Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-01-17

sketch of Career.
Marshall Field was without question the
greatest and most successful merchant of
his generation and he was one OF the
worlds richest men, his wealth being estl-
mated at anywhere from 500 1000 to Son.
10000. He was a native of Conway, Mass.
where he was born in 1895. His father was
a farmer and Mr. Field obtained his educa-
ton in the public schools of Conway. At
the age OF II he became a clerk in a gen.
eral country store at Pittsfleld, Mass.
where he remained for four years. He
went to Chicago in 1886 and began his ca
reer in that city as clerk In the whole
sale dry goods establishment of Cooley.
Wadsworth & Co. During the four years
that he remained with this house he showed
marked commercial ability and in 1850 he
was given a partnership. The late Levy r.
Letter was also connected with the firm,
and In 1866 the two young men withdrew
and, in company with the late Potter Pal-
mer. they organized the firm of Field Pal
mer g. Letter, which continued until 1857,
when Mr.. Palmer withdrew and the firm
became Field. Letter & Co. This continued
until 1884, when Mr.. Letter retired and the
firm became known as Marshall Field &
Co., as It is today. The house forged to
the front very rapidly and it is now the
largest institution OF its kind in the world,
with numerous branches throughout Europe
and Asia. Its remarkable success is at
trlbuted almost entirely to Mr.. Field and
his methods. He paid cash for everything
he bought, not only in connection with his
dry goods enterprise, but for all his deal
ings in real estate and in other investments.
The great fire of 1871 was the only reverse
atra Ia,,t he 90 Afor~ hall
Field & Co. Its losses at that time aggre-
gated over s1O00,000.
In 1872 the wholesale department was sep
now covers a city square and is located in
buildings twelve stories in height.
Public Spirited.
While building up the dry goods store
which has grown to such mammoth pro-
portions, Mr.. Field, who was a firm believer
in the future of Chicago. invested
heavily in real estate and to the appreci-
alton Of this in value he owed much Of his
wealth.
At the close of the Worlds fair in 1898,
Mr.. Field endowed with 100000 the mu-
scum now known as the Field Columbian
museum, for which home home valued at
100000 is shortly to be erected In the
heart of the city. He later gave to the
University of Chicago land valued at $3.50, 900,
to be used for athletic purposes. and a
| portion of II is known today as Marshal
field. He was extremely charitable in other
directions, never failing to contribute to a
| cause which he knew to be worthy.
Personally Mr.. Field was handsome
| man, trifie above medium height. slender
! and well-proportioned. He was very popu-
| lar socially, although he never mingled In
society as the word Is generally understood.
In his personal tastes and habits he was
! quiet and modest In politics he never in
| terfered, although he was always ready
| to aid with time and money any movement
looking toward better national or municipal
government. He was prominently men,
| toned as a vice presidential candidate on
the democratic ticket in 1904. He was sew.
| eral times offered the second place on the
| ticket, but refused to accept 1t. One night
! he was called up at his home in this city
by the Associated Press and for the second
time within a week asked II he intended tc
accept the nomination. He declared that h,
did not and said:
There is no need of the Associated Pres.
asking me this question again. 1t has m,
authority to deny the story as often as Il
likes. no matter where II comes from"
Mr.. Field was twice married. his frs
wife having diedseveral years ago. Mrs
Field left two children, Ethel. now married
and residing in bennington, England, and
Marshal Field, tr.. who accidentally sho
himself at his home in Chicago Novembe
20. 1905. and died five days later. Septembe
g. 1906 Mr.. Field was married in London
England. to Mrs. Cation, the widow O.
Arthur Cation OF Chicago.