Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1869-11-11


make these preparations unnecessary,
but they can do no harm even should
the corsummation be as remote as the
admirers of paper money hope.
George Peabody.
From the Cincinnati Gazette.
The announcement of the death of
George Peabody will cause deep. general
and unaffected sorrow. More than any
man of his time has he deserved, and
worthily borne, the name of Philanthro-
pist-Friend of Humanity. AnAmerican
by birth, an Englishman by adoption,
neither America nor England can claim
him as peculiarly her own, nor his fame
can she appropriate. For his benefac-
tions have been to the men of other
lands. his charities to the world. To
the poor of London, he has been more
than friend to the destitute of the South,
he has extended with more than royal
hand the blessings which wealth alone
can provide; to the cause of literature
and arts he has been more princely
patron than was ever Mec&nas in the
Augustan days; 10 the explorers of arctic
seas. he has contributed with munificent
generosity ; to America in the dark days
of 1887, when ruin seemed Inevitable,
he pledged his private aid. More than
king, more than chief of the Republic,
more than statesman, more than di-
plomatist, he has contributed to the
universal welfare. That monument,
''more lasting than brass, more lofty
than the pyramids, which the wasting
storm can not destroy, nor the wind,
nor the swift fight of time, nor the in
Vulnerable series of years." that ever
lasting and immortal place in the mem
ory of men, he has reared to himself
Nobler is his glory than even the glory
of Pericles, for he has deserved well not
of his country only, but of the world.
He was born in Danvers, Massachu-
setrs,. February IS, 1895. His parents
Were poor, and his early and only educa-
ton was acquired in the district schools.
While still in his boyhood, at the tender
age of eleven years, he was placed as a
clerk with grocer in his native town.
This place, however, he retained for but
four years, when he went to Thetford
Vermont, where he spent a year with
his grandfather. At the end of this
time, we next find him in Newburyport,
Mass, where he was employed in the
haberdashery store of an elder brother.
The burning, however, of the bui lding,
compelled another change, and he went
with an uncle to Georgetown, d. c.,
where for years, although he was still a
minor, conducted the business. He
found at last that he was in danger of
being held responsible for debts that he
had not contracted, and accordingly, in
1914, he withdrew from this partnership,
and removing to Baltimore, he soon
after formed q business connection with
Mr.. Elisha Riggs in the wholesale dry
goods business, Mr.. Riggs furnishing
the capital and the management being
intrusted to Mr.. Peabody. From this
time forth his success was marked and
distinguished.
His business soon increased to such
dimensions that in 1922 branch houses
were established in New York and
Philadelphia. In 1927 Mr. Peabody first
crossed the Atlantic, at that time
long and wearisomo voyage being made
for the purpose of buying goods. So
successful was he in the discharge of
this important duty, that at last the
entire foreign business was given over
to his charge, and at lenght, in 1929 by
the retirement of NJ. Riggs, he became
the senior partner of the house. Early
in 1887 he took up his residence per-
manently in London, and in 1S43, with
drawing from the firm of Peabody, Riggs
& Co., he established himself as private
banker. His fortune was rapidly accu :
mulated. His answering integrity, his
indomitable industry, his great busi-
ness capacity won for him the confidence
and esteem of the citizens of his adopted
country and retained to him the friend
ship and support of Americans. In the
midst of all his success and his great
/, l,a Of IL;
Through his exertions, the confidence
in American responsibility, which had
weli-nigh failed in the disastrous period
of 1887, was maintained. Repeated and
important favors he rendered to Mary
land. Especially was he mindful of his
native town, and generous in his do
nations. In 1852, on the two hundredth
anniversary of its settlement, he sent
a toast in a sealed envelop, not to be
opened until the day of the anniversary.
That toast was !: Education, a dabt
from the present to future generations;n
and that he might pay his share of that
debt, he inclosed a check for $50, 900, to
be used for the founding of an institute,
lyceum and library for the town. Sub
sequent gifts have increased this sum to
$4,000, $4,000 he contributed to the
first Grinnell expedition. $500, 900 he
gave to the city of Baltimore, TO estab-
lich an institute for the promotion of sci
ence, literature and fine arts. One hun
dred and fifty thousand dollars he gave
to Yale College, and an equal sum to
Harvard forpurposes of scientific schools.
Nearly 81 ,000, 900 he gave to the city of
London, to be applied to the benefit of
the poor of the great metropolis. Most
munificent and far-sighted of all, he
gave almost million and half to the
South, to aid in the general work Of
common school education.
He died at time when his years
were full, and when he had been honor
ed in every way that the gratitude of
nations could suggest. He had just re-
ourned to England, from long and
. feasant visit to his native country, and
VI 3 echoes of the thanks of grateful
gra'',le had not yet died away. He had
the WITNESSED the uncoverIng of the
and Tidy statue, in London. News came
,h;c,, three days ago that he was ill, but
'"s Sness was not thought to be dam
sell ana The glad tidings came next that
night amproving. And late last night
friends. itch was flashed across the At
fro,on at brings grief to the heart of
iroIen an in the nation:
thougnbN. November 4-Midnight.-
even wPeabody died at half past eleven
taticn op-night, at his residence in this