Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-05-04
COMMODORE GARRISON.
FACTS IN TUE CAREER OF A
REMARKABLE MAN.

Our dispatches saturd morning an
nounced the death at New York OF Com
modore Garrison. Commodore Garrison
says the New York Stm. was almost IN,
last Of that generation of famous bust
ness men who may be sand TO have laid
the foundation of New York's greatness
He was contem ormeous with Van,
derbilt, the Grinnels, Noses Taylor,
George Law, Marshall o. Roberts, and
the score of other kings of business whose
daring enterprise and boldness made the
city the metropolis OF the New World
Mr.. Garrison came OF good old Holland
stock. His ancestors settled along tho
Hudson in the early days of the Dutch
supremacy in America. On his father,
side he was descended from the CARR.
sons and the CoYerts; on his mother
from the Kings ands and the Schuvlers.
Cornelius was born near West Point
on March /, 1909 The elder Gar
FlsOn was a man of some pr0mi-
nence in the region. and at one time was
possessed of a snug fortune. He lost it
soon after Cornelius was born. and the
lad had no patrimOny. BE had careful
home training, how ever, and such educa-
tiOn as the limited school facilities of that
old be began to yet W TX Oh the boats that
phed on the Hudson paet his fathers
home. He continued at this, getting slen-
der paw, but laying up store oil health
and experience, Tor three years. His
mother mad long cherished the desire
that her son should b'ccme an architect,
and finally, al her wish, Cornelius came
to New York to study for that profession.
He was then l6 years cid. lie studied
H. Il
practical work OF building for three years.
In 1928 then a sturdy young fellow of
10, Cornelius, with a gO0d stock of brains
for capital, set out for Canada. He
worked at whatever jobs came in his
line. He built private and public build
ing, steamboats,, and other water craft
and ut the end of five years returned to
the United States with a handsome sum
OF money for Young man IN those dave.
The wonderful southwest was then ius b.
ing developed; New Orleans was becum an
a flourishing metropolis, and the centre OF
business activity. Young Garrison saw
in the country promising field for him,
and it was not long before the lower
Mississippi was alive with craft, the
handiwork Of the Knickerbocker archi-
teet. He labored and pr0spered in this
work for several years, and increased his
capital until he was becoming a man Of
wealth. The first boat that he built was
the Convoy, and her first clerk was
William {. Ralston, alterward Pres dent
of the Bank of California.
In 1S4S gold was discovered in Cali
fornia. Like Marshall Q Roberts. George
Law and the other bold mercantile spirits
of those times, the long-headed Garrison
saw the possibilities OF the future. He
settled up his Southwestern business and
fastened to Panama in advance of thar
unprecented rush OF travel to the Golden
State. With his capital he started "A bank
ing house, and controlled the business OF
that suddenly important CITY. In 1852
Mr., Garris n came to New York TOR the
purpose of establishing a branch Of his
Panama house. He did not do it. HIS
experience in shpbuilding and his
capacity for business had already made
him marked man in the commercial and
financial world The steamship lines to
California We're doing a tremendous busi-
ness, and the we'll managed ones We're
roaming a golden harvest. There was the
keenest rivalry between them, and the less
skiltully managed companies were being
crowded 10 the wall. Among these latter
was the Nicaragua line. IL had lost its
steamships, the Independence and S. ).
Lewis, and was in bad repute with the
public. The managers were looking for
the right man 20 90 to San Francisco and
manage their line, and Mr.. Garrison's
visit 10 New York suggested him as the
man, If they could get him. Mr.. Garrison
did not want TO give up the prosperous
business AT Panama, but the financial in
ducements held out to him were too
tempting. The steamship company %
fered him $50. 600 a wear. and several in-
eurance companies united in giving him
$4,000 more. With an income of $S5. 900
n
Tor private ventures open 10 him. Mr..
Garrison, IN 1853, took up his home in
San Francisco, then a Wild, half civilized
supply depot tor the mining regions.
The new mana er's hand was soon felt
in the affairs OF the Nicaragua company.
The line gained reputation for prompt
ness, safety and good management, and
its finances pr0spered. The Commodore
was conspicuous man in san Francisco
from the day Of his arrival. He entered
with zest into the affairs Of the city, and
made hosts of friends. In six months
from the day OF his arrival the Commo-
dore was Mayor of the city.
The roign of Garrison is vet proud
memory for the old Friscans. They are
fond of telling how the Commodore took
the relns OF government, put the city's
finances on "A sound basis, closed every
gambling den in the CITY. and stopped the
sunday performances at The theatres
how he organized the public school sys-
ten, got the City Council to authorize the
building Of school houses. and advanced
the money out Of his private purse To
build them more eXpeditOusly: how he
founded the first school for col0red chill.
dren ever established, and how ne gave
every dollar of his salary in equal por.
tons, 10 Protestant and Catholic CHAIR.
ties. These and many other remarkable
incidents pare related Of MalOr Garrison,
administration, and 10 the day of his death
san francisco never forgot itsee early chic
magistrate. He lived on the Pacific coast
seven years. He became interested in Inc
China and Japan trade. and was one o
the earliest and most Influential advocates
of the first Pacific railroad. He was ats,
interested in building telegraph line,
across the continent.
In 1860, at thp age Of 81 Years, the Com
m0dOre returned 10 New York "A million.
aire, and thencefOrth was one Of the fore
most capitalists Of the metropolis. IA,
bought and built ships, and invested CAPT
tai IN real estate, railroads aud t.le
graphs. AZ the outbreak OF the rebellion
be took a consplcuously patriotic stanC
for the Union. His ships were placed al
TIE service Of the government. and ne con
tributcd largely ~ the raising and eump
ment of troops. Gen. Butler expedition
against Ship Island Was almost who'll,
fitted out and equipped by Commodore
GarrisOn's iberality.
After the war was ended the Commo
d0rp extended his oufarurfc, Au,.,,,