Telegram-herald. ([Grand Rapids, Mich.) 18??-1892, 1891-03-31

large business "N
blocks in the city. and his fortune
was counted in the millions. He
was man of great public spirit,
and gave money and aid to
every enterprise that promised to nd
vance the city's interests, while his pri-
vate charities were large. For two years
past he had been out of active business,
q paralytic stroke having nearly caused
his death and forced his retirement
from active business life. From this.
however, he partially rallied. and while
he had lost the use of his voice he was
able TO walk out as recently as a week
ago. A severe cold taken last Thurs
day developed into pneumonia and
finally caused his death.
fJohn P.ankinton was born ~ New Castle
county. Del. March IS 1870. He landed In
Milwaukee September 8 1874, and at once
opened . small butcher shop ut what is now
Grand avenue ue had just 400 10 start
with, but such was his snccesss that his
first years sales amounted 10 nearly $4,000
In ls4s he went into partnership with Fred
erick Layton. with whom he remained asso-
eiated until 1850. He continued In business
alone until 1854 when he formed a partnership
with Philip D. Armour. then a young man who
was known TO be possessed of sagacity, shrewd-
ness ana business ability. the immense sue
cess Of the firm of PlankInion a Armour is well
known, aud some idea can be gained from tne
fact that Ia 1880 IL did business exceeding
ti20o001
II was IN 1884 that Mr.. Plsnkinton made his
first move to retire from business aud which he
eventually carried out with great tact and good
Judgment He was then a partner of Phil
Armour and the partnership was dissolved Mr..
Plankiuton disposing Of his Chicago kansas
City and New York interests in the packing
business Four years later Mr.. Plankinton
still further withdrew from business by
selling out his Milwaukee packing in
,.rests to Patrick and John CudRhy. who
have since conducted the business. In
the fall Of isss be took an extensive trip
through the south and thence 10 California.
travelling IN the f5l,Do0 private car 81 the late
Alexander Mitchell with whom he had been
associated la many ventures At several
places, notably st Atlanta and New Orleans.
be was rendered formal receptions By citizens
AMI business organizations
In TIE summs- Of 80 while in Milwaukee
be vas stricken with his first stroke Of paraly.
sic. very light attack which was felt IN his
risst hand and arm alone. Shortly after be Ie,t
On q trip TO California whicb proved q dlsas
trcus one He returned much verse than when
he left snd had never been well man since.
Mr. Pisasintoa hal lons beer ioosce upon a.
the ies8ias eitixen 81 Milwaukee He had great
faith in the city sn5 particularly "a the west
sida section ~ which he vas TIRE bone ara
sine~. The P1ansinten house. in Which be took
especial pride. be ran Tor Tesrs At loss sin piy
because Ne vas bound that Milwaukee should
have z hotel second 70 nna> in th~ United
states or late years however the hotel h =
raid hss dividend ana IL is estiusst~a that ne
eveataAsir got hzck al ts. usonev nat he had
Pat inso a. AL through Iife he csreer rss
rasrked BY desire bot alone - make money
FOR hirnseif BAT % advance n. interests ~ Mi
wsnk>. NJ PIsrs'ntoa rev-T bed puoisc
etc. His wealth vas estimated ~ aboaf SO
oso 1ac and he vas kacra - possess in fne
- 81 nsr-soo4 - ~ eoa ca wcrth - property n
tEt- etv