The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1868-05-05

3 possessed. 4 kfoAier ~ .c-s sxieat - 81
tra5g successful Hsen. ile WAS Bftes ashamed
aag sfrasi . wrk h.nseH aud 81. - e3urss
nasAy 8ssrlsrd thaae vbo wert obliged ~ work
R.s sewers repatalosa nailass stack Is him vita
Fnage naesty ihroneh aa the years q his great
vosltA During iba f.yalut4paaFy ~aF. be bot
tl,i ana sal1 oiiar and elanst 10 l7so he was
engaged 10 trs2e lo 81 Dmlng5 and New or.
kAns. IL 1870 be vas reported ta M eagtb tttfa
a,ess1a4 aellars IL 1871, p expscia. 1n 4 q re-
neaal = tie charter q ihe old Bank af 4a Uat-
I'D Slates hs purchased . large snounl y the
staek = that lns,ituaaa. Tbs charter vas not
reuewcd. and thc banking house coming into his
hauds ~ reduooa prcg, the Banl ~ The United
States beeame 'ssephen Girarl's Bapk
Mr. Guard toak 4 sinesre pride iu hir city and
dia much 10 mako il attrsotyo. tio had great
amtsiioa 10 become ths richest man 10 the coun-
igy, AZ also lo o. remembered A. a friend to the
poor. aBd patron of oauestl0n Ia pursuance
~ thc lstt,r impulse be established under nn-
uidoeut gad8wmeHt, AID with some strange re-
sifictons, G.rari College u Philadelphia. His
he vac full af ceocntneihos, some Of which We
shan present ia future issues.
1ouN JACOB Aston,
who enjoyed IN bis hfa-tlme the reputation q be-
iag the richest merchant ID America, was born
near Heidelberg, Germany, in the year i7e3 lie
cAmo 70 this country at the age Il nineteen
vhtn the nos thiellly settled and cultivated State
II New York vss little more than d traokless will
dornesh Ills attention was early turned to the
far business, which became the engrpssng occu-
patton of his life He made frequent excursions
up the Mohawk River to traffic with the Inaians
and was successful in his early spcculations. He
WAS one Of the principal movers in the American
Fur Company. which soon became successful
competitor with European capitalists, who con.
trolled the Northwestern and Canadian Fur
Companies. He finally extended in business to
the mouth Of the Columbia River, whore he oa-
tablished fur trading station which was named
for him, Astoria, and is yet an important CONNER.
cial point
His confidence in the American Government
enabled him 70 amass large amount Of wealth
in the purchase Of United States securities during
the war Of 1912. Many Of these bonds which be
purchased at sixty 10 seventy cents on a dollar
he afterwards sold at twenty per cent. above par,
In later years he turned his attention to real
tate ia the city Of New York, his keen sagacity
pointing out TO him the sure and steady advance
ment Of the metropolis, aud the inevitable appre.
ciation Of land on Manhattan Island. As the re-
suit Of sixteen years hard labor and close eoono-
omy, he was worth quarter Of million. Al
his death he was reputed to be worth not less
has al
trbuted TO him that, with a,start Of million
dollars il requires but little effort to get rich
The history Of many a rich man shows that the
the earning of the first thousand dollars is the
most difficult step in the road to wealth.
Mr. Astor died in March, lsiS bequeathine
four hundred thousand dollars to found a fre'
public library, which is known the Astor Ii
brary, and comprises the most extensive ane
best classified assortment in the country. The
bnlk Of his property deoenaed to his son, William
b. Astor, who has frequently been estimated th'
richest man in the world.
CORNELIUS yANDERBUMT,
was born on Staten Island, May 27, 1884. Hii
early education was dedcient-owing quite al
much to his own dstaste for books to lack o
opportunity. He was always, however, bright
Intelligent and full Of energy; and what he fail
ed to draw from books, he more than made goo'
il practical observations and applications.
the age Of sixteen he determined to strike ou
for himself His first project was to become th'
owner Of a aail-boat. He applied to his iathe
for aid but was not at frst successful Afte
considerable importantly he was promised th'
necessary amount -onc hundred dollars -upoi
the completion OF a certain task upon the farm
1 With the ready aid OF few companions, 70 whom
4 he had impaired his secret, the task was sooi
completed, and the iifst "Yanderbuilt" boat wa
aaoat under the command Of its owner. Lax
most lirst efforts, ts virgin essay at seafnansh
was not without its adverse incidents. The boa
ran upon a rock and it required all the skin an
GOODNESS Of its inexperienced commander 70 ru
it ashore before it sunk. The wreck was not
total one however, and after a few hours th
injury was repaired, and the intrepid navigate
brought up in proper style at the stapleton docl
The bent Of the youthful mind thus plaini
shadowed forth the probable destiny Of the mar
who has since been known 70 be the largest own
er Of steamboat property in the world. In loi
| Mr. yanderbuilt commanded his first steamboat
which. on account Of its size, was ehristened b
him "The Mouse Of the Mountain" In o fe
months he was promoted 70 a larger craft th
eBellona," which Piled between New York an
New Brunswick. which was then the great roui
to Philadelphia.
In 1877 he leased the New York and Elizabeth
port ferry for seven years; and at the end Of tina
time for seven years more, making an exceher
snccess out Of a previous failure.
His great financial prosperity commenced WIT
The California gold excitement OF ls4e, culnina
ing in the establishment and control Of the Mica
auga route, which was completed in July, 1856
The amount of business done over this rout'
and the enormous rates charged for freight an
passengers, couid have but one result, so far
the owners were concerned.
In 1853. Mr. vanderbuilt, with his family, toe
4 pleasure excursion 10 Europe in his own yesse
the North Star, which was built and furuishc
for this purpose he visited moet Of the Knr
pean porte and was treated with great eourte'
BY the suthorRes and eminent citizens Of En-
land France, Austria ard Russia
During our late ci,il war when the Cover
mcnt was in straits for vessels 70 carry on its NJ
val operations, Commodore VAnderbuiit made
free offer Of his splendid ship, The "yanderbaiit
which, though not accepted, gave him rePuti
ton for iArge-hearted loyalty, aud did more thi
ans one set 70 prove 10 the world that the Mort
wac in earnest and bad not only the vii but u
means to subdue rebellion.
During reoeat years, Mr. YAnderbuilt has d
voted hinscn 10 railroad interests with the san
energy snd success that has characterized b
! ,.A4 ~. A. Etss.i,fs.s.. ~ tf, New York g.