Marshall Field
| Marshall Field | |
|---|---|
 |
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| Born |
August 18, 1834 Conway, Franklin County, Massachusetts |
| Died | January 16, 1906 (aged 71) New York City, New York County, New York |
| Occupation | Founder of Marshall Field and Company |
| Spouse(s) | Nannie Douglas Scott, Delia Spencer |
| Children | Louis Field, Marshall Field Jr., Ethel Field |
| Parent(s) | John Field IV and Fidelia Nash |
Marshall Field (August 18, 1834 – January 16, 1906) was an American entrepreneur and the founder of Marshall Field and Company, the Chicago-based department stores. His business was renowned for its then-exceptional level of quality and customer service. Field is also known for some of his philanthropic donations, providing funding for the Field Museum of Natural History and donating land for the campus of the University of Chicago.
Marshall Field was born on a farm in Conway, Franklin County, Massachusetts, the son of John Field IV and wife Fidelia Nash. His family was descended from Puritans who had come to America as early as 1650.
At the age of 17, he moved to Pittsfield, Berkshire County, Massachusetts, where he first worked in a dry goods store. He left Massachusetts at the age of 18 for new opportunities in the rapidly expanding West. In 1856, at age 21, he went to live with his brother in Chicago, Illinois, and obtained employment at leading dry goods merchant Cooley, Wadsworth & Co., which was to become Cooley, Farwell & Co. in 1857.
Field quickly rose through the ranks of Cooley, Farwell & Co. to become junior partner in 1862. Due to Cooley's having to leave the firm for financial reasons, Field was persuaded to come on board as a partner in the same year.John V. Farwell appreciated Field’s keen business acumen, however, when it came to personality, the two were very different. Field’s stuffy efficiency rode on Farwell’s more relaxed and cheery demeanor. At a time of much more personal interactions, this partnership wouldn’t last long. In 1862, Field purchased a partnership with the reorganized firm of Farwell, Field & Co.
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