Page:Men of Mark in America vol 1.djvu/189

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JOSEPH WEEKS BABCOCK
115

early youth, but her influence was permanent and beneficent. From his father he inherited a remarkable capacity for hard work, with various qualities which have been important factors in his success, and also received substantial aid and encouragement in the opening of his business career. As he did not have a full collegiate course of study, and has made his way by earnest and persistent effort guided by excellent judgment, he is often referred to as a "self-made man"; but he believes that his claim to this designation applies to himself no more than it does to any other man who makes the most of his opportunities and fully develops his powers. He has found contact with men in active life of great assistance ; and as a lesson drawn from his own experience and from observation he says to young men that "honesty and application are absolutely essential to success."