Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1880-12-01
A MILLION DOLLARS
Made by an East Tennessee Con-
federate Boy in I5 Years.

Il. W. Grady in the Atlanta constitutional
In 1865, young Tennessean, after
an honorable and arduous service Of
over four years, in which he was al
ways at the front, brave and uncom-
planning, with his parole in his pocket,
came out of the confederate ranks,
and returned to cambridge, with less
than 800 in money, and no property.
In 1870 he married charming and in
telligcnt Tennessee girl, and then
reckOned his wealth at about S75 900.
Last year his net income for the year
was $4,000 and his fortune is now
about $l,500000. He is just 80 years
of age, in perfect health and is just
entering the prime Of life.
The Inmats aye Of English stock,
though American born for two gem
erations. S. W. Inmap, w. II. In
man and Walker p. Inman, were
three brothers born in Alabama.
They started lie in humble circum-
rtances, but soon managea to get
competence. The brothers were very
much devoted to each other, and cast
their fortunes together, They es-
tablished a mercantile business in
Dandridge, TGpnessee, to which bank
ing was shcrtly added, and out OF
which comfortable fortunes we're
made. Mr.. S. W, Inman married al
Miss Martin, a lady of unusual
strength Of character and eXceiieGce,
and Of this union came Samuel Ii
John H. and Hugh 4. Inman. OF
these Samuel IL. aud Hugh !. arc
veil known here as the heads of two
of the most prominent southern
firms. The war had broken the for
tupes of their father, and the three
vounp men were lett literally y without
ANYTHING. Gen. Alfred Austell, of.
this city, and Mr.. w. Ii. llman, one
of the original brothers, had opened in
New York COTTON commission bust
ness. Young John iqmap reasoning
that to make money one must go
where money is," and being anxious
for an opportunity to beard the lion
in his den, applied for a clerkship in
the firm of Austell & Inman. His Of
fer was accepted, and he went out into
tGe world to make his fortune. lie
was then 20 yesrH old, just out of the
Confederate army, an East Tennessee
bow. witt, fair education and With
less than 800 rs his entire possession.
The firm then had Q working capital
of $50. 900, was doing q small business
and struggling hard against northern
competitors. The young clerk put his
soul into the business, end made 1t
his study day and night, soon mas
tered all its details, and
built up a most extensive
southern connection, running
through every cotton state. He had
not been in New York quite two years
when his capacity for business, and
his sagacity and devotioa BECAME SO
marked and notable that h. was OF,
fefed an interest in one Of the old and
rich wholesale dry goods houses of the
city. He felt, however, 9 deep sense
OF gratitude to Gen. Austell and Mr.
Nv. II. Inman who had given him the
chance to make q start, and declined
an offer that would take him away
from them. They properly aPpreGiat-
ed his worth, however, and rendered
him third interest in their business,
which he accepted. The firm then
became Austell, Inmap 4 Co., and the
working capital was increased to $780,
600. Although then under twenty
four yeafs Of age, he gave entire diroo.
ton to the business aud it began to
grow with great rapidly, In 1859,
Genera Austell, owingto the increase
10 his private business, sold his inter
est. aud 'he firm Of Inman, Swami
b Co. was established-conssting Of
John H. Inman, w. II. Inman and
James Swann-taa latter being also a
young Tenpessean. By this time the
business was immense, and the firm
soon went into the very drst rank in
New York. In 1870, young lnman,
then twenty-five years Of age, finding
hat he had left his heart in themoun-