West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1880-05-08
Tho RothschiIds OF Russia.

The Demidofis contrive TO keep them
selves before the public, as family OF its
antecedents and resources easily can, il 80
minded. The later members seem too have
a love OF notoriety, "A fondness for creating
sensations. which belongs TO many rich Rus.
SLAMS who have been ennobled Ii is Thought
by number of his acquaintaces that Paul
Demidon decided To sell the art treasures
in his San Donate villa, at Florence. in
order 10 make himself talked about Indeed
1t Is hard To explain the sale on any other
ground, for the widest caprice seldom takes
so serious form, artisically and financi-
ally speaking. The history of the Demi-
dolls is singular and interesting. They arc
immensely rich and occupy, as capitalists.
mu II the same position I'm Russia that the
Rothschilds do in western Europe. The
founder OF the family, Nikita Demidofr.
was a son of sert at the time of Peter the
Great, and quilted his birthplace in the gov
ernment OF Toola TO avoid bearing arms.
lie became blacksmith and armorer,
growing so famous in the latter capacity
that he acquired vast fortune. Peter hav.
ing favored him greatly, he established i'm
l699 for the government the first iron foun-
dry in Siberia at Neviansk, near the base
of the Urat mountains. This having scrv
ioundrles IN that region, the czar presented
To him with all ITS dependencies, and also
conferred a title on him Nikita's son.
Akimf, employed number of Germans To-
explore the rich mines of copper, silver and
gold found in the valley of the Irish and
the upper stretches OF the Obi river In
1928 hc erected at the foot of the Magnetic
mountains foundry named Nischncitagi-
lisk, which Is TO this day the largest In Sb-
eria. Russia, sensible of the value of his
labors To the country bestowed on him the
title OF counsellor of state His son, Pro
cope, founded at Moscow commercial
school-atterward removed To ~. Peters
Durg-for the education of the sons OF
tradesmen. Paul, cousin of Procopc. "A
man Oi mind and energy, travelled widely
In his youth, and devoted himself To the
natural sciences. He gave TO the university
oil Moscow museum of natural history,
and founded OS03) the Demidon museum
at larosiavi. A nephew Of Procope, Count
Nicholas, distinguished himself ~ an aide
In the war against the Turks; afterwards
married Countess Stroganon, and became
privy councillor and imperial chamberlain
lie had marked taste for art and science,
and conducted extensive mines with success.
In 1872 he raised regiment, and fought
against the French He was the father of
Anatolc, who died at Baden Baden ten
years ago, and the uncle, if we mistake not,
OF the present Paul, the collector Of San
Donator. While the DemidOfTs have the
Russian peculiarly we have mentioned,
they have generally distinguished them
selves In substantial and credtable way.
They have had brains, taste and energy, as
well as passion for munifccncc and display,
and have. first and last, done a deal OF good
with their wealth. Paul Dcmidorff is re-
puted TO be worth more thnn $50, 600, 900.
That a family of opulent princess should
spring from a poor serf and blacksmith
seems very unlike Russia as popularity ap-
pretended