Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-04-07

county was published in Philadelphia
containing the words, From Actual
Survey by Jay Could"
Gouldsboro, Penn, was named after
the subject Of this sketch, who, in his
early manhood, formed a partnership
with Colonel Zadock Pratt in the tan
ming business, at that place. Pratt was
a busy, prating politician, and it is said
that his most popular speech was the
work Of his young partner, to whom
he paid one hundred dollars for the pro-
ductioD. At Gouldsboro, Could fell
into trouble with the authorities by
persistently defending his posses
sion of an old building from
which he was finally expelled
by the military. lie managed
to get clear of what threaten
ed to be serious scrape, and during the
last period Of his tanning experiences
was the proprietor of the business. Mr..
Gould removed to New York city in
1859, and began business as a broker.
Then as now he had. no ordinary vices,
and showed clear-headed perception in
availipg himself Of the condition Of the
country before and throughout the
war, during which he became a million
aiye. When he entered into the railroad
business in connection with the Erie,
that corporation owed him four millions
of dollars. With his handling Of Erie
stock began his greatness as railroad
king.
To detail Mr.. Gould's operations in
Cleveland and Pittsburgh stock, his
gigantic investments in Union Pacific,
his dealings in the stock of Wabash,
Kansas, and Texas and other roads,
would be tedious task were it practi.
cable. He owns, it is said, several in
fluential newspapers. The most care
less reader will remember Mr.. Gould's
organization and manipulation Of the
American Union Telegraph Company,
whereby he obtained control of the
Western Union Company.
Mr.. Gould is q married man. His
bride was Miss Ellen Miller, daughter
of a well-known New York merchant.
He has several children, Of whom the
eldest, George j., is in business on
Wall street. The firm of which young
Gould is q member started in business
with a capital of 81 900, 900, one half
Of which is said to have been provided
by his father.
Mr.. Gould loves his home, which,
whether 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 GU
riosities abound in the wealth Of his
personal possessions. lie bought his
country-seat at Irvington for 1856, 900.
1t is now worth about half . million. A
few years ago the conservatory, valued
at 100000, including the plants, was
almost destroyed by fire. Jay Gould
is fond of solitary rides on horseback.
Outside of this his enjoyments are in
door, and those of the husband, father,
and student.
His appearance is remarkable, not
withstanding that he is a small, light
man, weighing not over hundred and
twenty pounds. He has a swarthy
complexion, well-made features, and a
pair Of black eyes whose searching
glance is not soon forgotten. His man
per is quiet, gentle, and courteous, and
an admirer remarks on the "candid
and humorous intonation Of his voice."
Mr.. Gould has many admirers and
many dctractors, as Q matter Of course.
His enemies allege that he is unscrupu-
lous, and claim that the disasters of
Black Friday" the dark day Of Sep
TENDER, 1869, were attributable to his
schemes.
Mr.. Gould is a man who gives literally
without ostentation. The widow ofthe
late James Fisk has publicly stated her
obligations to him for friendly generosi-
ties. The Grant fund included twenty
five thousand dollars received from Mr..
Gould, whose large benefactions to the
yellow-feyer sufferers Of Memphis, and
to the needy frontier farmers of Kansas,
are remembered by readers Of the news
papers.