OAKLEY, Henry Augustus, financier, born in New York city, 20 September, 1827. He received a classical education, and in 1851 became secretary of the Howard fire insurance company, of which he was subsequently chosen vice-president, and finally president. In 1850-'1 he was president of the Mercanthe library association of New York. In 1862 he served in the civil war as an officer of New York militia. He was president of the New York Bible society in 1869-'70, of the New York board of underwriters in 1869-'71, of the National board of underwriters in 1871-'6, and has been an officer in many of the principal societies and charities of New York. He has been a frequent contributor to the literary press, and is the author of "A Christmas Reverie, and other Sketches" (printed privately, New York, 1849); "Outline of a Course of English Reading" (1853); "Historical Sketch of the Howard Insurance company" (1875) ; and "Addresses as President of the National Board of Fire Underwriters" (1876).