The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-09-26
ALEXANDER T. STEWART.
The Merchant Prince Of the Metropolis
His Early Life, Education and Training
for the Mlnistry-Why He Came to
America-His EaKly Struggles and
Growing Success-Sketch Of His
Personal, Mercantile and Public
Career-His Il eat Wealth and
Mnniiicent Philanthropy.

Proudly prominent among the merchant princes
our great commercial metropolis stands the name
Of Alexander r. Stewart. His successful career as
a merchant, without parallel In the history OF the
pas, or present, is widely known. The world has
witnessed the expansion OF his wealth. His name
aud the fame Of his riches have penetrated the
Sarthesi recesses OF civilization. The rare gift or
genius the mdomitable Will, the keen auuacity OF
enterprise the system, the order and the sterling
integrity through which he has achieved his UMPIRE
cedented success as a merchant, are everywhere
recognized. A GROWING glory OF all ana that which
gives brightest lustre to his life and will render
sacred and beautiful through the coming
ages his memory. Is the splendor OF his
late charities their colossal magni6cence
and extent, so grandly IN keeping with
She colossal magniflcence OF his wealth. A
newspaper sketch OF him, however-such as we pur-
pose giving and such as our limited space compels
I'M to gve-can OF necessity, present only in brieny
epitomzed form the leading events OF his life As
such we write it and such only; it s mere skeleton
record--the epochal periods of his career-the
lndces of his busy life. As from few relics Cuvier
built up the Mastadon az Michael Angelo, with the
Torso OF the Vatican before him. carried 10 compile
sion that masterpiece OF Greclan genius so we leave
10 others the building up OF the skeleton record
and making complete the noble proportions OF the
unfinished WORK.
CHILDHOOD AND EDUCATION.
IN Antrim county, Ireland a few miles from Bel
fast Alexander 7. Stewart was born, October,
1907, He was OF Protestant and Saxon family,
long and honOrably known this section OF Ireland.
His father like his ancestral male progentors before
hm was quite an extended land pro-
prietOr. When he was only three days old
HIS father died. His mother, however,
N off var1s inns
unfortunately OF the judlcious guidance of father,
he forum ate in having his grandfather spared
70 him, man OF great native shrewdness intellect
and character. who carefully supervised his early
tutlage and afterwards seeing his prediction for
study and unwonted aptitude and easy proficiency
IN acquiring knowledge, sent him to the best classi-
cal schools Having finished his preparatory studies
al the academica institution IN Belfast he entered
college His intention to lit himself for the
church and take clerical orders. II was ordained
otherwise At the expiration OF his second term
in college his grandfather died. This dlsar-
ranged his intended plans. Providence. that
shapes the ends Of human destinies, intended him
for another career than wearing the saeerdotal sur
pee and preaching long and possibly brilliant ser
mons and going rounds Of parochial visits. The
church lost no doubt good and faithful minister
and limited parishes his kindly aud sympathizing
But broader ministry awaited him. The broad
brotherhood Of humanity became his parish. The
uBeeasing though unassumlng charities Of his life
have been perpetual sermon. More potent than
didactic sermons however brilliantly written or
Cogently uttered, have BET ONE his abundant means
for lifting the crushed and struggling poor into
better life, for devotng manhood and by making
woman independent, filling their hearts with new
courage and hope and their mouths with new
songs Of gladness. But TO most OF Mr..
stewards early history which we commence
mapping out His college studies thus suddenly
interrupted he spent few months at the Old home
stead. HIS mind became FESTIVE. His thoughts
turned to this couptry. He determined to come
here. The income from his patrmony furnished
abundant means. Biographical writers IN dwelling
upon his early life, have fallen into the universal
error OF representing him as struggling against
poverty and the numerous hardships necessarily
tailed upon those beset by the grim spectre want,
and that seeing no prospects OF bright future in
his own country he turned his attention to the New
World to seek his fortune here. This was NOT 90.
He came here IN the Possession q an income
sufficient to support MIN comfortably. He
was young, being scarcely sixteen, and his habits
can hardly be said to have been formed but such as
they were they were simple. He was fond Of travel
and sight-seeing but tempered this fondness and Its
Indulgence with lrugality. His dominant taste was
q fondness for literary pursuits, and particularly
classical studies, which in fact amounted to pas
slon, and q ruling passion strong even now that,
with all the cares OF his largely increasing and null
tifarOus, business, he seldom passes Gay that he
does not devote an hour SO Of the early morning
or evening to the studies Of the Old classics. What
ever might be the disquetudes and anxietes OF hi;
business life he has never failed to find enjoyment II
the study of the languages and literature OF ancien
Greece and Rome-a solid enjoyment his wealth coul'
not give him. This is his own confession A confession
It Is, fun OF eloquent teaching to poor scholars
crush every rising feeling OF envy to not let greed
lame and place aud power and riches turn Thea
from the pleasant paths OF literature; but within
the sacred temples oil learning look for tnat soace
that peace and contentment, begotten in the pursui
OF wisdom, and bringing with 1t the Joy OF might
communion with nobest thoughts and cultivs
ton OF the high and true and noble In them such q
NO other pursuit can give. And here, we VIII re
mark, pdssdnt, that for the method OF his bus
ness the energetic grasp OF It's iinmense details an
broad compass Of executive ability required IN II
manaUement-and to which Is to be attributed HI
successful. Stewart considers he Is mainly indebte
the mental discipline ana skful training OF min
acquired In the studious habits thus early formed
ARRIVAL IN NEW YORK AID EARLY LIFE HERE
As stated above Mr.. stewart was scarcely slxtee
when he came TO this city, He came not as forum
hunter No pieam of his future career entered hi
mind The idea OF becoming merchant was farthe.
from HE conception. He had no distinctive ain
With a mind matursd beyond his years he studie
world TO him with the eager zest or youth, no doub
but his main thoughts centred IN his books. Ihes
were hrs divinities. HIS nfe purpose centred her
A scholarly ambition was his only aim. HIS lie
this time was a very pleasant one. His utter FREE
dom from care and the joyous abandon wit
which he could devote himself 10 his favorite tie!
books and authors made IL so. HIS strong, socl
nature, always marked chararacterlstl
OF him, happily, through letters OF Introduction
some OF our leading citizens, found abundant oppo
tunltles for culture ana enjoyment. From the mr.
he found admission TO our most arstocratc IAN
Asao dVub tch off To ola az
TO MIN In his business. He lived this easy, desu
tory and yet very pleasant life for several years.
this time the only labor he perforned-lf II ma
be called laoOr Tor he did 1t dnore anu wifhot
compensation-was temporarily taking the place
n young man as teacher IN school at NO. KOos
welt street, account OF the latter's slcknes
This young man died. ana he continued TO hli n
place several months, Installing with sedulous cal
and skill knowledge into the minds OF the rlsii
generation, but still not for compensation. III Is
pity to coptrovert the published stories OF al
early struggles mere, the painful huniauons OF pO
cry he Is said 10 have undergone ana bis 1uai con
pnsOry taking up with school teaching 10 Keep nm
soif iron starvation Alter picturing nun bold