New-York tribune., 1902-10-05
STORYOFA SELF-MADEMAN
SUCCESS OF THOMAS \. NTCAULEY,
PRESIDENT OF THE INTERNATIONAL
MERCANTILE AGENCY.

One of the nronlinent men in Nev-York financial
circles who obeyed the command 10 go East. and
has no 10 regret his obedience. is
Thomas X. McCauley president and chief or
ganizer Of the International Mercantile Agency.
with general offices in the New-York life Building
New-York City.
This agency, which is capitalized at s. o0oO0o and
numbers It's board Of directors such men as n.
NJ. Beldlng ST.. John Field. James 4. Carter, the
well known Boston merchant: the Hon Robert
Mackay, the Hon. John ~. Hamilton, :. p Nc
Kinnon. lie Roy ". Baldwin, Duncan ID. Parmly
snd others is ths latest result ~ the energy and
organizing power of Mr. McCauley, and Is alone
sufhcent excuse for more detailed examination
Of Mr. McCauley's life ana the causes that have
made for him success
Thomas \. McCauley was born IN 1850 on HIS
fathers farm. three miles from Nashville. IH.
which is a city some ffty miles east Of 81. Louis
il Was there he learned by the frugal life he was
obliged 10 lead the value ~ a dollar and there
he received what slight education Was to be had
Al fifteen he decided strike out for himself and
secured clerks position in drug store. AT
twenty-five he had saved up enough money 10
hazard matrimony end also 10 go up 70 Chicago
for wider opportunity.
HIS WORK IN CHICAGO
In 1885 this opportunity came. Mr.. McCauley
had won standing enough TO branch out for HIM
self and he organized an Accident INSURANCE
Company. His executive ability here had It's
itself it did. From the humble beginning If
the company il grew rapidly, and at the end of
nve years Numbered over 1900 members it's
lists. Taken IN connection with the fact that Mr..
McCauley tho only active director Of the COM
pany, this success Is largely personal tribu.e 10
his organizing ability. IN health caused his retire
ment IN lss
In January, 1892. ne accepted tho management
OF the spragues Collecting Agency. OF Chicago,
an unpTonisng business with an annual revenue
OF but $500 IN Was up 20 him they say IN
Chicago tsud elsewhere where brisk language Is
Appreciated 20 better matters He set about his
task with viii. and an seven years. thanks TO
ms energy and an excellent system OF collecting
that he devised the company was in such a posi-
uon that Sl2ecuO paid In yearly dividends, and
the capital stock had increased from Sl0Oo0 20
sSeeo, having organized local agencies ina Toronto
sho Montreal, Canada, and directing several other
u ~, ~ s,.'ss lhlsitSts Win sieat success
~ Nas thrn Mr. McCauley obeycd the call 10
80 East, Tor, after an. when a man has reached
Serlaln stage OF power and Is possessed Of a Ger
eelh amount OF inherent ability, lC Is. IN most
SSsses content with nothing short uf New York.
II NeN-lork attracts the climbers after power. IL
no iess attracts the powerful. 50 he came 20 New
aoth ana here established the international Mer-
sahtie Agency, which. as its name implies, Is 10
q hel4efal mercantile agency business Of rating
countries ~
. When The agency Was Incorporated with a capi-
he sN rHs oi &tVlvo and Mr.. McCaCley accepted
plssloeAcy, his business associates and friends
s.11h,eolately subscribed for SssO00 worth OF this
az an ;s sha from that fact can gain something
- .uea oI his personal character and honesty:
atlsf all above business prosperity. above the
hesSt.--i OF wealth. above what 20 the
frrS ss vi the unknOWing Is success. a of
,Lus sounonoss OF character and human sKmpstLy
a ss. - OF hearts rates something else To have
10 the ios' is.o bGt 10 keep those uncompromisingly
a NJ osuhg out the best in any man. And so many
''o WAS known 10 be honest as Mr.. Ne