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Sparks, William Henry, 1800-1882

"The Memories of Fifty Years Containing Brief Biographical Notices of Distinguished Americans, and Anecdotes of Remarkable Men; Interspersed with Scenes and Incidents Occurring during a Long Life of Observation Chiefly Spent i"

Here he found an advertisement
inviting those who had ginseng for sale, to call. He knew there was
plenty of this root to be found in portions of Kentucky, and
determined immediately to embark in the speculation of searching for
it and sending it to Philadelphia. He labored assiduously, and soon
had acquired a considerable sum of money for those times, 1801. He
employed several hands to assist him the ensuing season, and after
forwarding the root collected, found there was no longer any market
for it in Philadelphia. Suspecting the person to whom he had
previously sold was deceiving him, in order to drive a profitable
bargain with him, he determined to go himself with his venture to
China. This he did, and, making so handsome a business of it, he
returned and immediately went to work to procure a much larger amount
for another venture. This he likewise accomplished, but was less
fortunate than before, though he made some money. He was now
twenty-one years of age, and had been twice to China; but had not
contracted much love for commerce or voyaging upon the sea. He married
soon after his return, read medicine, and commenced the practice of it
in Kentucky.


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