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Thornton Chase converted to the Baháʼí Faith in 1894–1895 after reading some of the writings of Baháʼu'lláh. He was a prominent businessman and philanthropist in the United States and was one of the first Baháʼís in New York City. He served on the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States for many years and was a close associate of `Abdu'l-Bahá.