Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1873-10-31
8tsreIIameuns.
Jay Cooks Home near Philadelphia

Gath" writes that twelve miles north
Of Philadelphia is the mansion of Nicholas
Biddle, which he obtained by his marriage
with Miss Craig, and remodelled by the aid
of Thos. V. Walter, whom Bddle had Sc
lected to design Giiard college while presi-
dent of that trust. II is large, old build
ing, improved with a Greek porico, and in
a wing was the library where Biddle wrote
his attacks on Jackson and Van Buren,,
and his defense of his career. This place
was called "Audalusia."
Nine miles back of Philadelphia, on the
waters of Tacony creek, is "Ogontz,n the
residence of Jay Cooke. 1t is a villa ofthe
native syenite Of the hills pointed and set
in blue mortar, with iron verandahs, Man
sard towers and pavilions, and all the ele-
improvements. a flower walk with beds
and terraces, closed by mock rain, in
which fireworks were set off on national
holidays, is the vista from that side Of the
house, where, in a great recess with paint
ed walls, the conservatory is maintained.
From the opposite verandah there is view
OF grass beds, sprinkled with pools and
fountains, sloping down to the creek, which
is made to descend in cascades and here
the mausoeum of the family--a beautiful
edifice in marble-makes the headland to q
cape of timber. The land attached to this
noble mansion is about 200 acres in extent,
and is covered to great degree with natu-
raj woods, chiefly oak, chestnut, sycamore
and hickory. The hills in all that region
are high, and the country strong and sto-
ny like the native people, who belong to q
hard type of Quakers, Welsh, Scotch and
old German aboriginals.
About one mile from Ogontz is small
turnpike village called "New York Road
Station" or Shoemaker Town, where Mr..
Cooke had builded his church-a quaint
and attractive specimen of early English
Gothic. From this village Mr.. Cooke went
daily TO the city by train, Sundays except
ed, and if he ever remained at home
through indispOster or safety he commu-
nicated with his banking house by tele-
graph. Two small, black Vermont ponies
were his own roadsters. lie was good
neighbor-the best ever known in these
parts-and plain and cordial in his ad-
dress. At home he lived q parental life,
being n widower and fond of his grand
children. He spent little upon himself, but
was proud of his residence and it has been
believed in that region for good while
past that he had presented Ogontz to his
daughter, Mrs. Bonney. The portraits in
his house most notable to see were Mr..
Lincoln, Mr.. Chase in oil and marble, T..
w. Clarke, Phil. Sheridan and his own IA
ther, Elcnthews Cooke, who had been re-
inferred in his family vault. One of the
last Of his purchases was a small album of
Moran's views of the Yellowstone, for
which he gave 81, 900. He had large IL
brary which he had no time to read f.; and
as the employer Of many servants, he was
kind to all, but not protiigate in wages.
His dwelling and grounds would have
brought one year ago, 81 0UO an acre, al
though he probably spent that aggregate
amount on his house alone. His expenses
at his dwelling could not have been less
thanSlOO0 week rs long as he entertained
commensurate with hishouse and business
Near at hand, in quiet cottage, lived his
agent, General Nettleton, of Sandusky, the
active man ut advertising and selling the
bonds. Cooke had private secretary and
photographer, about fourteen servants at
the villa, about two hundred employees in
his three banking houses, and vast pay
roll in his railroad and insurance compa-
nies. lie is believed to have been worth
100000 when at his highest.