Augustus Cass Canfield (1853-1904)
of New York City & "Cassleigh" Roslyn, L.I.; Yachtsman & Mining Engineer
He was born in Detroit, Michigan, and was a maternal grandson of Senator Lewis Cass, U.S. Secretary of State, etc. Known as A. Cass Canfield, he graduated from the College of New Jersey (1874) and Columbia's School of Mines (1877) to become a Mine Engineer. He was a Member of the American Institute of Mining Engineers and President of the Dickerson Suckasunny Mining Co. He was an enthusiastic yachtsman, Commodore of the Seawanhaka Corinthian Yacht Club, Secretary of the International Cup Committee, and he personally designed several fast boats. He lived in New York City and was a member of the University and Knickerbocker Clubs, and a life member of the New Jersey Historical Society. In 1889, at San Francisco, he married Josephine Houghteling and they had 3-children. They lived in New York City and in 1902 he commissioned McKim, Mead & White to build "Cassleigh" (see images) on the neighboring estate to Inisfada, but he died just months before its completion. His widow sold the mansion to John D. Ryan in 1916 and it was demolished shortly after his death.
