The national Republican. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1866-1870, 1870-01-07
wealthy Negroes 4. PhIIsdeIpbIa.

The Philadelphia Prs5S says
1--WE give below a sketch OF some Of the
leading men Of color In Philadelphia, who
have risen, In spite Of the prejudice against
their race, to competency and comparative
fame. The lives Of these men bring out the
talent, enterprise aud capabilities Of peo.
pie whom the laws and usages Of the land
have until within few years, treated as an
inferior class. They are emphAticahy self
made men, who have arrived at their pres
emit position solely through their own efforts,
Aud against determined opposition. Many
Of them are men who would have succeeded
In any calling, but to whom most OF the
avenues Of fortune have been closed by the
barriers OF popular prejudice.
..N stsahRp- smith has the reputation OF be.
ard Is still a vigorous and active business
man. He was born at Columbia, Lancaster
| county, Pa, and Is OF mixed parentage. He
was bound at an early age 10 bis native place
i as an apprentice TO q lumber merchant
Marrying before he reached his majority, he
was obliged to purchase his indcntures. He
| commenced his business career by doing a
small trade In lumber, witch he gradual '
extended as his capital became greater. Al
later period he established himself as a
lumber merchant In thls city, besides largely
Investing 10 real estate. Mr.. Smith also al
one time Was engaged In the coal business.
10 personal appearance he IL over six feet In
height, large aud we'll formed, with \ mas.
-ive head. He has the reputation Of being u
'hreWd business man, and OF making COOL
bargain, lila wealth ls variously estimated
At from hTe to siT hundred thousand dollars.
"Willlam Whlpper IL, next TO Mr. Smith,
the wealthiest man Of color 10 Philadelphia.
he Is also a PsnnsylvAnlan by birth, and a
man In whose veins the Anglo. Saxon blood
largely runs. Until the age Of Thirty he
taught school, and then entered the Office Of
Mr.. Smith as clerk, being soon taken 10 a. a
partner. He Afterwards established the firm
OF Whlpper & PaTnell, one OF the largest In
Philadelphia trading In lumber. HlS wealth
Is now set down as between two and three
hundred thousand dollRrs. Mr.. WhlPpeT Is
we'll known as q man OF talent and business
qualifications, in addition to possessing a
good education.
civilian Still, before the war, was clerk
In the Philadelphia once Of the ARtl. Slavery
Standard. He Afterwards started In bust.
ness as stove merchant, and from that
branched of into the coal trade. He Ia ono
Of our most successful coal dealers, and Is
possessed Of a fortune Of at least one hun
d-ed thousand dollars. Mr.. Still Is we'll
known as man Of education and talents,
whose efforts have contributed In no slight
degree to the advancement OF his race.
"John W. Price, the well-knoWu restaura.
teuT, is also one Of our solid mon Of color.
Mr.. Price came from Richmond, Va, to
Philadelphia many years ago, and served Gs
a walter In u hotel. His business qualities
and habits Of economy attracting the atten-
tlon Of man Of wealth, he was by him as
sisted In establishing q restaurant. Mr..
Price Is now said TO DO worth ESQ, 900, the
greater part Of which sum has been Amassed
by his energy, literally and uniform couT-
tesy aud attention to his hosts OF patrons.
"Henry Minton IL well known as a sue
cessful caterer and restAurAteuT, and as a
man OF standing among his people. He was
born near Suffolk, Nansemond county, Va.
On gaining his freedom he came 10 Phila-
delphia, where he served au apprenticeship
at shoemaking. Finding this to DO unsulted
TO his constitution, he entered service as
q hotel walter, and soon Afterwards estab-
llshed himself In the restaurant business.
Mr.. Minton has succeeded In building up a
large business and AmAsslng quite compo-
tenee, his wealth being estimated from
10000 to $4,000.
"ThOmRs J. Doney Is well known as one
OF the most respected and influential Of our
colored citiBens. Mr.. Dorsey is a native Of
Maryland, but came to Philadelphia many
years ago. He Is one OF the best caterers in
Philadelphia, and enjoys large share Of
the public patronage,
james Augustln, unlike most other
wealthy men Of color In our city, Is a native
Philadelphia. Mr.. Augustin began his
career rs n fancy cook, but RfterWard became
a caterer, and has since earned the reputa-
ton OF being one OF the best In the country"