Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1906-01-16
MARSHALL FIELD
DEAD OF PNEUMONIA
Was Chicago's Leading Citizen
And Foremost American
Prince Merchant.
A MAN OF IMMENSE FORTUNE.
Estimated mt From 500, OOO. 900 10
$500, 00O, 20 OO--largc Was His
Bounty.

New York, Jan. l6.-Marshall Field
died at p. m. Cause of death was
pneumonia.
Marshal Field was without question
the greatest and most successful mer-
chant OF his generation. and he was one
OF the worlds richest men, his wealth
being estimated at anywhere from $780,
100000 to S200,00o,0O0 He was a native
of Conway, Mass. where he was born
in 1885 His father was farmer and
Mr. Field obtained his education IN the
public schools Of Conway. At the age
of IL he became clerk In a general
country store in Pittsfleld, Mass, where
he remained for four years. He came
to Chicago in 1876 and began his career
IN this city as a clerk in the wholesale
dry goods establishment of Cooley,
Wordsworth & Co. During the four
! years that he remained with this house
he showed marked commercial ability
and In 1860 he was given partnership.
The late Levi u. Letter was also con-
nected with the firm and in 1865 the
two men withdrew and In company
with the late Potter Palmer. they or
ganizcd the firm of Field, Palmer 81 Lei
ter, which continued until 1867 when
Mr.. Palmer withdrew and the firm be-
came Field, Letter a Co. This con-
tinued until 1881 when Mr.. Letter re.
tired and the firm became known as
Marshall Field g. Co.. as it is today.
The house forged TO the front very
rapidly. and Il is now the largest enter
t,r;u .,f iss.l IL In h., ha. linz
numerous branches throughout Europe
and Asia. Its remarkable SUCCESS s
attributed almost entirely to Mr.. Field
and his methods, He made it a rule
never to borrow money and never to
issue note. He paid cash for every
thing he bought, not only in connection
with his dry goods enterprise, but for
all his dealings in real estate and other
investments. The great fire of 1871 was
the only reverse ever experienced by
the house of Marshall Field & Co. Its
losses at that time aggregated over ST.
900 600
In 1872 the wholesale department was
separated from the retail store, and the
latter now covers one city square, and
is located In buildings II stories in
height.
While building up the drygoods store
which has grown to such mammoth pro-
portions, Mr.. Field, who was firm be-
lever In the future of Chicago. invest
ed heavily In real estate and to the APP
probation of this IN value he owed
much of his wealth.
AT the close of the worlds fair in
1898 AIR. Field endowed with 81 200, 600
the museum now known as the Field
Columbian museum, for which a home
valued at $S.000.000, IL shortly to be
erected In the heart of the city. He
later gave to the University of Chicago
land valued at $i50.O00 to be used for
athletic purposes, and a portion Of 1t is
known today as Marshall Field.
I've was extremely charitable in other
directions, never falling to contribute
to case which he knew to be worthy
Personally Mr.. Field was a handsome
man. a trfe above medium height.
slender and well proportloned He was
popular socially. although he never
mingled in society as the word is gem
orally understood. In his personal
tastes and habits he was quiet and
modest. In politics he never inter-
fered. although he was always ready
to aid with time and money any move
ment looking toward better national
or municipal government He was
prominently mentioned as a vice-presi-
Dental candidate on the Democratic
ticket In 1904. Ike was several times
offered the second place ON the ticket
but refused to accept IT, one night he
was called up at his home I'm this city
by the Associated Press, and for the
second time within week asked IL he
intended to accept the nomination. He
declared that he did not and added:
There Is no need OF the Associated
Press asking me this question again. 1t
has my authority 10 deny the story as
often as II likes; no matter where It
comes from"
Mr.. Field was twice married, his first
wife having died several years ago.
Mrs. Field left two children, Ethel,
now married and residing at Leaning
ton, Eng, and Marshall Field. Jr., who
accidentally shot himself at his home
In this city November %. 1905, and died
five days later.
September 5. 1905, Mr.. Field was mar
ried In London, Eng, to Mrs. Cation. the
widow OF Arthur Cation, OF this city.