Daily Republican. [volume] ([Wilmington, Del.]) 1874-1890, 1879-11-04
JOHN WANAMAKER.

sketch OF q NOte0 Pn1l00eIpDlA
Merchant-HOw he started In
Business and How he Succee6ed
Tho Results OF Integrity and
Industry-sketc OF his Nam'
moth "Oak Hall" Store.
Amongst the noted business men of
Philadelphia there are none more noted
for business tact, vim and energy than
John Wanamaker, who may be justly
styled the popular merchant of Phila.
delphia. A parallel for MIR. Wana-
maker in strict adherence to system
atizsd business rules, can scarcely be
found since the death Of A. T. Stewart,
of New York, but while they have both
been successful! in business and both
upon the same principle it is to be
noted that success attends the diligent
in this land of free institutions without
regard to nationality. Mr.. Stewart was
Protestant Irishman, while MIR. Wan,
amaker was a Philadelphian, a fit
product Of American free institu-
tions, especially free schools. Mr.
Wanamaker is about AZ but he looks
as if he was ye: on the sunny side Of
35. Ere he had scarcely reached his
majority, Mr.. Wanamaker having a
kindly heart and sympathetic desire
to benefit the masses of the people, re-
solved to engage in merchandising, and
resolved at the same time to strike out
ION new track which has revolution,
lied the clothing trade. The young
merchant brought with him not only
vim and energy, but a character con,
siderably in advance OF the mere mora
sentiment of the day. This is what de
veloped John Wanamaker into the en-
thusiastic warm hearted christian gen
tleman that he is and which has
brought him to the front as one OF the
most efficient Sunday School workers
of the time.
Prior to 1861 an old pile OF buildings
stood on the south east corner OF Sixth
and Market streets, Philadelphia, which
covered the ground where George
Washington's mansion stood during the
revolution.
Mr.. Wanamaker was fortunate in
commencing business in 1861 just a.
the breaking out OF the civil war wher
business became brisk. Not being
blessed with large capital, his pos,
sessions were converted into Wagon
load of goods which he emptied into
this antiquated pile of buildings and
started out upon prosperous career o
business which eliminated in the lar
gest clothing store not only in Phila
delphia but in tho United States. A
the starting out the omens OF success
we're not even propitious, and tht
grave merchants of Philadelphia al
they passed the place shook their head.
ominously over what they considered
a hazardous venture. But the young
beginners when they had expended
their small stock of capital and laid IN
their small stock of goods, laid in al
the same time a large stock of courage
patience, energy and enthusiasm. They
determined to hold their ground by do
ing we'll whatever they undertook
Tho first year was a brave battle
but the victory was on the side O
the merchants and after 1862 the
skies began to brighten.
A small room adjoining was taken In
and by aud by another room was added
and the store then 30 by 60 was actual.
ly considered huge affair. 1t would
rt quire more space than can be spared
in an ordinary newspaper the size o.
the REPUBLICAN,, to enter into the details
of the success of Wanamaker " Brown
as the firm was then constituted. In
few years the death Of Mr.. Brown left
Mr.. Wanamaker sole proprietor. AL
over this broad land the name of Jobr
Wanemaker has become a familiar
household word, and owing to his stric'
and honest habits of business it mu.'
be said of him his name is used as
synonym of success in business anc
honest integrity. Mr.. w. undoubtedly
owes much of his success in business Il
his extensive yet judicious system o
advertising. There is scarcely news
paper within 500 miles which has
not published his business in some
way or other, and papers thousands o
miles away, have contributed to swell
his trade. "he following three short
rules which MIR. W. has infexibly ad'
hered to has done much toward estab.
fishing trade and character as we'll:
l. Everything must be put down te
lowest possible rates.
., To sell largely the largest kind
of a stock must always be kept ready
8. Excellence Of quality, must 60
hand in hand with low prices to war
rant the claim of cheapness.
In 1876 the Centennial Exhibition
was held in Fairmount Park. In this
magnificent affair Mr.. Wanamaker
was a leading spirit, and here it seems
to us he must have conceived the idea
of the large mammoth store which he
has now in operation at Thirteenth and
Market streets, which is really but a
continuation Of his grand exhibit in
the Main building Of the Centennial.
But word about this old building,
huge to be sure and covering almost a
wAole block ofground, it was formerly
the freight department Of the Pennsyl-
vania Railroad.
Here the longest trains that ran upon
the road were safely housed, laden
and unladep, until new freight depot
was established west of the Schuylklll..
Bats and owls then held undlsputed
sway and revelsd amongst the musty,
dust covered beams, braces and glrders'
Thus the building remained until the
Evangelists Moody and sankey, the
first an earnest preacher of righteous,
ness, and the latter sweet singer OF
Israel, came along. In Mr.. Wanamaker
these men found friend, and it was
not long until the old depot was hand
somely fitted up with aeats and plat
forms. The bats and owls were chased
IA