Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1884-03-10
miscellaneous.
Jay Gould.
BIOGRAPHY OF THE GREAT RAILROAD
KING AND FINANCIER.

No man in this country is regarded with
a greater degree of interest than Jay
I Gould. the great railroad king and finan-
cier. He is at the head of the largest
system OF railroads in the United States.
I To the popular mind the quiet but etfec-
tive measures which he adopts as spec
ulator constitute an attraction akin TO
mystery Mr. Gould's career and his per-
sonal characteristics and habits encourage
/ the pecuniarary interest manifested IN
/ him. The most powerful man in Wall
street, he is never seen in the Stock Ex-
change without an avowed political pre-
! ference or party, no statesman in the
country equals him in power. Stealthy
and subtle as a tiger. his movements are
concealed, well-considered. and forceful.
Jaw Gould was born at Roxbury, n. T.,
/ in the wear 1886. His father kept store
and titled small farm. His mother died
when he was six years of age. The
widower married again. and was the hus-
band of third wife when, in the year
1866, died. Young Gould received fair
education, and gave evidence OF that love
of books and art which now affords him
some of the leading pleasures of his do
nestle life. He was but 10 when he be-
gan his business career but his famed in
vention OF mousetrap proceeded his en-
gagement IN the store of Square" Bur-
han The story is familiar how that the
young inventor, carrying his precious
trap in a snowy mahogany case, was
robbed of it in New York City, on the
occasion of his first visit to that
place The lads chasing the thief re-
suited first in the fellows disgust upon
discovering that he had risked his liberty for
"a thing of so little value, and second. for
being dealt with under a requisition from
the Governor of a neighboring State. At
the ''Squire's young Gould's historic feat
was buying piece of land in Albany,
proceeding upon information he had gath
cred by overwhelming a confidential dis
closure of its cheapness addressed by his
employer to some friends. In 1856 map
of Delaware County was published in Phil
adelphia, containing the words. From
Actual Survey by Jay Could"
Gouldsboro, Pa, was named after the
subject of this sketch, who. in his early
manhood, formed partnership with Col
onel Zadock Pratt in the tanning business,
at that place. Pratt was busy, prating
politician, and it is said that his most pop
ular speech was the work of his young
partner, to whom he paid 800 for the
production. At Gsuldsboro Gould fell
into trouble with the authorities by per-
sistently defending his possession of an
old building, from which he was finally
expelled by the military. He managed to
get clear of what threatened to be Sc
rious scrape, and during the last period
OF his tanning experience was the proprie-
tor of the business Mr. Gould removed
to New York City in 1859, and began bus
ness as broker. Then as now he had
no ordinary vices. and showed clear-head-
ed perception in availing himself of the
condition of the country, before and
throughout the war. during which he be-
came millionaire. When he entered
into the railroad business. in connection
with the Erie, that corporation owed him
$4,000. 900. With his skillful handling
of Erie stock began his greatness as
railroad king.
To detail Mr.. Gould's operations in
Cleveland and Pittsburg stock. his gigan-
tic investments in Union Pacific. his deal
ings in the stock of Wabash. Kansas and
Texas and other roads. would be tedious
task were it practical. He owns, it is
said, several influential newspapers. The
most careless reader will remember Mr.
Gould's organization and manipulation of
the American Union Telegraph Company
whereby he obtained control of the West
ern Union Company.
Mr.. Gould is a married man. His bride
was Miss Ellen Miller, daughter of a well
known New York merchant. He has sew
eral children. of whom the eldest, George
j. is in business on Wall street The firm
OF which young George is member start
ed in business with a capital of $1,000
600, one-half of which is said to have
been provided by his father,
Mr.. Gould loves his home, which. wheth-
err made in his mansion in New York or
at his country seat, Lyndhurst. on the
Hudson, is as refined and elegant as wealth
and cultivated taste can make it. Rare
books, works of art. and curiosities abound
in the wealth of his personal possessions
He bought his country seat at Irvington
for $3.50. 900. 1t is now worth about half
a million. Nearly two years ago the con-
servatory. valued at 5000. 900. including
the plants. was almost destroyed by fire
jay Gould is fond of solitary rides on
horseback. Outside of this his enjoy
ments are indoor and those of the husband.
] t.,+