Knoxville daily chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1882, 1880-12-01
JOHN II. INMAN
a Successful Business Man.
Emerging From the Confederate
Army, Boy Of 90, and Penniless,
He Becomes q Millionaire and
Head of One Of Largest Cotton
Houses in the World.

time ago printed an article on self-made
men," This hasty sketch took the rounds
Of the press, and am led to believe did
some good. 1t certainly kindled fresh
| hopes in some young hearts that were
1espairing, set Alright some designs that
were going awry, anchored some lives that
were drifting, and lifted the eyes of some
young fellows that were cropping about
blindly. The article was effective, because
| it taught by example and not by precept.
;have become acquainted with the
| history Of man and a family that Is a fit
supplement of that sketch. How got
the facts that detail need not be known
it is enough to say that I am perfectly
sure of their correctness. I will not stop
to consider with what relish those inter-
ested will Sc: their affairs put in print-I
merely know that it is an interesting
history, and / set it out as pattern life.
In 1856, young Tennesseean, after an
honorable and arduous service of over
four years, in which he was always a. the
front, brave and accomplishing with his
parole in his pocket, came ont of the con,
federate ranks, and returned to cambridge
with less than $l00 in money, and no
property. In 1870 he married a charming
and intelligent Tennessee girl, and then
Last year his net income for the year was
$4,000 and his fortune is now about
81, 100000. He is just Sc years of age, in
perfect health and is just entering the
prime of life. And now to the details.
The other night was introduced to
Mr. John I'll. Inman-a youngish looking
man, with ruddy complexion, high
bfoad and unrufaed forehead, finely-cut
features, mouth in which dicision and
kindness were singularly mixed, and a
head very much like that of our Mr.. Sam
Inman. The FIRST glance betrayed the
perfectly well bred man, quiet, attentive
and .winning-but the suggestion that
held me was one Of great reserve power
the hint that beneath that untroubled
and deeorous face, there was forceful
J and earnest brain that had done notable
, things, which led me to push an investiga-
tion so to speak, when shortly afterwards
. fell in with one who knew the points in
MIR. Inman's life.
| The InMans are of English stock
though American born for two genera
? tions. S. w. Inman, w. FL. Inman and
Walker P. Inman were three brothers
born in Alabama. They started life in
humble circumstances, but soon managed
| to get competence. The brothers were
very much devoted to each other, and
cast their fortunes together. They es
tablished merchantile business in
,, cambridge, Tennessee, to which banking
| was shortly added. and ont of which
comfortable fortunes were made. Mr..
!. w. Inman married Miss Martin, lady
of unusual strength of character and excels
, lence, and of this union came Samuel III.
John d. and Hugh T.. Inman. Of these
r Samuel M. and Hugh L. are we'll known
here as the heads of two of the most
/ prominent southern firms. The war had
| broken the fortunes of their father, and
: the three young men were left literally
D without anything. General Alfred Aus
= tell, of this city, and Mr.. w. III. 1nman
/. one of the original brothers. has opened ir
= New York cotton commission business
Young John Inman reasoning that to
q "make money one must go where money
d is" and being anxious for an opportunity
to 'beard the lion in his den," applied foi
l. clerkship in the firm Of Austell & In.
9 man. His offer was accepted and he wen
e out into the world to make his fortune. Ht
was then 20 years old, just out of the con
federate .army, an East Tennessee boy
with fair education and with less thar
$40 as his entire possession. The firm
. then had working capitoi of $3000O wa
g doing small business, and struggling hare
against northern competition. The younj
clerk put his whole soul into the business
y and madinge it his study dsy and nights
soon mastered all its details. and built up /.
n most extensive southern connection, run
ming through every cotton state. He hat
y not been in New York quite two year
d when his capacity for business, and hi
o sagacity and devotion became so marke,
and notable that he was offered an interes
- in one of the old and rich wholesale dr.
goods houses of the city. He felt however
deep sense of gratitude to Generrl Austel
and Mr.. w. II. Inman who had given hin
the chance to make start, and decline,
an offer that would take him away fror
them. They properly appreciated hi
worth, however, and rendered him thir
interest in their business, which he accept
y ed. The firm then became Austell, In
ID man & Co., and the working capitol We
le increased to $l00,000. Although then un
n tire direction to the businesssand it bega
TO grow with good rapidity. In 1865
=, General Austell, owing to the increase
- his private business, sold his interest, an
the firm of Inman. Swami & Co. was es
ol misunderstanding of John Fl. Inmar
u w. 81. Inman and james Swann-th
q. latter being also young Tennesseean. B
IL this time the business was immense, an
ID the firm soon went into the very first an
er in New York. In 1870 young Inman the
twenty five years of age, finding that b
10 had left his heart in the mountains of Es;
y, Tennessee, left New York for vacatio
and returned with Miss Coffin, beautift
O. and lovely girl as his bride. Coming of a
o. old and steadfast family, her ancestor
l. having landed at Plymouth Rock, she hs
at been a worth partner ofhis success.
ID When Mr.. lnman married ne was wort
le about 81, 7,5O00-every dollar of which b
g coined out of his own brains ana energy
v pretty good accumulation for the countr
" youngster that he left his Tennessee hom
. penniless five years before. From tn
- time forward he had grown rapidly. /
W the ten years between then and now he hs
= laid aside very much over 81, ,000, 0OO-
,r averaging over 100000 a year. In ths
10 time he has spent and given away over
d quarter of million dollars Last year b
net income was $4,000, and for the ne1
Of year it romises TO go heavily over $500
at 600. As he is just thirty-slx years of ag,
it can be readily seen that when he hs
passed fifty he will be one of the riches
men in the country. The business of th
I'd firm of Inman, Swami S Co.. aggregate
" over 100000 last year, and grow
heav ly :and continually. Last year
io handled an enormous quantity of cotto
le and the profit of business in all its depar
ia ments ran from $3.50, coo to $4OO, 600. Th
working capitol is 81, ,0O0. .000 Dash, and th
10 members OF the firm are worth early So
ts 100000. It stands among the first cotto
"a firms in the world. I doubt if there is
40 40 firm anywhere that does so large cotto
40 commission business. Mr.. Inman, WI
Ill. L. e Al A.