of one hundred millions of dollars in securities which were lodged with him and for which certificates were issued. Mr. Leverich took an active part in the ClearingHouse Association of the banks of New York, and in 1863 was elected its chairman, but declined the office. The directors of the Bank of New York had great difficulty in inducing Mr. Leverich to accept any compensation for his arduous and responsible services as its Vice-President. In June, 1862, the Board passed a preamble and series of resolutions setting forth that, as their frequent attempts to relieve themselves of the obligations they were under to him, had been resisted. with rare disinterestedness and singular pertinacity, they were unable longer to accept such valuable services without due return. The directors therefore unanimously decided to fix his salary at $5,000, and to transfer one hundred shares of the stock of the bank to him as some evidence of their appreciation of his devotion to the interests of the institution while serving as Vice-President for so long a period of gratuitous labor; assuring him that they could no longer dispense with his acquiescence in their intentions. During his business career Mr. Leverich was a director in several corporations, among which were the Panama Railroad Company, with which he was for a long time connected, the Long Island, the Knickerbocker, and other insurance companies. He was also a trustee of the old Chambers Street (now the Bleecker Street) Bank for Savings; and was connected with a number of other institutions. His excellent judgment and his strength of character made him a safe counsellor, while his characteristics as a citizen, his public spirit, and his unostentatious charity won for him the esteem of the entire community. He was a member of the Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church, of which the Reverend John Hall, D. D., is pastor; and one of the noble acts of his life was the building and giving to his friends and neighbors at Corona (West Flushing), L. I., in 1871, a chapel, to be forever used as a free church. The death of Mr. Leverich occurred during the period of great depression in financial affairs which followed the panic of 1873; and the choice of his successor at such a critical time was a matter of special importance. On the 18th of January, 1876, Charles M. Fry was elected President by the unanimous vote of the directors. Mr. Fry was chosen to fill the position on account of his ability and his long experience as a merchant and financier. He is a native of Virginia, and has been engaged in business in New York since 1848. He was elected a director of the bank in 1874, and during the same year was made Vice-President. Under his administration as President the bank has so prospered that its condition was never better than at the present |