The record-union., 1895-09-14

come from the New England branch.
The New York Rockefellers are poor.
There are lots of Rockefellers in New
Jersey, but they have not yet acquired
wealth. One great-grandson of one of
the four brothers is still living in Plain
held. He Is almost a hundred years old.
Godfried Rockefeller, who travelled by
wagon with his family to Shamokln, Pa,
died in ISIS in ignorance of the black oil
treasure under his farm.
Alter knocking about, JOhn ID. Rookie
teller, whose father was physician,
started commission business. He was
then twenty-five years old. Oil was the
principal article in which he dealt He
started refinery in Cleveland, o., and
organized q company which is now the
Standard Oil Company. From this be-
ginning he has achieved immense power
and wealth. He is strict Baptist, and
has given two millions to the Chicago
I University. With his family he lives
quietly in this city, most unassumlng
man.
In spite of Rockefeller's enormous
wealth. his charities are large, and bis
wife and two charming daughters as we'll
give away many thousands each year to
persons who they think deserving OF
more than aims. An instance occurred
some weeks ago, where the four children
of former schoolmate Of Mrs. Rockefel-
Ter were sent 10 one of the best boarding
schools in OHIO. Many struggling
churches, and not all OF them Baptist
either, have been not only put on their
metaphorical feet, but kept standing by
Rockefeller money.
Mir. Rocketeller's family is very musl-
cal, and there is a home quartet, consist
ing OF father, mother and daughters, and
four stringed instruments, and the
works Of Brahms, Chopin and Saint
Saens are interpreted by them in man
ner that would be creditable to many
symphony clubs.
Miss Edith Rockefeller has private
hanson. and, when in town, may be seen
shopping almost any day or visiting the
hospitals or her friends. The family care
little for society and live almost plainly
in large but comfortable house.
THE RICHEST VANDERBILT.
Cornelius Vanderbilt is probably the
thrittieSt of the sons of William H.. and
has actually more money than ne knows
what to do with. His magnificent house
facing Central Park is eagerly sought by
almost every visitor to this city. His
daughter Gertrude Is, after Miss Rookie
feller, the greatest heiress in the country.
In spite OF the newspaper stories about
her wonderful beauty, she Is really
plain-lookiDg girl, but she has been
educated abroad, and has an undefnable
charm. This, perhaps, comes from her
common sense as much as anything else.
The Vanderbilt money, as inherited,
and the system bearing the name, is sup
posed to be worth near three hundred
millions, of which this favored son owns
a third. While he is somewhat of So
ciety man, Cornelius Vanderbilt d. oes not
care for that kind OF life, except for the
pleasure it gives his family. He finds
most pleasure in the quiet OF his library.
He wants to be left severely alone. He
enjoys particularly months walk in
the Swiss Iyrol or vacation In the
wilderness of the Norwegian forests.
While he is a subscriD Der to all the social
gayeties at Newport, Trouville and other
resorts, he does it more for the social po-
sition OF his children than for himself.
The wealth of Cornelius Vanderb bilt is
estimated by those who know him init
mately as 0,000,000. While he appar
emily realizes the responsibility of the
control of this vast sum OF money, he
knows, too, that its possession carries
with II the possibility of great good, and
his quiet charities and kindness OF heart
are known to thousands.
Tbs Breakers, the gorgeous cottage he
occupies at Newport, is as handsome q
country place as can be found anywhere.
1t is veritable palace. Mr.. Vanderbilt
and his family generally spend few
woH QUA, TEA CRGsUs.
Woh Qua, the great Canton tea mer-
chant, has a fortune estimated at 100000
900. For years the trade in tea has been
centered IN him. From the smallest set
tlement in Maine to the largest Capital of
Europe, tea Is everywhere daily bever-
age. " neither 1t comes by caravan across
Siberia or by boat around the Horn and
the Cape OF Good Hope, it is as much
necessity as bread. y ears ago Woh Qua
who had worked himself up in the firm
with which he was connected, locke ed
ahead fifty years and saw the vast possi-
bilities of the business. Every canton
and district were mapped out in his
mind as accurately as ever was the field
whereon hostile armies were to meet.
He knew not only the state of the crops
but how they could be transported to the
different markets. He was an invaluabl
man. From a junior partner he as
sumed control. lie was shrewd, and
soon found himself in possession and
control OF the business, which for years
was unrivaed anywhere.
Every agent paid MIN a commission.
Every pound OF tea grown in the Celes-
tial Empire hau sooner or later TO come
to him or his agents. 1t was wonderful
scheme. incidentally he started a bank
ing business III connection With bis dlf-
ferent agencies.
English merchants offered him gor-
gous time if he would come to the Conti-
nent. But he steadfastly refused all
these offers. The next Paris Exposition
may cause him to change his mind; at
least. 80 he wrote George Francis Train
the other day. In any event, he is one of
the richest men in the world, and does
not care who knows il.
The Sage OF Madison Square is well ac-
quainted with " oh Qua, and describes
him as d most polished gentleman who
speaks several languages. and who,
through his intercourse with the BRAIN
les; OF the worlds traders, has acq uired
vast fund Of knowledge. He lives in a
magnificent villa on the edge OF Canton
and eniertains persons OF all nationalities.
II All Engllshman is his guest he will be
made to feel at home by getting as fine a
roast OF beet as the English club ever fur
nished. a cellar OF European wines Is
part Of his comuissariat department.
A good share of his money, like part of
the fortune OF Ii Hung Chang, is invested
abroad. His vessels are numbered by
the thousands, ana as matter OF fact he
commands more ships than the Admiral
of any principality. His children have
had their education finished in Europe
and are more than half civilized-or
rather moderniZed.
There are, of course, other great indi-
vldual fortunes, such as those OF Baron
Hirsch, the Astors and the Rothschilds.
The two latter, however, are Jointly
owned by half n dozen mem bers OF the
family, and while the sum itself is great
it would not make each mem Der as rich
as either of the 81 men mentioned above
il it were TO be apportioned among them.
Any body can be wealthy who chooses to
save his money, but the kind assistance
OF fickle fortune is often a great aid
With the exception of the Duke of West
minister ana possibly Ii Hung Chang,
the other naboDs are comparatively young
men.
Ii 90, ,,,,nh rriIl than Ia runrkh r-hon