New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1876-04-12


MoTHER-THE FOUNDATIONS OF HIS SUCCESS
INCIDENTS AND ANECDOTES OF HIS DAILY LIFE
ILLUSTRATIONS OF The LIGHTS AND SHADOWS
OF HIS CHARACTER.
The accounts which have been published OF
the early life of SIR. Stewart differ in some details Two
personal friends who knew him from childhood are the
authority for the following The exact date OF DIS oth
Is difficult ascertain but the best Informed on
the subject declare that his age has been oyeresimaed
by several years. lie born in the townand OF Mag
hcragall three miles from the town OF LsDurn
Ireland At very early age lis father dcd Wheh MS
grandfather, John Turney, became his GUARDIAN ana
from him Mr.. Stewart Inherited the sum which was the
startngpoin for his colossal fortune This sum was
800 lie received tho first rudiments Of his education
In a private school in the neghborhood OF his
grandfathers residence. and subsequently was sent
to the Royal College OF Belfast, but ne
never entered Trinity College, Dublin, as mas
been stated. After the death OF his father, VINO
a respectable farmer but not wealthy, his mother
married Mr.. Bell. who after years also died
Some time after the death OF Mr.. Bell Mr.. Stewards
mother again married Mr.. Martin, whom also she sur
yivcd. Young Stewart arrived in Newiork when about
II Is years old and the first employment he obtained
that OF assistant school teacher but he only ioi
lowed the profession OF teaching for a very snort
time When he gave up teaching school he
entered into the dry goods business with the
500 bcqucathcd him by his grandfather.
lie began by importing embroidered dresses from Mrs
Callv God OF Douagbadee, village adjacent To his
birthplace. Considerable money was made by him
through this enterprise and lie added largely to his
original capital OF a7Oo lie sent for his mother, who
stu resided In Ireland, widow, having buried three
husbands her son Alexander being her only surviving
child. She was woman Of rare business capacity u
quality which she transmitted to her son. Very soon
after her arrival IN NewYork she opened n furniture
store Catharne-st and carried the business for
many years with marked success. but finally NJ the
tatfo NJ he
went 20 live with him. continuing To reside Ia his house
until her death She had acquired considerable property
from the furniture business aud all of il went to SVEN
the rapidly accommodating wealth OF her son Those VINO
have been intimately acquainted with both MI stewart
and his mother say that they bore striking resemblance
10 each other and that from his mother lie in
hcrIted the executive and business capacities
which were his distinguishing characteristics
At tine OF his mothers death the wealth he had ac
quIrod the dry goods business aud importation OF
embroidered dresses aud other articles for the pfoduc
ton Of which the nchborhood Of the place Of his birth
was celebrated was sufficient to insure his after
He had started In life 400 sterling which at IN 4
time TO man Of might and business qualifications was
ample build fortune This sum he Increased ANA
again, on the death OF his mother, the amount was
further enlarged Some people represent his early life "a
abouudng peculiar experiences, and assert that he
followed the occupation OF pcdder aud other nerant
employments These 1t res totally without founda-
ton.
friend OF Mr. Stewart related an anecdoto yesterday
which showed tbe methods that the merchant adopted
when carving on a small business TO increase the mum
her OF his customers Mr. Stewart made inquiries among
his friends and learned the name AMI residence oil the
leader fashionable society In The city ana also the
church that she attended lie then sought out the sexton
Of the church and leased pow directly In front OF that
Of the lady. Regularly sunday after Sunday there
after he sat IN his seat and took part III
the worship few mouths passed, and one
sunday as the congregation was about leaving the
church il suddenly began 70 rain The fashionable lazy
had A carriage but the sidewalk between the church
door aud the roadway wide and she stopped lrfoso
nely nj the door upon perceying the drops OF RAM
drcadng injury to her costly dress The frequent msts
and rain Of Ireland had caused Mr. Stewart to form the
habit Of carving an umbrella all days OF the year. and
he had one ON this day Raising H. he told the lady ho
wond shelter her beneath II until she could Walk 10 hcr
carriage II she would accept the service The proher
was accepted, he took her to the carriage, ana
WAS heartily thanked. The following Sunday after the
service she addressed him and again thanked him Tor
his kindness short conversation followed, ana occa
oualy OH sundays that succeeded they were coming
ont Of church. few words passed between them While
talking with mcmler Of the church ono day the iaiy
learned Mr. Stewards occupation and the next time she
met him said; .,.
M Stewart have you any articles NJ your store 'na'
you think would Ike to buy y
"No." he replied; q" | don't think have anything"
al would like to aid you in your business In some
way"
"You can in this way: have noticed that your
coacbman exercises horses every day. ana you not
caring always TO take ride presume, the carriage is
frequently empty II the days when you do not wish
to use the carriage you will order your coachman to take
II TO my store remain in front OF the store Tor nan an
hour, you will do me "A good turn
Te LADY was amused by Mr. stewards suggestion. and
cbeerfully granted the request The frequent appear
ance Of the carriage in front OF the store and the pre-
l,t..al Ia n
the store was soon noticed by other women, ana Mr.
stewards scheme was speedily successful Carriage
after carriage stopped before the store and the stream OF
fashion was started that has since run ceaseessy In ana
out It's doors.
RELATIONS WITH HIS EMPLOYEES.
Personally Mr.. Stewart was a very unassuinipe mai'
He plainly and with good TASTE and never wore
it, M di,mouds The only costly article lie carried
about WAS gold watch and this was not fastened 10
chain hut to black silk cord. II no saw one OF MS
clerks displaying much jcwelry, THIS was CON-
sidered sufficient cause by him to establish an
inouiry into tho habits OF the man, the amount VI
bis salary, and his mode Of living. IL his salary
and circumstances did not warrant such outlay MI
stewart ould have watch set on his actions, ana inc
I'm many cases proved that the clerk was dishonest
Many instances could be recounted In whch ne ui'co'
cred dishonesty in his clerks by too great aSp! VI
teyery on their part. lie was generally ieheh' Win
er,inr employees and prosecuted them II 'hero
were any cxte9uating circumstances Ills op'oi 'uoA
was remarkably keen, and he was quick 10 ooserso no
slightest rregularty in the arrangement OF the dcre
departments Of the store, any slovennness Ill tno
dress of the clerks. III clerk. on the othcr
hand, was dressed too extravagantly MT. o'o"ai'
often took occasion offer gentle rebuke AS an III
stance of his dstate for outward display 1t may DO men
toned that he was walking through his retail store ono
day when gold chain and lockot in the button
hole OF one Of his clerks attracted his attention. ITO
stepped up TO him and said: Young man. II were you