The Bismarck tribune., 1929-03-25
Fathers Almost Forgotten Auto.
biography Reveals Secre.
tary Of Treasury
CROSSED ALLEGHENlES 1878
Two Older Brothers of One OF
Americas Richest Mon
Became 6lacksmiths

Pittsburgh, March 25.-(NEA)-
Andrew w. Mellon, the thin faced
patrician Of the American banking
world, now serving as secretary of the
treasury under his third president,
stands revealed as the son Of q
pioneer and a man with q log cabin
background-whether he looks it or
not.
In 1885 the secretary's father, Judge
Thomas Mellon. looked back over his
73 years Of life and wrote an auto
biography. The book was forgotten
IN the course OF years: now, however.
1t has come to light again, to give
some new facts about the origin and
career OF one Of Americas richest
men.
Judge Mellon was born Feb. 3. 1873.
on farm in Lower Castleton, County
Tyrone, Ireland. The family migrated
to America in 1873. landing q: Balti-
more and piling its worldly goods
into q creaking Conestoga wagon
there to cross the Alleghenies.
Near Pittsburgh they settled in a
two-room log cabin. There Thomas
Mellon, at the age Of IL, began his
career IN the typical American way
py plotting q plow over the uneven
acres Of frontier farm. He carried
q flat paper pamphlet Of Shakes
peare's plays in his pocket. reading
from It while the horses rested at the,
end Of q furrow.
Admired Poor Richard
BENJAMIN Franklin. patron saint Of
the thrifty. had written IN auto
and q COPY Of It came into
young Melons hands. He read II.
ana got from It the idea that he.
TOO. might rise to something more
dlgnlfied and luxurious than farming.
Here was Franklin, poorer than
myself, who by industry, thrift and
Irugallty had become learned and
wise and elevated to wealth and
fame," he wrote. "The maxims 81
'Foor Richard suited my sentiments
exactly. I read the book over and
over and wondered II I might not do
something along the same line hv
similar MEANS"
80. by dint Of careful saving and
nard work. The young man managed
% get away from the farm and At
Tended what Is now the University Of
s1ttsourgh. where he studied law. In
l0SS ne hung up Lis shinele in Pitts
oureh - m attorney, and made the
beginning Of the great business house
of Mellon. ''''S
Andrew Mellon, according to the
biography. was born In 1856. This.
!ncioentely. may settle the much-
aiscusseo problem Of his exact age.
Inc 1870 edition Of who's Who" gave
als birth year . l352: the next edi-
Ion made It 1854, ana tho last edi.
Ion made II 1855. Il the father's
'ook Is accepted, the last date b cor.
'oct. ana tho secretary Is -
Inere y 10 the autobiography =
rood deal Of interesting connusenf |
!bout the Mellon brothers. sons az |
he old Judge.
The two elder brothers. Thomas |
VAC James. II appears. at ouo tijmA
eanted 20 become blacksmiths; and |
he father. instead Of ordering theun
urtly 70 give up such m unworthy
uea 9nd devote themselves % the
usaness he had founded, eneouraaod
nem and even equipped q small
iacksmith shop for .them. A uttlo
atcr. however. they lost their en-
nuslasm Tor this calling, and the !
loee remarks that II soon discoy.
red they were out and out business
len"
Not 6trict WITH Them
Oa Andrew Mellon and his brother,
:tchafd =. Mellon. president 81 ~
[ellon National Bank Of r1ttshurrh.
y father wrote.
= was not - strict With them e
VA With tt1oir older heukharx
lhatever might b tho CO. With
Eher children. 4 ~ ovjdont that
syos1ty W1S not tho bottlr ooa,roo
tth mine. Any oe than would lstenj
aeerful!y 70 reason and oonfogm q
: dictates.
*Andrsw vas suited 5or the huai-
rs Of the bank. but Dicks prefer.
ace was fr outdoor employment.