Historical sketches of Franklin county and its several towns, Part 73

Author: Seaver, Frederick Josel, 1850- [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1918
Publisher: Albany, J. B. Lyon company, printers
Number of Pages: 848

USA > New York > Franklin County > Historical sketches of Franklin county and its several towns > Part 73

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The September (1863) number of the Eclectic Magazine contained a steel portrait of Mr. Bradish and a sketch of his life. The portrait shows him a man of massive head and large frame; smooth shaven except for slight side whiskers; forehead high, with hair brushed back, unparted ; a kindly, almost smiling, countenance, suggestive in every line of strength. At the time that the portrait was made Mr. Bradish was nearly eighty years of age, but does not look to be over seventy. He died at Newport, R. I., in August, 1863, before the portrait and

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accompanying biographical sketch were published. The Eclectic's article is here copied :

"As an attractive embellishment to this first number of the sixtieth volume of The Eclectic, we have the pleasure of presenting to our readers an admirable portrait of one of the most distinguished and respected among our citizens. The original of this portrait has long been well and widely known and honored in stations of public trust, and revered in the circles and walks of more private life. In former years the national government honored him with marked proofs of its confidence, by intrusting to him inquiries of great delicacy and impor- tance. These, it is due to him to say, were conducted by him with great ability and fidelity. We had long been aware that Governor Bradish had traveled extensively in Europe, Africa and Western Asia, but not until we took occasion to make inquiries did we know the particulars of his long sojourn abroad, the various countries he visited, the impor- tant inquiries intrusted to him, and the valuable services which, in the prosecution of those inquiries and the communication of the result, he rendered to our national government, and, if we are correctly informed, without asking or receiving the smallest pecuniary reward. Well versed in the leading languages of Europe, and speaking fluently the Arabic tongue, he was admirably fitted to traverse the Turkish Empire and hold extended discussion and intercourse with the Sublime Porte, by whom he was uniformly treated with distinguished consideration. The valued fruits of these disinterested and patriotic services. are better known by the national government at Washington than by the public at large.

" In presenting this portrait in the position which it occupies in the engraving we hope to gratify the numerous friends of Governor Bradish, and especially the members of the New York Historical Society, over whose deliberations he has presided for many years with so much dignity and grace, as well as many friends of the American Bible Society, over whose sacred interests he has more recently been chosen to the high honor of president. We add the long cherished feelings of personal regard. At his accession to the chair of the American Bible Society. the New York Observer offered its tribute of respect by saying : 'Governor Bradish has long been distinguished for his administrative and executive talents, and as a presiding officer at public meetings he has no superior. Thoroughly acquainted with parliamentary law, having a commanding presence and dignified, courteous manner, he discharges the duties of a president with great ability and propriety.

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Governor Bradish is a member of the Episcopal Church, a man of warm Christian sympathies, and beloved in every relation of life.' It may add interest to the portrait to say that the chair in which Governor Bradish appears to be seated in the engraving is the presidential chair of the New York Historical Society, which, by permission, was removed to the photograph rooms of Mr. Brady for the purpose. This chair has a fur- ther historic interest, having been formed from the timbers of the house in New York which General Washington was accustomed to make his residence while sojourning in this city. It will impart additional inter- est to the portrait if we record a few particulars more personal and bio- graphical, which we deem quite fitting to the purpose we have in view. We are only able to present a brief outline sketch of the well spent life, thus far, of one whom many delight to honor.

" He entered the profession of law in the city of New York, and soon after his admission to the bar he embarked at New York for the West Indies and South America. From thence he sailed to England, visited Scotland and Ireland, and returned to New York shortly before the war of 1812, in which he served as volunteer. In 1814 he married Helen Elizabeth Gibbs, daughter of the late George Gibbs, of Newport, R. I. In 1816 he had the misfortune to lose his wife and only child, a son. In 1820, with a view to make himself acquainted from personal observa- tion with the country and the commerce of the Levant, and for the pur- pose of collecting and communicating to the government of the United States information preliminary to the establishment, by treaty, of amicable and commercial relations with the Sublime Porte at Constan- tinople, he embarked at Norfolk on board the United States ship-of-war, the Columbus, seventy-four, Commodore Bainbridge's flag-ship, bound for the Mediterranean. Joining the United States squadron at Gibral- tar, the combined squadron proceeded to make the circuit of the Mediterranean, touching at the principal ports on the European and African coasts. Returning to Gibraltar, Mr. Bradish was sent, by the dispatch vessel of the squadron, through the sea, by the way of Malta and the Archipelago, to Smyrna. He proceeded thence overland to the Gulf of Nicomedia, and thence across the Sea of Marmora, by the Prince's Islands, to Constantinople. An officer of the navy accompanied Mr. Bradish from Smyrna to Constantinople for the purpose of taking charge of any communications he might have to make to the government of the United States, or to Commodore Bainbridge, the commander of the United States squadron in the Mediterranean.

"At Constantinople, and in excursions thence into the surrounding

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country, Mr. Bradish occupied himself actively for five or six months in the prosecution of his objects, and in communicating the result to his government. He encountered at Constantinople a strong feeling of jealousy, on the part of the European nations represented there, with the single exception perhaps of Russia, against the establishment by treaty of amicable and commercial relations between the United States and Turkey. Ancient monopoly viewed with hostile feelings the introduc- tion of open competition, and saw, with marked disfavor, the approach of a new participator in the profits of trade.

" Having ascertained the true character and force of these jealousies, and being assured of the sincere desire of the Porte for the establish- ment of such relations, Mr. Bradish, in an extended communication upon the subject, pointed out to his government a mode, different from those before attempted and failed, in which the desired treaty could be concluded. The mode thus recommended by him was under the admin- istration of General Jackson, and Mr. Van Buren as Secretary of State, followed, and a favorable treaty of amity and commerce successfully con- cluded with the Porte, by Mr. Rhind, on the part of the United States. This treaty subsequently was duly ratified by the two governments.

" Having accomplished his immediate objects at Constantinople, Mr. Bradish sailed thence for Egypt. He had introductions to the Viceroy, the celebrated Mohammed Ali Pasha. He was received and treated by him with distinguished kindness and respect. He had frequent personal interviews with him, and a subsequent correspondence. *

" Taking leave of Cairo, Mr. Bradish ascended the Nile, passed the first and second cataracts, and entered upon the great plain of Sennaar. Returning thence to Cairo, he passed the outer desert to the Red Sea, and thence through the inner desert to Syria, which he traversed in almost every direction. Returning to Beyrout, he embarked again for Constantinople, where he again passed some months. Taking final leave of the city of the Caesars and the Caliphs, he made the journey, in post, on horseback, accompanied by Tartars, across the beautiful plains of Adrianople and Bulgaria, the great mountain chain of the Balkan, and the Danube, to New Ossova, in Hungary. He traveled thence by Temes- war, Presburg and Buda to Vienna. After passing some time in · this beautiful capital of the Hapsburgs, he proceeded thence by the Sclavonian provinces and the Tyrol to Trieste on the Adriatic, and thence by Veniee, Ancona, Perugia, Narni and Terni to Rome. He revisited Naples and its environs ; returned to Rome; and after a resi- dence of eight months in the Eternal City he recrossed the Appenines

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to Tuscany; revisited Florence and the Val d'Arno; and proceeded thence to Lombardy ; went into Sardinia ; visited Turin and Genoa, and returned by Pavia to Milan; visited the Lakes of Como, Lugano and Maggiori ; and thence crossed the Alps, by the Simplon, into Switzerland ; traversed its magnificent mountain glaciers and beautiful valleys; and from the Falls of Schaffhausen went, by way of the Black Forest, to the Rhine at Strasbourg; crossed into Alsace and proceeded to Paris. From Paris he passed through llolland, England, Denmark, Sweden and Finland to Cronstadt in Northern Russia ; and thence to St. Peters- burg, the modern capnal of this wonderful empire. Having passed some time in this most beautiful city and its environs, he proceeded to Mlos- con, the ancient capital of Russia, and the winter residence of the rich Doyards of the empire. Thence he went to Warsaw in Poland, and inence, by the Grand Duchy of Posen, to Berlin ; and thence to Dresden, the interesting capital of Upper Saxony, where he passed some months. Departing thence, he ascended the valley of the Elbe into Bohemia, and by Toplitz to Carlsbad; thence through Bavaria, Wurtemburg and the smaller German States to France. From Paris he proceeded to Havre, and embarked for New York, where, in the close of 1826, he arrived after an absence of six years.

" Since the termination of his second term as Lieutenant-Governor, Mir. Bradish has not participated actively in party politics, contenting himself with exercising his rights, and endeavoring to discharge his duties, as a private citizen. He, however, received, unsolicited, from his early and much esteemed friend, President Fillmore, the office of United States assistant treasurer for New York. Of this office, under the following administration, he was relieved by his successor, General Dix.

" From. the close of 1842, with the above exception, Mr. Bradish's life has been actively devoted to educational, reformatory and charitable institutions. In 1844 he was elected first vice-president of the New York Historical Society, and on the death of Hon. Albert Gallatin was elected its president. In 1847 he was elected a vice-president of the American Bible Society, and, on the decease of Hon. Theodore Freling- huysen, was elected president of the society. These two offices he still holds. He is also connected with many other charitable institutions. The wise counsels and practical judgment of Governor Bradish have led many charitable institutions in the city to elect him as vice-president, trustee or a member of some committee, so as to secure his influence and wisdom in the management of their affairs. These and other facts which

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might be noted indicate the high respect in which he is held in this great community.

" In 1839 Mr. Bradish married Mary Eliza Hart, daughter of the late Peter G. Hart, of the city of New York. By this marriage he has one child, a daughter. Thus in the bosom of an endeared family, and in the wide circles of many friends, and in the fulfilment of many important duties, public and private, Governor Bradish is already crowned with gray hairs and with enduring honors."

CHAPTER XXXII

WILLIAM ALMON WHEELER

William Almon Wheeler was born in Malone, New York, June 30, 1819, the son of Almon Wheeler, a pioneer of Northern New York and a lawyer of distinction, who, however, left no estate except a mortgaged homestead. The story of Mr. Wheeler's youth would be but a repeti- tion of that of so many other eminent Americans - arduous labor at a tender age to discharge his heritage of debt, to contribute to the sup- port of the widowed mother and orphaned sisters, and to earn an educa- tion. A single specific instance may be mentioned : Having been given the fallen timber on a tract a mile distant, he cut therefrom the family's supply of fuel for a year, drew it home on a handsled, and worked it up into stovewood. A passage from a letter written by himself in his later years will bear quoting: "My attire in the cool months was of fulled cloth, or, in the vernacular of that day, 'full cloth '- the product of domestic looms. In summer the staple of my wear was flax. *

* The outward man was never more complacent than when, on Sabbath morn, attired in pants of bleached whiteness, with a pair of Anslem Lincoln's 'coarse-fines,' earned by posting his books, and polished with blacking manufactured by applying water with a little molasses to the bottom of a kettle from the crane of the open fire-place, I wended my way to the old church, where 'Father ' Parmelee, perched ten feet above his hearers in a pulpit shaped like the turret of a monitor, hurled the hot shot of the divine law into the rebellious hosts of the 'adversary of souls,' at close range, with the fuse cut short."

Having worked his way through Franklin Academy, Mr. Wheeler entered the University of Vermont, but eye trouble compelled him to withdraw without graduation. For one period of six weeks when in college his only food was bread and water, and his experience then prompted the resolution that, so far as he could prevent, no young man struggling for an education should ever so suffer, and after he came to be prosperous he made scores of gifts or loans in fulfillment of that vow.

Returning from Burlington to Malone, he entered upon study of the law, was duly admitted an attorney and counselor, and practiced successfully for a dozen years or more. Even after business affairs and

[705]

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politics commanded his attention almost exclusively ; he was often con- sulted on intricate questions by other attorneys and close friends, and was deemed one of the soundest and safest counselors in Northern New York.

Mr. Wheeler became town clerk almost at once upon attaining his majority, then town superintendent of schools, and in 1846, by appoint- ment, district attorney. In 1847 he was elected to the latter office on a union ticket headed by a Democrat for county judge. When he became the Whig nominee for the Assembly in 1849 that association led to the unfounded charge that he had changed his politics. He was, however, elected, and re-elected the year following. In his first term he evinced so great legislative aptitude, and came to be so respected for wise and prudent judgment and for alert grasp of public questions that admirers proposed him for the Speakership the next year, but he had early pledged his support to Henry J. Raymond, and refused to be a candidate himself. Though the preferment was not sought by him, he was never- theless singled out for the floor leadership, and for a merely second- term member received the very unusual honor of assignment to the chairmanship of the committee on ways and means, the duties of which he met with signal ability, and to the pronounced satisfaction of his party colleagues. During this period a vigorous and bitter opposition to the bridging of Lake Champlain for the Northern (now Rutland) and the Central Vermont Railroads developed along the Hudson river and in New York city, based upon the contention that such a connection would divert the business of Northern New York from the metropolis to Boston, but by the great persuasive powers of the man and by sheer force of character Mr. Wheeler succeeded in carrying through an act authorizing the bridge to be built. More than any other member, he brought about the election in 1851 of Hamilton Fish as United States Senator.

Refusing a third term, Mr. Wheeler entered the business of banking as cashier of the old State Bank of Malone, a connection which was continued for twelve years. In 1853 he became trustee for the mortgage bondholders of the Northern Railroad, which made him virtual manager of the road for thirteen years, when, upon the order of the supreme court in a proceeding which he did not contest, he retired, and by judi- cial approval and direction turned over the property to interests which had acquired a majority of the stock, and which had sought vainly for years to force him out. When he did retire it was upon his own terms, approved by the court, one of which was that he receive his salary to the end of the term for which he had been appointed trustee, and

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another that a passenger station to cost forty thousand dollars be erected at Malone.

Mr. Wheeler was the resident agent prior to 1850 for the Olivers of Baltimore, who were owners of large tracts of land in Bombay and Dickinson. In his dealings with the people who held their farms under contract in the former town he was so considerate and forbearing in times of distress that in his first spirited campaign for office Bombay gave him a large majority notwithstanding the town was usually heavily Democratic. Had it voted as it did ordinarily, he would have been beaten in the county. Equally fortunate in another way was his connec- tion with Mr. Oliver's business in Dickinson. Anxious to close out his holdings there, Mr. Oliver fixed a price, and promised to Mr. Wheeler all the excess that he might realize. A purchaser was found, and Mr. Wheeler's commission proved to be five thousand dollars, which built the house that was his home for so many years, and which is now a part of the Elks' club house.

In 1857 Mr. Wheeler was elected to the State Senate as a Republican. He had been active in organizing the Republican party in Franklin county in 1855, and was the first candidate of that organization to receive a majority in the county. The majority was only twelve, but all of the rest of the ticket was beaten. His memorable service in the Assembly six years earlier, and the reputation which he had won in the meantime as a lawyer, a keen business manager and a sagacious and trustworthy politician, caused him to be chosen president pro tempore of the Senate, a distinction almost or quite unparalleled considering that he had never had previous service in the body.

A renomination for the Senate was declined, and in 1860 he was elected to Congress by the Essex-Clinton-Franklin district, serving with use- fulness, though not conspicuously, and giving an unswerving support to all war measures and to the general policies of President Lincoln. From the capital when Congress was in session he was watchful of all of the volunteer organizations in the field from Northern New York, relieving the privations of the men, and obtaining promotions where they were deserved, and when at home between sessions, and after his term had expired for the remaining years of the war, was unceasingly active in forwarding the business of recruiting and stimulating popular support of the Union cause.

In 1867 Mr. Wheeler was elected a delegate-at-large to the constitu- tional convention of that year, and became its president. The next year and then successively until 1876 he was returned to Congress by the St. Lawrence-Franklin district, serving with statesmen and intellectual

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giants who included James G. Blaine, George F. Hoar, Henry G. Dawes, Benjamin F. Butler, Clarkson N. Potter, James B. Beck, Samuel J. Randall and Alexander H. Stephens, and who made the body a much more notable one than it now is. While Mr. Wheeler's part was less manifest to the general public than that of some others, it was not less formulative and controlling. His work was largely in the quiet of com- mittees and conferences, respect for his judgment and disinterested sin- cerity, together with the personal liking entertained for him by his col- leagues, both Democrats and Republicans, giving him an influence second to none. Nearly everybody called him " Father" Wheeler, and sought his advice upon most important measures. Often when a vote was about to be taken there would be a group of members gathered at his desk, and it is not to be doubted that the quiet talks there had determined more votes than all preceding debate combined. He seldom spoke except upon bills under his immediate charge that had been reported from his committees, and then his statement and argument were always lucid and cogent, and commanded close attention. As a parliamentarian he ranked with the best that Congress has ever known. Less brilliant and less rapid in dispatching business than Mr. Blaine, he was safer and more consistent, for it is the fact that Mr. Blaine often contradicted himself in his rulings, and yet with an amazing assurance and audacity would insist that neither he nor any predecessor in the chair had ever held otherwise. I myself clipped from the records for Mr. Wheeler every ruling ever made by Mr. Blaine as Speaker, and these were classified and indexed in a book which was kept always in Mr. Wheeler's desk, ready for instant reference if occasion should arise when Mr. Blaine should rule against Mr. Wheeler. The latter recog- nized that he would be outclassed and discomfited in a clash with Mr. Blaine on a general question, but eagerly looked for and fully expected a collision on some parliamentary point. It never came, perhaps because Mr. Blaine knew that he would suffer.

The story of the Blaine-Wheeler estrangement is simple. Until 1873 the two men had been warm friends. In that year, when Mr. Blaine was not persona grata at the White House, Senator Conkling and other close friends of President Grant planned to make Mr. Wheeler Speaker of the House. The movement was, of course, based more upon enmity to Mr. Blaine than upon regard for Mr. Wheeler, and, with the White House influence to back it, threatened to be formidable, and not improb- ably successful. Mr. Blaine appealed by letter to Mr. Wheeler to crush it, which he did by answering that even if there were no other reason

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for not entering upon a canvass for the place, or sanctioning one by others, considerations of health would forbid, because he lacked the strength to assume the arduous labors incident to the position; and he pledged himself unequivocably to Mr. Blaine's support - afterward him- self presenting his name to the caucus, with the result that Mr. Blaine was elected without opposition. This letter of Mr. Blaine to Mr. Wheeler, which I saw and read, contained a virtual, though not explicit, assur- ance that if Mr. Blaine were elected he would appoint Mr. Wheeler chairman of the committee on appropriations, explaining that this assignment could not well go to any one else, especially since, as the letter said, Mr. Garfield had been discredited, if not smirched, by the Credit Mobilier investigation. But when the time arrived for announc- ing the committees Mr. Blaine informed Mr. Wheeler that he had placed him again at the head of Pacific Railroads. An angry altercation fol- lowed, and with an indignant and absolute refusal to serve on that committee, Mr. Wheeler withdrew. A hurried recasting of a part of the list had to be made, with the result that Mr. Blaine lost other friends besides Mr. Wheeler. Thereafter there was always a bitter feeling between them.

As chairman of Pacific Railroads in 1869-72 Mr. Wheeler accom- plished a great work along lines where suspicion was apt to be pro- voked and where opportunities were present for enrichment, and did it without a breath of scandal attaching to him. While one such measure was in course of preparation, word reached Mr. Wheeler that a repre- sentative of interests to be benefited was in Washington with funds with which to buy its passage. Mr. Wheeler sent for the man, and, after declaring that the measure was meritorious and had his support, noti- fied him that if a single trustworthy whisper of attempted bribery for it should reach him he would himself kill the bill. The man left the city, and the measure became law on its merits. Afterward the com- pany which it was to benefit sought to present Mr. Wheeler a hundred thousand dollars of its stock as a testimonial of its appreciation, but the offer was of course refused.

In 18:4, when dual Legislatures in Louisiana disputed regularity and legitimacy, Mr. Wheeler initiated as a member of a Congressional investigating committee the so-called Wheeler compromise, by which order was restored in the State. Before unfolding his plan to Louisiana parties he outlined it to President Grant, who listened, but vouchsafed neither interest nor approval. After waiting patiently for some expression of opinion by the President, and none being offered, Mr.

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Historical sketches of Franklin county and its several towns, Part 73

Author: Seaver, Frederick Josel, 1850- [from old catalog] Publication date: 1918 Publisher: Albany, J. B. Lyon company, printers Number of Pages: 848

Author: Seaver, Frederick Josel, 1850- [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1918
Publisher: Albany, J. B. Lyon company, printers
Number of Pages: 848