The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1912-06-05

career and his eminent success in accumu-
lating a fortune which was estimated at
half million, all Of which vas swept away
by the result of the war. That incident
has been closed for many years, and Is
numbered now with the things that are
past.
Having had some experience myself in
farming, and in organizing a goat, cattle
and stock ranch, 1 can readily, off-hand,
estimate and measure the probable success
Of a Polander in cultivating these old hills,
when it was thought to be suicidal to
break up land deep enough to disturb the
clay subsoil. My own eminent success in
raising goats, and especially in growing
oats, satisfies me that Nh. Visanska vas a
great farmer. This fact is evidenced in
another fact, that after being a very rich
man, he was after two years Of farming
enabled to come to Abbeville in 1878, when
he had 81, 500, borrowed. or left from his
farming operations, with which to open a
store where Mr.. Poliakoff is now doing
business. Mr.. Visanska contracted to pay
500 rent and opened a small stock OF
goods. He prospered from the start, and
it Yves not long until his stock was in
creased, and in consequence his establish
ment became more attractive and more
inviting as his customers increased.
In a few years he bought the store in
which he now does business, and as time
went on his stock of goods grew to such
proportions that some OF his neighbors
prophesied, or said that he could not sell
so much goods, and that he would be sure
ly broke.
But all the prophets of evil we're mis-
taken. He still added new stock and
opened other doors. Prosperity came to
him without reserve and without bounds,
He began to buy lands and houses, and
to invest money in banks, mortgages,
stocks and other financial deals.
In 1892 he became interested in the pro-
position to build a cotton mill in Abbeville,
and to his determination and to his gene
rous expenditure of money we are today
indebted for the existence of our greatest
industrial enterprise. He has built, and
he now owns a greater number Of nice
store rooms in town than any other man.
Instead Of living in a modest little rent
ed cottage on a side street, as he did when
he first came to Abbeville, he now owns
one of the most elegant homes in the city,
which is located on one Of the largest, as
we'll as one of the most valuable lots on
Main street.
, AS a citizen, he has always been in the
front rank, and when public improvements
were to be made he has led all the rest.
He has done more good for Abbeville than
any other half dozen men in town ever
did.
Notwithstanding his public spirit and
his liberaiity he is the richest man in
town, and the largest tax payer in the
county, and in him is exemplified the fact
that ''the liberal soul shall be made fat"
Advanced in years, enfeebled in body,
Mr.. Yisanska is not actively at work,
though he takes great interest in the
business and welfare Of those who are to
follow him.
In all the success that has followed Mr.
Visanska, Mr.. Philip Rosenberg 1.-THE father
OF the bride to be, has by his sntiring zeal
and energy contributed very largely. He
came to Abbeville from Germany and sue
eeeded his brother, Mr.. Wolfe Rosenberg
who had with Mr.. Visanski started this
wonderful business on its upward trend
Mr.. Philip Rosenberg was, until his health
was impaired a few years ago, the moving
spirit OF this great firm. Mr.. Sol Rosen'
berg, his oldest son, is now in active charge
of the business.