In the death of Mr. Straight the American Missionary Association and the
colored people of the South lose a firm and helpful friend. Mr. Straight
passed away on February 21, 1896, in the 81st year of his age. When the
Association in 1869 planted a school for the higher education of the
Negroes in New Orleans, La., it found there a few persons of Northern
birth, but who had long resided in that city, and were men of established
character and of large influence, who took interest in the proposed
institution and gave it their encouragement and support. Among these
persons the Hon. Seymour Straight was most conspicuous for his deep
interest in the project, for his useful service on the Board of Trustees
and for his large gift at the outset--in view of all which the institution
took his name.
Under Gen. Sheridan’s laudable desire for good government in the city of
New Orleans, Mr. Straight was made a member of the City Council. In 1868
he was appointed by the Chamber of Commerce as a member of a committee in
regard to improvements in the cities of the State. In 1872 he was
appointed a member of the International Penitentiary Congress, to assemble
in London, Eng., which appointment, however, he was unable to accept. He
received other marks of the esteem in which he was held by his
fellow-citizens. In 1869, at the incorporation of the Straight University,
he was appointed President of its Board of Trustees, which position he
held till the time of his death. A good man has gone and his works do
follow him.