The Morristown gazette. [volume] (Morristown, Tenn.) 1867-1920, 1882-03-01
COL. JOS. JAQUES.
A Sketch of q Self-made Man
Which is Worthy of Imita-
bne tion by the Youth of
T9F5s this Country.

bHe tion by the Youth of
f'F's this Country.
Knoxville Correspondence Chattanooga Times
Abiding as l did, in one of m,
letters to the East Tennessee Ma
tional Bank, calls to mind note,
gentleman connected with it. / re
fer to Captain Joseph Jaques, it
efficient president.
He is one of the self-made men o
the times, having worked himsel
up from an humble beginning to hi.
present prosperous condition. l al
lude TO the matter not so much tc
make him conspicuous in the body
OF this letter as to hold him up as
an example TO our young men and
as a model worthy of their imita-
ton. He is an Englishman by birth,
but came to this country when quite
young. He had nothing but the
clothes on his back, and all his
stock in trade consisted in a strong
constitution and a willingness to
worll-to work at anything and
anywhere.
Unlike scores of young men start
ing in the world and confronting its
realities, .he dill not wait for some
thing to turn up or seek soft places.
He commenced the battle of life in
4 corn field between the handles
Of the plow-where he toiled from
day to day for twenty-five cents a
day. 1t was better than nothing
better than hanging around grog-
shops or gambling tables, or whin-
ing and complaining of his lot. True
his wages were Insignificant, es-
pecially in view of the hard labor
he performed, but he had a chance
to develop his character and to lay
the foundation for something better,
the sequel of which demonstrated
its correctness, for at the end of the
year his employer was SO well
pleased with his character and per-
formanoes that he voluntarily ad-
vanced his wages. ..r. ....
Here was the turning point in his
history, and from which ne was led
on step by step to success. He
proved himself industrious and
trustworthy, two elements OF char
aeter of vast Importance, and which |
never Eliled tOocommand respect.
He was never known to slight his
work, and always took a sincere in
crest in the welfare of his employ |
sr. This was one of his guiding
'tHs. Through all the hardships
,f his early life he never lost sight
fits guidance. In this way he Sc
.ured the confidence of his employ
r, and consequently was never out
f employment,
For a number Of years he was
at the Virginia Salt Works
S acommon hand performing me-
Iial labor, driving a team, cutting
yood, making fires, feeding stock
indeed, not Withholding his hand
rom any sort of labor. In this ca
acity, however, he received higher
RACES. Subsequently he obtained
ne position of superinter dent and
pom wages somewhat commensur-
te with his merits. Here again he
lustrated his value to his employer
nd his fitness for responsible po-
tiOns.
He was next found engaged in
ie flat-boat business, shipping salt
fiat boats down the Holston river,
assing Knoxville and usually stop
ing at Ross Landing, now Chatta-
Ooga This, in those days espec-
lily, was a perilous undertaking,
tended with danger and the loss ,
his cargo. He, however, was /
lpal to the emergency, as be had I
seng to every emergency of the y
lst, showing great GOODNESS, cour-
se and caution, traits of character
Sculiar TO the man, and which has I
led n luster upon his eventful life. q
g never acts precipitately-is new Z
lin q fiurry-ncver acts on the q
'ur of the moment. There must ]