Frank W. Woolworth was born at Rodman, New York, April 13, 1852. He passed his boyhood on his parents’ farm, was educated at a district school, and graduated from the Commercial college at Watertown, New York. His start in life was as a clerk in a dry goods store at Watertown. In 1878 he originated the popular five and ten-cent store, which, thanks to his energy and acumen, has attained such marvelous popularity. His employers, Moore & Smith, at his suggestion, bought $50 worth of the cheapest sort of goods and put them with other old shop-worn goods on the counter, displaying the sign “Any article on this counter five cents.” The stock was sold the first day, and Mr. Woolworth then decided to have a five and ten-cent store of his own. Borrowing $325, he opened a place in Utica, New York. The public patronized him and at the end of six weeks he had a net profit of $139.50. In 1869 he removed to Lancaster, Pennsylvania, where he opened a store, and next another at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Both of these ventures were successful and he now has stores in nearly every large city in the country, there being eight of such in New York alone. He was married, in 1876, to Jennie, daughter of Thomas Creighton, of Pictou, Ontario, Canada, and has three daughters. Mr. Woolworth’s career is a practical commentary on the value of the maxim that it is unwise to “despise the day of small things.” FINANCIERS. WILLIAM WALDORF ASTOR. William Waldorf Astor, the capitalist and author, born in New York city, March 31, 1848 is the son of the noted John Jacob and Charlotte Augusta (Gibbs) Astor. He was educated chiefly by private tutors, among whom was a professor of the University of Marburg. At the age of 23 he was taken into the offices of the Astor estate in order to master the details of each department. Recognizing the need of a thorough legal education, he studied for two years in the Columbia Law School, being admitted to the bar in May, 1875. His father being convinced of the son’s exceptional business ability, subsequently gave him absolute control over all of his property. In 1877 Mr. Astor was elected a member of the New York state legislature from the Eleventh Assembly District, defeating the Tammany Hall and the Independent Democratic candidates. In 1879 he was elected to the state senate and in 1881 was nominated for congress in the district formerly represented by Levi P. Morton, but was defeated by Roswell P. Flower. In August, 1882, President Chester A. Arthur appointed Mr. Astor Minister to Italy. While in Rome he spent much time in studying the early history of the country, and on returning home, in 1885, published his novel, Valentino, which embodies his researches in the mediæval history of Italy. His later novel, Sforza, also deals with Italy in the Middle Ages. Mr. Astor has built the New Netherlands hotel, on Fifth avenue and Fifty-ninth street, New York city, and Hotel Waldorf Astoria, the latter on the site of the old Astor residence.