The San Francisco call., 1897-01-01
ASA F|SK'S
ACTIVE LIFE
How the Poor Yankee Lad
Worked His Way to
Wealth.
HIS Early Life SPENT on the
Farm and as a Grocer's
Clerk.
Was Once a State Sen ator-He Bull
One of the First Street Rail.
roads in Boston.

Asa Fisk is still confined to his bed al
his residence on the corner of Hayes and
Buchanan streets. His family state that
his condition is not so serious as has been
reported, although it is doubtful if he will
ever be able to be about or attend to his
business affairs again. His system: is
breaking down from old age, accelerated
by recent attack of pneumonia.
On the 18th of last June Mr.. Fisk closed
his Office and went to his home. Since
then he has not been out of the house
over dozen times. About six weeks ago
he was attacked by chill, and immedi-
ately after the physician said that pneu-
mon la had set set in. 1t was hard strug-
gle, but the old mans vigor carried him
through the attack, which left him very
weak. The infrmities of age became more
apparent, until now he is constantly con-
fined to his sed. Nevertheless his mind
is active as ever, and he gives directions
as to his business affairs the same as when
he was in better physical health.
Mr.. Fisk is we'll known in business cir
cles, out in his private affairs he has al
ways maintained reserve I'll at but few of
his intimate associates broke through. He
was born at Hol!iston, Mass, on Christ
mas, 1918. He comes of an old New Eng
land family. His early life was spent on
farm. At the age OF Ia young Fisk left
the farm and made his way TO Boston and
went to work in a grocery-store, where for
a long time he earned So a week and
boarded. lodged and clothed himself.
This life did not hold out promises to
the young man and he secured employ
ment in the firm OF David Kimball & Co.,
who dealt in tailors' goods and supplies.
1t was then that Fisk first demonstrated
that he was possessed of more than ordi-
nary business ability. For the first few
years his salary was only 500 year, but
this wa, gradually increased until he held
several positions of trust and confidence.
The death of one of the memb bers of the
firm presented an opportunity that the
young man was not slow to take advantage
of, and soon after he had a half interest
in the concern, which took the name OF
Kimball & Fisk.
In 1856 the death OF Mr.. Kimball left
Mr.. Fisk the sole proprietor of the busi-
ness, but q while after he took in part
ner. While still engaged in that line Mr..
Fisk branched ont and built the East
Boston and Suffolk Railroad. During
these years he was resident of the Mid
dlesex district, suburb of Boston, and
one term he represented the district in the
Massachusetts Senate of 1859 and 1860.
His close application TO business af
fairs i'm paired his health, and so, in 1862
Mr.. Fisk came to California. He travelled
extensively all over the State, combining
business with pleasure. After an ab-
sence of year or two he returned to
Boston and eventually closed out his busi-
ness in that city. The remem brance of
California was always with him, and in
1869 Mr.. Fisk returned to this State, bring
ing with HIM about $75 600.
Once again he took subordinate posi-
tion and travelled all over the State pur-
chasing wool for the old trm of Ballard &
Hall.
1t was about 1871 or 1872 that Mr.. Fisk
started into the business of money
broker, a business that he has followed
ever since. His fortune now amounts to
several hundred thousand dollars, but the
exact amount is unknown even to his
family. He still owns large holdings Of
real estate in the East as well as in this
State.
Early in life he married, and three
children were the result of that union.
His first wife died and he married again
in this State, and two more children were
added to his family.
One who is we'll acquainted with the old
man stated that while Asa Fisk has the
reputation of driving a hard bargain in
money matters, there are many good
traits in his character.
rev ever nearu tnat Asa FISK was
given to acts OF charity" the gentleman
remarked, ''yet to my positive knowledge
he has helped many a poor fellow when
be was sure that it was worthy case.
Upon these matters he always maintained
the strictest secrecy and he never forgave
person for telling ti-at he had been
helped by the hand of Asa Fisk. That
was one of his peculiarities. Another was
that no matter how much he was abused
he was never known 10 have replied 10 any
attacks made upon him, although many
were most unjust. He transacted his own
business in his own way and no one was
obliged to deal with him ii he did not like
his terms. But even if all of the hardness
of heart attr buted to Asa Fisk were fact
his good acts will go long way to count
eract them"