The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-08-28
JOHN GLIB, MERCHANT, DEAD.
WORKED HIS WAY TO WEALTH
FROM norton OF LADDER.
From an Apprenticeship In which He
ToiIed Hard without Pay He Arose to
BE the Head OF One Of the Greatest
Mercantile Businesses in the World.

TOiled Hard without Pay He Arose to
BE the Head OF One Of the Greatest
Mercantile Businesses in the World.
John Glib, the retired dry goods mer-
chant. died yesterday at his summer home
at Islip, l.. L., after an illness of year.
His entire family was at his bedside.
MIR. Glib was born in Scotland on March
H. 1929, and was the son Of a prosperous
farmer. He attended the local school in the
parish. and later took short course at the
Melrose Academy. When he was only IA
years old he sought an apprenticeship with
dry goods merchant in Montrose. There
was no money in return for his services,
which he faithfully gave for year and a
half to the merchant. 1t was accepted in
those days that boy should give his SER
vices in return for knowledge Of fabrics.
textures. coors, &c.
He had become master OF details and
felt that the time had come. when he was
ls years old. to go to London. He had no
aid from any one. From one store to
another he went seeking employment. but
for several days he was turned away.
Finally he secured place in large dry
goods house. The hours we're long and
the work arduous. but MIR. Glib was at his
post from early in the mo. aing until late
u.
he was through work.
Eighteen months later he accepted an
offer to be clerk in the largest wholesale
house in London. From one post of i'm
portance to another he was promoted until
he came to be we'll known to Londoners in
attention of one of the firm Of j. K. Jaffray
& Co. This firm had house in London
and another in New York city.
A proposition was made to Mr.. GLIB that
he should come to this country and take
charge Of one of the departments in the
he was 81 years old. He accepted the offer.
Advancement followed rapidly in this
country as it had in the old.
He had always been economical, and,
after he had learned all that New York
could teach him in fifteen years service
with the house of Jaffray he found another
able merchant with whom he could join
hands in business. Philo S. Mills, who
had been fellow clerk. A copartnership
was formed in 1885.
The new firm began its career at "A White
street. New York city, and the partners
made a speciality Of laces and goods of a
Their business grew with surprising
rapidity. In a short time their operations
were conducted in all parts Of the United
States. 'tr...H
In 1887 Mr.. Glib and his son Howard
acquired a controlling interest in the large
retail house of Frederick Loeser Il Co,
in Brooklyn, the entire management of
which was assumed by Howard Glib until
1907. Then the Loeser interest ceased and
Mr.. Gibbs son Arthur came from the
house of Mills e. Glib. to become assoc lated
with his brother Howard in the manage
ment Of the Brooklyn store. MIR, Glib never
took any part there, leaving the conduct
of the business entirely to his two sons.
Mr.. Glib served for time as president
of the Brooklyn Park Commission. He
was one of the trustees of the Adelphi
Academy, afterward Adeiphi College, and
was also one of the trustees of the Young
Mems Christian Association. He was mar
ried in 1852 to Harriet Balsdon. who died
in 1878. OF this marriage eleven children
were born. Four years afterward, in 1882,
Mr.. Glib married Sarah d. Mackay. For
a long time before he died Mr.. Glib had
business in Manhattan borough. the man
agement of which devoved on his sons,
H. Elmer, j. Richmond, Walter and L. NJ
Glib, w. T. Evans and other associates
there His town residence was in Gates
avenue between C!asson and Franklin
and he had another handsome residence
at Is!ip. South Bay.
Mr. Glib was trustee Of the Brooklyn
Trust Company, member of the advisory
council of the Thrift Savings, Loan and
Building Fund, Of the Brooklyn Club. the
quit Corinthian Yacht Club, the Merchants
Central Club, the Hamilton Club, the Olym-
pic Club of Bay Shore, the Metropolitan
Museui, OF Art and the American Museum
of Natural History, Manhattan. For many
years Mr.. Glib was member of Holy
Trinity Protestant Episcopal Church in
Brooklyn.