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 JOHN WANAMAKEB 489 to be a natural bom organizer. This faculty is probably ac- countable for his great success." Close application to the task in hand gained for him steady advancement in financial circles and a like zeal for searching out and doing what was to be done in helping his f ellowmen has made for him a prom- inent place among the benefactors of the race. In 1858, at the age of twenty, he was elected the first sal- aried secretary of the Young Men's Christian Association in America. He felt a great interest in this work which had been in existence but a short time. Later he became chairman of the International Committee. Always ready for the heroic task, he attempted to enlist in the army on the outbreak of the Civil War, but the frailty of his health proved a barrier. Not to be deterred from his pur- pose of serving his country and humanity, he helped organ- ize the great ^^ Christian Commission," which aided the sick and wounded soldiers on both sides throughout the war. In April, 1861, he married Miss Mary B. Brown and in the same year entered into partnership with her brother, Nathan Brown, opening a small clothing store. This business, nur- ' tured by his unflagging industry, grew to be the largest retail clothing establishment in the country. His business in Phila- delphia was added to and perfected and an establishment in New York City opened. In 1907 was completed a fourteen- story building on Broadway, Eighth and Ninth streets, in New York City. Prominent people from all over the Union were present at its formal opening ; and an address was made by the Secretary of the Treasury of the United States. In Philadel- phia his trade is carried on in a twelve-story granite structure, with three floors underground. He has in this building a working force of from twelve thousand to fifteen thousand, according to the season. Mr. Wanamaker personally superintends much of the gen- eral detail of these vast enterprises. His success has been of gradual although enormous growth. He tmderstands the various stages that a boy or man starting in business needs to pass through and just what his needs are at each stage. He is a helpful advisor and takes an interest in the affairs of