Henry J. Newton: Difference between revisions
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'''Henry J. Newton''' was one of the [[Founders]] of the [[Theosophical Society]]. | '''Henry J. Newton''' (1823-1895) was an American manufacturer and one of the [[Founders]] of the [[Theosophical Society]]. | ||
== Personal life and education == | |||
Henry Jotham Newton was born on [[February 9]], 1823 at Harleton, Pennsylvania as the younger son of Dr. Jotham and Harriet (Wood) Newton. Dr. Newton, a physician, died when his son was an infant, and his wife returned to her father's home in Somers,Connecticut. | |||
Henry attended a local school, and then the Literary Institute of Suffield. | |||
In 1850 he married Mary Abby Gates of Wetherfield, Connecticut. An accomplished musician, she was a good match for the piano maker, sharing her husband's interests. They had two sons and two daughters, and lived in New York City. | |||
On December 23, 1895 Newton was killed in an accident. | |||
<blockquote> | <blockquote> | ||
Newton was run over and killed by a street car during an evening rush hour as he was crossing Broadway between 22nd and 23rd Streets, then "the most dangerous spot in New York."<ref>Boris de Zirkoff, "Newton, Henry Jotham" ''H. P. Blavatsky Collected Writings'' Volume I (Wheaton, Illinois: Theosophical Press, 1966), 502.</ref><ref>Henry J Newton in the New York, New York, Extracted Death Index, 1862-1948.</ref> | |||
== Career == | |||
After completing his schooling, "he was then apprenticed for four years to Whittlesey Brothers, piano makers of Salem, Con. His progress was so rapid that in three years he became a member of the firm."<ref>Boris de Zirkoff, 502.</ref> Newton went to New York five years later and continued in the piano trade, in association with Ferdinand Lighte, and then the Bradbury Brothers. In 1858 he retired, and "invested so judiciously in New York real estate that he died a millionaire."<ref>Boris de Zirkoff, 502.</ref> | |||
== Photography == | |||
Wealthy and retired at the age of 35, Newton pursued his interest in photography. He became "a great authority on practical photographic science."<ref>Josephine Ransom, ''A Short History of the Theosophical Society'' (Adyar, India: Theosophical Publishing House, 1938), 113.</ref> | |||
<blockquote> | |||
He worked under the guidance of Chas. A. Seely, publisher of the ''American Journal of Photography''; he outfitted a laboratory in his own home and engaged in innumerable experiments. He became known as "the father of the dry-plate process," and was pioneer in the preparation of ready-sensitized paper and the production of the paraffin paper process. For a long time he was Treasurer of the American Photographical Society, and after 1867, Chairman of the Photographic Section of th American institute of the City of New York.<ref>Boris de Zirkoff, 502.</ref> | |||
</blockquote> | </blockquote> | ||
== Theosophical Society involvement == | |||
Mr. Newton was present for the [[Founding of the Theosophical Society|founding]] of the [[Theosophical Society]]. He was appointed along with [[H. M. Stevens]] and [[Charles Sotheran]] to a committee instructed to draft a constitution and bylaws for the organization. | |||
In 1876 he was an executor, with [[Henry Steel Olcott]], of the will of [[Baron de Palm]] in arranging for his cremation. | |||
Theosophical historian [[Josephine Ransom]] wrote: | |||
<blockquote> | |||
A man of dauntless moral courage, tenacious of opinions. Elected Treasurer of The Theosophical Society, but withdrew when he found neither H.P.B. nor [[George H. Felt|Felt]] were going to show him either [[Adept|Adepts]] or [[Elementals|elementals]]. He retained the Record List of The Society, which he later refused to give up, regarding it as a valuable relic, and was rather inclined to the opinion he had himself formed The Theosophical Society. Passed away 1895.<ref>Josephine Ransom, ''A Short History of the Theosophical Society'' (Adyar, India: Theosophical Publishing House, 1938), 113.</ref> | |||
</blockquote> | |||
== Notes == | == Notes == | ||
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[[Category:Founders|Newton, Henry J.]] | [[Category:Founders|Newton, Henry J.]] | ||
[[Category:Industrialists|Newton, Henry J.]] | [[Category:Industrialists|Newton, Henry J.]] | ||
[[Category:Nationality American|Newton, Henry J.]] | |||
[[Category:Inventors|Newton, Henry J.]] | |||
[[Category:Business careers|Newton, Henry J.]] | |||
[[Category:Photographers|Newton, Henry J.]] | [[Category:Photographers|Newton, Henry J.]] | ||
[[Category:Spiritualists|Newton, Henry J.]] | [[Category:Spiritualists|Newton, Henry J.]] | ||
[[Category:Associates of HPB|Newton, Henry J.]] | [[Category:Associates of HPB|Newton, Henry J.]] | ||
[[Category:People|Newton, Henry J.]] | [[Category:People|Newton, Henry J.]] | ||
Revision as of 03:26, 15 May 2020
Henry J. Newton (1823-1895) was an American manufacturer and one of the Founders of the Theosophical Society.
Personal life and education
Henry Jotham Newton was born on February 9, 1823 at Harleton, Pennsylvania as the younger son of Dr. Jotham and Harriet (Wood) Newton. Dr. Newton, a physician, died when his son was an infant, and his wife returned to her father's home in Somers,Connecticut. Henry attended a local school, and then the Literary Institute of Suffield.
In 1850 he married Mary Abby Gates of Wetherfield, Connecticut. An accomplished musician, she was a good match for the piano maker, sharing her husband's interests. They had two sons and two daughters, and lived in New York City.
On December 23, 1895 Newton was killed in an accident.
Newton was run over and killed by a street car during an evening rush hour as he was crossing Broadway between 22nd and 23rd Streets, then "the most dangerous spot in New York."[1][2]
Career
After completing his schooling, "he was then apprenticed for four years to Whittlesey Brothers, piano makers of Salem, Con. His progress was so rapid that in three years he became a member of the firm."[3] Newton went to New York five years later and continued in the piano trade, in association with Ferdinand Lighte, and then the Bradbury Brothers. In 1858 he retired, and "invested so judiciously in New York real estate that he died a millionaire."[4]
Photography
Wealthy and retired at the age of 35, Newton pursued his interest in photography. He became "a great authority on practical photographic science."[5]
He worked under the guidance of Chas. A. Seely, publisher of the American Journal of Photography; he outfitted a laboratory in his own home and engaged in innumerable experiments. He became known as "the father of the dry-plate process," and was pioneer in the preparation of ready-sensitized paper and the production of the paraffin paper process. For a long time he was Treasurer of the American Photographical Society, and after 1867, Chairman of the Photographic Section of th American institute of the City of New York.[6]
Theosophical Society involvement
Mr. Newton was present for the founding of the Theosophical Society. He was appointed along with H. M. Stevens and Charles Sotheran to a committee instructed to draft a constitution and bylaws for the organization.
In 1876 he was an executor, with Henry Steel Olcott, of the will of Baron de Palm in arranging for his cremation.
Theosophical historian Josephine Ransom wrote:
A man of dauntless moral courage, tenacious of opinions. Elected Treasurer of The Theosophical Society, but withdrew when he found neither H.P.B. nor Felt were going to show him either Adepts or elementals. He retained the Record List of The Society, which he later refused to give up, regarding it as a valuable relic, and was rather inclined to the opinion he had himself formed The Theosophical Society. Passed away 1895.[7]
Notes
- ↑ Boris de Zirkoff, "Newton, Henry Jotham" H. P. Blavatsky Collected Writings Volume I (Wheaton, Illinois: Theosophical Press, 1966), 502.
- ↑ Henry J Newton in the New York, New York, Extracted Death Index, 1862-1948.
- ↑ Boris de Zirkoff, 502.
- ↑ Boris de Zirkoff, 502.
- ↑ Josephine Ransom, A Short History of the Theosophical Society (Adyar, India: Theosophical Publishing House, 1938), 113.
- ↑ Boris de Zirkoff, 502.
- ↑ Josephine Ransom, A Short History of the Theosophical Society (Adyar, India: Theosophical Publishing House, 1938), 113.