The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1897-10-14

The following brief sketch ofthe Lille
| and business success and achievements
OF the late Maj. Lewis Ginter, is fur
nlshed by the Richmond correspon-
dent of the Baltimore Sun. AS the
dead man was financially interested
IN Henderson property and was per-
sonally known to many of our readers
the article will be read with increased
interest no doubt:
AN INTERESTING AND SUCCESSFUL CA
REER.
Major Lewis Ginter's onderful sue
cess in life and his requirements of a
fortune variously estimated at from
seven to ten million dollars is all in
terestlng story. From a poor youth,
who started here in the forties, strug-
CLING for existence, he had risen to be
the wealthlest man in the whole South,
an important factor in the most pow
erful corporation in this country and
the largest owner of realty in Virginia.
Through all Of his life, whether in
comparative poverty or as a man of
abundant wealth and influence, Major
Glnter always deserved and command
ed the highest respect of his fellow
men.
Major Gnter was born in New York
on April 24th, 1924. His father died
in his infancy and left him to the care
of his elder sister, Mrs. Arents, by
whom he was reared. His family were
Dutch, who very early emigrated
from Amsterdam to New York and
became people OF some note in that
city.
When seventeen years old he found
his way to Richmond and secured en-
ployment as clerk. BY rigid econ
omy and attention to business a few
years later he was enabled to start
in life for himself. Several years be-
fore the civil war began he became
member of the wholesale notion house
of Ginter, Alvey & Arents, which did
a prosperous business until the begin
ming of hostilities.
AN OFFICER IN CONFEDERATE ARMY.
Soon after the breaking out Of the
war his executive ability and rec
recognized business capacity easily
secured for him an appointment of
trust and responsibility in the Con-
federate quatermaster's department
here. Afterward he was made quar-
termaster of Gen. Joseph R. Ander-
sons command, with the rank Of Ma
jor. He surrendered with Gen. Lee
at Appomattox Court House.
THANKED BY sTONEwALL JACKSON.
When Gen. Jackson made his cele
brated flank movement around Pope
in 1902, after the army left Rappahan
mock river and on the first days
march TO Salem, he found that the
army was very short of food, and Sc
lected Major Ginter and sent him for
ward, protected by number of Black
Horse cavalry, to ask the city to send
food to the troops. The people were
almost without meat and bread, the
Federals having stolen nearly every
thing, neither had they horses suffl-
cient to carry the little food they had
to the troops. They hitched up their
OK carts, however, and emptled their
meathouses and storerooms into them,
and Major Gin,er led them back to the
column as it passed by. General Jack
son thanked Major Ginter that night
for his wonderful efficiency, and rec
ognized that both he and the people
of Salem had done good service to the
Confederate cause that day. For
years, whenever any members of the
old Georgia Brigade came to Rich
mond they were entertained by Major
Ginter, and renewed their old army
acquaintanceship with the gallant Ma
ior, with expressions Of great enthusl-
asln and love for him.
VICTIM OF "BLACK FRIDAY"
At the close of the war he went to
New York city, where he became a
member of the brokerage firm Of God
den, Harrison & Co., composed of
we'll known Nirginans. He met with
marked success in this new venture
until the memorable "blaCk Friday
in the summer 1860, when SO many
immense fortunes were swallowed up
in the whirlpool of Wall street. AL
though left almost bankrupt, he was
not disheartened, but with the indom-
table will characteristic OF the man
he was determined to make another
start. A year or SO later found him
in Richmond, where he associated
himself with the late Joseph Allen,
who was engaged in a small way in
the manufacture of cigars. 1t was de-
termined to establish small plant
and begin the making Of cigarettes, a
business then in its infancy. They
opened factory and employed a
dozen or so hands; and this was the
beginning of business which later on
was destined to be developed into one
of the most extensive in the country.
In few years the firm Of Allen X
Ginter was known in all Of the leading
markets of the world.
IN THE AMERICAN TOBACCO TRUST.
About 1850 Mr.. Ginter bought out
the interest of Mr.. Allen for $780,
900, associating with him in the busi-
ness the late Mr.. John Pope, whom he
had brought here from New York as
clerk. The latter died here about