The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-10-31
D A MEL DR. E w.
A Droyer Boy Becoming Millionaire
Rugged Activity to Wealtl-Kesping the
Old Bulls Head Cattle Yard and Tavern
on the BOwery-SteambOat and Rail.
road OperatiOns-Career Of a
Banker and Broker-Masnificent
CharitieS-His Personal Life.

Up the prec1pltou5 and perilous pathway TO for
tune up through long and painful years OF poverty
up early and ur late with strong and manly heart
lighting prolonged earnest battle with priva
ton and want up through severely trying ordeal
OF early struggles, Daniel Drew has pushed his way
to his present poston-a position bringing with 1t
an accumulation OF wealth rarely attained by any
man IN lifetime and universally OF respect and
fulnesj OF honors and extended area OF influence
still less rarely given to any to enjoy while
living. He has pushed his way on with a boldness
OF purpose ana brilliancy OF success challenging
universal wonder and acknowledgements for the
stupendous fortune he has acquired, aud admiration
for the genius and power that have enabled him
alone and single. handed to achieve such splendid
victory over the strongly combative elements OF per-
verse tate. HIS was the quick eye, the cool head,
the prompt hand and ndomitabe perseverance that
bring success. HIS has been success, however,
beyond mere money making-a success ennobled by
higher purpose than grasping greed OF gain-a
success giving glorious immortality to his
name on the Hudson river. SO famous now
for his great steamboat enterprises and
magnificent steamboats,. Years hence his
name VIII become dim legend OF memory, and his
great Erie Railroad controversy "reminiscences OF
the shadowy past. Not his noble deeds OF charity.
Their posthumous influence will extend through all
time. Their laurels will freshen in eternal bloom
His life has been div ersed. but in every variety Of
busness-as the young and striving ana poor drover
boy rs the great steamboat ana railroad owner and
director and as the millionaire banker-he has
always shown the same good quality OF going
ahead, the same unyiedng perseverance, and the
same unbending integrity
HIS BIRTHPLACE AND CHILDHOOD.
Daniel Drew was born at Carmel, Putnam county,
this State July 20, 1877. His father ana mother
also born there, the former being OF English and
the latter or Scotch descent. His father died when
no was fifteen years Old but his mother lived to
advanced age OF eighty-1ve. Like many men hav-
ing accomplished great achievements IN commerce
or In finance, In craftsmanship or IN the world OF
letters science attributes the result OF his
cess In life mainly TO the wise teachings Of his
mother. On the small farm OF his father he was early
trained to habits OF industry and frugality There
~ nothing remarkable connected with his early
childhood DAYS. He showed willing obedience To
make himself as servceable as possible on the farm
There was only one other child, younger brother,
VINO Is now living at the ola home
stead, but with an addition Of several hun.
dred acres contributed since then by the more
fortunate elder brother larger farmhouse and
more numerous nerus of cattle grazing upon Its
more extended hilisides aud valleys. Following
AFTER the iashlon or rather necessity OF poor farm
ers sons m those days. the subject OF our sketch
loyed very limited opportunities OF education. After
winters and subsequent to his fathers death hal no
further advantages OF school education. His
The farm was small, ana he early determined to take
care OF himself and thus relieve his mother Of the
burden OF his support
"hother. have got chance 10 go to the war;
he said rushing into her presence with glow OF
element on his young cheek ana brilliant sparkle
In his eye that esInceu the manly warmth or
patriotism kindled In his young hoart
IN .ornr. 40 yS y sr my ASKED Sa ms mother
81 know that, but am gong"
..fou haven't represented yourself older than you
.oh no. mother, wouldn't do that
''Ilov then. are you golngsn
lie proceeded TO explain to his mother the
arrangements he had made to go as a substitute.
insisted that there were three good reasons for
Gcing-flrsi that Il was duty he owed TO his coun
from the burden OF ms support and third. that this
would furnish him with capital with which after
he was lucky enough to get through ali
rlght-to commence business on his own
account. Seeing has nrmness. more than being
influenced by the cogoncy OF his arguments,
she at length yielded reluctant consent.
Although only sixteen he was tall and stalwartn
and In bearing "a mature and manly Us he
seemingly mature and manly IN years. In full regi-
mentals with his knapsack on his bacg aud musket
on his shoulder. he started for the wars. Arriving
az New York he was ordered opposite Fort Ganse-
WORT, on Tue Hudson river His record OF soldiers
duty Is brief. lis regiment participated In no bat
ties. The war oaly lasted some three months after
his enlistment II was n joyful day TO him, as to
thousands OF Others, who were hlng our camps OF
war. when the news came OF the cessation OF hosti
ties between England and this country, and when
the order came 10 dsband the troops. Relieved from
military cuiy he went back TO Carmel. lie mad given
his substitute money 10 his mother before he left
home.
COMMENCING LlFE As DRoyEn.
81 want my substitute money" he said TO his
mother.
awhat are you going to do with 1T" his mother
II am going TO buy cattle ana sell them in New
Are you sure you win not lose your money by IT.,
- am sure shall make money! was his prompt
response.
not Immediate, by any means but rather the result
ol years OF experience. lie worked hard IN those
years. Having becn accustomed from childhood 10
the care OF cattle. he soon became adept IN their
purchase aud sale. 40 one could detect the good
points OF good cattle better than himself and no Que
ties. Ito bought his cattle for inc FIRST two
years wholly IA Putnam aud Duchess counties.
"a was rarely in those days OH my horses back ~
he remarked recently. "it was all-day work riding
aoout tnc country aud buying the cattle and all.
night work driving them TO the city,
EXTENDING OPERATIONS AS A DRovER.
lie soon dscerned lager field Of operations.
Competitors had rapidly increased IA numbers Ia the
course reduced AS business aud prospects Besides
this New York had Increased In population and the
W river counties did not begin TO supply enough to
meet the growing requirements OF the city. lie
turned his attention 10 Uho rs good source from
when to OBTAIN the needed supply. lie associated
himself with Mr. Robinson a. partner tue
Mr.. Robinson VINO Afterwards became his
partner IA the famous banking firm or Drew, Robin
son Co. To carry on the business on the scale he
wished required however, more capital than they
had. lie weut 10 Henry Astor. brother OF John ia.
cob Aslor who had JUST retired from hts business
butchef carried on no long and so successfully at
The Oil fulton Market. Tic uniolded his plan 70 AIR.
Aston.
"wnl you lend me the money ~ asked ur. Drew.
al wllm SAID Mr. Astor
III can't give you AR security" added Mr.. brow.
"If am successful you wli set your money back;
n not, not
"I'll take the rskk, y salf Mr.. As.0r.
This matter thus specially settled Mr. Drew Of once
began To carry CUT hls plan. lie obtained his frat
cattle from the rich -c0la valley, m OHIO. This II
viii be remembered vas before tie days OF railroads
and the pTsscGt facilities for bringing cattle % our
ctr frOgn the TemOfest regions OF the country. 10
TOOK siAy days 70 nflhR dIoVe 81 catle rom there
here. Ihe main dllCuiiy IN the way was acting
them across the Allegheny mountains. starting
with a drove % eO3 OF 800 head sometimes
400 or 900 would te loaf ON the way. They
were Lost not only among the Businesses OF the
lnnnnfaIna Mhnnca a VA. lmnosaIllln 10 recl aim