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Roosevelt, James Henry, Hon.

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a distinguished philanthropist, was born in New York city, Nov. 10, 1800. He was a descendant of the well known and wide spread family of that name. His father, James C. Roosevelt, was an attorney of the New York bar, educated at Columbia College. James Henry was left a large property by his father, and in early life manifested his benevolence by taking an interest in charitable institutions, particularly the Leake and Watts Orphan Asylum, of which he was for twenty-three years the treasurer. He never married, and lived a quiet and frugal life. As his natural heirs were wealthy and did not need his property, he determined on devoting it to benevolent objects. In March, 1854, he made his will, and after certain bequests, gave the residue of his estate to five incorporations in the city of New York, known as the Society of the New York Hospital, the College of Physicians and Surgeons, the New York Eye Infirmary, the Demilt Dispensary, and the New York Institution for the Blind. It also provided for the establishment in the city of New York of a hospital for the reception and relief of sick and diseased persons, and for its permanent endowment. The charity was to extend to all sick, without limit or restriction of any kind, and without distinction as to race, sex, color, or religion. The hospital, which occupies an entire block between Ninth and Tenth avenues, was in due time erected, and was formally opened Nov. 2, 1871. The generous founder died Nov. 30, 1863. He was "a man upright in his aims, simple in his habits, sublime in his benefaction." (W.P.S.)