Marshall Field Dies

On this day, in 1906 The New York Press wrote the grave news that Marshal Field's physicians, including Dr. Walter B. James, feared the worst as Mr. Field had pneumonia after he became ill weeks before. He was staying at the Holland House (pictured bottom right) in New York City and now surrounded by family. Mr. Field would die 4 days later at the age of 70.

Marshall Field was born August 18, 1834 and was an entrepreneur who started Chicago based department stores Marshall Field & Company. He also donated much of his land to the University of Chicago.

Marshall was not a native of New York, but rather a native of Massachusetts and his lineage extended back to the Puritans of the 17th Century. I bet he loved family history! I wish I could ask him.

Marshall was only visiting New York City the winter of 1906, specifically, his nephew who he had played golf with on New Year's Day and supposedly the day when he began to feel ill. On the golf course that day was also Abraham Lincoln's eldest son, Robert Todd Lincoln.