The sun., 1905-08-28
JOHN GLIB, MERCHANT, DEAD.
WORKED HIS WAY TO WEALTH
FROM BOTTOM or LADDER.
From, an Apprenticeship In which He
Toiled Hard without Pay He Afose 70
he tho Head of Ono Of tho Greatest
Mercantile Businesses IN tho World.

he tho Head of Ono Of the Greatest
Mercantile Bustnesses IN tho World
John Glib. the retired dry goods mer-
chant, died yesterday ct his summer home
at Islip, l.. l., after an illness Of year
His entire family was at his bedside.
Mr.. Glib was born in Scotland on March
II, 1929, and was the son Of prosperous
farmer. He attended the local school in the
parish. and later took . short course at the
Melrose Academy. When he was only Il
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 q
half to the merchant. 1t was accepted in
those days that boy should give his SER
vices In return for knowledge Of fabrics,
textures. oolors, DC.
He had become master Of details and
felt that the time had come. when he was
1s years old. to 60 to London. He had no
aid from any ono. From one store to
another he went seeking employment, but
Finally he secured q place in large dry
goods house The hours were long and
the work arduous. but Mr.. Glib was at his
post from early In the morning until late
at night 1t was often midnight before
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
similar lines Of trade. He attracted the
attention Of one Of the firm Of j. r. Jaifray
& Co. This firm had a house in London
and another in New York city.
proposition was made to Mr.. Gibb that
he should come to this country and take
charge Of one Of the departments In the
New York house: This was in 1850. when
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
able merchant with whom he could join
hands in business Philo s. Mills. who
had been fellow clerk. A copartnership
was formed in 1855.
The new firm began its career at ~ White
street, New York city, and the partners
similar character. which it imported.
Their business grew with surprising
rapidity. In short time their operations
were conducted in all parts OF the United
States. -.
In 1887 Mr.. Gibb and his son Howard
a
retail house Of Frederick Loeser 4 CO. +,
in Brooklyn, the entire management of
which was assumed by Howard 0ibb until
1897. Then the Loeser interest ceased and
Mr.. Gibbs son Arthur came from the
house Of Mills h Glib to become associated
with his brother Howard in the manage
ment Of the Brooklyn store. Mr.. Glib never
took any part there, leaving the conduct
of the business entirely to his two sons
Mr. Gibb served for a time as president
Of the Brooklyn Park Commission. He
Academy, afterward Adelphi 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 1873. OF this marriage eleven children
were born. Four years afterward, in 1882,
Mr. Gibb married Sarah D. Mackay For
a long time before he died Mr.. Glib had
withdrawn from any active part in his
business in Manhattan borough, the man
agement Of which devolved on his sons,
H. Elmer. J. Richmond. Walter and L. NJ.
there His town residence was in Gates
avenue between Casson and Franklin,
and he had another handsome residence
at Islip, South Bay.
Mr.. Glib was q trustee Of the Brooklyn
Trust Company, a member Of the advisory
council Of the Thrift Savings, Loan and
Building Fund, Of the Brooklyn Club, the
Long Island Historical Society, the Penata-
quit Corinthian Yacht Cub, the Merchants
Central Club. the Hamilton Club. the Olym-
pic Club Of Bay Shore. the Metropolitan
Of Natural History, Manhattan. For many
years Mr.. Gibb was a member Of Holy
Trinity Protestant Episcopal Church in
BROOKLYN.