New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-08-18
SKETCH OF HIS CAREER.
ACTING IN STANDARD OIL. AND LATER IN oThEh
nvEpATvONS

ACTING IN STANDARD OIL. AND LATER IN OTHER
OPERATIONS.
Jab.z A. Bostwick has for many years been promi-
n.nt in Wall Street circles. because OF his connection
with the Standard Oil interests. ana his subsequent
oueror,ons in New York and New-England ana IN
cottonseed oil and the Standard Gasight Company.
It was his original relations with the STANDARD vi
Company that served as the founaauon Oh MS repn'a
tion and he was unidentified with other enterprises
that in any degree approached the Importance of his
petroleum record He was born In Delhi Delaware
County ~ Y, in 1920. Receiving thorough pusi'
ness education he went to Covingon, KY, when about
eighteen years and obtained employment In bank
Subsequently he removed TO Cleveland. ONO, ana en-
tered the hardware firm known as Reynolds Bost
wick. He also at one time travelled In Kentucky,
selling sewing machines and lamps. Late In the
Gfties he became Q dealer In cotton In Cincinnati,
and also acted 40 buying agent for NJ. E. stone
q heavy operator In grain In Cincinnati. In 1864
Mr. Rostwick removed to this city and built extensive
cotton stores on Staten Island with storage capacity
OF 100000 bales. His cotton dealings at one time
we're on an extensive scale. With him was associated
j. B. Tilford, banker Of Lexington, KY. with whom
he had been acquainted earlier. The firm was styled
Bostwick q TilfOrd. When the petroleum business be-
gan 10 grow the house decided to become receivers OF
oil, this venture being largely due to the advice o.
Colonel oliver H. Payne, with whom Mr.. Rostwick
was on intimate terms while he lived In Cleveland
business and soon became prominent In that line the
title changing TO J. A. Bostw1ck Co. Much Of his
wealth was first accumulated at Franklin. one Of the
early Pennsylvania oil towns.
when tho Standard OIL Company organized
MIR. Bostwick decided to throw his fortunes with the
orignators. In consequence. he was prominent when
the trust form usas adopted. and he was trustee
up to some six seven years ago. lie was the first
treasurer and held the position for many years. To
his hands entrusted the management Of
the crude oil department OF the bust
ness OF the trust. and hence he became well-lnown
on the speculative exchanges which dealt In crude
oil. 1t was this which gave him reputation as a
STANDARD Oil magnate, equal TO tho Rockefeners
and the Faglers. and although. when he retired from
tho trust his business connection was completely
severed, Mr.. Bostwicks could not be mentioned
In relation to any enterprise without creating the
popular impression that the wrath OF the Standard
capitalists behind IT, There Is said to have been
little cooperation In speculative enterprises between
him and his former colleague. after he resigned As
trustee OF the Standard Trust but the glamour OF
the Standards power for long time hung around
Mr.. Bostwtcks private specula,ons. lie was early
prominent In the combination to control the manu-
facturc Ct cottonseed oil which is now conducted
by the American Cotton OIL Company. Mr.. Bost-
wick's connection with tho standard OH combination
lasted from 1870 to 1855.
In 1867 Mr.. ,Bostwick became president Of the New
been mentioned in every notable movement in the
speculative gyratons OF that stock In the last few
years. But while the property has been the football
OF Wall street speculation, Mr. Bostwcks presidency
made him notable as practical railroad man.
necr. lie resigned the office In last January In favor
OF Austin Corbn. becoming chairman OF the board o;
directors Prior 10 the March meeting OF stock
holders, however, Mr.. Bostwick entered into com
bnatsn with Charles Parsons formerly president Of the
Rome. WATERFOWL and ogdsnsburs Eailrozd. by which
Austin Corbn retired. subsequently Nr. Best
wick disposed OF his interest in the Iousatonic road
to J. Pierpont Morgan and William Rockefeller, rep
and Hartford. 1t is generally believed that he also
reduced his holdings of New-Iork and New. England
about the time
standard Gas Light Company. In which he became
interested with Wallace c. Andrews. Mr. Bostwick
held The presidency for only short time lie was
the Gas Engine and Power Company, which manu-
features the engines for naphtha launches;
A few weeks ago Mr.. Bostwick purchased the stock
been elected on August 23 Recently he removed
his Office the Lincoln National Bank building In
In Wall street that MIR. BOstwck was preparing to
retire from active business life but he himself In
sisted to nqurers that this was not correct and there
to become active In operations the Stock Exchange
Mr.. bostwick's wealth has been valously estimated
at from $1,000 900 to in5,oooO0O The lower figure
generally considered 10 be tho more correct
Mr.. Bostwck married a daughter OF smith Ford the
wealthy retired tobacco merchant She Wa. married
his l1e long friend His wife survives him. He also
leaves three children. Two OF them are married
well known In Wall street. The other daughter re-
Gently married. TO Captain Alfred CarsaIrs, Of tho
Royal British Rides They are both IN Europe at
present The third child is son, Albert who Is now
fifteen years Old