E 663 .457 1712 Entered according to act of Congress in the year 1913, by the American Publishers' Association in the office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington, D. C. T HE HISTORY of the race is but that of the in dividual "writ large" and we do not know the real history of any age or country until we know about its characteristic men. Most of the men described are now active in business and professional careers, but a few sketches have been added of men whose achievements are still fresh in memory. Universal history, the history of what man has accomplished in this world, is at the bottom the history of the great men who have worked here; and there can be no true criticism of a great American which is not founded upon the knowledge of his work in daily life. Whether it be in the diary of the frontiersman or in the elegant studies of the university. This work is thoroughly National, covering every part of the United States, and puts in enduring form something of the history of great American merchants, manufacturers, railroad builders and other great men who have played an important part in the country's history. This most admirable collection of contemporary biography of America's foremost leaders of life and thought will be an invaluable acquisition to the world's libraries and historical archives. The sketches of the 233237 leaders of life and thought now at the helm of America's Ecclesiastical, Civil, Military, Industrial and Commercial lines of human activity have been selected with the greatest of care from current historical works and publications and from various other sources. As Builders and Merchants they have built cities and illumined the marts of trade; in the field of science and medicine they have obtained great prominence; in the arena of statemanship they have produced men of thought and men of action, while at the bar and in the administration of Justice they have shown erudition and wisdom. As clergymen, educators and lecturers they have occupied high places; and as musicians, composers, artists, authors and poets they have contributed profusely to social life. This volume is submitted to the public in the confidence that the careers herein described will be found stimulating to patriotism; and a potent factor in cheering and inspiring the efforts of rising generations. MISTAKES WILL UNDOUBTEDLY BE FOUND IN THIS VOLUME, BUT THEY EXIST NOT FOR WANT OF PAINSTAKING EFFORTS TO AVOID THEM, BUT GENERALLY FROM IMPERFECT MANUSCRIPTS OR CONFLICTING STATEMENTS OF STANDARD AUTHORITIES. WHAT IS WORTH RECORDING AT ALL, IS WORTH RECORDING CAREFULLY AND CORRECTLY; AND WHEN MISTAKES ARE DISCOVERED, A MEMORANDUM OF THE ERRORS SHOULD AT ONCE BE SENT TO THE PUBLISHERS FOR CORRECTION IN FUTURE EDITIONS OF THIS WORK. |