St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1885-03-08

and very active Republican party man, and
can tell more about the outside and inside of
the early politicians OF this state, than any
person living. He was at one time recorder
at Saltwater; member of the house of repre-
sentatives three terms; member of the
senate three terms and is now a mem
Der of that body; on the organiza-
ton of the Republican party in 1855, he was
made chairman of the central committee for
three years, and was member of the COM
mittee six years; was president of the old
water works and commissioner for the new !;
is vice president OF the First National bank
and has held many other offices of trust and
of responsibility. OF course all the real
estate of Mr.. Gilfllan has greatly adj
vanced in value since his purchase,
so that he may safely be set down as worth
$500, 600, although he himself says-"They
used to have saying in Cincinnati in its
days of porcine greatness, that you could
never tell how much fat there was in a hog
until be was dead and cut up so no one can
be rated until he is dead and his debts paid.
It may be something or nothing but he
adds although l have now real estate
enough TO break me, yet at the same time it
is helping to support me-"
HIS PERSONALITY.
Mr.. Gilfilan is not large but fat man,
weighing over 800 pounds He has a good
sized, massive head and great brain power,
and this coupled with unbounded energy and
unwearied indefatigability, has made his life
a success, although at one time we knew him
when the income of his law practice would
not pay his Office rent. One looking
about and noting the changes
in different mems lives, is almost
forced tothe conclusion that Shakespeare was
right when he said:
There's divinity etc.
''Gir' started out as school teacher, but
poor; then as an inexperienced lawyer, then
as politician, then as a business man, then
banker, then an owner of real estate-now
millionaire. OF the one hundred who COM
menced the race for life with him, eighty
were poor then and eighty are poor
now. 'Many are called, but few are chosen.'
And why it is so, We don't know, but
the facts, nevertheless, are indsputable.
Call it luck, or brains, or genius, or force of
character, or industry, the cards always come
up the same way,--a few are rich while the
many are poor Mr.. Gilfi!lan is a man of no
ostentatious peculiarities, or pulled up with
pride. He is very plain in his appearance,
democratic in his ideas Of life, careful, pru-
dent, safe, and would make an excellent
governor of the state, for ne is man of
broad conceptions and fine ability. and is one
OF st. PauIs most conservative and solid cit
liens.
JOHN 8. PRINCE.
Born in Cincinnati, o., in 1921, Mr..
Prince worked in shoe store at 81 per week,
and then served as an apprentice to the COM
mission business in 1886; resided in Cincin-
natl until 1910, when he entered the employ
of the American Fur company at Evansville
Ind, and when that company suspended
operations he engaged with Pierre Choteau,
Jr.: IL Co. in 1912, and became the pur-
chasing agent for the company in
Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan and
the territory of Wisconsin. This company
having interests in st. Paul. Mr.. Prince came
here in 1854 to look after those interests,
and he established the first saw mill in the
city, which was located down on the swampy
flats, now covered by railroad tracks. While
attending to the real estate of his firm he
gradually became interested in land himself,
and met with fattering success. He has
constantly had charge of the property of rich
parties in st. Louis, and though those who
put him in keeping of their real estate forty
years ago have died, yet their descendants
still trust him, a high compliment to his
manhood and his honesty.
OFFICES.
He was one of the incorporates of the Fire
and Marine Insurance company, and of the
st. Paul Il Sioux City railroad; director in
the latter company UP to the time of its sale;
was member of the constitutional conven-
ton Of 1857; was on Gen. Sibley's staff:
was Mayor of the city in 1860, 1861, 1865 and
1866, and the last time was elected without
opposition; was President of the Commission
on Assessments one year, and of the Board
of Public Works three years; was originally
cashier of the Savings Bank, of this city, and
is now its President.
EARLY LIFE AND MARRIAGE.
Col. John Stoughten burgh Prince is an
American, although of English descent, and
is one of eight in the family who bears the
name of John. His father died when
he was twelve years old, and the boy then
went out into the world to earn his own liv-
ing. and he is a notable example of a self
made man. After the death of his father he
lived with his grandparents until he struck |
out to paddle his own canoe. AS boy he |
was industrious, studious and independent. I
He married Miss Emma L. Linck in 1914, |
who has had twelve children, seven of whom |
are living. He is n devout member of the |
Catholic church, and IL used to be a common |
saying: "You can't beat Prince for mayor" |
INCIDENTS OF HIS BoYHooD.
Mr.. Prince received only $160 per year for |
his service as an apprentice to the commits
sion business, and out of this he had to paw
fnr
him 81 for his clothes per year. His quick |
wits enabled him to pick up some money on |
the outside. so that at the age IF 10 years the |
firm dissolved and he was offered 500 per |
year. When young he had natural adapt |
ability TO business, and had he remained in |
Cincinnati he would have been very rich |
man. When he assumed the arduous duties |
for the fur company he was obliged to ride |
many miles on horseback, and 500 miles at a |
time was no uncommon event, as in those |
early days there were no railroads, and very |
limited stage accom- odations.
PERSONAL.
Col Prince is well made man physically, |
and well proportoned. He is quick in |
speech, easily aroused, quick in comprehend
ing and quick in motion. Can kick a man
in the back while walking with him as easily |
as symnastic. He made good and very |
popular public officer, aud has done much to-
wards building up the city. We remember
him as among the first to erect dwelling in
lower town, and following, Thompson, |
Sibley, Merriam, Wilder. Drake, |
and others, constructed elegant |
residences near him, and then what had |
hitherto been considered a sand bank, with |
low, scrubby brush, became all of sudden |
a popular part of the city, and has remained |
so ever since. Col. Prince has led a very
active, stirring life, and he may very Justly
he clsssed among our honest worthy sslf-