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St. Andrews Beacon, 1890Worth Millions: A St. Andrews Man who Made a Pile of Money on the Pacific Slope
There are few towns in the Maritime Provinces that can boast of possessing a millionaire. St. Andrews is one of the few. Mr. John Treadwell, who arrived here last week, with his bride from San Francisco, and who is now spending his honeymoon beneath his father's roof, ranks among the wealthiest men on this continent. His wealth at the present time is estimated all the way from six to ten million dollars. Yet he is one of the most unostentatious men in St. Andrews. Remove the $8000 diamond from his finger and no one would imagine that the was the possessor of so much of this world's gear. Twenty five years ago, Mr. Treadwell left the parental roof, and struck out for California. He had no idea of becoming a millionaire, yet he was determined to win wealth if hard work and honest dealings would do it. He had been a worker in wood before he left home, and when he reached San Francisco, he secured a job as a carpenter on a building that was being erected. Mr. Bugbee, who came from the east, and who was well acquainted with young Treadwell's family, happened to be architect of the building. One day, as the architect was inspecting the work, he overheard the foreman calling Mr. Treadwell's' name. He inquired where the young man came from, and on learning who he was, he opened an acquaintance with him. Recognizing that he possessed a considerable ability and was anxious to get along in the world, he appointed him as an over seer on some building that he was then erecting. He advanced so rapidly that in a short time he became a contractor. At first his contracts were small, but by degrees they grew in proportions. Some of the finest blocks in San Francisco were built by him. His wealth gradually increased until he had amassed several hundred thousand dollars. Hearing of the Alaskan gold mines, Mr. Treadwell went thither on a prospecting tour. While he was examining some claims, the owner of the now famous Treadwell mine who was a trader, and who was in financial difficulties at the time, offered to sell out his claim for a few hundred dollars. Mr. Treadwell purchased it on the spot. He knew the ore was not of a very high grade, but he was convinced that the ledge was a large one, and that there was money in it if properly worked. When he returned to San Francisco, he took several tons of the ore with him, and had it tested. The result was so satisfactory that Mr. Treadwell had little difficulty in organizing a joint stock company to develop the mine. One of the largest stamp mills in the country was sent to the mine and over a million and a quarter dollars were expended in machinery before an ounce of bullion was taken out. The mine had not been working a very long period before Mr. Treadwell's sagacity and foresight were amply proven. Not only did the quality of the ore improve, but the quantity also, and the mine is now regarded as one of the richest in the world. Many thousands of dollars worth of the yellow gleaming gold is now within view. Mr. Treadwell will remain in St. Andrews a few weeks longer, with his bride. Mrs. Treadwell never saw ice nor snow until she came to New Brunswick.