The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1883-07-06
HOW ONE HAN GOT KICH.
The Career fthe Late George Law, Of New
- York. 4

- ;
From the Rochester IN. ~ Democrat
George Law, the millionaire, died Friday
night, at his residence in Fifth avenue, New
York. George law was borne in the town
Of Jackson, Washington county, this state,
October rs, 1906. His father, who was Of
Irish birth, purchased farm Of 100 acres
In Jackson soon after the revolution. Upon
the farm young Law worked until he was
eighteen years ofhge. During the winter
he had an opportunity to attend the village
school. where he learned to write and to
cipher as far as the rule Of three. With the
exception Of reading few standard works
on history, which he was able to procure in
the neighborhood, this brief schooling was
all he had.
When he was fifteen years of age young
Law went to Troy on an errand for his
father. This visit was his first glimpse of
the great world, and 1t determined his
future. He decided to leave the farm as
soon as he had earned little money. At
the age Of eighteen he had accumulated
$40, and decided to seek his fortune.
his father consented. and he walked to
Troy. He engaged cheap lodgings and
looked for work for q number Of DAYS
without success. When he was passing
along River street one day he saw a hod
carrier fall and break his leg. Young Law
The foreman findinghe had no experience.
told him he would probably break his neck.
Law said he would take the risk, and he
carried until the building was finished. he
continued to work as hod carrier
until a boss mason offered to
teach him the trade Of bricklayinp.
After learning his trade he worked stead
lily, saving as much as possible of the earn
ings, and becoming ar expert mason, In
the opening of 1926 he engaged as mason
In building an Erie canal lock, receiving
1926 Q day. He worked in this way for
seven years. He then thought he had
money enough to give up working as day
laborer. he secured the post of SUP.
erintendent in constructing lock on the
Lehigh Canal near Easton, Pa. As soon as
the work was finished he determined to be-
come contractor, and he did, securing the
contract to build q look and aqueduct,
From this time forward he continued to go.
cure lucrative contracts.
When he was twenty seven years of age
he married Miss Anderson, Of Pniladei.
phia, who was great aid to him in the Ia
accumulated $4,000. He then tooka va :
cation, and went to Chicago, which was
then center of interest, but returned to
Washington county, and paid for 500 acres
Of land his father had bought. After sew
eral lucrative contracts in Pennsylvania,
he secured several heavy contracts on the
Croton aqueduct for the New York water
supply. He built the high bridge over the
Harlem river. Before entering upon the
work he examined some of the finest struc-
lures Of tie kind in the old world, 80 that
he finally accomplished work which will
be lasting monument to his skill. This
work was completed in 1849. He was then
worth millions, and embarked in various
enterprises, which brought more wealth
continually. He became the owner of
railroads, steamships and ferries.
He never swerved from his labor of get
ting money. except in 1756, when he was
mentioned as Know Nothing candidate
fol- president. This pleased him for q
time, but he eschewed politics ever after.
For the last twelve years he has lived in
retirement. Thurlow Weed speaking of
Law, Vanderbilt, and Dean Richmond, said
no one Of them could have passed compe-
tive examination for mail carrier, or even
anightwatchman at the Custom house. Mr..
Weed had received letters from all. and
they spelled hardly single word of three
syllables correctly. George Law leaves an
enormous estate to his wife, two sons, and
three daughters. He has showed what can
be accomplished by will and tact in the
race for wealth.