Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1896-12-08
SPIRIT OF JEFFERSON.
TUESDAY MORNING, DECEMBER S. 1896.
IcharIes sroadway Rouss. :
The Great Phuanthropist and Sac
cessfM ndn Of Afdirs.

The following we copy from the
Industrial Edition of the Parkersbure
State Journal:
If one were asked to name the man
whose career best shows what an
American boy can do in the business
world by the exercise of energy,
perseverance, untiring efforts and
shrewd business judgment, no name
could more fitly be mentioned in
answer than that of Charles Broad
way Rouss, the subject of ouI
sketch. The son of farmer, he
rose to front rank among the capital
lists of the present day, left penniless
by a great national struggle, he took
fresh heart, began again, and is now
five times millionaire; poor and
obscure boy, as a man his fame has
gone out among men and his utter
ances are watched for With eagerness,
as business oracles,
Charles Broadway Rouss was born
at Woodsboro, Frederick county,
Nd, about thirty miles from Balti-
more. In 1S41 he went to Runny-
meade, Berkeley county, Va, after
wards attending the Winchester
Academy for three years. After
leaving school he became employed
in a country store, at Winchester,
afterwards engaging in business for
himself, at that place, until the year
1862, when, the civil war breaking
up his business, he enlisted as pri-
vate in the Confederate army. He
was a member of the famous Stone
wall Jackson brigade, participating
in all the battles in which it was en-
gagged. He believed in the cause of
the South and, with characteristic
enthusiasm, not only spilled mis-
blood for it, on several occasions,
but spent every dollar of the money
he had saved, being left absolutely
penniIess at the close of the war.
He returned to his fathers home at
Shannon Hill, Jefferson county. w.
Va, and for one year toiled at the
arduous labors of far mer's life. In
March, 1866, led by something
within him that told him that success
awaited him in the marts of COM
merce, he went to New York, without
a dollar in his pocket.
He tried to get re1it, successive
", from A. L. Stewart aud from
Chaflin, but in vain.
Finally nan named Wardlaw
gave him start and he opened re-
tail store at the corner of Columbia
aud Summit streets. The first day
his sales amounted to $1,000; the
next 81 800; the next, 81, 900, and
So, 900 the next. This was the be-
and the end is not yet, though
the great money-maker already
counts his cash by millions. For
most men the end would have come
in 1875 when the financial crash of
that year swept away all be had and
left him ZOO in debt. Not so
with Charles B. Rouss. Bravely be-
ginning again, he was able, in 1876,
to build a handsome business block
on Broadway, especially adapted TO
his own business, which has been
carried on in it ever since. Every
modern convenience--every device
that forcthought could provide,
renders this building to-day model
for all structures of its kind. The
personal habits of Mr.. Rouss are
simple and unostentatious- lie rises
at 3 O'Clock, winter and summer,
getting to his store never later than
z 'cfock, After examining a mail
averaging 500 letters, he takes
breakfast at o'clock. Through the
day he superintends his business.
for it is favorite maxim of his that
success in business is only attained
by a mans personal attention to
every detail of it. Every night he
audits the days sales, which rarely
fall below $40, 900. He finds his
in his business, obtaining
as mnch pleasure from it as another
man would find in attending the
theatre. On Fifth avenue, opposite
The cathedral, is located Mr. Rouss'
patatial residence. 1t is one of the
finest homes in New York.
Unlike many very rich men, Mr..
Rouss is generous and liberal giver
where his Judgment approves Tue
charity as being deserved. His
bounty has been bestowed on many
noble charities, both private and
public. His contributions to public
have been many and
His wealth has not been
merely amassed, by barter and sale,
aud boarded like the gold of the
miser. By his wise and jndicious
of it, he has benefited.
not only himself, but others, indi-
rectly, by unlocking the hidden
treasures of the earth-by develop
ing the internal resources of our
nation. He has done a great deal
toward the development of Virginia
and also of our own Mountain State
West Virginia. For this reason, ii
for no other, West Virginians should
read with interest this brief and i'm
perfect sketch of a wonderful career
and honor the name of Charles
Broadway Rouss, millionaire and
philanthropist,
y