Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1902-05-12


was not credited, however, with own
ing stocks in Illinois corporations
other than those mentioned.
Gathered about the bedside when
death came were Mrs. Palmer, Ho-|
more and Potter Palmer, Jr. He
was known as a liberal giver to pub
lie institutions and for all charitable
objects He contributed generously
to the promotion of interest in art in
Chicago. He was active in securing
the location of the worlds Columbian
exposition at Chicago and to his eff
forts was largely due the adoption of
the great plan for the exposition
thought that it would be too costly
and that it could not be carried
through, but Mr.. Palmer contended
that the plan which was finally adopt
ed was the only one upon which to
conduct it. He was one of the largest
buyers Of exposition stock
For Chicago, Potter Palmer was
creator Of State street, promoter of
the city's magnificent park and boule-
ward system and chief of the little
army of undaunted men who raised
new city from the ashes of 1871. A
smaller man would have acknowledged
defeat and retired. Potter Palmer
borrowed $3,4OO,00O at 10 per cent.
interest and raised a new host Of
buildings more splendid than his lost
edi6ces. He finished the Palmer
house in 1873, at that time one of
the greatest and most sumptuous no
tells in the world
He declined a place in Grants first
cabinet-that of secretary of the in
terror, in 1869. .#s
He contributed largely to the
worlds fair fund in 1892 and during
the last four years was heavy buyer
of Chicago real estate, being reckoned
the largest individual holder of Chi
cago real estate at the time of his
DEATH .-.. ..
Daring originality was the keynote
of his career. He came to Chicago
from a country town-Lockport, n. Y,
and taught the merchants of the west
ing which were to rule in time all the
commercial capitals of the world.
For more than fifty years Palmer
was familiar figure in the business
and civic history of Chicago. He be-
gan his remarkable career in Chicago
when that city was but village and
his reputation and fortune kept pace
with the growth of the city.
Palmer was born in Albany count
ty, New York, in 1925, and until he
was Is years old he worked upon his
fathers farm. His first business ex-
perience was clerk in bank at Dur
ham, Green county, New York. At
the end Of three years he was placed
in charge of the establishment. Like
so many New Workers, he was a nat
ural trader and soon he was in bust
ness on his own account at Lock
port, N. Y, and was very successful.
He was then attracted by the posi-
Chicago when Lake street was the
principal business thOroughfare Of
that city. He invested all Of his
money in a drygoods store. He met
with success as a retail dealer and in
short time, realizing the demands
of the trade. he opened a wholesale
department.
AS wholesale merchant he was one
of the few who fully appreciated the
opportunities furnished by the war of
the rebellion. He was only in mer-
camille business in Chicago for thir-
teen years, retiring from that in 1865,
when he was 40 years of age At that
time his business had increased from
$4,000 in 1852 to more than $1,000
900.
Upon retiring from the drygoods he
made large investments in Chicago
realty and purchased nearly three
fourths of mile of frontage on State
street. He at once set about improv-
ing the appearance of the street, de-
termining to make it the retail center
of the city. he widened it and had a
number Of magnificent stores erected.
Among the first buildings were the old
Palmer hcvse. built at 2 est of $100,
600. At TIE time OF the Chicago fire
in 1871 he was the largest property
owrer CT the city and suffered great
er loss than any other single person.
The losses by fire did not discourage
him. He at once took the lead in the
work Of rebuilding the burned city.
In July, 1870, Mr.. Palmer was mar
ried to Miss Bertha Honore, daughter
of Henry H. Honore of Chicago. Mrs
Palmer's versatile talents and gener-
Gus culture contributed largely to the
direction of the work which her hus-
band wished to have done in charit-
able and educational matters. Her
work in behalf of the women Of our
own and foreign countries has con-
tributed largely to the fame of her
husband. Mrs. Palmer is sister Of
Mrs. Grant, wife of Gen. Fred. D.
Grant.
KELVIN DOCTOR OF LAWS.