Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1893-06-25

When young Huntington was -FOUR,
teen wears OF age he left school anu
asked his father to 'give him his time
nm condition that he should thence
forth support himself. A proof OF the
confidence which the boy inspired IN
those who knew him Is that not only
did his father consent to THIS propose
ton, but when he came to New YORK. at
the age OF fifteen, he was able TO ootaln
credit for a small purchase OF goods
with which to begin his career as d
merchant. A country neighbor OF his
father not only vouched for him, out
said. "You may send me all OF hunting
toms notes: he is sure TO pay"
When twenty-three years ola ne SET
tied at Oneonta, Otsego county, Ne"
york. rs a general merchant. Soon
after, in September, 1914, he hsa gos
on we'll enough in business to THINK OF
settling himself in life, and he TOOK
Connecticut lady for his wife. In Oc.
teber, IS4S, he made shipment Oh
goods TO California, where a rush OF
gold seekers had created a sudden de-
mandfor various products and followed
the consignment very soon himself he
sailed for San Francisco by way OF the
IsUhmus in March, 1S49, when twenty
eight years old, in perfect health, ac-
tive. very strong, with an iron physique
and good New England habits.
Arriving in San Francisco he saw at
once that that city, then the rendezvous
of the idlers, was not the place Tor him,
and on the very morning of his arrival,
after eating a very frugal oreaK,
fast. he hunted up VesseI
hound for Sacramento. Having
found a schooner bound that way he
earned his passage'by helping load her
at sian hour. In Sacramento, with q
tent for a store, he began the business
which very soon assumed such proper
tions that he became the States best
known merchant. Here he met the cell
brated Mark Hopkins, aud the TWO
formed copartnership.
Bv 1856 the firm had accumulated a
large fortune. 1t was in their store that
the scheme OF transcontinental rail-
wav was matured. In 1861, with three
other men, the members OF the nrm De-
gan the survey for the Central PACING
railroad. Mr.. Huntington was made
Vice President. He then came East,
and. taking up temporary residence In
Washington, he determined to look
after the bill until 1t was passed ana
signed. at last he teegraphed his part
ner: "The bill has passed and we nave
drawn the elephant"
Then he went to New York and began
raising the capital necessary Tor build
inV the road. The State demanded ade-
nosit of 81, 900 n mile before the charter
was granted. In this he was successiul
and few years later the road was 10
operation. This is really the great
work OF MIR. Huntington's lie. Ii ne
had never met with any further sue
cesses this would have been SUFFICIENT to
make him a marked man.
|. Since his entree In the world OF Wall
street he has held and still holds promi-
nent positions in number OF the largest
nrenertjes dealt in there. he is Presi-
dent OF the Southern and Central Pacific
railroads, OF the Pacific Maj steamship
Company, and has been President OF
the Chesapeake and Ohio. Nearly all
the roads which are operated In Cali.
fornia have him either for their chiel
executive officer or on their Board OF
Directors. He has also large hard
ware house in San Francisco which
does business under the name OF Hunt
ington Hopkins Company.
Mr.. Huntington has always given
largely to charity. He is particularly
fond of the Indian and colored races.
He built for the Hampton Institute In
Virginia, the place known as the Hunt
ington Industrial Works where the
pupils of the school are taught the
rudiments of the various trades. he
gives what he gives wisely aud unos-
tentatiousiy.
Mr.. Huntington is great book worm
and has gathered q very valuable IL
brary. he also loves pasnting and will
adorn tire walls of his new Fifth avenue
residence with numbers Of the choicest
artistic gems.
He iaarEnivsrsalist and 4 member OF
most city clubs. although. Of
corr axes littla Ma a them