The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1900-01-10

lhS rapidly Tor the last wear The end
came without any warning. and at a time
when the family was mourning the death
OF Miss Matiide NJ Praesent. a niece of
Mrs Lehman. and for the last sixteen
years cashier OF the Fair. who died on
Thursday evening Of heart failure. The
double affliction left Mrs. lehman CON-
pleteiy Frustrated.
Mr.. Lehman long 400 was recognized
as one OF the most typical OF Chieago's
sefmade businessmen. He was born in
Germany fifty years ago, OF poor parents
and began his career in the commercial
world when a mere boy His parents
came to the United States when he was
but years old and settled at Nani,owoc
Wis, where his father engaged in his
trade as basket maker A few years
later the family came TO Chicago and the
father and son worked together in the
manufacture Of baskets
Possessed Of an active and ambitious
nature the son began TO seek for a wider
field where he could be independent and
exercise his talents 10 better ADVANTAGE
His first venture outside OF sAe parental
roof was as a bell boy in the old Clifton
House. which stood at Madison street
and Wabash avenue. This was a brief
experience. however, for he was con-
stantly on the alert for an opportunity
10 start in businessfor himself
With scarcely any capital, and relying
entirely on his own efforts Mr.. lehman
opened little jewelry store In 1879. near
the corner OF State and Adams street.
naming It the Fair. He prospered slow
partments to his store as his means
would permit. and applying himself with
all his energy 10 the promotion OF his
venture. Soon he found it necessary 20
seek a better location. and this led him
TO the leasing Of the site Of the present
big commercial enterprise.
Mr. Lehman did not count the coost
to himself of his devotion to business.
No detail OF his business was too trifing
for his attention, and, as his store en-
larged and multiplied, he forced himself
TO perform a task too great Cor his
strength. He had demonstrated his re-
markable sagacity in al unmistakabls
manner. his store had grown 20 proper
tons gigantic as compared with its be-
ginning, and he was beginning to take
rank among the leading merchants Of the
country when his health broke bown sud
denly.
In 1890 Judge Pendergast issued an or
der decreeing that Mr.. Lehman should
be placed in the custody OF his wife. and
sent by her TO thu BIoominsdale Asylum
for the Insane, New York A further
provision of the order was that a report
should be sent TO the Count Court
every sixty days. detailing the condition
of the patient. and that AT such time as
it would appear that the chances OF his
recovery were gone he should be taken
into the County Court OF Cook County
and given a trial by jury.
Mr. Lehman was waiting at the sta
ton to take a train for the asylum at
Bloomingdale when he was served with
a summonsfrom the Probate Court, where
an application had been made by Mrs.
Lehman TO be appointed conservator OF
the estate. While he was on the road 10
New York an order was entered in the
Probate Court. on the showing made in
the proceedings, finding Mr.. Lehman 10
he a distracted person and unable 70
manage his estate. Mrs. lehman was
appointed conservator and Charles Greve
a relative Of Mrs. Lehman, practically
has had charge OK the business ever
since.
The value OF the Lehman estate is
believed by competent judges TO be over
SO, 900 This belief was expressed dur
/ ing the day by Judge Jesse Holdom. VINO
was associated in the proceedings be-
| fore the County Court at the time Of Mr..
! Lehmann's breakdown. lie said he be-
| leved the Lehman estate 20 De the
largest IN Cook County. Otto Young. the
| only partner with Mr.. Lehman in the
/ Fair, declined to estimate the valae Or
| the estate. but was glad 10 pay a tribute
TO the memory OF the man with whom he
| once was associated IN business.
'NIr. lehman was one Of the rare men
who deserved all his wealth" said Mr
! Young. ''No more charitably disposed
/ and generous man ever engaged in bus
mess in Chicago. He was ready at ali
I times 10 extend a helping hand 10 the
needy and unfortunate. Once he called a
man his friend he remained a friend al
ways, especially in times Of adversely.
/ he never forgot the smallest favor shown
TO him while he was struggling 70 make
/ a start in his youthful! days. The amount
1 Of money given by Mr.. Lehman 20 char
4 liable institutions will never De known
/ generally unless those Institutions open
( their books and show the figures. but the
( total amount must have been mag
nincent sum. lie was always giving AMI
never denying"
John J. Knickerbocker, for many wears
+ Mr.. LehmanH's attorney. was asked. for
+ an interview about MS former Client lie
/ sald
! Mr. lehman had formerly bsena 10
/ te bell boy in this city and had sod pa
| pers on the street His father was poor.
I His mother died at AIanitowoc Wiz ana
/ 7 think his only brother died there al
though ~ has a half-brother, Frederick
+ lehman. residing in This city. Hr Leh-