Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1886-03-04
rror orsrrns 70 opuLrNos.
Points from the Biography OF u
Somerset County BOY.

Easton Ledger
In the winter of 1856, rosy checked,
brieht-eyed and muscular boy stood
behind a culling-board in canoe on the
Aunamessix river in Somerset county, In
dustriously separating and culling with
a wooden paddle the oysters and shells
the bronzed tongman piled upon the
board. He was 10 years old. His wage
was so cents day, His mother was
widow and he was one of the 10 children
she was struggling to raise, and he was
belpinp her to do il. All winter he did
cheerfully and thoroughly well the hard
and rigorous work of the "culler boy"
and every night he brought his 80 cents
to his mother.
Ills name was Harrison Phgbus.
His father was local preacher and
farmer, and died poor, leaving lnrge
family. He picked up a little rudimen-
tary education, and added to the store
with ayidity rs he found circumstances
or uade opportunity. In the summer he
worked on the little farm and did his
mothers chores, and in the winter he
cullod oysters. He taught himself the
use OF tools, and, from stray copy of
Pitman's Photography, he learned short
hand writing. AT IL he was contractor
for saw mill hauling; at 10 he was Il
MASTER builder in a small way; at II he
enlisted in a Maryland Federal regiment
and was honorably discharged in 1868.
He was in Baltimore, without money, but
full of vigor, and was seeking work
where he could master circumstances aud
make opportunities. Chance led him to
the Adams express office, where he saw o
great deal of work going on in an orderly
and systematic manner.
"Who hires the men here ?" he asked
of gentleman standing by.
81 do" was the reply. "What do you
want
"work," replied young Ph1bus.
"What can you do 7"
~ can sweep the floor, l can load {
wagon, or can write letter."
He was hired as WAGNER at So {
week. In 10 days he was at work in thu
office. In six weeks he was detailed as
special messenger on the way train Il
Martinsburg, W. Va. He did other i'm
portant and responsible work for tn
company until 1886, when he was mp
pointed its agent at Fortress Monroe
MIR. Samuel NJ Shoemaker, the Batimor
manager of the express company, ha,
Learned Mr.. Phnbus' worth and was hi
fast friend Besides his work as expires
agent at Fortress Monroe, he BEGAN
postmaster, was agent for several trans
portation lines, built up large insnranc
/ business, and was q notary public an
5 United States commissioner. lie mad
a profitable Investments in real estate, IN
e with his industry, ability and integrit!
made successful everything he handled
n In the spring of 1874, the proprietor
V of the Hygeia Hotel at Old Point, failet
. With the aid of Mr.. Shoemaker, M
e Phubus got the property, and althoug
n hotel. keeping was business he kne
e nothing about, lie infused into its INA
agement the same energetic busine
>, qualities that had characterized his 9th
. enterprises, ind made tho business cor
% pletely successful, and, after twelve yea
of his control, the Hygeia stands at the t.
- of the list of seaside hotels in size, in e
~ cellence of management and in the prot
ahleneSs of the business.
j, Thus through application, sturdiuei
"a faitLfulness, did this Eastern Shore b
II make Of himself man of note
le Those who suppose their talent
q genius can supply the place or achie
ne the results of lnhur will find no 4
OF enlargement in the lifeoG Harrison Ph
Inns