The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1906-01-17
How Marshall Field Made His Great
Fortune.


How Marshall Field Made His Great
Fortune.
Chicago, Ill.,. Jan. l7.- Brains, energy
and close application TO business eonsti-
tuted the foundaticd Of the greatest of
Chicago's merchant princes Marshall
Field came of hardy New England blood.
He was born in Conway, Franklin Coun-
ty Mass, in 1885, and was the son of
a farmer of that town. His early life
differed none from that Of the lads of
that time and region. His education
was public, gained in the local schools
and the academy Of his town. His at
tention was early turned toward mer-
camille career, which accorded with his
tastes and ambition
He had no capital other than an active
brain and the energy OF youth, but with
these gifts he builded magnificent for.
tune. One of the tenets Of his business
career was firm adherence to a sim
lpla rule Of business; he never borrowed
money.
Started Career at Seventeen
His mercantile career began when at
| the age Of seventeen he went to Pitts
field, Mass, and engaged as clerk in a
general store -Four years Of service
fitted him for the position of head sales
man. In 1856, when the population Of
Chicago was $4,000, he decided to. cast
his fortunes with tile Young giant West.
He secured employment in the whole
sale dry goods house OF Cooley, Wads-
worth & Go. The firm name was soon
after changed to Cooley Farweii 4 90.
Beginning in subordinate position,
in four years, through ability and char
acteristie enterprise, he had so won the
confidence of HIS employers that he was
taken into partnership. 1t was then
the largest house Of its kind in the
West, being known as FarwelI, Field 4
Co. In 1865 the firm was dissolved, and
Field entered into partnership with Pot.
ter Palmer and L. b. Letter. The firm
name was Field, Palmer &. Letter.
Always Prosperous.
Two years later Palmer withdrew, and
the firm name was Field, Letter a. Co.
| The firm name was eont;s cd until 1881,
when Letter withdrew, when appeared
the name which has since become fam
Gus throughout the world Marshall
Field & Co.
Since 1867 Field was the head of a
| firm, always prosperous. In 1868 the
store was opened at State and Washing
ton streets. In 1871 it was doing a
business Of $s,0O0,O0 year. The build
ing and stock were destroyed in the
great fire, causing loss OF $3,5O0,000,
After a long delay two and a half mill
lion dollars was collected from the in.
surance companies, making a net loss
of $l,00o,00o.
Resumed Trade in Barn.
With the Chicago spirit which made
the merchant princes Of the city famous
the world over, Field resumed business
Immediately and opened a temporary
store in an old barn at State and Eight
eenth streets until the store at Wash
Iington street was rebuilt The Washing.
ton store house was gradually increased
in size and in 1893 the new building was
erected at the southeast corner.
1t was in 1872 that The wholesale de.
partment was separated from the retail
and taken TO Madison and Market
streets. IL 1885 the Field building, oc.
cupying the block between Fifth avenue
Franklin, Adams and Quincy streets
was begun and completed two years
later, being then, as now, the model OF
the world.
Today the annual trade of Marshall
Field & Company amounts to over S35,.
100000. Over 1000 employees are on
the payrolls.
Field was a man of quiet tastes and
unassuming manners. His home was d
seat of quiet luxury. He took little
pleasure in society. but was deeply in.
terested in the welfare Of Chicago, al
ways responding TO the many demands
for the city's welfare.
Gift Of 100000.
Often he took the initiative a. wher
he gave the land on which was built
the University Of Chicago.
At the close Of the Worlds Fair he
gave $1,000, 900 for the Field Columbian
Museum, which was opened june 2
1894
IN 1868 Field married Miss Mamie
scott, daughter of Robert Scott, Of Iron.
ton, Ohio. 10 them were born son anc
la daughter.
4 Mrs. Field died several years ago. Tn,
son, Marshall Field, Jr,, accidentally
slot himself d short time ago and dies
az a result of the wound inflicted.
On September 5, last, Mr.. Field wal
married TO Mrs. Della Spencer Cation O
Chicago. The ceremony was performed
III London and was Witnessed by many
notable persons.
LONDON NERVOUS.