The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1880-12-16
4 WONDERFUL CAREER.
The Story of How Sokn fi. rnman Made
his Fortune.
ATLANTA. November 20.

A short time ago printed an article
on "Selfmade men," This hasty sketch
took the rounds of the press, and am
led to believe did some good. 1t cor.
tainly kindled fresh hopes in some
young hearts that were despairing, SCI
Alright some designs that were going away
anchored some lives that were drifting
and lifted the eyes of some young fellows
that werc groping about blindly. The
article WAS effective, because it taught by
example and not by percept.
have become acquainted with the
history of a man and family that is &
fit supplement of that sketch. How ]
got the facts that ! detail need not be
known-it is enough to say that / am
sure Of their correctness ! will no,
stop to consider with what relish those
interested will see their affairs put in
print-I merely know that it is an in
structivc and interesting history, and !
set il out NJ pattern life.
In 1865 young Tennesseean, after an
honorable and arduous service Of over
four years, in which he was always at
the front, brave and uncomplaining. with
his parole in his pocket. came out Of ..e
Confederate ranks, and returned to Jan.
| bridge, with less than 300 in money.
and no property. In 1870 he married
a charming and intelligent Tennessee
| girl, and then reckoned his wealth at
about 900. Last year his net income
for the year was $l00.000 and his fortune
is now about 81 ,500,OnO. He is Just sc
years of age, in perfect health and is lust
entering the prime Of life. And now TO
| the details.
The other night was introduced to
/ Nlr. John II. Iuman- youngish look.
ing man, with a ruddy complexion, high,
broad and unruffled forehead, finely cut
features, mouth in which decision and
Kindness we're singularly mixed, and a
head very much like that Of our Sam In
man. The first glance betrayed the per-
! fectly well.bred man, quiet attentive
and winning-but the suggestion that
held me was one of great reserve power
the hint that beneath that uniroubled
and decor0us face there was forceful
and earnest brain that had done notable
things, which led me to push an investi.
CATION so to speak. when shortly after.
wards fell in with one who knew the
points in Mr.. Inmnn's life.
The Inmans are Of English stock,
though American born for two genera.
tions. S. w. Inman, w. H. Inman and
Walker P. Innan were three brothers
born i'll Alabama. They started life in
humble circumstances, but soon manag-
ed to get competence. The brothers
were very much devoted to each other,
and cast their fortunes together. They
established mercantile business ia
cambridge, Tennessee, to which banking
was shortly added, and out of which
comfortable fortunes were made. Mr.. S.
W. Inman married q Miss Martin, Indy
OF unusual strength of character and ex-
cellence, and of this union came Samuel
M., John II. and Hugh T. Inman. OF
known here as the heads of two Of tho
most prominent Southern firms. The
war had broken the fortunes of their
father and the three young men were
left literally without anything. Gen.
Alfred Austell, of this city, and Mr.. w. H.
Inman. one of the original brothers, had
opened in New York cotton commits.
sion business. Young John Inman rea j..
soning that 10 make money one must 90
where money is" and being anxious for
an opportunity to 'beard the linn In his
den," applied for c,erkship in the firm
of Aus,ell & Innan. his offer was nc.
| copied aud he vent out into the world to
make his fortune. He mas then 20 years
old, just out of the Confeoeratc army, an
East Tennessee boy, with fair cduca.
tion and with less than 500 as his Ell.
tire possession. The firm then lad n
working capital of $4,000, was doing n
small business, and struggling hard
against Northern competition. The
young clerk put his whole soul into the
business, aud making it his study day
and night soon mastered all it's details,
and built up most extensive Southern
connection running through every cotton
State. He had not been in New York
| quite two years when his capacity for
business aud his sagacity and devotion
became so marked and notable that he
was offered an interest in one of the old
and rich wholesale dry goods houses Of
the city. He felt, however, deep sense
| of gratitude TO Gen. Austell and MIR. w.
II. Inman Who had given him tho chance
to make start, and declined an offer
that would take him away from them.
They properly appreciated his worth,
however. and rendered him third ia.
tere.t in their business, which he accept
ed. The firm then became Austell, In
man & Co., aud the working capital
was increased to $l00,0U0. Although
| then under "a years of ago, he gave en-
tire direction to the business, and it began
to grow with great rapidly. In 1869,
General Austell, owing to tho increase
in his private business, sold his Interest,
and the firm of Inmsn, Swami G. Co.
waa established consisting cf John H..
Inman. w. II. Innan. and James Swami
the latter being also young Tenne.
seean. BY this time the business was
immense, and the firm soon went into
the very fint rank in New York. In
1870 young Inman, then 25 years of age,
finding that he had left his heart in the
mountains of East Tennessee, left New
| York Ior u vacaiiun nuI Iviuruen win
Miss Coffin, beautiful and lovely girl,
as his bride. Coming Of an old and
steadfast family, her ancestnrs having
landed at Plymouth Rock, she has been
n worthy partner OF his success.
When Mr.. Inman married he was
worth about $75,000-every dollar OF
which he had coined out of his own brains
and energy-a pretty good accumulation
for the country youngster that had left
his Tennessee home pepniless five years
before. From this time forward he has
grown rich rapidly. In the ten years
between then and now he has laid aside
very much over 81 1,000,0 0,000-averagine
over SiGO, 600 year. In that time he
has spent and given away over quarter
OF million dollars. Last year his net
income was 100000 and for the next
year 1t promises logo heavily over 5000, ,00C
AS he is just thirly.six years of age, il
can be readily seen that when he passe: