The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-04-11

the old land and he determined to emgrase from the
Old World to the New AT the time he about slx-
teen years Of age well educated, active and healthy.
ARRIVAL IN xEw YORK AND EARLY LIFE HERE
Mr.. Stewart had fewer biographers than most men
successful he, but nearly all these begun their
sketches OF his with this event In his history
In a work called s'Great Fortunes and How They werc
Made, he. is landed shores in the following
grandiloquent stye:-sIn tho year 1918 an European
vessel anchored in the harbor OF New York after
long and weary voyage from the Old World. She
brought many passengers to the young metropolis the
majority OF whom came with the intention OF seeking
fortunes IN this land OF promise. Among them was
young Irshman, who had left his home in his native
land seek America the OF lettering his con-
dition. This was Alexander 7. Stewart" This climax 10
very deity reached and in view OF the great fortune
which Mr. Stewart aftcrward amused It may be re-
garded matter Tor regret that II Is not true; but
the truth the boy came here with such Intention
He came America without any distinctive purpose,
aud the time scholarly ambition was his only aim.
lie comfortable circumstances, and for several
years he led easy desutory life, his only occupa-
ton being with his books. He suffered early priva-
tons, meyer compelled 10 struggle for bread, and
did 60 about with nqusitive gaze looking for some
opening path TO fortune. after trying in VAN for
some time TO secure employment In business house,"
says ono or his chance biographers, she obtained
position in q commercial school. This no soon
resigned for a similar place in more celebrated
school His salary here was $500, which was con-
sidered ample compensation in those days" Another
blographer adds that Mr. Stewart was able 10 save
some money out OF his meagre salary The only foun-
daon this story the tact that during his years OF
easy pleasure and study in this city he took charge
temporarily and without compensation OF a school at
No Roosevelt street account of the illness of the
n ntiuuad IN
I'LL the place for some months but he accepted
any compensation tor his work.
MS PArRIxosY INVESTED IT.
When Mr.. Stewart reached his majority he deter
mined to return to Ireland receive his patrmony,
upon the interest Of which he had boen living in New
York. Before starting his return he spoke Of the
object Of his contemplated visit TO Ireland to Mr..
Chambers then we'll known buyer at auctions for
several business houses in this city.
show much Is your patrmony ?" asked MT Cham
bers.
About $40, 900. suppose" answered Mr.. Stewart.
"a sung little sum. What do you intend doing with
ns'
'Invest It here and live on the income
''You can do better"
"How?"
go into trade
s'Nousense. / know nothing about trade can't
buy a hat or pair Of gloves without getting
some one else to pick them out for me-"
s.StuHn calculated Mr. Chambers. "Do as toll you.
Go to Belfast and buy insertions and scallop TRIM
mings Spend all your fortune IN them and you will
double your money"
Arriving in Ireland. Mr. Stewart found that his pat
rmony had been diminished to S. 900 by bad specua-
tons OF his guardian. This circumstance led him to
adopt the advice OF Mr.. Chambers, and when he re-
turned to New York his entire patrmony invested
determined 10 60 business together Stewart
ing as salesman while Chambers made the outside
purchases. The first difficulty In finding store
room suited to their purpose. They looked through
Pearl and Hudson streets, the centres Of the retail
trade at that time but found the rents high for
them. Finally, No 2S3 Broadway was advertised Ito
let tho rent demanded being s375. This consid
cred high ALSO but It determined to take the
place. and this is way A. T. Stewart began his great
career and laid the foundations OF his trade.
MR.. srAwARr's sroRERoox.
No. 2S3 Broadway, where Mr. Stewart began busi-
ness was In an old wooden directly opposite
the downtown establishment OF A. 7. Stewart Co.
The room was about p feet wide and 90 deep. 1t
next door to the celebrated Bonafant whose splendid
stock ana harmonious poetry made him great favor
ito with the fashionable danes of New York fan
opera gloves, a card case, pockctbook purse eye
glasses must be purchased Of Bonafanti AS Stewart
kept hosiery laces, Silks gloves ribbons and the cost
Ter fabrics only his store not being large enough to
permit him deal in the great staples this contguty
10 the fashionable business place OF the city proved
very fortunate for him. and perhaps OF the
secrets of his success. MIR. Stewards pur-
chascs mostly made at auction, and he
acquired the reputation not only OF being the best
judge OF accs in New York. but of selling the best
goods ut the lowest prices At the auctions he always
bled lots The from the fact that great
sshclf sale samples flung upon the table before
the auctoneer, which the buyers stretched, pulled
and handled until they often soilcd and torn Il
was Mr.. Stewards custom TO stand to the auc-
tionccr, and he invariably purchased the sample
lot which seldom went for than half price, he
took all OF them, especially tho aces which
II in his power TO give IL was such pur-
chascs these which no conveyed to
his little store, and h, very ex-
pert in redressing up gloves, laces, hosiery,
&c, he would make his sample lots
equal the original goods Then followed the triumph
Of the patient tradcsman. He could undcrse anybody
in that trade course and ladies OF fashion
long In finding out that fact In this modest way he
worked along, slowly but surely, and beng regarded
on all hands honorable attentive and industrious
beginner, no secured not only profitable but
fashionable trade The Misses Mason, Jones, Prime,
Jay Homes Gracic Crosby, Stuyvesant and others Of
their his constant patrons, and mis- famc in
creased with his business and the quality OF his
toners with his fame
MR. STEWARDS OTHER sroRERooxs
During these years Mr. Stewart occupied u number Of
storerooms all OF them the vicn-
ity OF his place Of beginning His first removal was
after he had been three years business when no
to No. 262 Broadway, three new stores having been
erected between Warren and Chambers streets.
Bent,jack wcems moved into the store,
Fountain l. Co. moved next and Stewart into
the third. His was only thirty feet deep.
Tho rest wero their present depth, and all
only three stories high, but occupied above by families
In this store Stewart continued until 1892, when he
moved down to two story store between Murray and
Warren streets, ut No. 257 Broadway. HIS business
Increased 40 randlx that he had 10 ENLARGE his sfora