Elbridge Thomas Gerry, born in New York city, December 25, 1837, was
named after his grandfather, who was one of the vice-presidents of
the United States and a signer of the Declaration of Independence.
Mr. Gerry was educated in the New York public schools, and graduated
from Columbia college in 1858. He was admitted to the bar in 1860.
He acted as vice-president, until 1899, of the American society for
the prevention of cruelty to animals. He was chairman of the New York
state commission on capital punishment from 1886 to 1888. Since 1891 he
has been president of the annual convention of the New York societies
for prevention of cruelty. He is trustee of the general theological
seminary of the Presbyterian-Episcopal church and also trustee of
the American museum of natural history, and of the New York Mutual
Life Insurance company. Besides that, he is a member and director of
various corporations and societies. Since 1876 he has been president of
the New York society for the prevention of cruelty to children, which
society is generally known as the Gerry Society. He has one of the
largest private law libraries in the United States. Mr. Gerry is one of
those conscientious citizens whose work for the public good has been as
continuous as it has been successful.