River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1901-01-10

OF deatn. lie MAD Deen rapluIy re-
covering from pneumonia that for
three weeks had threatened his life.
At nine o'clock Sunday morning his
heart gave way under the strain of
his recent iHness, his pulse running
up to 1903. That was the beginning
of the end.
Mr.. Armour was surrounded by his
family when he died. Those at his
bedside besides his physician and
nurses were his wife, Mrs. Philip d.
Armour, Jr., and Mr.. and Mrs. J. Og
den Armour. The millionaire re-
tanned consciousness until within an
hour of his death.
Ready for Death.
During the day he had realized that
death was near. To those around him
he had said: Il know | am very sick,
and am ready for death when it
comes"
Soon after lunch, and just before the
physician forbade his talking more,
Mr.. Armour in feeble tones said that
he would like to hear the Lords
prayer read
One of the trained nurses who had
been attending him drew a chair to
the bedside and slowly read from the
Bible the prayer for which the dying
man had asked. 1t was read sentence
by sentence and each was repeated by
Mr. Armour When the "Amen" had
been repeated by him he sank back
on the pillow and closed his eyes rest
fully. 1t was the last word the great
fnancier spoke except feeble fare
wells TO his family a little later.
Summary of His Career.
Below will be found a brief sum
mary of the life of Mr.. Armour:
Born in Madison county. N. Y, May 10
1892
Saved his first 500 in 1851. from his
earnings as farm hand and village
grocer's clerk.
Started with party of argonauts from
Oneida, n. Y, bound for California in
wagons. April 10, 1852.
In 1856 returned to the house of his
father in New York, with nearly $4,000
the foundation of his fortune.
In June of that year he went to Mil
waukee and bought an interest in the
commission business of Frederick R,
Miles.
Married to Miss Malvina Belle Ogden,
of Cincinnati. in October. 1862
In May, 1868. having dissolved partner
ship with Miles, he became junior part
ner of the firm of Plankinton & Armour
pork packers.
In 1864 the Chicago house of his brother
Herman o. Armour was affiliated with
the Milwaukee house. Herman was sent
to New York. where he opened an eastern
branch, called Armour, Plankinton &
Co, and Joseph F. Armour, a younger
brother was placed in charge of the Chi
cago house. which was known as H. O.
Armour & Co. until 1870
In 1865 Philip d. Armour made his first
world-famous coup by anticipating the
surrender of Gen Robert L. Lee, and
netting about $4,000 900 for his firm by
selling pork from $50 down to $40 a bar
rel and filing the orders at an average
cost of SIS a barrel.
Chicago house commenced packing hogs
in 1865 under the firm name of p D,
Armour & Co.
Philip D. Armour moved to Chicago,
and established his permanent home here
in 1875.
Established Armour Bros Banking
company at Kansas City in 1879. and
placed his brother, Andrew w. Armour,
at the head of it.
Established a great packing plant at
Kansas City in 1881.
In 1878 survived fierce bull raid in
pork directed at him, employed 81 900, 900
in Standing Off his opponents, and net
ted sl.500.0Oo by the operation intended to
Squeeze" him.
Armour mission founded in 1886 upon
100000 bequeathed for that purpose by
Joseph F. Armour, and further endowed
and sustained by Philip d. Armour.
Armour institute founded
In 1892 an effort was made by leading
Chicago wheat operators to corner Mr.
Armour in a gigantic wheat deal His
chief danger of defeat and enormous loss
lay in the fact that his opponents had
secured all the elevator space Within
30 days Armour had bought or built
enough elevators to store his grain and
,disappOint his rivals.
Bought s50U.000 worth Of gold in London
on his personal account and used il to
stave off disaster during the DAYS OF
panic which threatened some Chicago
banks in 1898.
RusfueSs