The Somerset reporter., 1885-01-07
Selected.
THE OaT-ME4L KING.
Career of Ferdinand Schumacher
MAN WHO STATED IN BUSINESS WITH
A CART.

MAN WHO STATED IN BUSINESS WITH
CART.
Ferdinand Schumacher is known as "the
Oatmeal King" He is G rnian, and
came to This country thirty ago. He set
tied In Akron, Ohio, where lie is l1-oay
one Of the leading and wealthiest men OF
the place. Twenty years ago he was as
poor as a church mouse. In little wood
en- shanly on the outskirts of the town be
prepared the first American oa -neil In an
iron kettle. He made it satisfactory to
bimselt, and obtained Il small hand-cart
peddlec it about town gratis, asking the
people to give it Il trial. They liked il and
he started small factory, doing all the la
Dor himself His business piospered.
Oat meal was new article of diet. Fiji
teen years ago it was impossible to obtain
an order of oatmeal at the best hotel in
America. To day it is to be found upon
every breakfast table in every civilized
land. From that small beginning Schu-
nacher has built an enormous business.
He owns half a dozen mills, two large
grain elevators and several warehouses,
and employs upwards of u Thousand men
women.
Schumacher is a peculiar man. He is
small, thin and wiry-in fact, regular lit.
tie bundle of nerves. He is man Of so "r
more, with small gray chin beard and a
high forehead. He lives in an elegant
brick maDsou. In his stables are fine hors-
es and costly eQuipages, yet for his own
use he drives a siugle horse with an old
fashioned open buggy. He is at his mius
as early as 7 and remained until or later
iD the evening. He Is buster man than
any one in his employ. lie flashes in and
out among his buildings, offices and apart
ments. He IL always in IA hurry. His gait
is a half walk, half trOt. Frequently he
leaves his horse behind and flutters about
town from the banking houses TO his htiices
aud ce versa, trotling along at terrible
rate, swinging his hands and talking TO
himself. When he rides his horse never
goes fast enough for him and he leans fol-
ward, his hands over the dashboard, pull
ing with sharp, quick jerk at the reius.
Every pull at the rens to indicate another
dollar earned.
The one great popularity of this wonder
ful man is mis- personal attire. One is a
dress sui which he wears only on Sunday,
and the other is Il cheap, ready made tlllI,
white wIth the dust from his mills. This
.ls his business suit. He wears it every
wherein the mills, offices, on the street
and at home. To an Overcoat he Is almost
a stranger. II If of his employers are bet
ter dressed. He looks shabby and his sons
are put to shame at times by his costume.
Last winter The boys prevailed upon the
old gentleman to purchase new overcoat.
He threw up his hands in horror. He did
not need new coat and, besides, he could
not afford it. The sons went to their tail
or. They instrucie ed him to sell their faith
er new overt oa' at the first opportunity
and at small figure, much below Its actu-
al value.
"Send us a bill for the difference in the
amount" they said, "and We'll loot the
bill But we want dad 10 get Kew Coat
somehow or other"
Some days later Mr.. Schumacher dropped
In at the tailor's to inquire after II vest he
had left to be mended. The tailor dis
played fine overcoat On the counter ana
spoke of its good qualities.
"What you want for it?' asked the oat
meal king, hurridly.
"As much us you will give" replied the
tailor.
"All right. III give you fifteen tolars."
"rhe coat is yours said the tailor, ana
he helped the oui-Ineal man 10 place 1t On
his back.
Schumacher went out of the store after
having paid the SIS, his face radiant and
feeling good over his great bargain. When
he reached home that night he remarked AZ
the table:
"Vell, bought an overcoat to-day"
His sous were enraptured, and each men
tally rendered the tailor vote of thanks
Then MIR. Schumacher continues
SIT vas great bargain, and | made as
much money off dot coat 10 five minutes as
most young fellows make in whole day."
The young Schumachers were de ply
mystifed until their father continued:
Il paid SIS for the coat. Ven l got two
squares away Charlie Boustcdt, he comes
up and asked me what it cost. | laughed
aud wouldn't tell him. So he feels of the
goods and says he'd give me $40 for one
like it. told him Id sell him mine migh-
ty quick. and did. | give him the c. q
and got my s20, and so Pm So ahead"
The old man laughed heartily, while his
sons looked very sober. Tue overcoat
cost $50. The sons raised the S45 due the
tailor and paid it quietly. All last winter
Ferdinand Schumacher wore his overcoat
Of the winter before. This year the boys
will probably read him the riot act, and
make it compulsory for him TO purchase a
new overcoat and wear 1t.