Forrest F. Dryden

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Forrest Fairchild Dryden (1864-1932) was an American businessman. He was the President of Prudential Insurance Company of America from 1912 until 1922. Prudential was founded by his father, John F. Dryden, who was also a United States Senator, representing New Jersey.

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[edit] Youth and Education

Dryden was born in Bedford Ohio on December 26, 1864 to John F. Dryden and Cynthia J. (Fairchild) Dryden. Dryden attended Newark Academy and later Phillips Academy at Andover.

[edit] Family

His father, John F. Dryden was the founder and the President of Prudential Insurance Company. Forrest Dryden married Grace Carleton, daughter of Isaac N. Carleton in 1890. Their children were John F. (2nd), Dorthy and Elizabeth.

[edit] Career

He started working for Prudential Insurance Company in 1888. He became superintendent of the Prudential office in Elizabeth New Jersey in 1889. He joined the board of directors and assumed the duties as Assistant Secretary in 1890. Later that year he was selected to be Secretary of the company. During his father's service as U. S. Senator for New Jersey, Forrest Dryden acted as President of Prudential. Dryden was promoted to Third Vice President in 1903, Second Vice President in 1906 and Vice President in 1911. He succeeded his father as President upon his father's death in 1912. He continued on as President of Prudential until 1922.

[edit] Affiliations

Dryden was a member of the New Jersey National Guard Essex Troop. During his time there, he was the Chief Commissary on the Major General Staff. He held the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He was member of the New Jersey State Rifle Association. He was a member of the Newark Board of Trade. He was also a Director of many organizations including the Public Service Corporation of New Jersey, the Union National Bank of Newark, the South Jersey Gas, Electric and Traction Company and the United State Casualty Company of New York.


[edit] Additional Information

The Dryden family estate, known as Stronghold was located in Bernardsville, New Jersey on Bernardsville Mountain. It became the home of Miss Gill's School, now known as Gill St. Bernard's School in 1940.

[edit] References

  • Britannica Online Encyclopedia
  • "Dryden Out as Head of Prudential Life", The New York Times, 15 August 1922
  • A History of the City of Newark New Jersey Vol. III, 1913
  • Scannell’s New Jersey’s First Citizens 1917-1918, Page 138
  • Dorothy Dryden Wedding Announcement, The Washington Post, 22 June 1919

[edit] External Links