The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1876-04-01
PERSONAL SKETCHES.

PERSONAL SKETCHES.
No. ,
MIR. EDIToR:-I have selected as the sub
ect of my second personal sketch, Port $
most prominent business man,
JACOB TOME,
than whom no man in Maryland is more gen
orally known. Few of the men whom the
world calls 'fortunate," began life under
less encouraging circumstances. Without
means influence, or connection, he com
menced the struggle upward, undaunted
10y the poverty of his resources or the
scantineSs of his worldly store. He was
nothing more or less than a brave and cour-
ageous boy, who took the world i'll hand
at an age when the average youth conf
IDENTIFY relies upon the certainty of parental
aid and support but which the conditions
of birth had denied him. AS young man,
uneducated in the popular meaning of the
word. young Tome acquired at an early
age, in the real and more severe school of
the world, such lessons of practical wisdom
and experience, as later on in life, more
than atoned for its earlier deficiencies. 1t
was no fortuitous circumstance that made
him a penniess boy at sixteen; it was no
business accident or piece of extraordinary
sixty; it was no decree of blind chance that
made him one of a group of helpless de-
pendents around a poor man. tireside, with
neither the prestige of wealth nor birth.
The Providence that placed him there,
endowed him with just the degree of abil-
ity, and the exact measure of power, to
overcome the most adverse conditions of
place. birth and surroundings. lie was
born to success. The elements of charac-
ter, upon which it depended, were his in
heritance. His sole one at that. Indus
try, integrity, determination, perseverance.
selfreliance, were qualities worth more to
the friendess boy than merely material
inheritanceS. And so they have proved.
From the ranks of the dependent and OBJ
scure, they have elevated him to the plane
of influence and usefulness, and have con-
stituted him a power in business and so.
ciety, as the reward of their cultivation
and exercise.
Jacob Tome was born of German par
entage, at Hanover, York county, Penn
sylvania, on the 18th Of August, 1910 He
was one of n large family of children sup
ported by the daily labor of his parents
His early educational advantages were very
limited, not extending beyond such occa
sional opportunity as was afforded by the
district school, which he with others not
more favorably circumstanced, attended
during the Winter months.
/ On the death of his father, which occurred
when young Tome was sixteen years of
age, he undertook the battle of life on his
own account, and hired himself to a Col.
/ Graham, farmer in York county, with
whom he remained for fifteen months
Leaving Col. Graham, he went into the
employ Of Jacob Musser, who owned and
carried on fisheries at Stony Island on the
Susquehanna river. Here, young Tome
remained about a year, in the capacity OF
superintendent or overseer. Seeking to
better his fortunes, he left Musser in the
/ Spring of 1880 and went to Marietta, where
he obtained employment with James Stack
house, with whom he remained until the
( Spring of 1882, when he left Stackhouse
and engaged with Abraham Narley in the
manufacture and sale OF tin-ware.
Two little incidents, trifling in themselves
/ perhaps, but still indicative of the charac.
ter and determination of Mr.. Tome when
a young man, are worthy of mention:
While living with A abraham Narley, young
Tome noticed an advertisement fora teacher
for country school, near Elzabethtown
in Lancaster county, during the Fall and
Winter months. He was duly impressed
with the deficiency of his education fol
such a position, but determined to make
application for it, and if successful in oh
tanning it, to qualify himself, SO far as pos
Sible, by diligeut study for the discharge o.
its duties. AS was the custom of that sec
ton, not only boys, but young men who
labored as farm hands and at other employ
ments during the Spring and Summer
months, attended the school during the
Fall and Winter sessions. On his making
application for the position, in view of the
youthful appearance OF young Tome, hi
being rather slight and small in stature
the trustees had decided miSgivings as tt
his ability to control the larger scholars
and to preserve proper discipline IN the
school. But Tome met this difficulty witt
confidence, and assured the trustees tha
they need have no fears, since if he failet
as alisciplnariap. he would make no charg,
for his services. Favorably impressed will
the determination of the applicant, tn,
trustees gave him the position, and he wa
duly installed as a country schoolmaster
His metal was soon put to the test. \ bis
burly country lad was selected by the in
subordinate scholars, to try the courage o
the new teacher He was older, and mucl
Tones superior, physically. The school!
champion gave the prccoucerted olfense
The master took in the situation at a glance
and met the challenge Of the village IIamp
den with defiance. Tho battle for disci
llinc began, but the young teacher 500
fonnd himself no match for his rusn#ciou
pupil, in a hand -to-haud contest. Reahz
ing the Importance of the issue to MISE