The Biographical Dictionary and Portrait Gallery of Representative Men of Chicago, Milwaukee and the World's Columbian Exposition

              BIOGRAPHICAL DICTIONARY AND PORTRAIT GALLERY.
standing he was a total stranger. He applied to the teller and related his story, who promptly refused, but told him he had better see the cash¬ ier. He also declined, but told him to lay the matter before Mr. Armour. So, for the third time, he repeated his story to Mr. Armour, who asked him if twenty-five dollars was not a pretty small amount, and if he would not be better pleased with fifty dollars. He replied in the nega¬ tive, and said twenty-five dollars was sufficient. As quick as a flash the farmer president told him he could have the money. If he had been a rascal he would have taken the fifty dollars. It is needless to say the draft was paid.
It is not to be wondered at that the manage¬ ment of the many millions that were invested at the other points mentioned, should take their cue and follow in the footsteps of the wise and in¬ trepid California pioneer at Chicago. This was done invariably with alacrity, and so harmonious¬ ly that it has made them all renowned. It is im¬ possible to convey to one not familiar with the scope of the business its magnitude. The dis¬ tributive sales of the Chicago house alone are in excess of the gross receipts of any railroad cor¬ poration of the world. Even in a business of these dimensions there was nothing too great for Mr. Armour to handle, nothing so small that he could overlook.
Mr. Armour's capacity for work is something wonderful. He is at his desk by 7 A. M., and fre¬ quently before. Fatigue is an unknown term. He has traveled extensively, but wherever time has found him, it has been among those who con¬ sumed his products, and where, necessarily, his agencies had been established, his mind would turn intuitively to his industries, and thus his recreation became a source by which he qualified himself as to the merits of his representatives as well as the requirements of the people and their condition. He is a close observer, and can give as clear and accurate a forecast of the coming finan¬ cial condition of the country as it is possible to do.
At the earnest solicitation of the late Alex. Mitchell, he became one of the directory of the St. Paul Railwa}'-. This is the only office he has ever held. Political preferment is not the bent of his mind or his ambition. He was never known to occupy a public office.
Mr. Armour was married to Belle Ogden, at Cincinnati, Ohio, in October, 1862. She was the only daughter of Jonathan Ogden. In making mention of this circumstance, it must occur to anyone w^ho has been fortunate enough to have been at all intimate with the family history, that their home life has been singularly happy. Domestic economy was no more truly one of the hearthstones of Mr. Armour's inheritance than it was of Mrs. Armour's. These family pre¬ cepts were laid down and fostered in every way. They have two sons, Jonathan Ogden and Philip D., both under thirty years of age, and active partners with their father. He has made them millionaires. It can safely be said they will carry their honors gracefully and with becoming mod¬ esty. They are quiet in manner; nothing can agitate them, and it is pretty sure guessing that the name of Armour will never be tarnished by their acts.
Their father, the most affable of men, approach¬ able, notwithstanding his great cares and re¬ sponsibilities, leaves all of this at his office and enters his family circle to find that joy and con¬ tentment which alone springs from an adminis¬ tration of home life that is so simple, gracious, and of such an unostentatious character.
In January, 1881, Joseph F. Armour died, and bequeathed one hundred thousand dollars for the founding of a charitable institution. He wisely directed that the carrying out of his benevolent design should be chiefly entrusted to his brother, the subject of this sketch. In accepting the trust so imposed, he has given to it the same energetic and critical attention that he has given to his private affairs, and has added a large amount to his brother's bequest.
And it may also be said of Mr. Armour, that while he is disposed to be liberal in his religious views, his time on the Sabbath day is mainly given to the churches of his choosing. In the afternoon of every Sunday during the year this wonderful protege, founded by his brother, and cherished by himself, receives his individual care and attention, and it is the individuality of the patron that gives so much life to the insti¬ tution.
It is this combination of industry, untiring energy and philanthropy that has made the name of Philip D. Armour not only so potent in the