In the summer of 1838, John Wannamaker was born in Philadelphia. His
father was a brick-maker, and while out of school mornings, nights and
Saturdays, the boy John was engaged in turning bricks which were laid in
the sun to dry. Thus early those habits of industry were instilled into
the lad who, by his own diligence, was destined to one day become the
merchant prince of Philadelphia.
A few years later, school was abandoned for steady employment which was
found in a store four miles from his home, where he boarded, for he had
not the means to do otherwise, thereby walking eight miles per day,
aside from his duties at the store, receiving $1.25 each Saturday
evening. Think of it, working hard all the week, walking four miles
night and morning--in all forty-eight miles per week, and receiving only
$1.25 salary for the entire week's work. Afterward he was employed in a
law office, and still later we find him in a clothing store at a salary
of $1.50 per week. Here he seemed to find the calling which suited his
taste, and he cultivated a pleasing disposition; people liked to trade
with the young clerk. Of course this faculty, coupled with energy, would
soon bring recognition, and it was not long before he was called to
responsible positions. Another strong feature of the success of John
Wannamaker was, he lived on less than he earned, and saved the balance.
In 1861 he had saved several hundred dollars, and as he had earned a
reputation for honesty and ability, he was enabled to start in business
on his own account. This firm of Wannamaker & Brown was situated at the
corner of Sixth and Market streets. Mr. Wannamaker kept the books--the
firm hired no superfluous help--everything that they could do personally
they hired no one to do. A firm which possesses ability, and follows
such business rules, will succeed. Notwithstanding that the times were
unusually "shaky," they prospered.
As the business increased other stores were opened, and John Wannamaker,
the poor clerk--after a period of twenty years of enterprise, pushed by
energy, controlled a force of 6,000 employes. Not only does the firm
handle clothing, but every conceivable article generally found in retail
trade, the establishment being the largest in the great city of
brotherly love.
How pleasant it is to see men to whom God has bountifully supplied money
using that means for the good of their fellow-creatures. Among the
liberal, whole-souled millionaires of our country, John Wannamaker is to
be found. Although carrying on an immense business he has found time to
establish Sunday-Schools, solicit money for the Young Men's Christian
Association, and has contributed to these personally, over $100,000.
John Wannamaker is a philanthropist. One of his favorite schemes has
been to go into the vilest neighborhoods, establish a Sunday-School,
build nice houses, and thus bring the locality up to the plane of
respectability. He was looked to for aid when the Centennial was
projected, and it is needless to say that it was not found wanting. The
secret of his great success is his indefatigable industry, and a
thorough mastery of his business. He is one of the most enterprising
merchants in history.