William Appleton.
--This gentleman, who died in Brookline, Mass., on Saturday, was the last of three of the Appleton family who long flourished as noble specimens of ‘"the solid men of Boston. "’ All rose from poverty to great wealth by their own honest exertions, all were generous with their means, and all, amidst the pursuits of business, reached an honorable degree of self-culture. The Boston Traveller says:‘ The life of Mr. Appleton has been intimately connected for the past half century with the business history of the city, State, and nation. At an early period of our manufacturing industry, his efforts greatly added to its enlargement A merchant, his ships visited the most distant seas. A citizen, he exercised a powerful influence upon political and financial affairs, and during the life of Mr. Webster was one of his firmest supporters.--To the last moment of his life he remained true to the principles of the Whig party, which for so many years controlled the destinies of Massachusetts. Three times a member of Congress, he maintained a high position in the national councils, though he was not what is commonly called a ‘"talking member."’ His wise use of his large fortune in princely benefactions to our institutions of learning and benevolence, are too well know to be recapitulated; but many of his acts of munificence to worthy persons suffering from financial embarrassments, may never be known except to the party benefited.
Mr. Appleton was elected to the present Congress by a union of Democrats and Whigs, but resigned his seat on account of falling health.
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