The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-10-03

VIII be "A source OF EeIiet ~ ''S''
in Richmond will be kcenly felt by
tbousandI whom he has assisted in va
| ilous ways for years. and VIII be ca
| lamitv TO the business interests Of this
| city.
Major Ginter lived most OF his life in
Rlchmond. He was "A native OF New
York city. lie was born on the 4th OF
AnriI ISst. Little Is known here of his
childhood and early youth. The man NM
solf was so modest and so seldom spoke
Of himself. that his most intimate friends
in Richmond. who have been entertained
al both his country and city homes, nave
travelled with him abroad. and have
known him ever since he came to this
citv know practically nothing Of his HE
before he settled in Richmond.
OIL, KNICKERBoCKER STOCK.
Ite was from the genuine old Knicker-
booker stock.
The original name was Guenther, and
for generations his ancestors resided
I'm Holland.
Ills parents before him prided them
solves upon their lineage. and often told
Young Lewis Of his grandfather ana
rreat-grandflther, who were men OF IN
anence i'm the little Dutch town
where they lived. ThOngh peo-
ple OF little financial means, tie
Gucnthers were respected for theW
honesty. thrift. and for their patriotism
That original Knickerbocker blood Whlch
has been a source Of pride for so many
generations TO all who left their natNe
land and colonlzed New York, flowed IN
the veins OF Mr.. Gintcr. lie frequently
referred 10 his good old knickerpocker
ancestors. and always with kindly
smile that left no doubt Of The hlsh es-
tecm in which he held them.
Thev settled on Manhattan Island dur
ing the last century.
The name Gucnther through the innu-
enco that custom bears upon tho pro-
nunciation OF words gradually became
Gunter. the IN" and the 'c' having dis
appeared on this side.
For the same reason. and from tho fact
that convenience cOrrupts the language
To no little extent. the "u' became T.
and the boy Lewis never went under any
other name than Gnter.
lie did not enjoy the advantages or
collegiate education. and had little or no
mental training except what he acquired
through his own energies. From his early
youth he exhibited signs Of business
ability. When he was earning some
money he would put it aside with a view
TO making some small investments. He
had Judgment. pluck. and that thrift
which he inherited from his Dutch ances-
try.
with these qualifications I'm his favor
with no dssipated habits, and with an
ambition 10 become man oi
means, usefulness and influence In
the community I'm which ne lived
he commenced his business career.
lie had no capital TO stand on. His
father was not able TO set him up IN
business. and young Lewis had 20
la,inch ont uDOn the sea OF life for him
SELF. and sink or swim according to his
ability TO overcome the many difficulties
encountered.
CAME TO RICHMOND.
The circumstances attending young
Glnter's removal TO this city are not
known by his most intimate friends here.
10 had no relatives or intimate acquain-
tauces I'm Richmond. and SO far as is
tnown little business prospects when he
arrived. with him came the late John 9.
saafcr. who established himself in busi-
ness here and was for many years one of
RichmOud's most substantial citizens.
Mr.. Shafer was "a friend Of young Gin
tor. Who 8. is believed was persuaded by
shafer to join him in n trip 10 Richmond
to look around with a view 10 starting
in business here.
However this may have been. the two
youths found themselves in the capital
OF the Old Dominion one bright morning
I'm the spring Of 1872
The air was delightfully."- soft and brac-
ing. and the two strangers were charmed
with the climate which formed 50 strik-
ing contrast with the raw and tickle
weather Of New York There were
tncn no street cars no gas lights. and
little paving on the streets Richmond
had scarcely a third of her present popu-
latlon. and the city was not characterized
by the rush. rumble ana roar now heard
I'm the business quarter.
There was a striking difference between
the languid Southern town and the bust
ling Northern metropolis. The two
young men noted this. and remarked upon
the fact. Hero they saw an opportunity
90 embark in business. Their Dutch
thrift was greatly I'm their favor I'm an old
fashioned Southern city. Whether or not
they realized this II was only "a short
timo before the two strangers were estab-
lished I'm different lines OF business. Sue
cess gradually rewarded their efforts.
shafer steadily building up a iourshing
trade while Ginter soon accumulated
enough with the sale OF his retail store
10 establish "a lucrative wholesale enter
prise that eventually became ono Of the
largest concerns OF tine kind I'm this part