New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-08-20
e. M'MILLIN'S CAREER.
ACTIVE IN CONSOLIDATING BIG
PROPERTIES

In the upper walks OF NETWORKS financial
circles there are not many men who DO not
KEW, either personally or by reputation. Emer-
son McMillin, the head Of the banking house
OF Emerson McMillin & Co. He is not an Ex
change operator nor one Of the men who claim
attention because Of the great turns that
they have made, the loans which they have
1oated or the silent tips which they have given
ID favorites by means of which fortunes have
been made in a day. The man who makes 1t
business to pilot strangers through the finan-
cisi district does not show Emerson McMillin
s his office as Wall Street curosities, and
many OF these guides. and even business men
an the Street. who take interest only in the
spectacular and the sensational. do not know
81 his existence. But the solid men. and par
tculary those who interested in the gas
business, know him. and know that he is q
power in his particular field. He is a man of
business in all that the phrase implies and the
person who calls HIM at his Wall-st office
will soon make that discovery. because he Will
be compelled to make the call short. 70 talk TO
the point and make room for the next man. who
h always waiting. \ man who had a business
matter 20 lay before Mr. McMiuiu recently re-
ceived a typewriter note from him. N which
he said:
81 have not had one moment Of time to ex-
from 10 O'Clock in the morning. ard have
not had idle moment up to the hour have
retired. 7 regret this, but ! cannot help it."
Mr.. McMillin is an ohio man. and was born
near The village Of Ewirgton. Gala County, in
that State.
His father was n manager Of iron furnaces
In that iron region Of Ohio and while Emer
son received the instruction obtainable at the
district schools Of those days, he got employ
ment ar the furnace at early age. and be
tween the age Of twelve and sixteen he served
apprenticeship in the various occupations
connect q with the operation Of an iron works,
attending school al irregular intervals and
easily keeping ahead If his classes He had in
fact, early IN life graspel every opportunity for
Advancement that his environment afforded, and
was doing a mans v7rk in the world long be
fore h had reached mans estate in the matter
Of years.
FOND OF ATHLETIC SPORTS.
By reason Of much outdoor work and love
Of athletic sports he developed a physique at
that time Of his life which became invaluable
TO him in later years. when 10 an active bust
ness III, he added many hours Of study and
research IN his chemical laboratory. Although
not eighteen years OLD at the outbreak Of the
Civil War-the age required for enlistment-he
succeeded in his efforts % enter the service, and
made an a0uOra bic record as a soldier, COM
missioned for his bravery and. though several
times severely wounded, served until the close
Of the war and takes great pride in his army
record and always wears the Loyal Legion but
ton. Five brothers were in the Army at the
same time with him. and his father also did
service Three Of his brothers died in the ser
vice.
For nearly two years after the close Of the
war ~ engaged in mercantile business. and
then NJ became manager Of a gas works. Since
that time he mas never given up that branch u
business. although ne became Identified with
the manufacture Of iron and steel in 1870. and
between that date and 1855 he was either man
ager or president OF several of the iron and
steel works Of the Ohio Valley. He retained his
interests in the iron business until last July
Between 1874 and 1890 ne became the owner
or lessee Of several small gas works throughout
the West and later ne made the acquisition OF
such properties his chief business. In the fall
Of 1898 he brought about the sale and purchase
Of the Colun nus tOhiol Gas Company. the firm
Of " = Rollins & Co. Of NeW-YOrk. being the
bankers In 1889. through his engineering the
four gas companies ~ -. Louis Were acquired
and consolidated. HolIins & CO. again being
the bankers.
This consolidation is pointed 10 by NJ. McMil-
lin as 4 demonstration OF the advantages which
ccr,e from consolidation At thu time OF their
pl:rcha~-" he says. "ole Of the companies vas
selling Eas al 81 a thousand feet and losing
money: another was selling the gas at 81 NJ
the largest corporation Va selling IT al ~ 90
and still another company sold lis product al
e. 80 These different prices were possible be
causa he territory Was divided between three