Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1858-08-18
STEPHEN GUARD. THE MONEY
MAKER.

''l''"''' h''''' '.Ill'i, WITH Madame
har'argne his wife. They had already
four childrcn-no matter whether male
or female, for they lived and dicd in tie
oh*cunty in which they were born. But
in the year 1850, on the 2lst Of MAY. an
other child cmo into the world-a boy
named Stephen Girard.
Upto the ageof ten or twelve. there is no
record OF the life and progress of this boy.
A,th'' time he was found with one eve.
embartcd as @ cabju-boy, without NJ 9th
el ocqn'remon.s than I'm .mper,ec' know,-
edge OF the elements OF reading and wri-
ting, on board vessel bound for the West
Indies, His one eye was made the subject
Of ridicule amongst his companions and
his temper was thus early soured for life
With this physical deiormity, without
friends, patronage, and money, he was
thrown upon the world.
lie did not remain long in the West
Indies, bat bound himself apprentice to a
Shipma'ter in whose service he first set
tootInlhe port Of New York, about the
year l1j4. Morose as Stephen Girard was,
ho gained the confidence of his employer,
and he twas made mate of the vessel in
which he sailed, and afterwards captain,
wien his master left the sea. IIevoyaqed
several times successfully TO and fson
New Orleans. In this position he first no.
gan to accumulate means. and to trade on
his own account, and he soon became
part owner oi the ship and cargo which he
commanded. a large gap IN the minute
progress Of his history now occurs, but in
i'pV we find Linn an obscure, plodding,
quiet, thrifty trader in Water street, Phil.
ad"irhin'
At this period he took liking TO one
Mary, or Poll Lun. the dlupbter of an
cd ship-clulker, who Gvod IN 9 ,yo,cr.
side house down ,r1,t II, y,,,e,.
tlt, trllsl +, TIT CITY. The Girl
was plain, brt comely, and employed as n
domestic servant in ncighborinp family
Stephen Gira,L does not appear to have
been Looked upon with favor by tbe M.
rents of the girl. for they forbade him tho
house for some time. They were oven,u-
"'ly married but the union was not hap
p one she was negleettul of her duty ;
ne was morose and austere. At length
ne applied to the Legislature of Pennsy /
wanna l"r divorce ana obtained it.
IIestill continued to rent ;he small house
IA Water street, to which he had taken
his wife when they were married, and he
Inia~uiou-ly pursued his combined occu-
pations oi sea-'aptaim, ship-owner and
merchant About this time lie entered
INTO lmtrcl.hip with one Isaac Halle
nur>i, o! PuldeipAia and purchased two
vessels in which 20 trade to tile Island of
St. Domingo. The brigs We're captured 10y
British mem-o!war, and sent to Jamacia ::
q MISFORTUNE which dissolved the short
partnership. There is another gap in the
story ofStephen Girard, extending from
l172 10 l776. 1t is probable that during
this time lie continued his old business,
trading as ship-master and merchant to
New Orleans and st. Domingo.
The war put an end TO the sea enter.
priscs Of stephen Girard. and he was com.
pellcd to turn his attention to tbc land
lie opened small grocery store in
! Water street Joining with a bottIinp cs.
tablislment. where lie worked hard with
his own hands at .he occupation Of hot.
Ting c!aret and cider About the vear
I''D upon the alleged approach of the
British to Philadelphia, lie purchased a
small tract OF land from his former part
ner, MI hA@Iehurst' on which there was a
house, towhich he removed his business; !;
employing his time early and late, in pre-
Parns cIaret and cider for the market,