The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-11-05
O 3 I r y A r Y
GEORGE PEABODY.

dence in Eaton square, London, there passed away
from earth man whose name win ever be remem-
bered ana whose memory must ever be cherished
50 long the virtues OF benevoence and generosity
are regarded with approval. Standing almost alone
among his fellow-mcn ne taught phiianthropists
what real philanthropy is-taught the wealthy
lessen whose moral ID priceless, because IL shows
them how from the measure Of their abund-
ance, the poverty OF man can be made
less irksome without adding to its pognancy or en-
couragng It's disposition to dleness Dy the degrade
ton OF almsgving. And yet, while the fame OF
George Peabody springs from his unprecedented
philanthropy, We DO not here express our sincere
regret at the announcement OF his death because OF
that (which he gave. Rather let sorrow arise from
the knowledge that If We now look over the
broad neid of benevoisnce tho central figure
towering far above others IA no more seen
that nothing now remains but the Immortality OF
good deeds which. shine they may In the records
or the truly great are as but tiny gleamings beside
the living embodiment OF him who created and gave
| them light That Mr. Peabody should die was natu-
raj His fate was the Inevitable. But never before
dd death cut down being Of greater service to
world full Of misery OF penury aud OF weakness than
he. wherever Christianity obtains there will loss
| be felt In the two great Anglosaxon nations,
where his benefactions were conferred, in all parts
| OF the world, where his was bright example there
will he be mourned with depth OF sincerity hardly
| fashomable.
| And all this. which II spoken OF most other men
would be fuIsome audatou, is but feeble, though
truthful tribute TO the virtues which distinguished
| the career or Mr.. Peabody.
HIS ANCESTRY.
Mr. Peabody sprung from good old English stock
Six generations back his ancestor was Francis Pay
| body Of the ancient family OF Paybodys, OF Leces
tershire, IN England, who at an early age left st.
Adams In Hertfordshire, and went TO New England.
For twenty-five years he appears TO have
resided In various parts OF the country. but
| in 1887 ne tnslly settled at Topteld, q small
town in Essex county, Mass where he ever after re-
sided. The residence that he erected and the mill
the first in the town that he built are standing
at the present day venerable in their two centuries
OF age. He was wealthy-that is, wealthy compared
with his neghbors-and being, in addition, man OF
education aud responsibility naturally attained 10
prominence. His wife was Mary, daughter
OF Reginald Foster, by whom he had four
teen children, from the eldest son OF which
the late Mr.. George Peabody was descended.
Francis Paybody died In 1895. az the advanced
age OF eghty-four years. He left behind large
landed estate, which was divided principally
among his six sons. The descendants OF these have
| been distinguished for their mental and moral
| worth During our revolutionary struggles they
"~ss~- = --.~'0 s.an nnee severely
tested. BY what means and at what time their
family name changed from Paybody to Peabody
we are unable to state with any degree of certainty
II is not Improbable that II OF those almost
lmperceptibs changes which often occur, less from
design than from accident.
BIRTHPLACE AND EARLY LIFE.
Misfortune appears TO have befaen the descend
ants OF Francis Paybody. When, on the 18TH OF
February 1906, the subject OF this sketch was born
In the town OF Danvers, his parents were persons In
very poor circumstances. The boy consequently
grew up lacking In the advantages OF good educa.
ton. Indeed at this time educational facilities
not abundant as they now are, and none but the
and daughters OF those In atiuent crcumsta
were able TO obtain more knowledge than Is EN-.
braced in bare learning how to read and write. In
addition the parents OF George Peabody were unable
to support him any length OF time in idleness
that had the system OF free schools been per-
feet and efficient they now are, it is extremely
doubtful n he would have obtained more perfect
education than he actually received. At the tender
age OF eleven years be embarked in business clerk
to Mr.. sylvester Proctor, an estimaele man, who
Kept q grocery in Danvers. Three years later
he left the shop and lived year with
his grandfather, Mr. Dodge, IA Thctford.
Vermont from whence he went In 1911 to Newbury-
port as clerk to his brother David, who had about
naely, Ill luck pursued him. The business had
scarcely been more than started when q disastrous
confagraton destroyed tho business portion OF New
buryport involving in total ruin number OF per-
sons, among whom was David Peabody. This dis
aster, though Of most serious character, did not
disheartcn the lad. Stout Of heart and energetic
he looked about him for some other
means OF earning livelihood. The prospect
was by no means favorable. The embargo
placed upon American commerce, the great contest
between France and England and the strong proba-
bnty then acknowledgements turned into q GER
tainty-of the United states being drawn into the
struggle combined to produce sragnaton In trade
which was feIt throughout the republic. Business
was dull everywhere. The trade that was doing
was OF the most languid character Imaginable.
Failures were numerous. Everywhere uncertainty
OF tho future mingled with anxiety for the present.
pervaded the commercial mind. 1t was, altogether
. most untoward period for Q lad or seventeen to
begin lifs upon by Own account
REMOVAL no GEORGETOWN.
Among his relatives was an uncle-Jonn Peabody
who had done business In Newburyport, and had
been looked upon as man OF large means. When
the renersl crash came he succumbed, with many
Others In the hope OF retrieving his fortunes he
moved to the District OF Columbia, settling AZ
Georgetown to which place he invited his
nephew 10 louoW nIn Being somewhat
heavily involved In debt and oppressed by his
creditors prudential considerations necesstaed his
conducting business under q name other than his
own. He had every confidence In his nephew, under
whose name the business was carried on, and who
was entrusted almost entirely with its management
During the two years he remained with his uncle he
manifested that aptitude for commercial under.
taKlngs which, at later date, carried him on TO for
tune. The business, however, was not 80 successful
"a 10 might-and doubtless would--have been had
he boon left untrammelled. Bat, although ostenst |
bly, the proprietor, he was really but clerk, ana
one too, receiving but small peounary compensation
for his services, We ma II stated that upon the ex-
pration OF two years he retired from biz uncie's
service. mainly because Of an apprehension that 10