St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1884-09-26

Mr.. Garrett was born in Baltimore, July 81,
1920. he was the second son of the late Robert
Garrett, who was & wealthy merchant largely en-
gagged IN foreign and domestic commerce. II c
was educated in Baltimore and completed his
studies in Lafayette college, Pennsylvania. On
his return home he entered his fathers count
ing room, and was taken into part
nership with his father and his
brother, Henry s. Garrett lie was then only
nineteen years Of age. The firm was known as
RoDt. Garrett & Sons. Mr.. Robt Garrett Was a
man OF great foresight. He knew the unlimited
resources and productions of the western states
and no one was better acquainted than he with
the advantages which Baltimore possessed
as a market for that region. He cultivated
close commercial relations between Balui-
more and the section west of the Allegheny
mountains and to ali schemes looking to opening
communication by rail and canal he gave bis
active support. John W. Garrett devoted his at
tention 10 the same great project, at the same
time charging the scope OF the business of the
firm, which became the active representatives. OF
Geo. Peabody 81 Co., OF London,
and other well known firms in Europe.
Mr.. Garrett early became close observer of the
progress Of the construction of the Baltimore Il
Ohio railroad. Although solicited at an early
day to take part in the affairs of the company,
Mr. Garrett declined to enter into the contests
until October, 1857, when he was elected a di-
rector. lie insisted that il the duty of every
board of directors, by whatsoever constituency
its members were elected, to enjoy to the best
advantage the property committed to its charge
m order to maintain just proportion between
the expenses and revenues OF the company
There opinions form the groundwork of that
! policy which has made the Baltimore i Ohio
Railroad company unriyaled example of sue
cessful management. year later
Mr. Garrett became president OF
the road succeeding Chauncey Brooks. From
Z -
/ is the history of the Baltimore 81 Ohio railroad
/ company. aud the story Of the railroad company
10 the present day is the story of his remarkable
4 life. The practical wisdom of Mr.. Garrett was
4 shown at the close Of his first year a:
/ president, when the increase in the
! aggregate comparative net gains of the company
was over 800 600 more than the net yield OF the
preceding twelve months. 1t lie needless to say
mat the gains have steadily increased. MOI
] is Ii necessary 10 trace the stage:
/ through which the stock, qnoted at 4t
! per share in 1855, rose TO ia yesterday. Suct
results are at least witnesses to the sagacity o
/ Mr.. CARROTS administration. lie succeeded il
! harmonizing the previously conflicting interests
and gathered around him a stat
OF competent officials who were il
pull sympathy with bis views. When the Wi
/ broke out the road was at the loOd tide of it
prosperity. Then began an era which not only
proved the most trying in its history, but tina
and enormous responsibilities such as few mel
have been called upon to undergo. He met then
| with a wisdom and courage that was superior I,
/ all emergencies. The period of railroad expan-
/ sion had just set in when Mr.. Garrett assumed
direction OF the affairs OF the company, and b.
! found himself burdened with duties am
/ RESPONSIBILITIES which were scarcel
contemplated by his predecessors in office
Difficult as was the task 10 which these able an
energetic men had devoted the best years o
/ their lives, il was not to be compared to tn
work which confronted the new president at III
I yrey outlet OF his official career. Mr. Garrett
was then but thirty eight years OF age, youn
man TO try such herculean task and one cal
Z scarcely sufficiently admire the foresight an
SIX III, the resolute purpose and the unwaverin
force OF the man who took hold OF the might
work which so far has tri mphed over every 90
stacle and has resulted in the the construction o
an iron highway between the Chesapeake an
the Ohio, and the work which had already bee
done was a great one. but il remained for Mr.
Garrett to carry the road to the Erea
west and TO bring TO it the the tributaries whic
now furnish the bulk of its traffic
Daring the past few years Dir. Garrett has lei
the active management of the business 10 hi
son, Sir. Robert Garrett who has shown grea
enterprise and qualification for tn
place. Dir. Garrett has travelled extensivel
during the p2t few years. His wife die
from injuries received last autumn by fail frol
a carTisce and this was great shock 20 him
since then he has been greatly broken dow
and has been steadily failing. His family col
ssts Of three sons and a daughter
Hiss Mary Garrett, who ha
I been a constant attendant upo
her father during his illuess. Montebello, II
/ country sest of Hr. Garrett. comprlses abou
LOCO scres. Il is one Of the finest estates
Baltimore county. where Ny. Garrett has re
cciyed at bis hospiiable board many OF Of II
most distinguished men both Of Europe an
! America.