The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-11-15
EBEN D. JORDAN.
Continued from Page 1.


ner Of Prince and Salem streets. His work
In the store was building the fire and sweep
ing before breakfast. running errands and
carrying bundles during the day, and waiting
upon customers as the months rolled on.
Whatever he did was thorough, even down
TO the minutest details Of what seemed the
least important. He remained two years at
Tenney's. and then worked one year at Pratt's
on Hanover street. OF his salary of S25 a
year he saved a part, thus early adopting a
rule OF living within his income, and aiming
to possess independent resources Of his own
for any timo OF need.
When he was 10. Mr.. Jordan met a valuable
friend in Mr.. Joshua Stctson. then a leading
dry goods merchant on Hanover street. Mr..
Stetson. who liked the young mans grit,
energy. industry and intelligence. offered 10
start him In business. His offer was accepted,
and very soon a small store was opened and
stocked. located at the corner Of Mechanic
and Hanover streets. With an eye TO keeping
down expenses the young man had a sign
painted on n board no found in the cellar,
paying the artist s3.62. and spending $3.50 for
a stove. This was the total outlay.
The small store on hanover street was
rented for s2o0, and the sales the first year
were 5000. At that time the steamers from
down east aud the provinces arrived early IN
the morning. and to catch the trade OF the
passengers this enterprising young merchant
was up and had his store opened at 4 o'clock.
doing quite a thriving trade before breakfast,
and before many other storekeeIsrs realized
that it was sunrise.
From the first customer. an old lady who
bought half a yard of calico for Z cents. and
which was about the sum total Of the first
days sales. the trade increased steadily, until
at the end OF four years Mr.. Jordan had built
up his sales 20 si00. 600 per annum. The spirit
OF enterprise which in lstoi years produced
such great results. was shown by tho young
Hanover street merchant at that time, and
his store got to be one Of the most notable
and popular on the street.
Desiring to obtain practical information in
the matter 81 buying goods, and TO gain a
better understanding OF the general lines q
trade throughout the world, Mr.. Jordan sold
out his store, at tho nge q 70 years. aud took
a position in the wellknown and successful
house 81 JImes M. Beebc. Here in two years
time by hard work and diligent study no ac-
CURED a thorough knowledge Of the PRINCIPLES
and management Of the business and the sys.
tenn Mr.. Beebe had been a quarter OF a cen
tury In perfecting.
The firm OF Jordan Marsh g. Co. was formed
in the year 1851. when they opened a small
ioobine store on Milk stffet. The firm
started with 5000 in cash, but its members
had a reputation for integrity. industry and
ability, and had a determination to secure
success, and built a permanent and profitable
trade. Now IL was that the self reliance, the
quick intelligence. tho untiring industry, and
the indomitnblo viii Of Lben D.. Jordan we're
needed to meet the strong competition of the
old and well-established houses. And these
qualities were never lacking.
Large importers were few in those days,
but the competitors Of Jordan. Marsh a. Co.
enjoyed this facility. and had large credit
abroad. Mr.. Jordan introduced the cash sys-
tenn into tho jobbing business.
Feeling a desire for the advantage OF i'm
porting goods direct. Mr.. Jordan sailed for
Europe in ls5s. Though the means of the
firm were limited. Mr.. Jordan. by the mag
netism Of his personal presence, secured all
the credit needed. The senior partner OF one
Of the largest and most conservative com
mission houses in England heard his story.
and was so strongly attracted TO the young
merchant that he gave him as large a line OF
credit as he desired.
In the terrible crash Of 1857 this English
house saw many Of its old customers go down,
and when Jordan, Marsh & Co. pulled
through, paying 100 cents on the dollar. the
senior English partner did not regret his gen.
erous act of 1888.
The panic came sudden and terrific. Old
and strong houses tottered and fell. Every
day new names were added to the list Of the
fallen.
Every morning, for weeks, MIR. Jordan was
at his store at O o'clock, working hard, with
all hands. to sell off goods at some price. aud
every night he went home at midnight with
the consciousness that the firm was from
$1,000 20 $500 poorer than in the morning.
But the panic came To an end. and the hrm
OF Jordan, Marsh a. Co. was solvent.
In 1891 the firm, In addition to Its large
Washington street, corner Of Avon, where
now stands their magnificent establishments,
with it's many salesrooms and its thousand
and one conveniences for the comfort and
pleasure of customer and employe. The
growth Of this retail store has been marvel
Gus. and its wants now require the labor OF
nearly 500 employees In its different Depart
ments.
he was one Of the public-spirited citizens OF
Boston. Success did not turn his head he
was AZ genial and appioachable TO all when
his trade ran into the millions as when in his
little store ON hanover street he sold his first
yard of calico.