New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1876-04-11
THE MERCHANTS CAREER.

About fifty years ago young IRISH emgian1
opened shop in Broadway, with capital OF about
three thousand dollars He died yesterday the rich
esemerohant in the world. The secret of his extra
ordinary success must be told in his own words;
"My business has been matter of principle from
the start. That is all there about it, If the golden
rule can be incorporated into purely mercantile
affairs it has been done III this establishment and
you must have noticed if you have observed Closely
that tie customers treated precisely as the seller
himself would like to be treated were he in their
place. That is to say, nothing is msrepresented the
price is fixed once and for ALL at the lowest possible
figure, aud the circumstances of the buyer ore not
suffered to influence the salesman in his conduct in
the smallest particular. What cannot afford is
violation Of principle"
The hard, practical, Scotch sense which these
words indicate, and which the strongest trait OF
his character, was in his blood. He was OF Irish
parentage, but more remotely OF Scotch ances-
try. His father was prosperous and highly re-
spected farmer descended from race OF Scotc h
Irish PresbyteIians, whose industry, frugality and
precision the boy inherited in full measure. Alex
ander Turney Stewart born in 1903, in the sub
urbs of Isburn, an extensive manufacturing town
about six miles from Belfast Before he was eight
years old his parents and elder sister died. and he
left with only one near relative-his grandfather-
who in his old age cherished the hope that he would
live to hear his grandson preach from Methodist
pulpit. The boy had natural ability and methodical
habits, and easily led his classes. finally taking
degree at Trinity College. His grandfather died,
however, before the course of study was completed,
and the young student was left without relative.
The grandfather had worthy successor In a plous
Quaker, who was appointed the young mans guar
dian. Under his guardians advice he finished his
81 & futo
famous Sheridan Knowles. He was not one of the
boisterous jewellers of the University whose portraits
Charles Lever has drawn with bold hand. With
frame not robust, but 1.-the and active, he was a
sercls' painstakiDg student who was always to be
found reading in his room while his fellows were
entertaining roysterers In their chambers.
lie had been graduated with honors, and was
ABOUT ~ years OF age, when he decided to emgrate
10 America. His guardian strongly advised this
STEP and gave him letters Of introduction to promi
nent merchants in New-York. He landed at the
Battery in 1898, and was cordially admitted into
the circle of Quakers to which his guardian had in
troduced him. He had some ability as a lingust,
and easily found employment. His first earnings in
New-York were from a situation in public school in
Rooseveltst, Pearst, then one of the fashion
aoie csnters Of the city. Fletcher Harper now senior
partner of the publishing house in Franklin square,
"no was pupil IN this school, remembers him as All
exceedingly intelligent young man of scholarly
tastes trivial circumstance at the turning point
VI ms Life made him q merchant. A young man
win whom lie had become intimate applied to him
.or money wherewith to open small dry goods
"ors' dc advanced the greater part Of the small
Ss'nmony which he had brought to America;
AsA store was rented and stocked, but through an
11''eseen circumstance his friend, after all the
Hauo0s bad been made. vas unable to begin
's10ess. The uiudA md energy which were the