Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1892-12-16
Sketch of His Career.

Although the foremost inancier of the
century and a man whose powerful in
huence was perhaps more widespread than
that welded by any other one man at the
present day, comparatively little is publicly
known of the early history and domestic
career of Jay Gould.
Jay Gould was born at Stratton Falls.
Delaware County, n. Y, May 81, 1887. His
father, John B. Gould, was farmer and
also kept a general store at that place.
When sixteen years old young Gould was
employed as clerk in the variety store Of
Squire Burnhan, and devoted his leisure
time to the study Of bookkeeping and
geometry, becoming expert in civil engi-
neering also, having great natural aptitude
TOR figures.
He adopted surveying as business. max
Ing many maps of Rensselaer, aud Albany
Counties, afterward writing a history Of the
former county and peddling it, together
with his maps, among the residents. With
the profits from these sales and the invention
Of q mOusetrap during idle moments while
q cler k he was enabled to buy out the sur
Veying firm by which he was employed. He
subsequently, became interested in a tannery
at Gouldsboro Penn. with Zadoc Pratt for
a partner. Mr.. Pratt sold his share to
Charles NJ. Leupp, who died, and the con-
Germ was sold to II. D. H. Snyder.
About this time Jay Gould came to New
York to reside and fell in love with the
daughter of a grocer at whose house he
boarded, and as his affections were recipro-
Gated a speedy marriage followed. His first
stock transaction was made about this time.
His father-in-laW held shares in the Rens-
selaer and Saratoga Railroad, which was in
bad financial condition. and the young Ben
edict was asked to negotiate sale on the
best terms possible. Instead Of olacing the
stock on the Market young Gould exam
ined the road and saw possibilities of a
future for it. He therefore took the shares
himself at their market value, purchased
more, obtained control of the entire prop
erty and sold it to a rival company at
large profit.
Jay Gould first entered Wall street as
partner in the firm of Smith, Gould &
Martin. A little later he became connected
with the Erie Rsilroad, first as Director,
then Treasurer and aft3rward President. 1t
was as managing power OF the Erie that
Mr.. Gould laid the foundation Of his for
tune, and his money ans influence applied
with his shrewd, unerrinS business instinct.
enabled him to extend his acquisition of
railroad property to the control Of the
Union Pacific and its various connections,
giving him an immense control of transcon-
tinental railroad affairs.
His force and the determination with
which he carried out the boidest of plans
amazed even the heaviest operators in rail-
road matters, yet his connection with
''deaF was rarely suspected until the busl-
ness had been consummated, as his trans
actions were usually made through others.
But one case of deteat in project is on
record against him, namely, the attempt OF
the Erie to absorb the Albany and Susque-
hanna. After a long legal fight the road
was leased to the Delaware and Hudson
Canal Company, but the battle was not re-
linquished until victory was beyond hope.
The pet hoJbY of Mr.. Gould was I'm.
doubtedly the Weste... u-.~.. .~.>.. ~E..
Company, and to secure its contro! he de-
voted the best energies of his life soon plac-
ing himself in position to dictate terms to
the gigantic corporation. His control of the
elevated railroads was acquired as easily and
as simply as his telegraph transaction. With
his immense wealth and thorough knowl-
edge of how effective weapon it could be
made Jay Gould had apparently but to wish
to have his desire granted.
His unyielding firmuess was never more
stTikingly illustrated than in the strike of
teIegraphers against the Western Union
The company lost over half million dollars
and the stockholders became much alarmed
and urged yielding, but Gould held out until
the strikers were compelled to give in.
When the Missouri Pacific was sought hy
Mr.. Gould he made an offer of s., 500, 900 for
the controlling interest. then owned by
Commodore Garrison, aud was met with an
of1er to sell at 81, S00. 600. MIR. Gould re-
torted that he could have had the property
1or 1000, GOO on the day previous, and re.