Norwich bulletin., 1922-12-13

< PaailadeGphia, Dec. na-John WanA- mSker died at his home here at a. m. < The world-fsmouS merchant and for user posemaster general passed away at h4s town house, 2O23 Walnut street. He had been confined there since early in Nozember by heavy cold contracted at tls country estate, LyndenhurSt, at Jen- ktntown, near here. He was s4 years old.
 MT. wanamaker was active In bust ness up to the time he was stricken. He spent much ot last winter in Florida, but was in this city all summer, hard aE work, with the exception of an occa- eOnal trip to the seashore. He was al- ways an early riser and was usually in his mercantile establishment before It's doors were opened.
 MT. Wanamaker is survived by son, Rodman, resident of New York sity, and two daughters Mary, the wife of Barclay Fl. Warburton, and Eliza oeth wife of Norman Macleod, both of Philadelphia. ..r, t'SAfter MT. Wanamaker was brought to his town house he did not improve and about two weeks ago his condition became such as to cause anxiety. A week ago, however, he showed such marked improvement that his physi- clans ceased issuing bulletins
 AL- \ maker was seized by violent coughing speA, lis physicians stated, which re- suited. in extreme heart weakness. Ma- iorY Barclay H. Wazfburton, MT. Wana- makers son-in-law.. notified the Asso- ciAted, Press that Mr.. Wananaker died peacefully at a. m. Members of the family were at the bedside, except Rod lnsn Waran1aker, who arrtved too ate, Tho Wanamaker store here and the aSv,sA 1ot Ta. tice' appearing on the doors announc- inss, that the stores would remain closed until further notice. The death of MT. wanamaker, who had lived his entire life in Phffadel- phfa and had always been prominent iE Civic activities, was received with sor- row by all classes.
 Sketch of WanasnakeFs Career.
 John Wanamaker led in the creation of the department store as an institu ton in American life, At the outbreaF Of the Civil war in 1861 when he be gan business for himself in a f1unbl' way in Philadelphia, retail merc1lan- dizing, in this country was in a disor ganized state. and, in the opinion c the farsighted young merchant. it wa suffering a rapid decline through prac tices that were then general. Asid
 
 paramount purpose" said MT. Wana, maker, ''was to help save the mercan tile profession from lowering it's nag before other professions and occupa ticE1ss." --here were in those days n' fixed selling. price tor goods. Bushes then demanded thirteen-hour da! from all it's employees. Customers spen hours price-haggHRg with Ss4esmen. MT Wsnamaker was impressed with thi waste of time and to eliminate it he be czne a pioneer in fixing a selling pr4c for goods. It was one of the begin u4nEs of many mercantile reform which today are 50 generally fol1owe that the present generation can scarce Y find anywhere a trace of the ol practices.
 MT. WaDaEnaker was 24 years oi when he. entered upon his career, partnership with his brother -in-law, Ma oan Brown, on a joint capital of $S,5ot in clothing business at Philadelphia He had been born in that city, July il 1S39. His father and his fathers ia daeR had been" brick-m4kerS, and Joh WaRMnnsksr's first work was ''turnin brtnAE-" He v1s nc oldest of seve cfr16ren and early in his hoyhcod was obliged to gfve up schooling an earn his own way. His first wage WeFe $1.75 a week as an errand bo q Philadelphia book store, and the B young man Ne was employed fc