Origins & Early Life

Marshall Field (August 18, 1834 – January 16, 1906) was an American entrepreneur and the founder of Marshall Field and Company, the Chicago-based department stores. Field is also known for some of his philanthropic donations, providing funding for the Field Museum of Natural History and donating land for the campus of the University of Chicago. Marshall Field was born on a farm in Conway, Massachusetts, the son of John Field IV and Fidelia Nash. His family was descended from Puritans who had come to America as early as 1629.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

At the age of 17, he moved to Pittsfield, Massachusetts, where he first worked in a dry goods store alongside his brother Joseph Field. He left Massachusetts after five years of working in the dry goods store in search of new opportunities in the rapidly expanding West. In 1856, at age 22, he went to live with his brother in Chicago, Illinois, and obtained employment at leading dry goods merchant Cooley, Wadsworth & Co., which was to become Cooley, Farwell & Co. in 1857. Field quickly rose through the ranks of Cooley, Farwell & Co.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

In 1862, when Cooley left the firm, Field purchased a partnership, and the firm reorganized as Farwell...

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• 1834 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1834
• August 18 (08-18) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on August 18
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• January 16 (01-16) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on January 16