The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-01-12
MIR. HEWITT'S CAREER.
Poor Boy Who Rose to Eminence with
the Aid of Peter Cooper.


Abram Stevens Hewitt was born at Hav-
erstraw. N. Y, July 81, 1872. A study of
his life public-spirited citizen, philan-
thropist, educator. politician and business
is abundant in salient phases and
features. He was born amid conditions
which compelled him to make his own way
in life. He drifted to New York city very
early in life and attended the public schools
there. His proficiency in study won for
him a scholarship in Columbia College,
from which institution he graduated at the
head of his class. A year after gradua-
ton he succeeded Professor Anderson as
instructor in mathematics in Columbia Col
lege. and then 1T was that he made the
acquaintance of Edward Cooper, son of
Peter Cooper, the phlanthropist. Edward
Cooper freshman in the college, and
the two young men struck up friendship
that to be affection for each
other. The professorship did not last long
and young Hewitt turned to the law, which
in turn Abandoned when in 1874 he
went to Europe with Edward Cooper. 1t
was educational trip, and it's sequel,
shipwreck, placed Mr.. Hewitts valor and
piety in strong light: He and Mr. Cooper
had embarked for America at Leghorn
on the ship Alabamian, which experienced
such bad weather that she was abandoned
off Cape May Dec u, ls44: The passen-
picked up by the Atalanta, commanded by
George b. Raymond. Young Hewitt ex-
hibited pluck throughout the ordeals and
in later years said OF his experience: Il
was then but twenty-five years old, and
that accident was the turning point of my
life. 1t taught me for the first time that
/ could stand in the face of death without
fear and without fiinching. 1t taught me
another thing-that my life, which had been
miraculously rescued, belonged not to me.
and from that hour L gave ii to the work
which from that time has been in my
thoughts-the welfare of my fellow-citi-
zens. The task which set for myself was
ployment of men so that they could help
themselves and not be made subjects of
public charity. Self-help is the remedy
for all of the evils of which men complain.
est year L can remember, and every strug-
Cling young man who chooses to follow the
same rule who will help himself and not
become dependent on public or private
charity can achieve a measure of success
that will satisfy every independent citizen"
HIS BUSINESS CAREER.
Once back again in New York Mr.. Hewitt
went to work as clerk for Peter Cooper,
fell in love with the philanthropist's only
daughter, married her and devoted himself
to the study of the iron business, in which
Peter Cooper was so successful. When
Peter Cooper retired he left his business.
which was then paying 100000 a year. to
Edward Cooper and Mr.. Hewitt, and Mr.
Hewitt was never thereafter pinched for
ready cash. Messrs. Cooper and Hewitt
increased Peter Cooper's business and were
very successful For years they employed
various iron mills In New Jersey and the
very satisfactory relations that always ex-
listed between them and the employees were
NAI Axr1 1ClN afnrrr nx1A
alike on every provocation. Mr.. Hewitts
men never went on strike. When times
were hard the mills were run at full time
All through the iron depression of 1S74-77
the Hewitt furnaces kept on beiching out
metal, Mr.. Hewitt being of opinion that
the time would come when Ii would COM
mand good price. In 1888. when it was
discovered that iron was scarce and in
great demand, Mr.. Hewitt found himself
with an immense supply on hand. which he
disposed OF at most satisfactory prices He
encouraged his men to possess homes of
their own and always assisted worthy en-
poye TO do so. More than two hundred
houses were acquired in this way in Tren-
ton alone. His employees took lively in
terest in his business and he was a large
gamer in consequence of their faithful
ness. Few men had as thorough knowl-
edge of the iron and steel business As
long ago as 1867 he was one Of the ten ex-
perts who represented the United States
as scientific commissioners" at the French
Exposition Universelle," and on his re-
turn he wrote a report on iron and steel
which was published by Congress and which
has been translated into many languages
Three principles characterized Mr. Hew-
tits career national legislator and
New York politician. In his five terms as
Congressman. from 1874 Mr. Hewitt's
bravery and independence were conspicu-
Gus. In New York he was the organizer
OF the County Democracy and an ally of
Samuel ]: Tilden I'm his campaign against
the Tweed ring: In 1856 the candidacy OF
Henry George frightened Tammany Hall
into nominating Mr.. Hewitt for mayor of
New York. He was indorsed by the County
Democracy. Theodore Roosevelt was the
Republican candidate. The result at the
polls was Hewitt. 90.552 votes; George
6S. 10: Roosevelt. 6o.435
During the campaign Henry George al
lnded TO Mr.. Hewitt as a rich man. At the