Page:The Cyclopedia of India (Specimen Issue).pdf/129

 Mr. SILAS MEYER MOSES comes of a great jewish lamilv. equally Well knovm in Euro and Asia—the Sassoons— being t e son of the eldest daughter ol the late Mr. David Sassoon. the launder oi the commercial houSe of that name. There is a tradition that the Sas- soons are of the house at King David. but authentic history first mentions them as leaders ol their community in Toledo, lrom which city they fled to escape persecu< tion. and settled in Baghdad. where they have always been dis- tin ishcd [or their wealth and big character. The development of British India led to the migra— tion hither of many ol the more pro-

minent Persian Jews. amen them Mr. David Sassoon. who as cad at his community in Bombay in the stormy days ol '57. did much to quiet the apprehensions ol that city. by Iroﬁerin the services at himsell on his co're igiunists to the Govern- ment at a moment when many there wavering. Mr. S. M. Moses was in school at this time. and alter com- plettng his course at the El thin» stone Institution irocceder to China, In 1862.where lot many \‘cm he was managing partner oi the ﬁrm at David Sassoon. Sons 6: Co. It was here that Mr. Moses had his ﬁrst taste of public lite, being, tor a large part ol his stay. on the Finance Committee of the Municipality of Shanghai. and taking a constant interest and active part in the

TH E

administration ot’ that progresswc and cosmopolitan settlement.

He left China in 1850. and. alter a tour in Europe.returned to Bombay and joined the ﬁrm at David Sassoon & Co.. shortly afterwards marrying Rachel. daughter at the late Mr. Abraham. a lady who up to the time at her death (14th july 1905) took a prominent part and asmsted her husband worthily in all works at charity and social advancement.

0n the death of his uncle. Mr. S. D. Sassoon. Mr. Moses succeeded to the Directorate of several public Companies and membership of other bodies. including the Bank ol Born- bay. the Port Trust. the Oriental Life Assurance Company. and the SJan Industrial and Relortnatory Institution As President in 1808. his services Were particularly valu able to the Bank at Bombay at n time when the transition from a silver to a gold standard caused novel ﬂuctuations in the money market which puzzled experienced ﬁnanciers.

He was te-elcctod to this dis- ttnguished ofﬁce in tom-1002. and aim" In 1005. It ts needless to say t at a man ot Mr. Moscs' varied knowledge oi international trade is not a Silt-trite. Hr- ts a prominent member at the Chamber at Com- merce. and on not only commercial buton all matters affecting the public weal. Mr. Moses has always spoken out strenuously and With all the weight at his experience and 'udgmcnt. In recognition ot his interest in education. Mr. Moses was nominated a Fellow ol the Bombay University in 18410. and he was nominated in Member ol the Bombay Legislative Counctl. during Lord Sandburst's administration in the lollowing year, and was re-no- minatcd in 1002 by H. E. Lord Northeotc. being the third re- presentative of his race to receive this honour. his two predecessors being also members of the same business house. Besides his rc~ s nsibitittes as head 01' his firm and t e public work already mentioned. Mr. MOSES ﬁnds ume tor many other dutiﬁ. He was one of the Justices of the Peace. who in the early days at the plague in Bombav went lrotn house to house with the Search parties. usrng his great inﬂuence with the natives to calm the resentrnent which this measure

t 'i'CLOl'hlllA OF INDIA.

provoked. He has served on the recent Presidency Famine Funds, and is a trustee for the Bombay branch of the Countess of Dullcrin Fund. Mr. Moses was a recipient ol the Coronation Medal and was one of the Honorary Magistrates lately appornted bv Lord Lamington.

Mr. ROOSTL'MJEE DHUNJEE- BHOY MEHTA. C.l.F... was born in Bombay on the 20th july. 1849. He belongs to the "Shenshais " or the Imperial class—a clus; which counts among its members several notabilttles. including two distin- guished Bamnets. He received his Vernacular education at a local Guz- ratt school. and when nine wars nl age was placed in the Bombay Branch school.

In the year ism. Ins lather. Mr. “hunter-bth Byratmjee Melttu. made up his mind to settle in Calcutta. and with his lamily Iclt Bombay.travellrngby sea. railway communication not being t‘Xlﬁlt‘l’tt in those day: between Huntlmv and Calcutta. tor the (‘apttnl of lndia. On arrival in Calcutta Mr. R. l). .\lehta joined the Bengal Academy. an educational institution 0 med and managed bv the late Mr. C tarleﬁ D'Crtue. an educationist ol repute.

Alter completh his education Mr. Mchta was placed with the Well- knoWn firm ol Messrs. Apcnr it Company as an .tpirenttcc. his lather being desirous t int he should have .i sound commurctal training. Mr. Mehta showed Considerable aptitude tor httstneSS. and his steady habits. business capacity. honesty and Winning manners secured tor him the goodde and sympathy ol the late Mr. Seth Arntoon A war and Mr. A. (3. Apcar. with hot at whom he W615 a tavourite.

Alter remaining with the ltrm lot (W0 wars .\lr. Mehta lelt to do his lather's‘ business. Messrs.

. B. Mehta it Company. which was at that time in a ﬂourishing condition, carrying on an extemive trade With (‘htna and having a Branch at Bong-Kong. In 1870 Mr. R. I). .\lehta Went to Horn;- Kong to manage the Branch there, and also visited Japan in the in- terest of the Firm. In 187- .\Ir. Slehta journeyed to England. the purport of his visit to that country being to purchase the ma- chinery and plant reqttitiite to start