St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1889-08-05

"
T77 E3A8 human beings would
prefer to have a sure thing on riches
than trust to luck, but still, right III this
city of ours, there are scores OF exam
pies of men who started on absolutely
nothing and are now the possessors of
everything worth having that money
Henry NJ. Flagler, the Standard Oil
man, is one of these. Whether he was
born lucky. or whether he was born
with more brains and business shreWd-
ness than the average man is not
known. but he was probably endowed
generously with all of these qualities.
At any rate, the fact that
he is now worth somewhere in
the vicinity OF s60,000,0QO and
that thirty years ago he was chopplng
down trees in the pine forests OF Mich
igan for living is pretty substantial
evidence that brains, business ShreWd-
ness, and, above all, good luck, had con-
siderable to do with it.
Although when one thinks Of it, it
seems wonderful that an ordinary wood
man, by his own endeaVors, should start
in and make such
A GIGANTIC SUCCESS
in the business world, the tale connected
with Mr.. Flagler's money-seeking is a
simple one.
The ambition of his boyhood was to
become the proprietor Of tavern. But
as he was as poor as that tough old bird
of jobs, and as his father and mother
were not particularly partial to taverns,
it did not seem that the fond dreams Of
his boyhood would ever be realized.
What school education he obtained
was at SpaSmodic intervals on the in
stallment plan.
When the work on his fathers farm
did not require him to be on hand he
was sent off to school. When he was
Still nothing but boy he started out on
his own hook for the Michigan forests.
There he worked year in and year out
for half dozen winters. While there
he married the daughter Of boss lum-
herman, and indirectly his marriage
proved to be the initial step toward his
future great fortune.
The winter after his marriage his
father-in-laW made trip to Cleveland,
O., where he fell in with John d. Rookie
Teller, at that time all almost
PENNILESS YOUNG MAN,
engaged in small scale in the oil REIN
ing business. Young Rockefeller sue
ceeded in convincing the Michigan lum-
herman of the immense future wealth
that lay III the oil business
if it was discrectly conducted.
Rockefeller at that time was entirely
without funds, and for lack of little
money was III able to put into motion
several schemes which his clear fore
sight told him would be productive of
unestimated wealth.
The Michigan lumberman had a
couple Of thousand to spare, and think
ing it would be a good opportunity to
provide for his daughter in Cleveland
with young Rockefeller, he placed that
with the understanding that FIagier
was to have a share of the profits.
A month later Flagler and his wife ar
rived i'll Cleveland, and his partnership
with Rockefeller was at once begun.
Mr.. Rockefeller shortly after made a
trip to the Pennsylvania oil fields, and
all the spare funds OF the firm he put
into the oil lands.
But the scheme which was the actual
making of the firm, and the immense
corporation which was aftcrward called
the Standard Oil company, was con.
cocted in the fertile brain of Mr.. Flag.
Ter. The idea struck him that if some
arrangements could be made with the
man gers of railway companies by which
through an intricate system of rebates
lower tolls would be charged them thar
their competitors, then they would be
enabled to sell oil cheaper than any one
else. After considerable difficulty 6
meeting Of the railway managers was
called, and Mr.. Flagler'S proposition
was accepted.
From that time on wealth poured into
the Golfers of the firm in gigantic guam
titles. AS the business of the firm ex
tended, it was thought best for its inter
eStS to turn it into a stock company
The change was accordingly made, anC
the Standard Oil company was started
and launched unOn career that is I'm
precedented in the annals of the bust
ness world.
Strange and inconsistent as it may
seem, while the policy of the company
itself is the most mercileSs, graspins
and cruelest of its kind in the world
the men who compose it are simple il
their wants, unoStentatiouS,
FOND OF THEIR HOMES
and their families. devoutly religious
and, above all, charitable almost beyond
belief.
1t rs estimated that John D. Rockefel
Ter, who is worth $780, 100000, gives an
IuuIlN fOUU.UUU W CIldIlly. Slldl
Pratt, who has made a fortune of $40,
000,0O0 out of the Standard Oil company
spends fully as much, if not more, il
the same purpose. He has bull
churches, endowed various institutions
with enormous sums, and the Pratt in
StiIute, of Brooklyn, is almost WithOu
all equal as gift to the cOmmunit!
from private individual.
Henry Nj. Flagler's charitable gift
are equally large, but what they amour
to each year nobody but he knows. |
is said that on last New Years day Mr.
Flagler approached his minister, Rev
DR.. Paxton, of the West Forty-secon(
Street Presbyterian church, and. plac
ing a check for 100000 in his hands
told him to use it as he thought best
He asked for no report or statement O.
its disposition, and the only stipulation
he did make was that it should be KEEP
quiet.
A peculiar feature Of
THESE GRAND MOGULS
of the Standard Oil company is thu
unique attachment they form for fellow
beings and the odd channels they seel
to get rid of their superfiuGus wealth
and yet do good. Most Of the men hat
a hard struggle for existence in thei
young manhood, and now that they arr
rich beyond human desire they do no
forget what they once were or to extend
helping hand to their struggling fel
low beings. One of these Cr9suse!
took fancy to hackman in Cleye
land, and by following the advice in OF
speculation of the gentleman, tina
hickman is now worth S5OO0,OOO.
William Flagler, Henry MS brother
was taken into the Standard Oil com
pany when it first gave promise of ricl
returns. and now he is enjoying life OF
the income from fortune of $4,000,
900.
Mr.. Flagler is medium-sized man
unassuming and retiring in manner
The interior of his city home at 6S!
Fifth avenue is one of the sights O
New York. lie has spent hundreds O.
thousands of dollars in collecting fint