Simeon Borden, an American engineer and mechanic, born at Fall River, Mass., Jan. 29, 1798, died there, Oct. 28, 1856. With very little instruction he mastered the principles of mathematics and mechanical science, and became a skilful engineer and one of the best mechanics of his day. In 1828 he took charge of a machine shop in Fall River, and in 1830 devised and constructed for the state of Massachusetts an apparatus for measuring the base line of the trigonometrical survey of that state, which at that time was the most accurate and convenient instrument of the kind extant. Mr. Borden assisted in the measurement of the base and in the subsequent triangulation. In 1834 he took charge of the work, and completed it in 1841. It was the first geodetic survey ever completed in this country, and its precision has since been proved by the coast survey. He afterward laid down the boundary lines between Massachusetts and Rhode Island, constructed several railroads, and published in 1851 a volume entitled "A System of Useful Formulas, adapted to the Practical Operations of Locating and Constructing Railroads.'1 In 1851 he accomplished a difficult feat by suspending a telegraph wire over a mile long, upon masts 220 ft. high, across the Hudson, from the Palisades to Fort Washington.