“Old family Bible that lay on the stand,”
and taking that decisive step by which I was to become the architect of my own fortune.
Having an uncle who resided in the town of Byron, I turned my steps in that direction, and for the ensuing winter found a home beneath his roof. During that season I devoted myself to study, attending the village school under the superintendence of Mr. Bennum, whom I greatly esteemed, and whose many acts of kindness linger in my memory to the present hour.
On the opening of spring my thoughts turned towards commercial life, and I devoted my time to becoming better acquainted with various business avocations, intending to adopt some profitable employment. After reflecting well, I took the money I had accumulated and with it purchased a horse, wagon, and harness. Then, through the kindness of a dear friend, who became responsible for me, I was loaned one hundred dollars, and with this as my working capital I commenced traveling over the country, buying produce and shipping it to Buffalo and New York.
I continued in this business until the year 1855, when, having arrived at the age of twenty, I began to think of enlarging my operations. Influenced by this desire, I directed my course to the beautiful and flourishing town of Batavia, where I secured a store and became a dealer in all kinds of produce, shipping it, as before, to Buffalo and New York.
FIRST STORE IN BATAVIA, N. Y.
The cut here given is an accurate representation of my first place of business, and speaks for itself in regard to the size and general appearance of the place. It was, however, as it proved, insufficient for the business which flowed in upon me and increased so greatly that soon I found it necessary to secure larger and more commodious premises. At the time of doing this I determined to still further extend my business by opening a wholesale and retail grocery and provision store. Fortune smiled on my endeavors, and all evidences encouraged the belief that I was on the direct road to wealth.