The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1880-12-16
A WONDERFUL CAREER.
The Story Of How John II. Tnn,an Made
his Fortune.
ATLANTA, November 20.

J led 10 DelleVe ulu SO1He BooQ. IL ce[
i tainly kindled fresh hopes in SOM
young hearts that were despairing, Sc
Alright some designs that were going away
anchored some lives that were drifting
and lifted the eyes of some young fellow
that were cropping about blindly. Thu
article was effective, because it taught b,
example and not by percept.
have become acquainted with th'
history of man and family that is I
fit supplement of that sketch. How
got the facts that l detail need not b.
known-it is enough 10 say that | an
sure of their correctness. I will no
stop to consider with what relish those
interested will see their affairs put ir
print merely know that it is All in
structive and interesting history, and
set it out as $ pattern life.
In 1865 a young Tennesseean, after an
honorable and arduous service Of ovcl
4. four years, in which he was always al
the front, brave and accomplishing. with
his parole in his pocket, came out of the
Confederate ranks, and returned to Dan
bridge, with less than 500 in money
and no property. In 1870 he married
charming and intelligent Tennessee
girl, and then reckoned his wealth at
about $75 900. Last year his net income
for The year was Sl90,000 and bis fortune
is now about 81 ,50n,000. He is just 3G
years of age, in perfect health and is jus,
entering the prime of life. And now tc
the details.
The other night 1 was introduced to
Mr.. John H. Inman-.a youngish look
ing man, with ruddy complexion, high,
broad and uuruffled forehead, finely cut
features, mouth in which decision and
kindness were singularly mixed, and a
head very much like that of our Sam In
man. The first glance betrayed the per-
fectly welI.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 decorous face there was q forceful
and earnest brain that had done notable
things, which led me to push an investi-
CATION so to speak, when shortly after.
wards I fell in with one who knew the
points in Mr.. Inman's life.
The Inmans are of English stock,
though American born for two genera
tions. S. w. Inman, w. H. Inman and
Walker P. Inman were three brothers
born in Alabama. They started life in
humble circumstances, but soon manag-
ed to get q competence. The brothers
were very much devoted to each other,
and cast their fortunes together. They
established mercantile business in
cambridge, Tennessee, to which banking
was shortly added, and out of which
comfortable fortunes were made. Mr. S.
w. Inman married a Miss Martin, lady
of unusual strength of character and ex.
celence, and of this union came Samuel
NJ, John H. and Hugh T. InmaD. Of
these Samnel NJ. and Hugh T. are well
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 without anything. Gen.
Alfred Austell, ofthis city, and MIR. W. H.
Inman, one of the original brothers, had
opened in New York cation commits
sion business. Young John Inman rea.
soning that to make money one must go
where money u.s." and being anxious for
an opportunity to "beard the lion in his
den," "applied for clerkship in the firm
of Austeil & Inman. His offer was ac-
cepted and he vent out into the world to
make his fortune. He was then 20 years
old. lust out of the Confederate army, an
East Tennessee boy, with fair educa-
ton and with less than 500 as his ell
tire possession. The firm then had q
working capital of 100000, was doing q
small business, and struggling hard
against Northern competition. The
young clerk put his whole soul into the
business, and making it his study day
and night soon mastered 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 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, a deep sense
of gratitude to Gen. Austell and Mr.. w.
H. Inman who had given him the chance
to make start, and declined an offer
that would take him away from them.
They properly appreciated his worth,
however, and rendered him a third in.
terest in their business, which he accept
ed. The firm then became Austell, In
man T. Co., aud the working capital
was increased to 100000. Although
then under 24 years of age, he gave en-
tire direction to the business, and it began
to grow with great rapidity. In 1863,
General Austell, owing to the increase
in his private business, sold his interest,
and the firm of Inman, Swami g. Co..
was established consisting of John r..
Inman, w. H. Inman, and James Swami
the latter being also young Tenne.
secan. By this time the business was
immense, and the firm soon went into
the very first 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 for q vacation aud returned with
Hiss Coffin, beautiful and lovely girl,
as his bride. Coming of an old and
steadfast family, her ancestors having
landed at Plymouth Rock, she has been
worthy partner of his success.
When Mr.. Inman married he was
worth about $75,00O-every dollar ol
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 pennilcss 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 Sl,0O0,OoO-averaging
over 100000 year. In that time be
has spent and given away over quarter
of million dollars. Last year his net
income was $4,000 and for the nexl
yearit promises to 60 heavily over $500, ,OO(
AS he is just ll,irIy.six years of age, il
can be readily seen That when he passe:
fifty he will be one of the richest men il