—Returns to the South—Is Appointed Superintendent of Adams Express Company—His Great Executive Ability—The Civil War—Mrs. Plant’s Death—Mr. Plant Buys out the Adams Express Company. W HEN Mr. Plant first went to New York City he boarded at the Judson Hotel, then kept by a Mr. Judson of Hartford, Connecticut. A little incident of that period shows the high estimation in which he was held by Captain

Relations to the Confederate Government—Jefferson Davis Gives him Charge of Confederate Funds—Mr. Plant Buys a Slave, who afterward Nursed him through a Severe Sickness—Impaired Health—Goes to Bermuda, New York, Canada, and Europe—Second Marriage. T HE seat of the Confederate Government at this time was Montgomery, Alabama, and the express company, just organized by Mr. Plant, was appointed by that government collector of tariff upon all goods consigned by the express company, and was also given

Education from Books, and from Experience—Keen Intuitions—Abreast of the Progress—Mr. Plant’s After-Dinner Speech at Tampa Banquet Given him by Tampa Board of Trade, March, 18, 1886—Location of Tampa—In Territorial Days Had a Military Reservation—In 1884 Population about Seven Hundred—Its Cosmopolitan Population now—Many Cubans and Spaniards in Tampa—Tobacco Industry—Phosphate Abounds in this Part of the State—Much of it Shipped to the North and to Europe—Plant System Gives Impetus to the Prospe

Florida Mr. Plant’s Hobby—Banquet at Ocala—Mr. Plant’s Speech—Sail on Lakes Harrison and Griffin—Banquet at Leesburg—Visit to Eustis—Cheering Words to a Young Editor—Make the best of the Frost—It may be a Blessing in Disguise—Must Cultivate other Fruits, (and Cereals) besides Oranges—Importance of Honesty—Sense of Justice—Consideration for the Workmen—Unconscious Moulding-Power over Associates and Employees—Letter of Honorable Rufus B. Bullock. M R. PLANT’S associates say of him: “Oh, Florida is

Mr. Plant’s Industry and Power to Endure Continuous Strain—Labor of Examining and Answering his Enormous Mail—Letter from Japan—Mail Delivered Regularly to him at Home and Abroad—His Private Car, its Style, Structure, Hospitality, and Cheering Presence—Numerous Calls—The Secret of his Endurance—The Esteem and Love of the Southern Express Company for its President—Mr. Plant Enjoys Social Life—He is a Great Lover of almost all Kinds of Music—Mr. Plant a Medical Benefactor—Some of the Progress Made

Reason for Submitting Press Sketches of Mr. Plant— Descriptive America , December, 1886— City Items , December, 1886— Railroad Topics — Home Journal , New York, March, 1896—F. G. De Fontain in same Journal—Ocala Evening Times June, 1896— Express Gazette . I N the following chapter are given a few press notices of Mr. Plant and his work in the South, because they contain reliable information of some of that work which we have left to them to chronicle, and because they are public expressions of t

Mr. Plant’s Close and Constant Contact with the Great System as Seen in the Following Letters—Letter Written on Board the Steamer Comal —Letters on Trip to Jamaica, West Indies, March 15, 1893, and Published in the Home Journal . M R. PLANT keeps himself constantly informed of the workings of the whole System over which he presides, by daily communication with every part of it. The head of each department writes to the president every day, or telegraphs, or does both if necessary, and in return,

MANAGEMENT OF THE GREAT PLANT SYSTEM WORTHY OF ADMIRATION AND IMITATION. There is perhaps no greater source of waste in our country than that of labor strikes, which have become of frequent occurrence during the last two decades. There is great waste of material from the destructive violence of infuriated mobs. In 1877, the great railway strikes of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, and the Pennsylvania and Erie Systems, resulted in the destruction of sixteen hundred cars, one hundred and twenty-s

Plant Day at the Cotton States and International Exposition of 1895 at Atlanta, Georgia—Preparations for its Celebration—Impressive Observance of Mr. Plant’s Birthday at the Aragon Hotel—Mr. Plant’s Remarks in Acknowledging Presentation of Gifts. T HE Atlanta Cotton States and International Exposition was created through the zeal and enterprise of a number of the patriotic citizens of the city of Atlanta and of the State of Georgia, and, on the 18th day of September, 1895, when its doors were op

Tampa Bay Hotel, One of the Modern Wonders of the World—Its Architecture, Furniture, Works of Art, Decorations, Tapestries, Paintings, Inlaid Table and Three Ebony and Gold Cabinets from the Tuileries, a Sofa and Two Chairs once Owned by Marie Antoinette—The Dream of De Soto Realized—A Palace of Art for the Delight and Joy of Those who are in Health, and an Elysium for the Sad and Sorrowful. T HE following account of the Tampa Bay Hotel, from the pen of W. C. Prime, is taken from the New York Jo

Programme of Plant Day Ceremonies—Ringing of the Liberty Bell—Presentation of Addresses to Mr. Plant in the great Auditorium—His Reply—Resolutions from the Different Departments of the System, from the Savannah Board of Trade, etc.—Mr. Morton F. Plant’s Acknowledgments. K NOWING that all employees would be unable to attend the celebration in Atlanta, President Plant requested the superintendents of the railways, steamship, and express interests to allow such men as could be spared from duty with

Banquet at the Aragon Hotel Ends the Festivities of the Day—Sketch of the Southern Express Company—Distinguished Callers on President Plant during the Day—Many Telegrams and Letters of Congratulation Received—Many Press Notices of the Day, and many Tributes of Respect and Esteem for him who Called it forth. “The banquet at the Aragon last night,” says the Atlanta Constitution , “given in honor of Mr. H. B. Plant, was a fitting climax to the day set apart for the celebration of the seventy-sixth

Some Changes that have Taken Place in the Configuration of the Globe—Islands Born and Buried—French Revolution—Napoleon’s Influence on Europe—England’s Long Wars—Barbarous Treatment of Prisoners—Slavery Abolished—English Profanity and Intemperance—Temperance Movements—Duelling—Penny Postage—Expansion of the Press—Canals, Erie and Suez—Railroads in England and the United States—First Steamer to Cross the Atlantic—First Steamship Line. T HE changes that have taken place on the globe itself, and in

Railroads Established—Engineering Progress—Steel, Iron Steamships—Horse Railroad—Kerosene Oil in Use 1830—Sewing Machines—Agricultural Implements 1831-51—Sanitary Progress—Philanthropic and Christian Progress—Higher Education—Medical Progress—Humane Care of the Insane—Sailors’ and Seamen’s Home—World’s Fairs—Religious Reciprocity—Arbitration—Numerous Inventions and Discoveries—Concluding Remarks. E NGINEERING skill has greatly improved, and by its daring achievements has added much to the progre

PREPARED BY G. S. DICKERMAN THE PLANTS IN GENERAL T HERE are many families of the Plant name. This will be seen on looking into city directories and running the eye over lists there given. Accounts show that these families have come from several progenitors who arrived in this country at different times. Attention is paid here more particularly to the descendants of John Plant, of Branford, Connecticut. But it may be of interest to glance at certain other families. The Plants of St. Louis, Misso