John Fairfield Dryden was the founder of the Prudential Insurance Company and a United States Senator from New Jersey.
Education
He graduated from Worcester Academy, then attended Yale College and, in 1875, founded the Widows and Orphans Friendly Society (now Prudential Financial) in Newark, New Jersey, becoming its first secretary and in 1881 its president, and served in the latter position until 1911.
Career
He was known as the "father of industrial insurance". He was one of the founders of the Fidelity Trust Company. He was involved in the establishment and management of various street railways, banks, and other financial enterprises in New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania, and was elected as a Republican to the United States. Senate to fill the vacancy caused by the death of William J. Sewell and served from January 29, 1902, to March 4, 1907.
Dryden was a candidate for reelection, but withdrew because of a deadlock in the legislature, which at the time elected United States. Senators.
He died in Newark, New Jersey on November 24, 1911 from pneumonia following removal of gall stones two weeks earlier. His estate was valued at $50,000,000.
He was buried in Mount Pleasant Cemetery in Newark. In addition to his home in Bernardsville, New Jersey, Dryden was in the process of constructing a home in High Point, New Jersey that was to be one of the largest homes in the country.
John Dryden Kuser, Dryden"s grandson, was a state senator and Brooke Astor"s first husband.
Membership
While in the Senate, Dryden was chairman of the Committee on Relations with Canada (57th Congress) and a member of the Committee on Enrolled Bills (58th and 59th Congresses).