BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXV, Issue 10713, 2 April 1913, Page 5

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH.

John Pier peat Morgan, a membor Qf the banking firms .of J. ,P. Morgan; and Co. fNew York), Brexel and Co. (Philadelphia), Morgan, GrenfelL and Co. (London),' and Morgan, Harecj, and. Co. (Paris), was born at Hartford, Connecticut, in 1837. He was described as the "'scarred victor of a hundred battles." His father was a prominent banker, and 'Mr Morgan wa&, therefore, bora to the career he pursmed. On both sides' be inherited famous New England blood. John Pierpont, the poet, and James Pierpont, the clergyman, were his ancestors. He was schooled in Boston and Gottingen, Germany, and: began his training as a banker before he was 21. No other man or number of men, according to Judge Gary, could have accomplished what Morgan did when he organised tlie United States Steel Corporation. But he has been more th*n an financial magnate. His inVest in art and. his active work in "eonnection " with !bhej Metropolitan Museum of New York City were widely known, and more than once his art ■ .purchases inr Europe disturbed governmental cireles,- and- excited 'mentairy'discussions.* His interest in religious affairs had: been equally constant, if not equally potent. He participated in the national council of the Protestant Episcopal Churcn, and at one time one of the eights worth seeing in New York of a Sunday was Pierpont Morgan passing around the plat© at Dr Eainsford's. church, The whole appearance of the man spoke of power. Otf impressive physical bulk, he had a firm tread, a splendid head, large features, and his every gecture .was masterful. His words were few and weighty. Writing on. Morgan as he appeared in 1901. when he took up the task of orgasisiii£ "tho Steel Trust, Herbert N. Gasson, in Mtirisey's, say.s: "No man aroused more fear or higher in Wall i'treet. No one was so ' c< , r l ribly masterful as lie was. T^ jke Lu _ ther, when he spoke 'his . ffor< i. s were half battles.' To a rhi m Avas to 'brave the rage of incarnate Bessemer he fat, - dominated those around 111111 if h© were the ruler of a con-, of worlds instead of a mere t inhabitant of a single planet."

BEGINNOG OF THE ILLNESS if'' NEWS OF DEu4TH WITHHELD'

(Tteceived This Morning. 1.45 o'clock.) • ROME, April 1.

The illness of MrPierpont Morgan, dat-ecl from. the time of his examination by the Congressional Committee on the Money He retained his faculties until Easter Sunday, when a general collapse >set. in. was much depressed and week suffered ftom nervous irritability. His death was concealed for hours to prevent the mews from being cabled to 'New York .before the Stock Exchange opened. A bulletin vas given to the'report„srs,'. 104, and his -ptilse 140. ... The body will be embalmed, and to America.