ROYALTY’S AMERICAN UNCLE

Evening Star, Issue 18288, 30 May 1923, Page 1

ROYALTY’S AMERICAN UNCLE

POSITION WITHOUT PRECEDENT, Probably without precedent in the_ history of Royal alliances in England, it is a'n interesting fact that now. the Duke of York has wed Lady Elizabeth BowesLyons ho will have an American uncle. Tho gentlemen, who by right of marriage, will thus be able to refer to the Duke of York as their nephew are Augustus Edward Jessup, of Philadelphia, U.S.A., and Lord Blackburn, one of the Lords of Session. How Jessup came to be related to the Strathmore family was explained to Roscoo Liddell, of thq San Francisco ‘ Examiner,’ by the Earl of Strathmore, who is a brother-in-law of Jessup through his marriage to his Lordship’s youngest sister. “ My youngest sister married Mr Jessup twenty-five years ago,” said Lord Strath more. “Mr Jessup was at that time a banker in Philadelphia. 'While on a visit to this country he conceived an affection for my sister Lady Mildred, but she did not survive her marriage long, and died about fifteen years ago. 11 1 suppose, in the currency of tho United States, Jessup would he regarded as a millionaire. Since the war his fortune has depreciated to some extent, but lie is still a very rich man, owning a castle in Switzerland among other residences. His permanent home is a beautiful mansion house in Philadelphia. “ Mr Jessup’s family originally belonged to Cdoucestershire. His father was a most astute business man, and built up a large banking concern; but Mr Jessup does not seem to have inherited much of his father’s love for commercialism. His tastes have approximated more to those of country squire. At the same time, on coming into his father’s fortune, ho helped to develop the hanking establishment, but he retired from an active interest in the business shortly after tho war. “ During the war Mr Jessup’s son gave distinguished service with the Bntisn Forces. Although in the accepted sense an American, immediately on tho outbreak of hostilities he sailed for this country, and placed his services at tho disposal of our Government. At first, 1 think, he was connected with a foot regiment. He received a severe head wound while serving in France, however, and on his being pronounced fit again for further service, was given a job for which lie was particularly suited. Ever since early youth he had shown a great interest in science, and such was his promise in this departmont that he was invited to inspect ammunition on the Western Front.’