Background
He was born on February 23, 1828 in New York City, the son of the Nathan Bangs and Mary (Bolton) Bangs.
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Francis Nehemiah Bangs
Edit ProfileEducation
He received only an ordinary school education, but in spare hours he earned money by keeping the commercial accounts of his elder brother's firm, and ultimately was enabled to attend the Wesleyan University at Middletown, Connecticut, and the University of the City of New York, where he graduated in 1845. He then studied for a time at the Yale Law School.
Career
He was called to the bar of the city of New York in 1850. He commenced practise in that city. At first his progress was slow. His manner was not conciliatory. Through his early experiences he was equipped with an intimate knowledge of commercial transactions and accounts, and he at first specialized in bankruptcy law. The ability which he displayed when retained on behalf of the assignees of Ketchum, Son & Company, a defaulting firm of New York stock brokers, first brought him into public notice. The various investigations and prosecutions which followed the exposure in 1871 of the operations of the "Tweed Ring" in New York's municipal affairs firmly established his reputation as an able, public-spirited, and fearless advocate. Contemporaneously with the accusations against Tweed and his associates, charges were made reflecting upon the administration of justice in New York City, and Bangs devoted all his energies and ability to the investigation which followed.
Owing in great measure to his personal intervention, Judges John H. McCunn of the superior court of New York City, and G. G. Barnard of the supreme court were removed from office, and Judge Albert Cardozo was compelled to resign. Thereafter Bangs was constantly retained as counsel in heavy litigation, more particularly railway and corporation cases. Among the more important suits in which he held briefs were those concerning the Havemeyer and Cesnola estates. From 1873 to the end of his life he enjoyed an increasingly lucrative practise, and was generally recognized as standing at the head of his profession. Unremitting attention to professional work undoubtedly undermined his health, and he died at Ocala at the comparatively early age of fifty-seven.
He was president of the Bar Association of the City of New York 1882-83, and was active in the formation of the Union League Club.
Achievements
Religion
He was a member of the vestry of Trinity Church.
Politics
Though a Republican, he never aspired to or held public office, "being indifferent to the allurements of pleasure or politics. "
Membership
He was also a member of the Saint Nicholas Society in the City of New York.
Personality
Throughout his career he was noted for unremitting toil in the preparation of his cases. Combined with a broad knowledge of law and human nature, unusual acquaintance with commercial and corporation methods, and a rugged yet attractive style of lucid advocacy, his thorough appreciation of every point of his case made him at all times powerful and sometimes irresistible in court. On the other hand his face was not attractive, nor was his manner altogether pleasant. "He was apt to be a little careless as to how he treated people, and at times he might have been regarded as inconsiderate. .. . There were occasions when his impatience and quick temper were somewhat trying".
Connections
He was twice married: on March 12, 1855, to Frances Amelia Bull, who died, August 23, 1868; and, later, to Mary Adams Batcheller.
