The United States Biographical Dictionary and Portrait Gallery of Eminent and Self-Made Men

Book excerpt: Excerpt from The United States Biographical Dictionary and Portrait Gallery of Eminent and Self-Made Men: With Illustrations on Steel The belief that-the work is needed is founded on the fact that the world worships success, and is glad to learn how it has been brought about. The truth of this is shown in the fact that if a man be poor, though he have the learning of a Blackstone, the genius of a Watt, or the patient perseverance of a Goodyear, yet, until he has achieved success, mankind has no interest in his history. His aspirations, his anxieties and his heart struggles, may have an interest for beings of higher intelligence, but for the mass of mankind these have no charms. But if by some cunning device, by some daring enterprise, or after long struggles and perseverance, he acquire a fortune, then the reluctant world is lavish in its admiration, his history is full of interest, and every one is anxious to know how he achieved success. To gratify this universal longing, it is proposed to give the history of the lives of six hundred successful men of Illinois. The Publishers found the second business principle on the fact that they are determined to spare neither labor nor expense in giving to the world the most authentic information how these men have won fortune, how the world has been benefited by their labors, and what has been the turning-point of their success. These examples are of great interest, may spread good seed, encourage the weary, give new life to the desponding, and energy to the aspiring. In the hearts of the young there are ever hopes and yearn ings; and. Although seldom expressed, and often not even acknowledged to themselves, they want only the inspiration of example to point the way, to accomplish a full fruition of their hopes. The Publishers believe they are engaged in a laudable enterprise, and trust to a discerning public for a liberal response. It is'l)ut just to mention that not one cent has been asked or received from the parties whose biographies have been given in this work; nor is it intended to pander to the vanity of the weak. Eulogy belongs to the dead, not to the living. A record of a man's life and works constitutes his biography; the praise of his virtues is more appropriate in an obituary. It is our object to seek out merit, and, by a simple narration of the origin, career, and achievements of individuals, show how the country has become great, and who are the men that have helped to do the work. To know how to achieve success is a laudable craving of the human heart, and to teach by example is the best mode of satisfying that craving. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.