Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1893-08-10
SOME BIG SPECTATORS.
Career Of the Cudahy Brothers Schles
myers Wheat DealS-Fred Day.

OeiIcC1 VI tIlc Cutld1ll bIUluSTS-SculeS-t
myers Wheat Deals-Fred Day.
The names of the Cudahy brothers |
are as closely allied with the provi-
sion and cereal trades of the country |
as the name of George Washington is |
with the independence Of the Ameri- |
can people. They have built up and |
wrecked markets for the Last ten years |
and the recent failure of John Cudahy |
is but an incident in their meteorlc |
careers. They are ali men of indomi- |
table viii and have nearly always
shown fine judgment in their specula- |
lions. They climbed from the very
bottom of the financial ladder to a
position sweeping in its influence and
commercial power.
There Were five of the brothers. four
Of whom, William A. John, Michael
and Patrick. were born in county xii
kenny, Ireland. Edward A, now vice
president of the Cudahy Packing com
pany of South Omaha, is the youngest
and was born in Milwaukee. They had
a sister, Elizabeth, who gave her life
to her religion and died as Sister Stan
iSlaus in the House of the Good Shep-
her, Milwaukee, Jan. 10, 1892. Their
father emigrated to America in 1910,
and later settled in Milwaukee
1t was there that all the Cudahy
| brothers commenced their business ca
! reer. Their father was very poor and
worked in a packing house. Through
him his sons were initiated into the
butcher business. At the age of Il
Michael entered the employment of
Layton & Planl1intOn, and in 1866 be-
came connected with the Edward Rod
dis establishment where his brother
was already employed. John Cudahy,
at the age of 10, accepted a position
with John Plankinton. He soon after
wards resigned and went into bust
ness for himself, starting a nursery
with Thomas Grynn as his partner
| He remained in this business for three
! years and then he accepted a position
with Layton & Co. Three years later
he was appointed provision inspector
for Milwaukee and afterwards became
foreman Of the board of trade inspec-
tors. After two years with Kirk &
McGeoch, John Cudahy bought an in
terest in the Plankinton plant. After
ward, in 1876, when Michael Cudahy
bought out the Plankinton interest,
John removed to Chicago. He formed
a partnership with e. D. Chaplin and
the couple made money, both being
old spectators. Five years later the
firm dissolved and it became Cudahy
Bros. Patrick Cudahy was; the Junior
=
| the controlling interest in the firm.
John Cudahy joined forces with Jerry
SteeVer, also former MiIWaukeean,
and three years afterwards he was
worth over 81 100000. When Peter Nc
Geoch failed John Cudahy lost $780,
600. At the time of his failure he was
reputed to be worth S4,000,O00
Michael Cudahy became interested
in the Armour plant in Milwaukee in
1869. In 1873 he became a partner of
P. D. Armour. taking care of the stock
yards end Of the great Chicago enter
prise. In dissoIying their partnership
they remained the closest of friends
| Michael, like Patrick, is said to- be IN
affected by his brothers failure. Each
has fortune in seven figures, and Ed
ward A. CudaEy has million and
more to his credit. The Omaha bust
ness of Michael and Edward amounts
yearly to $14,CG0,O00.
The provisions deal which wrecked
John Cudahy was begun in the. win-
ter of 1892. He had made an enor-
nous winning on ribs and lard. The
natural reaction set in and prices went
to the trough. Cudahy went into ribs
again. His inability to raise funds en-
good collateral wrecked him..