The World’s Oldest Traveling Salesman
James Fenlon of Des Moines, Iowa started working as a traveling salesman at the age of 17. Seventy-two years later, age 89, he was still working as a "traveler," earning him the title of World's Oldest Traveling Salesman. His specialty was selling windmills to farmers. He sold over 57,000 of them.
Toward the end of his life, his boss tried to get him to take it easy, telling him he could stay on the payroll as long as he lived, even if he never knocked on another door. But Fenlon insisted on continuing to work. He died on Aug 7, 1916. The cause was said to be a combination of hot weather and age. There's a brief bio of him here.
Toward the end of his life, his boss tried to get him to take it easy, telling him he could stay on the payroll as long as he lived, even if he never knocked on another door. But Fenlon insisted on continuing to work. He died on Aug 7, 1916. The cause was said to be a combination of hot weather and age. There's a brief bio of him here.
Comments
Kudo's!
Posted by Expat47 in Athens, Greece on 06/17/12 at 10:08 AM
There is one heck of a work ethic for you. Also his boss sounds like he was a decent guy too, would not hear an offer like that today.
Posted by Patty in Ohio, USA on 06/17/12 at 05:08 PM
Did you happen to notice the line at the end of the article that said along with selling, he also happened to fight in three different wars? Now imagine a scenario where even in the 19th century, someone needed to work a cover job where they had to travel around a lot, and then look at that guy's face in the picture.
Posted by spineynorman on 06/23/12 at 03:13 PM
The article was very inspiring.i liked it very much and was useful for me and i told many of my friends about it.
Posted by adam prore on 10/01/13 at 10:12 AM
James Fenlon is our inspiration. He inspires us to travel world.
Posted by Sheikh Imran on 10/02/13 at 10:21 AM
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Category: Jobs and Occupations