education he received was obtained at the
public schools. At the age of seventeen he obtained his first
employment, being engaged by Van Amburgh to clean out the cages of the
animals in his menagerie and to assist in the erection of the tents. He
made himself so useful to his employer that he was soon promoted to the
position of ticket receiver. He remained with Van Amburgh for eight
years, travelling with him through the United States, Canada, and Europe,
and, at the age of twenty-five, left him to begin life for himself in the
calling of his father. He went back to Vermont, and began peddling such
small articles as steel pens and lead pencils through the towns of the
State. He succeeded in acquiring and saving a small sum of money, and
was able to borrow a little more. He then purchased a horse and wagon,
and began a series of more extended operations as a pedlar of dry goods.
He visited all the principal towns and villages of Vermont, and met with
a ready sale for his goods. His energy and business tact were eminently
successful, and his business soon grew to such an extent that his
one-horse wagon was too small for it. He accordingly sold this vehicle,
and purchased a handsome "four in hand," with which he travelled through
Massachusetts and Connecticut, as well as Vermont. He was very popular
with his customers, and established a reputation for fair dealing,
selling good articles at a moderate profit.

His energy and success attracted the attention of the Boston wholesale
house from which he bought his goods, and they thinking that he would
prove a useful acquisition to them, offered him an interest in their
business. Their offer was accepted; and, in 1860, he became a partner in
the house of Jordan, Marsh & Co., of Boston. He was sent South by the
firm, and though he succeeded in conducting for them several large and
profitable transactions during the early part of the war, and though they
remained his friends to the close of his life, the connection was not
altogether satisfactory to them, and, in 1862, they purchased his
interest in the business for the sum of $64,000.

About this time, some capitalists in Boston were desirous of purchasing
the Stonington line of steamboats, then owned by Daniel Drew. Fisk
became aware of their desire, and, coming to New York, in 1863, obtained
an introduction to Daniel Drew, and so won the favor and confidence of
that gentleman that he was employed by him to manage