The Saint Paul globe., 1897-12-05

Elkins formed partnership in the
street railway world that the great
success in a financial way came to both
men. They gradually extended their
interests in the car lines of Philadel-
phia until they were acknowledged
princes of that business. Then they
became magnates in New York, Pitts
burg and Chicago.
Both men were admirably suited to
each other They showed remarkable
judgment in business, and at no time
since they joined hands has there been
any doubt as to their high financial
standing and their ability to carry out
their big financial schemes. Mr.. Wild
ener is a born calculator. His judg-
ment on financial subjects generally,
and on some classes of moneyed lr-
vestments in particular. is not sun
passed by any man in Pennsylvania.
BEAUTIFYING HIS HOME.
Mr.. Widener has been a fond admir-
er of home life. AS soon as wealth
came to him he took especial delight
in beautifying his places of residence.
When the structure which he has Civ
en- as a memorial to his late wife was
built, it was considered one Of the most
striking residences in Philadelphia. He
has for years been one of the most ex-
tensive buyers of paintings in this
country His outlay in this direction
is estimated at $75O,OOO. At the George
I. Seney art sale in New York he pur-
chased $S7, $50 worth of pictures
There were masterpieces of Sir
Joshua Reynolds and many other emil
nent artists in his collection. The
death Of Mrs. Widener was a severe
blow to her husband and he has rot
taken the same interest in collecting
paintings as he did before her death.
He will remove some of his art
treasures to his country house. Then
it is said to be Mr.. Widener's intention
TO restock the art gallery at his for
mer city residence with purely Amerl-
can art at a cost of $400, 900. This he
will turn over to the free library di-
rectors with the building.
The papers effecting the transfer are
to be drawn up at once. They will be
signed as soon as the new paintings
can be purchased. 1t is believed that
the new branch library can be opened
to the public within one year.
But Mr. Wideners munificence will
not stop with the memorial library.
When the new building of the Com
mercial Museum and Art Gallery-for
the erection of which the citizens of
Philadelphia have voted $100, ,0OC-shall
have been erected, Mr. Widener will
present to it the art treasures, which
are to be placed temporarily in his
country mouse.
MR.. ELKINS' CAREER.
Mr. Elkins' career has been remark
ably intere sting. He was born in West
| Virginia in 1892, a year before Mr..
| Widener saw the light of day. His
parents were of Quaker origin. They
moved to Philadelphia in 1910, where
young Elkins studied in the public
! schools until he was fifteen years old.
At that age he became an entry clerk
in a store.
Subsequently he started in the lum-
ber business, but soon lost the pros
perity within his grasp through a
/ freshet, which carried away a great
! portion of his stock. After year spent
/ in New York in the produce business
! he engaged in the same business in
! Philadelphia as a member of the firm
/ of Sayboldt e Elkins, and continued
the produce business in New York,
! carrying on an immense trade.
He finally became interested in oil,
: doing a large refining business, finally
! dspOsing of his interests to the Stand
ard Oil company. Mr.. Elkins is best
! known throughout the country through
his connection with the purchase and
control of street railway companies,
and to the genius of Elkins and Wild
ener are largely due the proportions to
which the Philadelphia Traction COM
| pany has grown. Today Ellxins and
Widener control if they do not own,
much of the railway interests of Phil
adelphia, New York, Chicago, Balti-
I more and other cities