Virginia free press & farmers' repository. [volume] (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1827-1832, 1832-01-05
DEATH OF STEPHEN GrRARD.

DEATH OF STEPHEN GIRARD.
The Philadelphia United States Gazette OF
December u, says
eve have this morning the painful
task Of announcing the death Of STE
rHES GIRARD, Esq, banker of this
city, who died yesterday afternoon.
between three and four o'clock.
MIR. Girard was. We believe, a native
Of Bordeaux. in France, and at veiv
carly period. he embraced a sca-faring
lie. lie came tn this country n con.
siderable time before the American re-
volution, aud resided in this city for
upwards Of fifty years. Up to the
year 1911. Mr.. G. was exclusively en-.
gagged IN commerce. which he pursued
with unwearied and successful indus.
try. But when the Congress Of that
year committed an act Of almost no
litieai suicide. by destroying the char
ter OF the Old Bank Of the United
States, or, what amounted to the same
thing, refused To renew IL, Mr.. Girard
purchased the building which belonged
to the institution, and commenced the
business Of banker. The liberality and
good faith with which he conduct ted the
banking establishment, and the i'm
mense benefit he thereby afforded TO
commerce. are well known TO this com
muniSy. or late years, Mr.. Girard
has improved and e'nbellished our city
by avast number Of elegant and sub
stantial buildings. In the year 1898,
when the yellow fever first made its
appearance and spread ITS ravages ,hro'
the city, Mr.. Girar,i was constant at
tendant at Bush Hill Hospital, regard
less OF personal danger, attending the
sick and the dying, aud using his best
Efforts to stay the raging pes,ilence
Mr. Girard has left the largest for
tune IN the new world. In what man.
ner he has disposed Of il, 10 OF course,
not known. His Ioss will be deepiy
FELT by our city. particularly by the
commercial part Of the community.
From he Penasytra,aa Wing.
Mr.. GIRaRp, like all men of worth.
commenced with "smail beginnings. !"
AT first cabin boy then a mate Of a
ship; then keeper Of small tap house.
where he retailed drains and segars !;
he successfully rose to the rank or the
first Merchant, and the most opuIeut
Banker IN the Conutry. "Indus,ry
and frugafty," was his motto; busi
ness was with him passion; and like
all who devote themselves with enthu
siam to any pursuit. he was gifted with
genius for his profession. "By their
fruits ye shall know them" Dir. Gi.
rard realised his millions from Com
me'ce--and his nights, as we'll as DAYS,
were devoted to the soreefy Of the
"Water Wnck." We should suppose
his fortune to amount to fifteen millions
At the time, or rather lust prior 20
the expiration Of the charter Of the old
Bank Of the United States, 1911. Me-.
Girard had instructed Barings 20 pur-
chase for him 81. 900, 900 worth Of its
stoek--snd with this he commenced
Banking under the superintendent Of
the late George Simpson, the Cashier
OF that Institution, To whom he confd
ed its Transactions. This was in 1919.
since which his Bank Capital has in.
creased 10 Eve millions. A moro use
ivl and liberal application of his sur
plus capital TO the wants Of the mer
camille community, 1T the common rate
OF interest, could not be imagined. =
Hts Bank, conducted on liberal princi-
pies, realised profit to himself, and i'm
mense facilities to the public.
MIR. Girard was q native Of Dor.
deaoI, IN France, where he has still
living, We believe, brother and sister.
ne has three nieces married in this
city, and several nephews likewise,
who will, 90 doubt, inherit bis ion.
mense wealth.
In the Yellow Fever IN 1875, Mr.
U'rArd was Distinguished for his active
oenevoleoee At the B0sh Hill Hospital,
10 minIstering TO the sick, aud deVisinR
plans Tor the prevention and resirie-
ton Of eontagion.
We understand the business Of Mr..
DIraTd will suffer no interruption by
h's dsathj that his Bank will continue
;" operations; and his buildings on
DIS Market street square progress 60
40 imposing, elegant and useful com
plstion.
The habits Of Air. Girard we're ex.
S,vsively those Of the man Of business. |
Ne bad 90 pleasures bat in the per