The Monte Vista journal., 1897-07-17
A FAMOUS MONEY LENDER.
Story Of = Man Who Won Unsnviabls
Fams in California.

Story Of . Man Who Won Unsnviabls
Fame In California.
In the passing Of Asa Fisk drops out
from California life an individuality
so marked that 1t was proverbial in
the community. says the San Francisco
Chronicle. Asa Fisk gave name to
methods in finance as Machiavelli gave
name to methods In politics. The
common remark Of those who knew
him only by repute is Cent per Cent.
Cent per Cent. the money lender is
dead" Jealous for his farthing Asa
Fisk may have been. and in grasping
posture was he photographed In the
opinion Of his fellows generally, but
In this lenders nature was a kindly
even q generous phase, and there are
tears that he is dead. For Asa Fisk
was loving man to his own. a liberal
parent and husband, and. in stealth
he made charitable gifts that might
astonish those who were called upon
to pay to the last dollar the debts they
incurred when In stress. Indeed, in
such contradiction were the aspects
OF this man that one cannot bring
them into harmony unless he applies
one lens to his business life and an
other to his domestic life. Asa Fisk
was one man to his debtors and an
other man to his family. His character
Is to be read from his ancestry and the
struggles of his early life. He was a
farmers boy in New England, born on
Christmas day. 1878, at the town of
HOUSTON, Mass. and until II years OF
age ne lived and worked on his fathers
iafm. Then he made his way to Bos-
ton, and for wage OF So a weel;
worked In a grocery store With thrift
that showed higher development in his
later years, Fisk bought board and
lodging and clothing from his meager
compensation. Seeking advancement.
he sought and obtained employment
with the firm of Daniel Kimball & Co.
dealers In tailors' goods and supplies
HIS income at first was 500 a year.
HIS Industry and intelligence caused
Bis salary to be advanced and his res.
possibilities to be increased. He moved
steadily forward and before he was &c
years OF age was partner. Subse.
quently Fisk became the sole owner OF
the business. His fortune developins
he turned to railroads and politics
building the East Boston & Suffolk
railroad and serving a term In tn.
state senate OF Massachusetts. In 1856:
he came to California for his health
That visit determined the location OF
his residence. Returning to Boston h,
sold out his business interests. and
with . pile of ready money. amount.
Ing to about $4,000. he came. in 1869
to San Francisco to live. He started ir
business as money lender, by his
methods gained the notoriety thai
gave an unpleasant attachment TO hi,
name. He announced the rate of inter.
est upon which he would lend none,
per cent month. or per cent /;
week. according to the applicant OF
Fisks Judgment Of him. but always
compounded. The applicant might
take the money or leave 1t. as he chose
but usually he took It, for few went tt
Asa Fisk's dingy ONCE on Montgomer,
street except in dire need. As a credi.
tor he was relentless. He rigorousl,
fulfilled every engagement he made
and he expected every other man to dt
likewise. II debt OF $3.50 grew tt
$4,000 by the increment Of compound
interest he used every means knowr
to the law to collect the last cent
Withal he loaned money to distressed
applicants when none others woult
listen to their requests. A clerical Goa,
on borrower was always deemed
sufilcient security for loan-o,
course. at the usual rate OF interest
and several young lawyers nigh. hav,
gone hungry II Asa Fisk had not re-
Esrded their pride As collateral for n
advance. Asa Fisk gained a large for.
tune. amounting probably to abou,
$780, Most Of his money was caro-
fully invested In productive real e.
tate and all or nearly all of this rea
estate he transferred to his wife b,
deed. In the probate court til. estat.
OF Asa Fisk. deceased. will appear O
small measure.