New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-05-13
Mr.. FLOWERS CAREER.

Roswell Pettibone Flower born on Au-
gust. T. 1885, at Theresa, Jefferson County. ~
Y His father was clothier. The family
is descended from Laurack Flower, who came
from England TO Hartford. Conn, in 1886
When Roswell was eight years old his father
died leaving a widow and several children
These were compelled afterward to work for
their general support. Roswell attended coun-
try school until he was fourteen years old. when
he entered a store clerk. AS youth ne
also worked in a brickyard. sawed wood ana
performed other odd jobs OF labor. Meanwhile
he applied himself TO study during hours wheh
he was not employed and was graduated AT
high school At the age Of eighteen he became
clerk In the postofice at WATERFOWL n. \"
and at twenty-four he started in the jewelry
business which he pursued for several years
Henry Keep, who thirty-three years ago was
conspicuous in Wall Street and in railway cir
cles, was native of Jefferson County, where
he was born in 1918 in the humblest condition OF
poyerty He developed, however. remarkable
faculties for the accumulation Of property ana
at his death In New-York City in 1863 he left
10 his widow an estate valued at more than
100000.
Mr.. Flower had married a sister of Mrs. Keep,
and on the death of Mr.. Keep found himself an
executor Of this vast estate Mr.. Flower proved
himself 10 be an apt and ready beneficiary In
obedfence 10 a native instinct he made his
way TO the speculative centre of the metropolis
On October Q, the day Of the Chicago hre' the
Wall Street firm of Benedict. Flower & Co. stock
commission brokers. was organized, h. C. bene-
dict and Roswell p. Flower being the principal
partners 1t was understood at the time. and
no authoritative denial was offered against the
statement. that a contract existed between the
xrhi he
should pay the latter per cent per annum in
terest on a deposit of S4.0000O0 being the bulk
OF the fortune left by Mr.. Keep to his wife. In
those DAYS money in speculative centres was
loaned at rates considerably above per cent.
Beyond the requirements of their own commits
sion business, therefore, the firm were enabled
to loan large sums Of money on wide margins OF
profit Mr. Flower was admitted to the Stock
Exchange on February Z. 1873. The firm contin-
ued in existence for about four years, when it.
was dissolved. The accepted version Of the
cause Of dissolution was the gradually develop
ing ease in the money market which rendered 1t
impossible for the firm to pay per cent inter-
est on the deposit OF Mrs Keeps money and re-
loan It at a profit. Meanwhile Mrs. Keep had
been married TO Judge Schley. of Maryland
ACTIVE IN WALL STREET.
In a few years he also died. leaving an ad-
dition of 100000 to the fortune of his widow.
The handling Of this large accession likewise de-
volved on Mr. Flower. The firm Of r. p. Flower
g. Co. succeeded in the course Of time the old
firm Of Benedict Flower & Co. and their activ-
fly in Wall Street speculation conspicuous
In the winter OF 1879 Central Pacific stock was
entered on the Stock Exchange list. The syndi-
cate associated with that event included the
names Of Jay Gould. Russell Sage and other
well-known Wall Street operators and the direct
agents OF the syndicate in that transaction con-
sisted of r. p. Flower & Co. and two other
prominent brokerage firms.
The business associations. interests and am
billions of Mr.. Flower enabled him. after
coming to Wall Street. to secure election as a
member of the boards Of directors of several
railway companies. Among these was the Chi
cago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad Conn
pany. For several years the securities OF this
company were identified with what were known
as the Investment class" opposed TO those
which iuctuated widely under speculative in
huences The company had prospered by the
rapid growth Of the country traversed by its
lines, and a large surplus accumulated
Mr.. Flower was at that time active spirit in
the affairs Of the company. and was associated
In the Board of Directors with David Bows,
William L. Scott and others. The stock In the
fal! of 1879 sold in the neighborhood Of $500. or
nearly double its value Of 500 share. There
had been much restrictive legislation in the So
called Granger States against railway inter-
ests and the great amount Of surplus which
some OF the companies showed and the high
prices OF their securities and the dividends paid
were pointed 10 as an evidence that the rates