The New York herald., 1869-03-06

In one single purchase OF silks IN this manner ne
made profit in few days OF $4,000, the price paid
by him being but s50OO0 When the crisis had passed
and men looked to returning confidence ana reviv-
ing trade for q chance 10 retrieve their losses and
begin the struggle OF lie again, Mr.. Stewart moved
among them with almost fortune in his possession.
While those who escaped absolute bankruptcy were
rejoicing in their good luck he was quietly counting
the thousands made in the midst Of the most dsas-
trous commercial CONFUSION that this country has
ever known.
Continued Increase Of the Business.
From 1887 to 1s4S Mr.. Stewards business increased
with marvellous rapdty, and during the latter year
he removed into the marble building at the corner
OF Broadway and Chambers street, now occupied by
his firm as their wholesale house. Here the trade
continued to increase until In 1850 it mad attained
gigantic proportions and the head Of the firm was
the possessor Of fortune estimated at 1000 900.
When the rebellion broke out many people thought
that Stewart would suffer heavily by the loss Of his
Southern trade, which formed q very considerable
portion Of his business. They were, however, mis-
taken in their calculations The shrewd millionaire
had already perceived an opening in which he could
not only recover the loss thus entaied, but add
largely to his commerce. He shrewdly foresaw
the demand which would arise for all materials
OF war, and he therefore, as is stated,
proceeded to engage from nearly all OF the
manufacturers their entire productions for several
months in advance. When, therefore, the United
States government came into the market he was
almost the only man with whom they could contract
for uniforms, blankets and other materials AL
though from these contracts he is said to have made
many millions OF dollars, 1t Is undoubtedly true that
his terms with the United States were more liberal
than those OF other contractors.
His Wealth.
toa hu
many at high forty millions) is principally In
vested in real estate. His two marble palaces on
Broadway, the Metropolitan and st. Nicholas hotels,
New York theatre and his magnificent mansion on
Fifth avenue, yet unfinished, are well known to the
public. In addition to these valuable properties Mr.
Stewart Is the owner Of nearly the whole OF
Bleecker street. from Broadway to Depau row, the
Amty street Baptist church, Grand street Presbyte-
rian church. his present residence on Fifth avenue,
together with large number Of less noted build
tngs 1t would indeed, be utterly impossible In an
article like this to mention all Of Mr.. Stewards pos
sessions. He Is the largest city real estate owner In
the United States Mr.. Astor possibly excepted. When
we reflect that the owner Of this fortune poor
school teacher In 1922 1t seems almost incredible
that such fortune could have been amassed by q
mans personal exerions in the short space OF forty
i've years. His IL, without doubt the greatest
cess in mercantile career that the world has ever
known.
Mr.. Stewards Personal Life.
Mr.. Stewart was married many years ago to Miss
Clinch, of this city. They have never had children.
He lives very plainly and is very simple his habits.
Never having entered into politics BEFORE less Is
known about his private life than about the private
lives OF other and less prominent men. His only
previous public appearances were as . member Of
- Union Defence Committee during the war and
afterwards OF the signers Of the Saratoga ad
Dress in 1866. calling upon the people to support the
policy Of President Johnson. Personally though,
he is SAID to be very kind-hearted and charitable
gentleman. 1t is true his charities are performed
quietly and without ostentation, so that the world
seldom knows Of them. Some Of them, however,
have been told, and are worthy OF notice. During
the war, 1t will be remembered, he sent q cargo OF
provisions over to Ireland, and invited as many
persons as the vessel could carry to return in her
free OF charge. One hundred and thirty.
nine persons accepted the offer, and upon
their arrival here he procured them all situations,
thus fully carrying out his noble and generous
charity. Some time ago 1t was stated that he pro-
posed expendng one or more millions OF dollars in
the erection OF suitable dwellings for the working
classes, but 80 far events seem to have prevented
the consummatton OF most laudable intention. As
we remarked before his acts OF benevoence are per-
his kindnesses. and therefore better purer and
more ennobng charity than gifts published to the
world could possibly be. And as In this respect he
shows much reserve, SO is his sociaity and hospi-
tality OF quiet and modest nature Perhaps it is
that engrossed in business he has no spare time for
those convivalites which tighten care and make
life enjoyable to most men. Still, whenever he
gathers his friends around him, his society Is cor
dial and his hospitality generous. or course, with
his wealth. everything placed before his guests Is of
the best ano II Is said that his great dinner parties
the service Is OF solid gold.
Singular characteristics Of the New Secretary.
Perhaps the most singular characteristic OF Mr..
Stewart Is his alleged superstition. lie Is said to
ignore 70 great extent the business tact ability and
foresight which were undoubtedly the carvers OF his
vast fortune, ana TO attribute HIS in life solely
to luck. And this idea Is the cause OF numerous
ludicrous occurrences In his career. when he kept
his store on Broadway, between Murray and Warren
streets, there sat on the sidewalk before IT, on an
orange box, an old woman, whose ostensible occu-
patton was the selling OF apples This business was,
however, merely apretencc; the main object being
beggary. As years rolled on Mr.. Stewart became
impressed with the idea that the old dame was his
guardian angel Of good luck, and this impression
took so firm hold upon his mind that when he
removed 70 Chambers street he in person,
took up the old woman's box and removed
her to the front Of his new establishment. In
further Illustration OF Mr.. Stewart's faith
In the Irish traditional belief In 'luckyr and un.
lucky" persons II may be mentioned that after the
completion OF the st. Nicholas Hotel In this city,
an undertaking in which no was largely interested,
and when the building was Just about 70 bc opened
for the reception Of guests, the millionaire stand
ing In the drawing room, calculated, at IL now
finished; hope Its nrst visitors may be lucky peo-
ple.v
A gentleman present, who had heard OF Mr.
Stewards care for the aged apple vendor, remarked
81 presume SIR, you do not In reality care about
lucky or unucky persons" 70 which ne Immediately
replied, "Indecd, do. There are persons who are
unlucky sometimes open case OF goods and sell |
the nrst from u 10 some person who Is unlucsy and