Biographical and historical record of Ringgold and Union counties, Iowa, vol. 1, Part 1

Author: Lewis Publishing Company. cn
Publication date: 1887
Publisher: Chicago : The Lewis publishing company
Number of Pages: 696


USA > Iowa > Ringgold County > Biographical and historical record of Ringgold and Union counties, Iowa, vol. 1 > Part 1
USA > Iowa > Union County > Biographical and historical record of Ringgold and Union counties, Iowa, vol. 1 > Part 1


Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org.


Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37



Gc 977.701 R47bi v.1 1613358


REYNOLDS HISTORICAL GENEALOGY COLLECTION


ALLER


3 1833 01085 5622


Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2010 with funding from Allen County Public Library Genealogy Center


http://www.archive.org/details/biographicalhistruc01lewi


BIOGRAPHICAL AND HISTORICAL


RECORD


fix


OF


Kinggold and Onion Goontios, Loren, VAL.I


CONTATTINO POLTRATIE OF ALL THE PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES POUR WAS THEEN CLEVELAND WITH ACCOMPANYING BADANIEALS OF FACH ; A COMU INDIAN WELLS DE AND STATE OF IOWA ; PORTRAITS AND BIOGRA TIES OF THE GONE. NOUS OF THE YEAR" TORY AND STATE; ENGRAVI IS OF PROMINENT CHLAZONS I .: HING. GOLD AND USION COUNTIES, WITH PRESITAL HAILVIE-


MANY C. THE LEADING MAMIZISE, ATT A CONCISE HISTORY OF RINGGOLD AND


COUNTIES AND TEEIN CITIES AND VILLAG: S


THE LEWIS PUBLISHING COMPANY.


XE 491274 1


1613358


CONTENTS.


PRESIDENTS +OF (THE


UNITEDSTATES.


George Washington .. 9


John Adams .. 1.4


Thomas Jefferson 20


Forbes Madison


26 32


Taires Mouros.


Thin Quincy Adams 38


Andrew Jackson ...


47


Main Van Buren.


52


William Henry Harrison.


56 65


Ioho Tyler ..


Tomes K. Polk


68


Zachary Taylor.


Millard Fillmore. 72


76


James Buchanan


Abraham Lincoln 84


Andrew Johnson. 93


Ulysses S. Grant.


95


Climate. 163


Census of Iowa. 164


Territorial Officers. 164


State Officers. 165


GOVERNORS + OF * IOWA.#


Robert Lucas. 171


John Chambers 173


James Clarke, 175


Ansel Briggs 179


Stephen Hempstead. 133


James W. Grimes


Ralph P. Lowe. . 191


Samuel J. Kiskword 193


William M. Stone.


Samuel Merrill. 203


Cyrus C. Carpenter. .207 Joshua G. Newbok !. .21!


John II. Gear .215


Buren R. Sherman .219


William Larrabee. .223


RECORD OF RINGGOLD COUNTY.


>BIOGRAPHICAL + SKETCHESE


Barrett, J. T. 319


Baston, Jowett. ... 27.4


Abarr, D. C. .342


Abar, J. W .351


Allen, G. S .. .294


Allin, J. H 320


Ander-on, A. T . 280


Ander .on, G. R. . 311


Anderson. J. C. .248


Anderson, W. S. .357


Archbald, John .313


Arnett, Henry, . 3.15


Benson, M. P.


.300


Bernard, J. T .


.350


Biad'heure, Alexander


.325


D'auc., john.


Hogy, A. N .22


359


Posworth, C. C


Bradley, W. II


B: ckett. J. W .3:4


. 217


Rutherford B. Hayes. 102


James A. Ganield ..


Chester A. Arthur .113


Grover Cleveland. .117


HISTORY + OF * IOWA.


Aboriginal 123


Caucasian 124


Pioneer Life. 133


Louisiana Territory 137


Iowa Territory. 139


State Organization and Subse.


quent History .. 141


Patriotism. 146


Iowa Since the War 151


State Institutions


151


Educational 154


Frankhn Pierce.


80


Statistical 357


Physical Features 159


Geology 158


Brown, G. M. .251


Brown, Joel .. . . 2 .3


Baumann, H. M. .377


Beall, A. G. 25.4


Beall, I. S. .290


C.


Campbell, Robert. 35.


Campbell, Thomas 220


Chiapbell, W. A .3.5


Can.v. Thoma .273


Carlton, David .3:7


Carter, J. D .2 1


Cater. J. T. 2


. 3.


Auvin, Rov. E. E 266


Awell,J. S


281


B.


Fres. Samuel. 26,1


385


366 . brown, Mrs. E. F


. 2(八)


Beamer, Zed. 235


Bear, Solomon .252


B.ard, James .368


beaty, John


.34S


Beeson, J. H.


.324


Benedict, Melville.


.322


Arnett, W. I., .335


Asiren, R. F. 329


. 3. :


Coc, Trian 34


Bonham, L. L.


Colo, W B 1


Crouch, J. W


A.


Brown, Rev. William .270


Bullard, J. C.


2


CONTENTS-


D.


Daman, C. B 331


Davis, M. V .270


Day. B. F. .3.3.


Derhart, C. K .378


Devitt. E. N. .328


Dickson, G. orgre .372


Dickson, John 262


Dille, C. F .247


Dukes, John .. 256


Dunning, Day 258


Dinsmoor, A. W 2S3


E.


Edwards. J. B. .379


Elliott, Rev. S. A .301


Ellis, Francis. . .295


England, Samuel .338


Estel, G. R. .315


F.


Fife, Robert. 315


Fittro, S. W. 315


Fisher, J. B. 389


Folts, John ..


393


Foster, A ..


285


Foster, L. .390


Fouser, J. C.


.325


Fouser, W. D.


267


Frane, Jacob. 247


Fuller, I. W. .271


Fullerton, G. D .359


Fullerton, Oscar 303


G.


Gander, J. H .323


Garfin. G. W - 327


Gibboney, F. E. .256


Gillett, A. J .304


Glaze, S. W .282


Gleason, Peter


. 307


Gleason, W. L.


.253


Glendenning, I. S. .230


Glend anuing, J. . 3.5S


Goodell, Abner .290


Gorsuch, J. M. 3St


Graham, I. G.


25-


Green, MiJe -.


Grimes C. K .234


Grimes, P. I .. .285


Gustin, A. MI


Gustin, J. C. 3$5


I.I.


Hall, R. B. .297


Hall, T. M .200 M.G . TT ..


Harvey, W. A .263


Hathaway, A. F .335


Haviland. W.11 .361


Heaton, E. J. . .252


Henderson, J. R. 250 Marit. W. IL.


Henry , R. C .. .332 M.S. W. J.


Heperly, T. C. 322


He.zer, P. F.


Himy Augh. B. D. .3-" Hinckley, W. R. .300 Hof an, M. P. .315


Ho.ll .sworth., Col; .351


Horn, Will ... .


Bom, O C.


Hocars. S .vite x Lawhead. :


Hunter, T. W. .337


Hutchison, Jo !! .251


1


Imus, .1. J


Imas, 1. 0. . 230


Ingram, An tres .316


Ingian, A. O. .311


J.


Jackson, Phillip


33S


Jarvis, P 375


Johnson, Abraham . 345


Johnson, G. W. -340


Johnston, 1. W .. .311


Johnston, J. E 23S


Judy, Robert. 287


K. .


Keller. Beniamin


Keller, I W. .336


Kelh, William .303


Kinsell, D. C. 2-1


Kinsell, J. W. 2'SI


Kinsell, Z. T .273


I.


Lan freth, Eli 396


Layton, W. H. 236


Lee, L. T ... .379 Lent, Arculus .373


Lesan, C. W .375


Lesan. J. A .. 300 Liggett, Thomas .253 Quinn, William 3%.


Liles, George.


Lille, R. P. .254


Long, Jona'hin. .353 Rapp. C. W. .26;


R.cd, L. P.


Reynard, R.


Richa, dem, J. B .329


Rile , L. D. .314


Riley, R. .310


Ro'f . mn, F. S.


RAS, II. 11


Ro :, Th m


MeClurs. l. C. 3! ! Rus :, Aaron 3


Rus Al, CHI


Kya .. John.


S.


S.


1. .. 1 11


.359


Moore. G S . 392


.3:1 Morrison, G. W .241


Mosier. Abraham .3-49


N.


Nelson, J. Il . 30;


.355


Newton, J. I. . 244


0.


Orier, Isaiah 216


Oliver, Isnoc .. .257


P.


Page, J. F .3Sr


Pamer, I. A ..


. 3SI


Parkhurst, Jonathan .. .3:4


Pane :. on. I. L.


Pain., A. C. .293


Peckham, W. R. .297


Pe. i.S., W. b. .352


Perkins, I. L.


Piores, F. F .23:


Poor, F SE .3:7


Poore, D. W .322


Pratt, E. J. .378


Proc, J. P. 5.50


Price, Thomas .321


Q.


R.


Longocre, E. H. .347


Lorimor, Aber .312


Loutzenhiser Bros. . 349


Lucas, William .. . 364


M.


Mookley, W. M .332


March 11. 1.150 .2:0) Roli. sen. Josquin


Maxwell, M. C.


McAr'n .h. V. S.


Me Don .Jd, Ví !


McPherson. I. L 3:6 Morri:, 1. 1. Merrit , D.od


Mi. .. 1. . 1.


Johnston, Ardien .26: O-born, 'T. V 250


Lou .blin, Wy I .375 Preston, D .- 13. .36:


Sixtill. Thomas


. 335


Show.'tu. C. H .3.10


Showaler. 1. 1.


Sispiller, Henry .305 Simp: a. J. M. 37.


Sinto. J. C


-373


*: : . D. C. . 367 Smith. Rev. S .258


Smith. W. T. .255


Savder, Carlton. . 393


Stamper, Thomas 377


Stephenson, J. M.


Stephens, G. R.


Stevenson, John. .241


Stevenson, Andrew. 355


Stevenson, T. A .2-1


Stuck, Edward .350


Stuck, Jonathan. 362


T


Talbot, A. F. .293


Talbot, B. W. .294


Talley, B. F. 328


Teale, A. H.


316


Wood, D. C. 355


Wood, W. M. Wirant, G. A.


.295


PORTRAITS.


Cole. John .315


I guin, Amirow 317


log .x' n. Andrew


To's, Henry .311 LATION, Rev. W. H 237


Miller. Mr -. H. T .291


Stephens, G. R. .319


GENERAL HISTORY.


It're factorv. .401


Emily History


Political History .413


The Civil War 4-5


The Press .437


Wiley. A. S. . .313 .350 Profes- kral 439


Williams, J. S .. .272 Miscellaneous 442


Mount Ayr. .


Villingen 455


RECORD OF UNION COUNTY.


>>BIOGRAPHICAL \ SKETCHES .*--


1.


Aldrich, E. A


.501


Alison. Arthur


.420


Allen, F. 626


Allen, S. R 570 B. Ng. Peter .


Armitage, J. C. .517


Armstrong, Franklin .. 5.50


Armstrong, James 565


Armstrong, Jo-ian. 6.42


Arnold, David :31


Auracher, G. W


.503


B.


Ball, W. K


.553


Baby, Jeco's 170


Her. W. V 475


Barr, T. M. .471


Barr, J. .562


Battani, S. H. Baxter, (Tarles & Bro.


B. vier, 1


.519


1 .54'


1


.623


Be : J. T


I .. I. .6:2 Ch-30. W. H.


1


=


B .. ]


I. I.


1.0 ..


Black, J. S .. .599


Black, W. G .. .521


Blakely, J. H. 507


1


Blanchard, Mark


Blosser, L. D 625


1


D.


Davenport, Djalma 570


Davis, S. R. .542


Deaver, I . T. 530


Delmege, i


Brewster, S. A. 497 Delriege, .61;


Devos, A. B


Devol, W. H. II. . .633


Dair. Edward


.559 Ders, 1 . i


DRI ..... 1. : 1.


Delp. N. s. M. M. .13


Dree. G. B.


:09


Dann, Hazard.


Dwight, I. H C:3


F ..


Fod . David.


Ecker-on. C


€ :


C. r. l. N. 5-9


Carm.n. l .:


:I


F.


Gepr, C. R


1


Cotton, S. R 533


Crain. W. F


Crccl, J. F.


Bolleman. N. M . ¿ 30


Bourne, Milton.


Bouslough, S. K 578


Bra.g. I. E .5,02


Brockman, F. W 525


Brooks, D. H.


. 569


Brown, Jeha. 1 ..


505


Brown, J. H. Bros .v. T. H .536


Bund, Isa.c. .631


454


Burket. H. F


Poch, E. J.


Butts, G. P. .632


C.


.249


Stahl, Michael. 240 J.a. J. T .. .353 Lavton, Mis. W. H. .237


¢


Stahl, Solomon. .283 Towasley, J. W . 3. 3


Trullo or. M. S. .297


W.


Walter. A. F. .319


Walters, Christian .393


Watson, Robert. .212


Waugh, Buivey


Wheeler, P. A.


.215 -370


Wilcox. Joseph. .35.5


Willens, G. W.


Williams. R. B. .333


THill. G. 13 26S


1.11


D. W . 300


F


1


I


:


S. R. S


!


.511


Cale, Wit. 6,35


Ferman, Tame .616


Flchira, William


Fo. L, G. W


Follel, Sebastian


Forbes, Burr


Forsyth, W. II.


Franci., A. C 15


French, O. E. 5 ;


friend, Josep', 570


Full-i. A. R. F ...


Fuller, C. H


.5:0


K.


-


NA. B. T.


Nirop, HI M ES:


O.


O.k .... O. W


:18


Olinger, Squire


543


O'Rufe, John


Our:, J. H


.534


Page, W. . \


Patch. D. M.


553


Pat:, J. H. 512


Patt. W. F


Patterson L. S


Person, Carl.


.574


Pary, meph


.6.9


Polis, C. M.


Peterson, A. R.


6:4


Perle, Adam. 544


Porrer. D. A 1>5


Po. cr, J. S ..


.95


PRAgen, W. C


R.


Razuet. Llewellyn


Reit :. F. 31.


Re:


Reise. L. K


RiiMais I.


Rota. W. H


Rowal. N. V


Regn, A. P.


S.


Ho ki-


Notreli.


Ilud-on.


Hunt, ] 3


Hunt :.


Hu. .


Hur bir .


Hurry. ] F


Keith, A. E .172 Nie, M. A. .510


Gald, J. N.


Galbreath, L. G. -459


Galt, Fitnes .. .637


Geir, Tacob


Karab, T. W


Kem, Aifftej .632


Keichoti, P. S.


.545


Klinge tonPh. D. .549


L.


I aferie. [. ..


.595


Laporte, C. D.


.573


:


.519


Leak, S. G.


.504


Lee, Aarci


ATS


Grounds, Willen . 507 Leech, T. If. 563


.5'I


Leens, J. A. 533


Lemon, J. H. 5.2


Lewis, H. W


Hoger. A. C.


Ilall, Hiram.


Hall, John. 651


Hamilton, II. F.


HIammans, W. H


.633


Hanna, R. Il.


Hardeabr ok T. A .519


Harrison, W.


Har-1, 1. B. . 407


Har-h, P. L. 530


Hart, G. W .. .63:


Hartinan, Albert.


Harunan, George.


Harvey, S. F. 1.2" M . er, C. N.


Hathaway, Joseph 195 Rich .. ids 1


Haveric: , J. L.


Havnes. M. F 572 Ko: t. C. 6.


Hoinh B. F .53


Hender. a. T!


Hunipek I.


NeDo


C


:


D


Marrow. W. W


Murphy, Herry


.521


1 .1 :34


. 1. 1.


:


.627


Kerv. W. X


Keniplin. W. H.


Gil,s. .. John,


526


Gil -5, O. D. .336


Gilman, T. W


Grantham, Thomas


Gregory, D. D. 615


Gim. Alfied. Grinn .I. C. H. .504


Grop.ho .k. D. V 535 -


Groesbeek, G. I. +94


Groesbeck, William.


Grove-, L S ...


.479


1.ccch, W. M


Gathridge, D. J.


.533


11.


I icity, J. 1I.


:53


Lininger, O-ben


in


Pinkerton, W. S. .


Lucas, E. C


.571


Luster, D. W


Lves., Rev. S.


.730


I ytle, J. S, 6.37


M.


Morn, Laar


.6 5


Maxwell, Hol.F!


53


Rex. C. S. .


Maxwell. T L


6.24


j.


T


S .:


13


J.


I.


1 .:


N.g. H. C .553


.635


G.


Perry, B. S.


CONTENTS.


Spencer, D. J 545


W.


Spurt, As H. .605


Stalcup. W. J. .477


Wim , I. H.


Stalker, Leward .. .643


Stalker, T.Jward, Jr. .505


Stalker. H R. 543


Stat.chfielo. C. A .620


Stephen, W. I.


570


Sullivan, E. F.


.541


Swaine, Truman


527


Swan, S. D.


.591 1


Sweet, Sylvester. .6:3


Syp, James .: 92 While. L. K 522


Syp, J. F.


.547


Syp, W. K 597


T.


Widger, C. E. 555


Wilcox, E. S .. .616


Thompson, J. J 167 Williams, Rev. W. C.


Thompson, J. M. .601


Thompson, R. J. .50S


Thornton, J. M 451


Torrey, B. N. 637


Turner, J. D 456


Wilson, W. M. 477


Wolf, F. R. 639 The Press. .032


Woods, M. R. .532 Profissional .. .697


Van Doren, J. S. .552


Vanhorn, I ...


Co5 1 Wray, Benjamin .617 Afton.


714


Van Posten, F. S. .529


Wrav. J. B .. 631 Crc-ton


72


Vincent, Henry 582


Wright, E. P 493


Wych, D. A. Wycoff, H. G. . 571


Yenser, Joseph.


5,5%


PORTRAITS.


Beyiner. R. S. .575


Bi-hop. J. F 645


Christie, W. H. .559


Fuller, A. R ...


621


Graikhan, Thomas .557


Jag .. W. A .437


Pat., J. H .. 513


Rob, W. H.


Torre . B. N. 635


GENERAL HISTORY.


Introductory. .655


Wilson. G. P.


Early and Civil History .6:0


Wilson, J. L .. دو! Political and Official .. 651 Chi shing the Rebelito: .695


! Wooley, David. 556 Miscellaneous


Villages 135


Lyman, Sr. :05 Waterree ... Lynn, Jr. 612


Water !. , Nivon. .555


Www.r. G. C .541


Wells, C. T. . 561


Wheeler. T. H 523


White, A. C. 480 Hi bre, D. W 593


Wich, Henry 523


Wickhan, W. M. 373


Willian. son, L. J. 495 Wil'is, Shelby


1. C.


James .037


B. F. .550



1


OF THE


.


6


-


PRESIDENTS>


LyWithin der.


9


GEORGE WANIANGTON.


GEORGE


ASHINGTON.


EORGE WASIIING- TON, the " Father of his Country" and its first President, 1789- '97, was born Febril- ary 22, 1732, in Wash- ington Parish, West- moreland County, Virginia. His father, Augustine Wash- ington, first married Jane But- ler, who bore him four chil- dren, and March 6, 1730, hc married Mary Ball. Of six children by his second mar- riage, George was the eldest, the others being Betty, Samuel, John, Au- gustine, Charles and Mildred, of whom the youngest died in infancy. Little is known of the early years of Washington, beyond the fact that the house in which he was born was burned during his early child- hood, and that his father thereupon moved to another farm inherited from his paternal ancestors, situated in Stafford County. on the nor bank of the Rappahannock, where he acted as agent of the Principio Iron Works in the immediate vicinity, and died there in 1743.


From earliest childhood George des. 1. oped a noble character. He had a vigorous constitution, a free form, and avant Lo lity strength. His education wasson wwhat die-


fective, being confined to the elementary branches taught him by his mother and at a neighboring school. He developed, how- ever, a fondness for mathematics, and en- joyed in that branch the instructions of a private teacher. On leaving school he re- sided for some time at Mount Vernon with his half brother, Lawrence, who acted as his guardian, and who had married a daugh- ter of his neighbor at Belvoir on the Poto- mac, the wealthy William Fairfax, for some time president of the executive council of the colony. Both Fairfax and his son-in-law, Lawrence Washington, had served with dis- tinction in 1740 as officers of an American battalion at the siege of Carthagena, and were friends and correspondents of Admiral Vernon, for whom the latter's residence on the Potomac has been named. George's inclinations were for a similar career, and : midshipman's warrant was procured for him, probably through the influence of the Admiral; but through the opposition of H0: mother the projet was abandoned. Th family connection with the Fairfaxes, his- ever, opened another crees for the young man, who, at the age of Sixteen, was ap - pointed surveyor to the handuse estates of the cecentrie lord Fairfax, who was th. ma on a visit at B Mois, and wie shortly after-


Greenway Coup in the Showand al Valley.


perinte which alterwall por sel way senti .. I to him.


In 3;51, when the Virginit prili_ wore put under training with a vien of seti service against France. Washington .. thon . only nineteen years of age, was agesintel Adjutant with the rank of Major. Io Soy tember of that year the filling beath of Lawrence Washington rendere i it makes. sary for him to seek a warmer climate, and George accompanied him in a voyage to Barbidoes. They returned carly in 1752, and Lawrence shortly afterward died. kay- ing his large property to an infant daught r. In his will George was named one of the executors and as eventual heir to Mou it Vernon. and by the death of the infant tiene soon succeeded to thet estate.


On the arrival of Robert Dinwiddie as Lieutenant-Governor of Virginia in 1752 the militia was reorganized, and the prov- ince divided into fous districts. Wa hing- ton was commissioned by Dinwildlie A lin- tant-General of the Northern District in 1753 and in November of that you a most important as well as hazardous mission was assigned him. This was to proceed to the Canadian posts recently established on French Creek, near L Je Ein, to demand in the name of the King of Em'in the withdrawal of the French fra se od :r claimed by Virginie. Thisget ben declined be rime than a since it bachvel : ARRA


eitheri. Wiert.


accompanied to: (


Fort for Barn bis Bratches a


..


Whatelse brandtai Assembly of Virghe in mithomer tho positive to rem a regis out deseo met for The purpose o maintaining the ass ried rights of the British crown ovet the territory clined. is Washing. im declined to be a candidate for that just, the command of this regiment was given to Colonel Joshua Fry, and Major Washing. ton, at his own request, was commissioned Lieutenant-Colonel. On the birch to Ohio, news was received that a party previously sent to build a fort at the confluence of the Monongahela with the 'Olio had been driven back by a considerable French force, which had completed the work there be- gum, and named i: Fort Duquesne. in honor of the Marquis Duquesne, then Governor of Canada. This was the beginning of the great " French and Indian war," which con- tinned seven years. On the death of Col mel Fry, Washington succeedell to the com- mand of the regiment, and so well d' ! he fulfill his trust that the Virgini _assembly commissioned him as Commander-in-Chic of all the forces raised in the colony.


A cessation of all Indian hostility on the frontier having followed the expulsion of the French from the Ohio, the object of Washington was accomplished and be re- simned his commission as Commander-in- Chief of the Virginia forces. Hethen pro- ceeded to Williamsburg to take his sent in the General Asssally of which he dad


GEORGE WASHINGTON.


self-government, which, after ten years, c1.1. minated by act of Parliament of the port of Boston. It was at the instance of Virginia that a congress of all the colonies was called to meet at Philadelphia September 5. 1774, to secure their common liberties- if possible by peaceful means. To this Congress Colonel Washington was sent as a dele. gate. On dissolving in October, it recom- mended the colonies to send deputies to another Congress the following spring. In the meantime several of the colonies felt impelled to raise local forces to repel in- sults and aggressions on the part of British troops, so that on the assembling of the next Congress, May 10, 1775, the war prepara- tions of the mother country were unmis- takable. The battles of Concord and Lex- ington had been fought. Among the earliest acts, therefore, of the Congress was the selection . of a commander-in-chief of the colonial forces. This office was unani- mously conferred upon Washington, still a member of the Congress. He accepted it on June 19, but on the express condition he should receive no salary.


He immediately repaired to the vicinity of Boston, against which point the British


As early as 1776 the leading nen thol come to the conche joa that ther . w. 1 hope except in spration and food for- denca. In Many of that your Washington wrote from the head of the army in Now York: " A recomMation with Great Brit. command of the army, I abborred the 10:


of independence ; but I am now fully satis- fied that nothing else will save us."


It is not the object of this sketch to trace the military acts of the patriot hero, to whose hande the fortunes and liberties of the United States were confided during the seven years' bloody struggle that ensued until the treaty of 1783, in which England acknowledged the independence of each of the thirteen States, and negotiated with them, jointly, as separate sovereignties. The merits of Washington as a military chief- tain have been considerably discussed, espe- cially by writers in his own country. Dur- ing the war he was most bitterly assailed for incompetency, and great efforts were made to displace him ; bat he never for a moment lost the confidence of either the Congress or the people. December 4. 1783, the great commander took leave of his of.i- cers in most affectionate and patriotis terms, and went to Annapolis, Maryland, where the Congress of the States was in session, and to that body. when peace and order prevailed cverywhere, resigned his com- mission and retired to Mount Vernon.


It was in 1785 that Washington was called to the chief inegistracy of the nation. IIc ministry had concentrated their forces. As . received cvery electoral vote cast in all the early as April General Gage had 3.000 troops in and around this proscribed city. During the fall and winter the British policy clearly indicated a purpose to divide pub- lic sentiment and to build up a British party in the calories. Those who sided with the ministry were stigmatized by the patins as " Tori. . 'while @ apsfriot- took tothe. selves the nine of " WLivs."


colleges of the States voting for the office of President. The 4th of March, 172%, was the time appointed for the Government of the United States to begin its openings. but several weeks clannad before gerente of both the newly constitutel linesof the Congress wereas will. Thecity Yak was the place where the Ci


then met. April i Wasling : i :


noy doti . He se out with a


En god th attend m ; for


12


PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES.


he was hailed with those public manifesta- tions of joy, regard and love which spring spontaneously from the hearts of an affec- tionate and grateful people. His reception in New York was marked by a grandeur and an enthusiasm never before witnessed in that metropolis. The inauguration took place April 30. in the presence of an innense multitude which had assembled to witness the new and imposing ceremony. The oath of office was administered by Robert R. Livingston, Chancellor of the State. When this sacred pledge was given, he retired with the other officials into the Senate chamber, where he delivered his inaugural address to both houses of the newly con- stituted Congress in joint assembly.


In the manifold details of his civil ad- ministration, Washington proved himself equal to the requirements of his position. The greater portion of the first session of the first Congress was occupied in passing the necessary statutes for putting the new organization into complete operation. In the discussions brought up in the course of this legislation the nature and character of the new system came under general review. On no one of them did any decided antago- nism of opinion arise. All held it to be a limited government, clothed only with spe- cific powers conferred by delegation from the States. There was no change in the name of the legislative department ; it still remained "the Congress of the United States of America." There was no change in the original fing of the country, andI none in the seal, which still remains with the Grecian escutcheon borne by the eagle, . with other emblems, under the great and ! expressive motto, " E Piarils Unutma."


The first division of parties aros upon the manner of construing the power- dele- gated, and they were first styled ' strict constructionists" and " Intitudinarian com structionists." The former were for Cel- Sning the action of the Government strictly


1


within its specific and limited sphere, while the others were for enlarging its powers by inference and implication. Hamilton and Jeffers m, both members of the first cabinet, were regarded as the chief leaders, respect- ively, of these rising antagonistic parties, which have existed, under different names. from that day to this. Washington was re- gardedas holding a neutral position between them, though, by mature deliberation, he vetoed the first apportionment bill, in 1790, passed by the party headed by Hamilton, which was based upon a principle construct- ively leading to centralization or consoli- dation. This was the first exercise of the veto power under the present Constitution. It created considerable excitement at the time. Another bill was soon passed in pur- suance of Mr. Jefferson's views, which has been adhered to in principle in every ap- portionment act passed since.


At the second session of the new Con- gress, Washington announced the gratify- ing fact of " the accession of North Caro- lina" to the Constitution of 1737, and June I of the same year he announced by special message the like " accession of the State of Rhode Island," with his congratulations on the happy event which " united under the general Government" all the States which were originally confederated.


In 1792, at the second Presidential elec- tion, Washington was desirous to retire ; but he yielded to the general wish of the country, and was again chosen President by the unanimous vote of cvery clectoral college. At the third election, 17,6. he bras again most urgently entreated to consent to remain in the executive chah. This be positively refused. In September, before the election, he gave to his countryin in his memoall Farewell Address, which in ku- guage, sentiment and patriotism was a fit and crowning glory of his illustrious he. After March & upp, Le sean defined to Mount Vernon for peace, quiet and rese.


5


is


GEORGE WASHINGTON.


His administration for the two terias had been successful beyond the expectation and hopes of even the most sanguine of his friends. The finances of the country were no longer in an embarrassed condition, the public credit was fully restored, life was given to every department of industry, the workings of the new system in allowing Congress to raise revenue from duties on imports proved to be not only harmonious in its federal action, but astonishing in its results upon the commerce and trade of all the States. The exports from the Union increased from $19,000,000 to over $56,000,- coo per anmim, while the imports increased in about the same proportion. Three new members had been added to the Union. The progress of the States in their new career under their new organization thus far was exceedingly encouraging, not only to the friends of liberty within their own limits, but to their sympathizing allies in all climes ! and countries.




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