Page:Appletons' Cyclopædia of American Biography (1900, volume 5).djvu/410

Fisher. He was captain of the "Fulton," the last of the American packet - steamers between New York and Havre in 1866, and in the winter commanded the "Henrietta" yacht in her race from New York to Southampton, in 1870 the yacht "Dauntless " in her race with the "Cambria" from Queenstown to New York, making tlie voyage in twenty-one days, and again in 1887 in her race across the Atlantic with the " Coronet." In 1872 he organized the Samana bay company of Santo Domingo with a quasi-understanding that the U. S. government should acquire a part of the bay as a naval station. He was granted a concession by the Dominican executive, which was confirmed by a plebiscite, and took possession in March, 1873, but in 1874 was expelled by the new government. In 1876 he organized the Rousseau electric signal company, and introduced the English system of interlocking switches and signals. He was general superintendent in 1878-'9 of the Pacific mail steamship company at San Francisco, Cal., and in 1881 he organized the United Stales steam heating and power company in New York city. Capt. Samuels has published a narrative of his early life and adventures in the merchant service under the title of "From Forecastle to Cabin" (New York, 1887).

SANBORN, Charles Henry, physician, b. in Hampton Falls, N. H., 9 Oct., 1822. He was educated in the common schools of New Hampshire, taught for several years, was graduated at Harvard medical school in 1855, and has since practised medicine at Hampton Falls. He was active in the political revolt of the Independent Democrats of New Hampshire in 1845, which ended in detaching the state from its pro-slavery position. In 1854-'5 he was a member of the legislature. He published “The North and the South” (Boston, 1856). — His brother, Franklin Benjamin, reformer, b. in Hampton Falls, N. H., 15 Dec., 1831, was graduated at Harvard in 1855, and in 1856 became secretary of the Massachusetts state Kansas committee. His interest in similar enterprises led to his active connection with the Massachusetts state board of charities, of which he was secretary in 1863-'8, a member in 1870-'6, and chairman in 1874-'6, succeeding Dr. Samuel G. Howe. In 1875 he made a searching investigation into the abuses of the Tewksbury almshouse, and in consequence the institution was reformed. Mr. Sanborn was active in founding the Massachusetts infant asylum and the Clarke institution for deaf-mutes, and has devoted much attention to the administration of the Massachusetts lunacy system. In 1879 he helped to reorganize the system of Massachusetts charities, with special reference to the care of children and insane persons, and in July, 1879, he became inspector of charities under the new board. He called together the first National conference of charities in 1874, and was treasurer of the conference in 1886-'8. In 1865 he was associated in the organization of the American social science association, of which he was one of the secretaries until 1868, and he has been since 1873 its chief secretary. With Bronson Alcott and William T. Harris he aided in establishing the Concord summer school of philosophy in 1879, and was its secretary and one of its lecturers. Since 1868 he has been editorially connected with the Springfield “Republican,” and has also been a contributor to newspapers and reviews. The various reports that he has issued as secretary of the organizations of which he is a member, from 1865 till 1888, comprise about forty volumes. He has edited William E. Channing's “Wanderer” (Boston, 1871) and A. Bronson Alcott's “Sonnets and Canzonets” (1882) and “New Connecticut” (1886); and is the author of “Life of Thoreau” (1882) and “Life and Letters of John Brown” (1885).

SANBORN, Edwin David, educator, b. in Gilmanton, N. H., 14 May, 1808; d. in Hanover, N. H., 29 Dec., 1885. He was graduated at Dartmouth in 1832, taught for a year at Gilmanton, studied law, and afterward divinity at Andover seminary, and became professor of Latin at Dartmouth in 1835. In 1859 he became president of Washington university, St. Louis, Mo., but in 1863 he returned to Dartmouth as professor of oratory and belles-lettres. In 1880 he assumed the new chair of Anglo-Saxon and the English language and literature. He received the degree of LL. D. from the University of Vermont in 1859. He married, on 11 Dec., 1837, Mary Ann, a niece of Daniel Webster. He was a leader in public affairs in his town and state, and was several times elected to the legislature. Besides contributions to newspapers and magazines, he published lectures on education, a “Eulogy on Daniel Webster” (Hanover, 1853), and a “History of New Hampshire” (Manchester, 1875). — His daughter, Katharine Abbott, author, b. in Hanover, N. H., in 1839, taught English literature in various seminaries, and held that chair in Smith college for several years, resigning in 1886, in order to follow literary pursuits in New York city. She has lectured in public on literary history and allied subjects, and written on education, and for several years was a newspaper correspondent in New York city. She has also edited calendars and holiday books. Under the name of Kate Sanborn she has published “Home Pictures of English Poets” (New York, 1869); the “Round Table Series of Literature Lessons” (1884); “The Vanity and Insanity of Genius” (1884); “Wit of Women” (1886); and “A Year of Sunshine” (1887).

SANBORN, John Benjamin, soldier, b. in Epsom, N. H.. 5 Dec.. 1826. He was educated at Dartmouth, studied law, and was admitted to the bar in July, 1854. In December of that year he re- moved to St. Paul, Minn., where he has since resided, engaged in the practice of the law when not in the public service. As adjutant - general and quartermas- ter-general of Min- nesota he organ- ized and sent to the field five regiments of infantry, a bat- talion of cavalry, and two batteries of artillery in 1861, and in the spring of 1862 left the

state as colonel of

the 4th Minnesota volunteers, remaining in active service in the field to tin- close of the war. At luka, his first battle, he commanded the leading brigade and was commended in the official report. About 600 of his men, out of 2,200, were killed and wounded in little more than an hour. For this he was appointed brigadier - general of volunteers, but the senate allowed this appointment to lapse, and after the Vicksburg campaign, on the recommendation of (!en. McPherson and Gen. Grant. he was again commissioned to date from 4 Aug.. 1863. This appointment was eon-