348 BOAED OP AGRICDLTDRE. ^ 



With his retirement from the secretaryship of the society 

 in 1860, after holding it about eight years, his services to the 

 cause of improved agriculture mainly ceased, for he devoted 

 all his energies to the subject of life insurance, being first 

 connected with the Travellers Insurance Company of Hartford, 

 and subsequently with the New York Life Insurance Com- 

 pany, as general agent, which laborious and responsible posi- 

 tion he occupied at the time of his death. His quick discern- 

 ment of character and ability to measure the capabilities of 

 men, together with his tact in inspiring those around him with 

 his own enthusiasm, rendered him peculiarly well adapted for 

 the place which he very acceptably filled. 



Mr. Dyer's general health was good, but he suffered exceed- 

 ingly from frequent attacks of asthma, which when severe 

 greatly exhausted him. It was after one of these attacks 

 experienced while traveling for the company at the West, 

 that he returned home really broken down, and never recov- 

 ered his usual health, but gradually sunk and finally died at 

 the age of 52, at his home in Newark, N. J,, where he had 

 resided several years. 



In 18 Mr. Dyer married a daughter of Mr. White, 



of Brooklyn, Conn., who, with two sons and a daughter, sur- 

 vive him. His home was always one in which cheerfulnes , 

 culture, refinement, good taste, and the most cordial hospi- 

 tality made every guest at ease, and left an impression of 

 family felicity not easily effaced. He was a devoted son, a 

 tender and loving husband and father, and a firm friend. 



We are tempted to write at greater length in regard to his 

 fine literary tastes, his love for poetry and art, his interest in 

 every good and useful project or discovery, but forbear. He 

 read rapidly and retentively, and his mind was full and over- 

 flowing with ideas, making him a most interesting companion. 

 He formed a few but strong friendships, and retained them, 

 while cordial and friendly towards all. His religious convic- 

 tions were definite and his faith strong, both in life and in 

 death. 



Mr. Dyer never lost interest in agriculture, but his energies 

 were expended during the last ten or twelve years of his life 



