Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1899-10-01

THE SUNDAY SCHOOL,
In 1888 there lived on small farm
near RIchford, in Tioga county, n. T.,
ps~r family by the name OF Rookie
Teller. The family was one OF the poor
est In the neighborhood, and people
driving past the farmhouse looked in
pity on the weather-beaten structure
and its inmates. The cottage was one
OF the most dilapidated imaginable.
The roof was filled with holes, and
when the son of the family lay in his
trundlebed beneath It he looked through
at the stars and the moon. Certainly
the name OF Rockefeller carried with
II no suggestion OF wealth in those
DAYS. and no person in the district
supposed that IL ever would.
The son who has made the name IA
mous was born in July of that year,
and they named him John Davidson.
The child was not a handsome one by
any means, and far from being strong,
vet he grew rapidly and seemed to
thrive upon the scanty fare at the
farmhouse. He seemed to take great
interest in everything connected with
the farm. and, like most farmers
children. he soon learned to take care
of himself, and was doubtless toddling
(. all over the place before he was 2 years
old. Little Johnnie" however, was
not considered a very bright child by
the neighbors, and it never occurred to
them that he would amount to any
thing in the world.
The child grew Very rapidly. He was
very tall for his age and very slender,
and his movements were slow and de-
liberate. He learned to do the chores
about the place, and when old enough
he was sent to the district school, sew
eral miles away In the summer he
was sent out TO work on nearby
farm. for the father was able to at
tend to the tiny Rockefeller place
alone.
When the family moved to Cleveland
later on, the young man went with
them, and in this city he grew to
young manhood. 1t was here also that
be started on his rapid road to fortune,
SO that Cleveland is usually known as
the home of the richest man in the
world
I called upon this one-time farmers
lad at his home in New York the other
day to get some details about his boy
hood days, for certainly the beginnings
of such a career as his, however it may
be viewed, are of great interest. One
of his chief characteristics, however, is
his dislike for publicity, and it is on
rare occasions that he talks Of his early
experiences, and then only when he is
persuaded that the narrative will be
helpful to some one.
In New York Mr. Rockefeller lives
in an unpretentious house on Fifty
fourth streets, which on the outside has
more the appearance of boarding
place than the residence of a multi-mil-
lionaire. Within, it is furnished in a
quiet taste, and every apartment has
an air of comfort and homelikeness.
Mr. Rockefeller himself is as quiet in
appearance end as modest in demeanor
as is the house and its furnishings. He
dresses always in black, walks with a
slight stoop, and has long, heavy hair,
which is slightly streaked with gray.
az nd nj
tiers each word with an accent which is
not to be mistaken in its meaning. He
speaks like one who is used to having
his words obeyed.
Mr. Rockefeller seems to have most
vivid recollection of his boyhood days.
He remembers mauy incidents, not par
ticularly striking. which would have
been forgotten by most men; nut to
Mr.. Rockefeller they are dear remem-
brances Of days gone by. and he cher
Ashes them with care. They are price
less POSSESSIONS he said 20 ne, and
would take nothing as a purchase price
for them. 1t is these which have made
me what | am. My boyhood days were
training days"
Is it true. them that you worked
upon a FARM" l asked.
Yes. it is true" was the reply. 81
worked for many months as farmers
lad, and the work was good for me- !
would have continued working at it
had not removed to Cleveland"
He worked usually, as he informed
me, for % cents day, and from 5 or
4:30 in. the morning until darkness
fell in the evening. He was grumb,ed
at by the farmers because he worked
slowly. 1t was his custom to spend
some time in laying out piece of
work before beginning it. I'm this
way" he said, Il was always able to
do it in the very best way" The farm
ers, however, did not appreciate this
forethought, and Johnnie Rockefeller
was considered "a leetle lazy" They
did not consider that while other boys
worked faster they did not work as
we'll. The boy was not fond of the