The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1906-01-18
MARSHALL FIELD is DEAD.
WELL KNOWN CHICAGO MERCHANT
DIES IN NEW YORK CITY OF
PNEUMONIA.
SONS DEATH HARD BLOW.
Began As Dry Goods Clerk at II and
Rose to Fame and Wealth.
Kind to Poor.

NEW YORK, Jan. 16.-Marshall
Field, the well known Chicago merchant,
| died here at o'clock this afternoon aft
re serious illness of less than week
with pneumonia.
Mr.. Field failed rapidly today, despite
that last night his physicians believed
that he might survive for several days
more. At. his bedside during the critical
hours of the past two days were his
wife, Mrs. Marshall Field, Jr., Stanley
Field, Mrs. Henry Dibble, sister; n.
B. Ream, w. G. Beale, Paul Morton
and Robert y. Lincoln.
Sons Death a Blow.
The untimely death of Mr.. Fields son
an accidental gunshot in his room,
proved severe blow to the father.
Marshal Field without question was
the greatest and most successful mer-
chant of his generation and he was one
OF the worlds richest men. his wealth
being estimated at any where from
$100,OOOOOO to $2OO00O,OOO.
He was n 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 Con-
way. At the age of II years he became
clerk IN general country store in Pitts
field, Mass, where he remained for four
years.
Began as Dry Goods CLERK.
He came to Chicago in 1853, and be-
gan his career in this city as n clerk
in the Wholesale drygoods establishment
of Cooley, Wadsworth d Co. During
the four years that he remained with
this house he showed marked commercial
ability and in 1860 he was given a
partnership.
The late Levi H. Letter was also con-
nected with the firm, and in 1865 the two
young men withdrew, and in company
with Potter Palmer they organized the
firm of Field. Palmer & Letter. which
continued until 1861. when Mr.. Palmer
withdrew and the firm became Field,
Letter d Co. This continued. until 1881
when Mr.. Letter retired and the firm be-
came known as Marshall Field & Co. as
it is today.
Success Due to Field.
| The house forged to the front very
rapidly and it is now the largest enter
prise of its kind in the world, having
numerous branches throughout Europe
and Asia. Its remarkable success is at
tributed almost entirely to Mr.. Field and
his methods He made it a rule never
to borrow money and never to issue a
note.
He paid cash for everything he bought,
not only in connection with his dry goods
enterprise but for all of his dealings in
real estate and in other investments.
The great fire Of 1871 was the only re-
verse ever experienced by the house Of
Marshall Field & Co. Its losses at that
time aggregated over 81 100000.
Believed in Chicago.
In 1872 the wholesale department was
separated from the retail store, and the
latter now covers two city squares, ana
is located in buildings twelve stories in
height. While building up the dry goods
store which has grown to such mammoth
proportions Mr.. Field, who was such II
firm believer in the future of Chicago, in
vested heavily in real estate and to the
appreciation of this in value he owed
much of his wealth. At the close Of the
worlds fair in 1898 Mr.. Field endowed
with $1,000,0OO the museum now known
rs the Field Columbian museum, for
which home valued at SS,OOO,000 is
shortly to be erected in the heart of the
city. He later gave to the University of
Chicago land valued at 100000.
This was to be used for athletic pur-
poses and a portion of it is known today
as Marshall Field. He was extremely
charitable in other directions, never fail
ing to contribute to Il cause which he
Knew 10 De NoItHs.
Was Popular Socially.
Personally Mr.. Field was handsome
man, a triile above medium height, slen-
der and well proportional. He was pop
ular socially, although he never mingled
in society as the word is generally under
stood. In his personal tastes and habits
he was quiet and modest. In politics he
never interfered. although he was al
ways ready to aid with time and money
and movement looking toward better ma
tional or municipal government
He was prominently mentioned as n
vice presidential candidate on the Demo
cratic ticket in 1904. He was several
times offered the second place on the
ticket, but refused to accept it. One
night he was called up at his home in
this city by the Associated Press and
for the second time within n week asked
if 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 to deny the story as
often as it likes, no matter where it
comes from"
Was Married Twice.
Mr. Field was twice married, his first
wife having died several years ago. Mrs.
Field left two children. Ethel, now mar
ried and residing at bennington. Eng
land, and Marshall Field, Jr., who ac-
cidentally shot himself at his home in
this city November %, 1905, and died
five days later September ;, 1905, Mr..
Field was married in London, England,
to Mrs. Cation, the widow of Arthur
Cation Of this city.