of the business—The lawyer's question answered—The mortgages paid—Rapid success of Mr. Chickering—His varied duties—Sharp competition—A bogus Chickering—How a Boston bank lost his custom—His independence in business—His character as a merchant—Trains his sons to succeed him in business—The result of his efforts—The present house of Chickering & Sons—Destruction of the factory—Offers of aid—Mr. Chickering's kindness to his workmen—Sets to work to re-establish his business—The new factory begun—Sudden death of Mr. Chickering.
NICHOLAS LONGWORTH.
The grape interest of the United States—Growing demand for American wines—Instrumentality of Mr. Longworth in producing this success—Early life of Mr. Longworth—Apprenticed to a shoemaker—Removes to South Carolina—Returns to Newark and studies law—Removes to Cincinnati—Admitted to the bar—His first case—Is paid in whisky stills, and trades them for lands which make his fortune—Rapid growth of Cincinnati—The oldest native inhabitant of Chicago—Longworth's investments in real estate—Immense profits realized by him—His experiments in wine growing—History of the Catawba grape—Longworth decides to cultivate it entirely—His efforts to promote the grape culture in the Ohio Valley—Offers a market for all the grape juice that can be brought to him—The result of his labors seen in the Ohio vineyards of to-day—His wine cellars—Amount of wine made annually by him—The process used—How "Sparkling Catawba" is made—Longworth's experiments with strawberries—His liberality—Gift of land to the Observatory—His challenge to a grumbler—Estimate of his character—His eccentricities—His generosity to his tenants—How he made money by helping others to grow rich—His politics—How he subscribed one hundred dollars to elect Clay—His hatred of vagabondage—His stone quarry—How he provided it with laborers—His system of helping the poor—Is charged with stinginess—The "devil's poor"—Personal appearance—The "Hard-times" overcoat—Charity to a millionaire—Death of Mr. Longworth.
GEORGE PEABODY.
Birth and parentage—Early education—His first lessons in business—An apprentice in a country store—Youthful ambition—A desire for change—The visit to Post Mills—Removal to Newburyport—Reasons for his attachment to that place—His first patron—Peabody goes south—A soldier in the War of 1812–15—A young merchant—A change of prospects—A partner in the house of Riggs & Peabody—Peabody's business capacity—An irregular banker—His reputation as a business man—Promising opening of a brilliant career—Retirement of Mr. Riggs—Growth of the business—A branch house in London—Mr. Peabody saves the credit of the State of Maryland—Tribute from Edward Everett—Success in London—A model American merchant—Establishment of the house of George Peabody & Co.—The Fourth of July dinner—The exhibition of 1851—Patriotism of Mr. Peabody—How he saved the United States from humiliation—Admission of the "London Times"—Mr. Peabody's business habits—His economy—Adventure with a conductor—Finds a conscientious hackman—Personal simplicity—Visits to the United States—His munificent donations—His last visit—Returns to London and dies—Honors paid to his memory—The funeral ceremonies—His burial at Peabody—Statement of his donations and bequests—His example encouraging to the young.
II. CAPITALISTS.
CORNELIUS VANDERBILT.
Staten Island seventy-six years ago—The establishment of the Staten Island ferry—Birth of Cornelius Vanderbilt—His boyhood—Defective education—A famous rider—His early reputation for firmness—Superintends the removal of a ship's cargo at the age of twelve—How he pawned a horse—Becomes a boatman—How he bought his boat—A disastrous voyage—His life as a boatman—His economy and industry—Earns three thousand dollars—The alarm at Fort Richmond—Vanderbilt's perilous voyage for aid for the forts—His marriage—His first contract—How he supplied the harbor defenses—Builds his first schooner—His winter voyages—Becomes a steamboat captain—His foresight—Leases the hotel at New Brunswick—The dangers of navigating the New York waters—The steamboat war—How Captain Vanderbilt eluded the sheriff—Becomes manager of the steamboat line—Declines an increase of salary—Only wants to carry his point—Refuses to buy Mr. Gibbons's interest in the steamboat company, and builds his own boat—Narrow escape from ruin—Final triumph—Systematic management of his vessels—How he ruined the "Collins Line"—The "North Star"—Becomes a railroad director—How he foiled a plan to ruin him—dishonest legislature—Vanderbilt's triumph—His gift to the Government—His office in New York—Vanderbilt in business hours—Personal characteristics—Love for horses—His family.
DANIEL DREW.
Birth-place—Birth and parentage—A farmer's boy—Goes to New York to seek his fortune—Becomes a cattle drover—Leases the Bull's Head Tavern—His energy and success in his business—Brings the first western cattle to New York—Helps a friend to build a steamboat—The fight with Vanderbilt—Drew buys out his friend, and becomes a steamboat owner—Vanderbilt endeavors to discourage him—He perseveres—His success—Formation of the "People's Line" on the Hudson River—The floating palaces—Forms a partnership with George Law, and establishes the Stonington line—Opening of the Hudson River Railway—Drew's foresight—Room enough for the locomotive and the steamboat—Buys out the Champlain Company—Causes of his success as a steamboat manager—Becomes a banker—His success in Wall Street—Indorses the acceptances of the Erie Railway Company—His courage and calmness in the panic of 1857—He saves "Erie" from ruin—Elected a director of the Erie Road—Is made Treasurer—His interest in the road—His operations in Wall Street—His farm in Putnam County—Joins the Methodist Church—His liberality—Builds a church in New York—Founds the Drew Theological Seminary—Estimate of his wealth—His family—Personal appearance.
JAMES B. EADS.
Birth—Childhood—Fondness for machinery—Early mechanical skill—Constructs a steam engine at the age of nine years—His work-shop—Death of his father—Works his way to St. Louis—Sells
