Alexander Maitland

Alexander Maitland was sixty-two at death and had been of our number for fifteen years. Born in Scotland [sic: born in Clifton, Staten Island] of its bravest, finest stock, and a New Yorker by education and adoption, he led a devoted and laborious life in the service of this community, shrinking from observation but not from unceasing doing and giving. Asked by an intimate friend why he did not indulge himself in a better yacht, for he was a fearless sailor and the blood of his north ancestry coursed wild on the sea, his quiet reply was—because then I could not give away half of my income. In this one incident was mirrored his admirable life. By inheritance from near kindred he was adjunct to the Public Library, to the Presbyterian Hospital, and to numerous other important charities. In all these he was punctilious in the performance of his duties; it seemed as if he caressed his responsibility, for he carried it with a joyous spirit of elation. He was constant in his attendance at our meetings and found pleasant converse with those who knew, respected, and admired his genial nature and his sterling worth.

William Milligan Sloane
1908 Century Association Yearbook