The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1895-02-21
PeaholH nnr.

Monday, the 18th OF February. 1885,
was memorial day botn ia the
United States and England. Why?
1t was the Tooth anniversary of the
birth OF George Peabody. What OF
thatH Why should we commemorate
and celebrate the birth of George Pea
body? Did he, like Columbus, give
another continent to the civilized |
worldH No. Was he a great scientist |
discovering the hidden truths of ma
ture and, like Hudson, Morse or Edi- |
son, blessing the world by the fruits of |
invention? No. Well, was it that he.
like the king of Cimsus, excelled all |
men in riches, that our schools should
stop their studies for day to do him
reverence? No, no. We have had,
and no doubt have, men whose Golfers
are filled fuller than his Well, then,
what is it that rendered him worthy
OF such distinguished honor that two
continents should cease from their ac-
customed avocations to honor his
memory? We would not be under.
stood to mean his success in accumu-
lating great riches, though that is not
to be condemned when accomplished
by just means. George Peabody's
great success consisted in the fact that
while he accumulated he also learned
that his possessions were great trust,
the proper use of which was imposed
on him by the Great Giver OF every
good and perfect gift. He learned the
great lesson that the Gospel OF Jesus
Christ contains for the man OF wealth.
How few of the human family learn
that lesson as did George Peabody.
In all the millions of the human fam
lily how many have given away their
millions as did he? Though not
man of great learning, with lavish
hand he gave his wealth to the cause
of education, recognizing the great
truth that it is culture-intelectual,
moral, physical that we as nation of
freemen most need. Is it not duty
that we, his debtors. should acknowl.
edge his princely giftsY
George Peabody was born at Dan,
vers, Mass, February Is, 1895. His
ancestors came from England to this
: country about 100 years before the
date of his birth. He was not born
with a silver spoon in his mouth.
Had he been we would not now have
cause to bless his memory. At the
age Of eleven, the subject of this no
tice was apprenticed to country gro
Ger in Danvers and continued with
him four years, giving marked salts
r faction by his honesty, promptness
, and fidelity, George Peabody, when
boy, did not enter saloons nor did
he smoke cigarettes or chew tobacco
His mouth was clean and his linen
unstained by the juice of the filthy
weed. What a glorious triumph il
would be If the buys Who listened tc
; what was said concerning him Mon
day would emulate his example in
these respects. What is the average
S American boy who smokes cigarettes
and chews tobacco worth? In hi
r sixteenth year he joined his eldel
brother, David, in dry goods store
at Newburyport, Mass. 1t is said the
frs: money he ever earned, outside
the small pittance he received as {
clerk, was for writing ballots for thu
t Federal party in Newburyport. Short
Y ly afterwards he went to Georgetown
r D. c., as financial assistant to his un
Gle, John Peabody. He continued
with his uncle two years, managing {
large part of the business,
In the year Of 1912 he joined a com
! pany Of volunteer artillery. For this
service Mr.. Peabody, years aiterward
received one OF the grants of 100 acres
S Of land, bestowed by act OF Congress
Z "upon the defenders of the republic
E at this period of time"
a At the end of two years con
nection with his uncle he formed {
partnership in the wholesale dry goods
business with Elisha Riggs, the latter
furnishing the capital, and Peabody
then but nineteen years OF age, agree
: ing to do the business. In 1916 thu
4 house was removed to Baltimore. A
the end of seven years branches Al
a Philadelphia and New York city were
opened.
It was during his connection with
Mr.. Riggs, who retired from the firm
in 1929, that Mr.. Peabody gained hi
7 first $4,000. In 1887 he settled il
j London, England, establishing him
r self with Others as merchant and mon
ey broker under the name of George
Peabody Il Co. In 1885 he negotiated
che sale of 100000 Maryland Stat,
bonds, thus maintaining the State
credit, and had RENTED his commits
aim thareon 5000 OO0N IN tbot Ctoto