The Springfield herald., 1897-07-16
A FAMOUS MONEY LENDER,
story of Man Who Won Unenviabls
Fame In California.

''.J u man VINO Won Unenviable
Fame In California.
In the passing of Asa Fisk drops out
from California life an Individuality
SO marked that it was proverbial in
the community. says the San Francisco
chronicle. Asa Fisk gave a name to
methods In finance as Machiavelli gave
name to methods in politics. The
CON mon remark of those who knew
MIN 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 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,
ne made charitable gifts that might
astonish those who were called upon
10 pay to the last dollar the debts they
incurred when in stress. Indeed, in
such contradiction were the aspects
oi tnls 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
otner man to his family His character
Is 10 De read from his ancestry and the
struggles of his early life. He was a
farmers boy in New England. born on
christmas day. 1918, at the town of
Holiiston, Mass. and until IA years OF
age he lived and worked on his father 5
fafm. Then he made his way to Bos-
ton, and for wage of SO a week
worked In grocery store. With thrift
that showed higher development In his
later years. Fisk bought board and
lodging and cicthing from his meager
compensation. Seeking advancement,
ne 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
DIS salary to be advanced and his res
possibilities to be increased He moved
steadily forward and before he was &c
years OF age was a partner. Subse-
quently Fisk became the sole owner OF
the business. His fortune developing
he turned to railroads and politics,
building the East Boston G Suffolk
railroad and serving a term in the
state senate OF Massachusetts,. In 1869
he came to California for his health
That visit determined the location OF
his residence. Returning to Boston he
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 his
name. He announced the rate of inter.
est upon which he would lend money
per cent month, or per cent q
week, according to the applicant OF
Fisk's judgment of him, but always
compounded. The applicant might
take the money or leave it, as he chose
but usually he took 1t, for few went tc
Asa Fisk's dingy Office on Montgomer,
street except in dire need. AS a credi.
tor he was relentless. He vigorously
fulfilled every engagement he made
and he expected every other man to dc
likewise. II debt of $3.50 grew te
$4,000 by the increment of compound
interest he used every means known
to the law to collect the last cent
Withal he loaned money to distressed
applicants when none others woul6
listen to their. requests. A clerical coat
on a borrower was always deemed
sufficient security for loan-oi
course. at the usual rate OF interest
and several young lawyers might hav,
gone hungry if Asa Fisk had not re.
garded their pride as collateral for ar
advance. Asa Fisk gained large for.
tune, amounting probably to about
100000. Most OF his money was care.
fully invested in productive real es.
tate and all or nearly all OF this rea'
estate he transferred to his wife by
deed. In the probate court the estat,
of Asa Fisk, deceased, will appear o,
small measure.