USA > Ohio > Van Wert County > A portrait and biographical record of Allen and Van Wert counties, Ohio, v. 1 > Part 2
USA > Ohio > Allen County > A portrait and biographical record of Allen and Van Wert counties, Ohio, v. 1 > Part 2
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Leslie, Mrs. E. P
150
Mark, I ... 505
Kever, I.
396
Lewis, .3.
455
Markles, P
Mounts, I. F 577
Kimmell, !.
397
Lewis, Mrs. E.
450
Markley. S.
lowrey. . A. 5;1
Kimmell, W 397
Lewis, G ..
455-476
Marsh, G. 514
Montey, H
King, H. H. 398
I.ewis, I. E
476
Marsh, G. H. 518
Mowrey. W. II. :1
King,
398
Lewis, J. W 460
Marsh, J 518
Morel, P'
King, P.
393
Light, M ..
68
Martin, R.
502
Moore, C. .
Kannel, H.
385-779
Leathers, C
-$29
Mc Manus, T.
502
Moore, C.
Moore, J. i.
Kear, W. M. 903
Lee. J. 603
442
McNeal, J.
495 74
Keltner, M.
387
Lehman, G. Lehman, H. G. 441
Major,
Morgan, M. H.
Kemper, J. S.
388
Leitner, M. T 148
435
McGowen, W 493
McKim, T. S.
533
Montgomery, J. E. 347
Joseph, W 386
Lawhead, M. J.
436
Lawhead, Miss M. M. 437
McManus, [.
Miller, H
Johnson, W., Jr.
3;1
Miller, j.
Johnson, W. S.
:54
Lamerson,
115
McConnell, G. 484
Miller. P. H
Jones, B.
430
Jones, D. !.
181
Lampe, I. C .. 421
McCor. A. R
Mittenbarger. W. M .. 5.5
Jones, F .. L. 377
Lamipe, W. H
LaRue. I.
Jones, J. J.
383
Lawrence, C.
469
McDonald, A 490
Miller, B ..
Kandert, H
114
Lyboki. V. L. 501
Kundert, I
114
Lonewell. A. I
Lorber, H
489
Meisheimer, E. L.
Johantgen. J.
365
Loiber. L. W
459
Melsheimer. H. E.
Johos, Mrs. E. J
254
Mentzer. A., Ir.
Johnson, B .. 373-874
Krick, P.
Mentzer, A .. Sr
Johnson, I
Krout. A.
Longsworth, S. R. 464
621
Jackson, S. A 909
Medangh, R Siri
Meisheimer, C. A.
520
Slinger, 1.
Longsworth, S. 40.
McConohay, A. P.
Mitler, G.
Moebus, A. W 550
Tones, 1 ..
Joseph, C. 386
Lawhead, J.
Manitou Beach. 78
Morgan, R. J.
Morton, Mrs. F. Morton, S. R
Muller. V.
Ladd, S.
Lvbold. 1 406
INDEX.
12
INDEX.
VAN WERT COUNTY BIOGRAPHIES.
Momaugh. M. 381
Rank, 1
Schent. C. N
Sparher, C .. Sr
Mumaugh, M .. fr. 522
Rank. I. E.
Schultz. 1
Spray, j ...
Mumaugh, W.
Rank, W. 1.
Schumin, F 670
Spray, J. C.
Murphy, J. 579
Redrup, C. E.
Schonun. G X
Spadgeon. [
Murphy. J., Sr. 579
Kadrop. H. C
Scherma, H.
Sprid_con. I
Myers, L.
742
Redrup,
62
Schumm. IL. G.
Springer, B.
710
Nash, C. A. 580
Reed. L'
Nee!, I. S
586
Reed. F
schunon, L
Ntel, S ..
587
Rred. 1 ..
530
Schumm, L. 669
Neiford, G
4
Reed W
654
Scott, J ..
706
Stemen. I. M
Newcomer, D.
Reed, W.
Scott. J. T
662
Stempfes, Mrs. M
Nicodemus, W. H ... 582
Rhodes, I. K.
Scott, R.
Stewart. C. F
Noble, T ..
558
Rhodes, R. B.
Scott. W
Stewart, In.
74.
Noell, C. H.
587
Rice, Bros.
Scott, W. C.
Stewar, E.
Noel !. E. P
584
Rice. C. W
Scott. W. I ... 206
Stewart. i. L.
Norman, D
588
Rice, S ..
631
Semple, W. j. 603
561
Stewart. S. P.
:00
Norris, S.
5,00
Nichey, H. G
Shaffer. F. M ...
$19
Stewart. Z.
North, D. S
500
Richer, M. F
670
Shaffer, S
-719
Stites. H.
North. I.
590
Richie. S
SHAKer, S. W.
719
Stites. W. !
:04
O'Bryant. W
591
Ries, G 580
Shaw, G
672
Strandler, 1
Ogden, M.
Ries, M ..
Sheets. C.
719
Strandier. J., Si
Oliver, A. B. 598
Rimer. I. W
Sheets. 1.
673
Streit, 1.G
Streit, W. G 748
Olney, B.
Ring. N 63-
Ringwald, G
Shepard, D.
674
Stripe, )
:02-905
O'Mara, Mrs. E
Ringwaldt. J.5 839
Shepard K.
675
O Mara, P
Rittenhouse, M. M ..
Shepard, T.
675
Strothers, A. I.
184
Omlar, J
RSS
Koat, F
640
Sherburn, J. 675
Stamp, L 111
Ossing, F
Ruat. P ..
6:40
Shiglev, G.
114
Stamp, P.
Stump. S. 710
Owens. B.
Robinson, J. C. 641
Shindollar. M.
720
Statsman, A. C.
:15
Owens, D. J. 599
Roller. A.
650
Owens, T.
5:4
Roller, 1.
650
Shotwell. I. R.
Stutsinan, I. M.
Sunderland. E. F
Painter. S. 608
Rose, J.
694
Palmer Stone Quarry. 599
Rose, O. W 686
Sidle, J. F.
680
Sutphen, R. D
Palmer, Miss Z
Ross, J. T
648
Simpson, J. A.
681
Swartout, I) ..
+44
Parlett, M. A. 614
Ross, L. F.
649
Simpson, S. 681
Swartout. O. D.
Peters. C. F 605
Roush, G. W.
651
Simpson. S. N 722
Peters, N 606
Roush, W.
651
Peters, R.
Rowland, L.
652
Slater. 1
698
Pohlman, H.
11 :4
Pohlman, M ..
605
Rumble. H.
348-703
Slates, 1.
691
Pollock, A. 615
Rumble, J
708
Slates, Miss L. M ..
692
Taylor Family :39
. Pollock, T.
.615-616
Rummei, E ..
658
Smalley, R. 728
Taylor, F.
Taylor, H.
Potter, G
620
Rump, H. F
Smalley, W. M 728
Taylor, J.
Potter, J.
620
Runnion. A. 659
658
Smith, J. 730
Taylor, W
Price, A
614
Runmion, J. F
660
Smith, J. A.
7:29
Thatcher, M
Price, H. 614
Runnion, J. H.
658
Prichard, J.
617
Runnion, J. L.
659
Smith, N
685
Thatcher, T.
Thomas, E
Thomas. 1.
Priddy, T. D).
Ruparight. 1. 0
Rupright. P.
653
Snediker, I.
782
Push, O.O. 619
Stawharger. D.
Thora Mrs. 1
Saltzgaber, S.
Snyder, i)
Thorpe. B. F
Rader, F 626
Saum, A
717
Snyder. 1 ..
Thorpe. T. M
Sol
Rader, K 625
Saum. H. 717
Snyder, J. M.
Timbers, R
Rabrig, 1. 618
Saum, L.
Snyder, P.
Tinthers. S
Rank, G. A
Scaer, P. 395
Sparber, C.
Tolan, C. W
Priddy, J. 606
Rupright, J. C. 654
Smith, W .. 682 -684
Smith, W .. Ir
682
Thomas, S
Priddy, W.
589
Richey C. P
832
Shade. S.
Shaw. 1.
572
Stiverson, J
746
Oliver. E.
Ring. E 438
Sheets. S.
Sheets. W. $12-719
Stripe, G. W.
Olney, H.
592
Ossing, M. F 604
Robinson, H
642
Shindollar, D
120
Shorb, F. H.
Stutsman, D).
!
Rose, B. . 1 604
Shotwell, J. C. 679
Sidie, J .. 680
Sutphen, C. J.
Swartz, J. W :15
Swartz, WI 715
Swineford, S 8
Taylor,
Pomeroy, Mrs. S. 238
Rummel. J. G. 658
Smalley, J. W. 728
Smith, D. 685
Taylor. J. M
Potter, Mrs. N
625
Runnion, E. N
Smith, J. B
730
Thatcher, Mrs. M. M
Prichard. J. E. 617
Rupright, G. 653
Smith. T. M
Thomas, T.
Redrup,
732
Schanim. H. M. 670
Springer, W
Schumm, J.
Squibb, G. W
Squibb, W .. Stemten, C
557
Stewart, Mrs. P
Norris, J. W.
Richter. A.
Stripe, W. H
Slater, B. F. 693
Row lautl. S. J.
Slates, A. 691-692
.
13
INDEX.
VAN WERT COUNTY BIOGRAPHIES.
Tolan, J.
25%
Vincent, H .. $19
Weaver, G. C .. 842
Williamson, F
Tomlinson, J.
Vincent, H. K. 819
Weaver, P.
812
Williamson, J.
Tomlinson, J A ..
205
Wegesin, H. 843
Wilson, G. C.
Tope, G.
806
Wade, G. 819
Weible. I. S.
844
Wilson,
Tope, L ..
Wade, K
819
Weible. 1.
844
Wisher. f
-51
Tope, W. I
793
Wagner,
829
Welker, M.
845
Wokcou, E. W.
831
Tossey, J. L ..
793
Wagoner,
820
-821
Wellmann, 1 ..
352
Wolfe, G ..
Tower, B. H
483
Wagoner, W.
×20
Wells. E.
851
Wright. D
Townsend, J.
806
Waller, E.
830
Welch, B. A
-58
Wright, G. W
Tracy, E
Waller, J. E
830
Welch, D.
Weish. M.
854
Trippy,
818
Walls. I.
632
Welsh, C. .
854
Trippy, T. J
818
Waiters, W.
833
Wort, G. E.
856
Wyandt, ;.
Tuttle, M. H
$14
Waltz, A.
834
Wheeler, A
85;
Tuttle, S. S
814
Waitz, J
834
Wheeler, T.
Young, H.
89%
Uhrich, J.
815
Underwood, J.
816
Underwood. L.
816
Warner, W. A ..
323
i
Wilkinson. T. C.
663
Vance, E.
515
Wassenberg, A. 841
Wilkinson, C. S.
Wilkinson, E. L.
362
Zimmerman.
Zimmerman, W. H ..
Van Jew, H. C. 818
Watt, W. N.
830
Willidas. D. W
Zook, D.
Van Liew, J. 808
Vickroy, E 827
Waugh. W.
846
Williams. H. L
Vickroy, J.
827
Weaver, C. L.
Willums, N. L.
.. . 570
Vickroy, O. G.
827
Weaver, Mrs. H
858
Williamson, Mrs. A. 39;
VAN WERT COUNTY PORTRAITS.
Balyeat, A.
32-40
Dull, Mrs. J. W. 193
Grubaugh, I .. 307
Klein, J. P
439
Balyeat, Mrs. S .. 33
Dunlap, W.
203
Grubaugh, Mrs. C ...
343
Krout, A. N.
451
Baxter, S. M. 46
Dustman, G.
214
Gunsett, H ..
356
Ladd, L. E.
4.57
Bieber, W
64
Dustman, Mrs. G. 215
Gunsett, Mrs. H. 35;
Lawrence, W. C. 462
Butler, H
76
Eblen, G. I. 225
Hale, D). J. 368
Lewis, G. ..
Carlo, F.
86
Edwards, D. 11
768
Hale, Mrs. D. J. 369
Lorber, L. W.
Lybold, A .. 49>
Collins, Mrs. J.
111
Feasby, Mrs. W
287
Heath, W
325
Manship, C. F.
Collins, S ..
98
Fisher, Mrs. E.
300
Hertz, P., Jr. 392
McCoy, A. R.
510
Collins, Mrs. S
99
Fortney, 1).
328
Hertz. Mrs. P 393
McCoy, Mrs. A. R. . . 511
Conant, A.
121
Fortney, Mrs. D. 329
Hire, W. F
321
McCoy, C. H .. .
Cooper, J. K.
132
Freeman, G. S. 280
314
Holmes, H. P.
404
McCov. M. H.
518
Cox, A. W
14C
Gardner, Mrs. J. M ..
315
Holmes, Mrs. H. P ..
405
McGavern, G. W.
538
Cramer, J.
156
Germann, HI., Jr ..
269
Hunter, W. M.
336
McGavern, Mrs. G.W.
Cramer, Mrs. J
157
Giffin, A ..
273
!olinson, 1).
150
McKim. T. S.
Crist, W
148
Gleison, A. I.
9:4
jobasın, Mrs.
761
Mccullough. J. E
551
Davidson, Mrs. D. R. 169
Davidson, R. 180)
Davidson, Mrs. R. .. 1×1
Glenn, H. C. .
20
lones, Mrs. B
433
Morton, S. R.
Deniston, W. H. H .. 634
Glenn, Mrs. H. C 21
Jones, S. B ..
350
Morton, Mrs. I
Dull, J. M ..
74X
Glover, I. N.
Kohn, G. W.
411
Neal Samme!
Dull, Mrs. J. M ..
Glover, Mrs. I. N. 343
Kline, Mrs. M.
-1:25
Nos man. J.
Dull, J. W
192
Graham, R.
294
Knittle, P.
Painter, S.
397
Ubrich, A. S
Wappner, P.
840)
841
Whyman, A. L 861
Warner, Miss D. C .. 323
Whyman, S.
861
Warren, Mrs. P. N 233
Wilkinson, C. G.
8752
Ziegler, j
879
Vanhorn, G. C .. 828
Vanhorn, [ .. . .. 828-908
Watt 1.
829
Williams, D ... .864-873
1
Waugh, Mrs. S.
Williams, H. C ..
864
Zook. J. S.
Carlo, Mrs. F Collins, J. .
87
Ervin, J. I)
259
Hattery, J.
380
110
Feasby, W.
286
Hattery, Mrs. E 381
Hirn, A.
:85
McCoy, Mrs. C. If ..
Cooper, Mrs. H. A ...
133
Gardner, J. M.
Gleason, J. A
252
Johnson, 1.
418
Marble, J. M. C.
Gleason, F. j.
216
Jolmson, Mrs.
414
Mohr, G ..
Gleason, Mirs. F. J .. . 247
Jenes, B
Mohr, Mrs. G
S.S.
Tossey, P.
Wagoner. T.
821
Wellmanh. J. C.
Wagoner, W. H.
822
Wells. F. R.
Wright, 1.
Wright. S 889
Tracy. J.
Wallick, J.
831
Wright, W.
Wright W. G
Tumbleson, J.
Walters, W. G.
833
Wert. 1.
855
Wyandt, S
Wappner, G. H 839
Whitman, H. !
Young. I ....
Young, J. C.
848
Ward, I. W.
Young, Mrs. M. M. . 898
Tossey, A
Wagner, 829
Welker, F
×45
Wisher, W. T.
Wolcott. W. F.
Townsend, W. A
Zeigler, G. W
Wassenberg, H .. 841
Lybold, Mrs. A.
499
Davidson, P. R ..
168
14
INDEX.
VAN WERT COUNTY PORTRAITS.
Painter, Mrs. S ...
611
Rose, Mrs. O. W. .. . . 689
Taylor, Mrs. W.
Waugh, Mrs. S.
Palmer, Miss Z ..
601
Rumble, H ...
702
Tolan, las ... 256
Weaver, C. L ...
Potter, J.
622
Semple, W. J ..
596
Tossey, J. L.
Williamson, I.
Potter, Mrs. J
Semple, Mrs. W. J ..
597
Tumbleson,
TAX
Williamson, Mrs. A. . X95
Reed, W
655
Sheets, Mrs. W.
714
Tumbleson, Mrs. J ..
799
Reed, F
644
Sheets, W.
Underwood, J ..
Reed, Mrs. F.
645
Snyder, D .. .
:36
Van Liew, J.
×10
Richter. A
666
Snyder, Mrs. D. 737
Van Liew, Mrs. J.
Wright, D
Richter, Mirs. L
607
Sunderland, F. F
324
Vickroy. O. G ... .
Ziegler, G. W.
Richie, H. G
Sunderland, Mrs. E.F. 725
Vickroy, Mrs. O. G .. 825
Rose, B. A
695
Swineford, L. S .. ..
9
Watt, W. N ..
Rose, O. W.
683
Taylor, W
774
Watt, Mrs. W. N.
83;
Whitman. I. W .. 831
Whitman, Mrs. J. W ..
Williams, N. L.
PRESIDENTS
.
OF THE
UNITED STATES.
.
GEORGE WASHINGTON.
PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES.
EORGE WASHINGTON was born in Westmoreland county, Va., Febru- ary 22, 1732. His parents were Augustine and Mary (Ball) Washing- ton. His great-grandfather, John Washing- ton, came from England to Virginia about 1657: and became a prosperous planter. He had two sons, Lawrence and John. The former married Mildred Warner and had three children, John, Augustine and Mildred. Augustine, the father of George, first married Jane Butler, who bore him four children, two of whom, Lawrence and Augustine, reached maturity. Of six children by his second marriage, George was the eldest, the others being Betty, Sam- uel, John Augustine, Charles and Mildred.
Augustine Washington, the father of George, died in 1743, leaving a large landed property. To his eldest son, Lawrence, he bequeathed an estate on the Potomac, afterward known as Mount Vernon, and to George he left the parental residence. George received only such education as the neighborhood schools afforded, save for a short time after he left school, when he received private instructions in mathematics.
He was an acknowledged leader among his companions, and was early noted for that nobleness of character, fairness and veracity which characterized his whole life.
When George was fourteen years old he had
a desire to go to sea, and a midshipman's warrant was secured for him, but through the opposi- tion of his mother the idea was abandoned. Two years later he was appointed surveyor to the estate of Lord Fairfax. In this business he spent three years. In 1751, though only nineteen years of age, he was appointed ad- jutant with the rank of major in the Virginia militia, then being trained for active service against the French and Indians. Soon after this he sailed to the West Indies with his brother Lawrence, who went there to restore his health. They soon returned, and in the Summer of 1752 Lawrence died, leaving a large fortune to an infant daughter, who did not long survive him. On her demise the estate of Mount Vernon was given to George.
Upon the arrival of Robert Dinwiddie, as lieutenant-governor of Virginia, in 1752. the militia was reorganized, and the province divided into four military districts, of which the northern was assigned to Washington as adjutant-general. Shortly after this a very perilous mission was assigned him. This was to proceed to the French post near Lake Erie in northwestern Pennsylvania. The distance to be traversed was between 500 and 600 miles. Winter was at hand, and the journey was to be made without military escort, through a territory occupied by Indians. The trip was a perilous one, and several times he came near
£
26
PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES.
losing his life, yet he returned in safety and furnished a full and useful report of his expe- dition. A regiment of 300 men was raised in Virginia and put in command of Col. Joshua Fry, and Major Washington was commissioned lieutenant-colonel. Active war was then begun against the French and Indians, in which Washington took a most important part. In the memorable event of July 9, 1755, known as Braddock's defeat, Washington was almost the only officer of distinction who escaped from the calamities of the day with life and honor. The other aids of Braddock were dis- abled early in the action, and Washington alone was left in that capacity on the field. In a letter to his brother he says: "I had four bullets through my coat, and two horses shot under me, yet I escaped unhurt, though death was leveling my companions on every side." An Indian sharpshooter said he was not born to be killed by a bullet, for he had taken direct aim at him several times, and failed to hit him. After having been five years in the military service, he took advantage of the fall of Fort Duquesne and the expulsion of the French from the valley of the Ohio, to resign his commission. Soon after he entered the legislature, where, although not a leader, he took an active and important part. January 17, 1759, he married Mrs. Martha (Dandridge) Custis, the wealthy widow of John Parke Custis.
When the British parliament had closed the port of Boston, the cry went up through- out the provinces that "The cause of Boston is the cause of us all." It was then, at the suggestion of Virginia, that a congress of all the colonies was called to meet at Philadel- phia, September 5, 1774, to secure their com- mon liberties, peaceably if possible. To this congress Col. Washington was sent as a dele- gate. On May 10, 1775, the congress re- assembled, when the hostile intentions of Eng-
land were plainly apparent. The battles of Concord and Lexington had been fought. Among the first acts of this congress was the election of a cominander-in-chief of the colo- nial forces. This high and responsible office was conferred upon Washington, who was still a inember of the congress. He accepted it on June 19, but upon the express condition that he receive no salary. He would keep an exact account of expenses and expect congress to pay theni and nothing more. The war was conducted by him under every possible disadi- vantage, and while his forces often met with reverses, yet he overcame every obstacle, and after seven years of heroic devotion and match- less skill, he gained liberty for the greatest nation of earth. On December 23, 1,83, Washington resigned his commission as com- mander-in-chief of the army to the continental congress sitting at Annapolis, and retired im- mediately to Mount Vernon.
In February. 1789, Washington was unani- mously elected president. In his presidential carcer he was subject to the peculiar trials in- cidental to a new government; trials from lack of confidence on the part of other govern- iments; trials for the want of harmony between the different sections of our own country; trials from the impoverished condition of the coun- try, owing to the war and want of credit; trials from the beginnings of party strife.
At the expiration of his first term he was unanimously re-elected. At the end of this term many were anxious that he be re-elected. but he absolutely refused a third nomination. On the fourth of March, 1797, he returned to his home, hoping to pass there his few remain- ing years free from the annoyance of public life. Later in the year, however. his repose seemed likely to be interrupted by war with France. At the prospect of such a war he was again urged to take command of the armies. He chose his subordinate officers and left to
.
JOHN ADAMS.
27-28
29
PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES.
them the charge of matters in the field, which he superintended from his home. In accepting the command he made the reservation that he was not to be in the field until it was neces- sary. In the midst of these preparations his life was suddenly cut off. December 12, he took a severe cold from a ride in the rain, which, settling in his throat, produced inflam- mation, and terininated fatally on the night of the 14th. On the 18th his body was borne with military honors to its final resting place, and interred in the family vault at Mount Vernon.
The person of Washington was unusually tall, erect and well proportioned. His features were of a beautiful symmetry. Hc commanded respect without any appearance of haughtiness, and was ever serious without being dull.
OHN ADAMS, the second president and the first vice-president of the United States, was born in Braintree, now Quincy, Mass., and about ten miles from Boston, October 19. 1735. His great-grandfather, Henry Adams, emigrated . from England about 1640, with a family of eight sons, and settled at Braintree. The parents of John were John and Susannah (Boylston) Adams .. His father was a farmer of limited means, to which he added the busi- ness of shoemaking. He gave his eldest son, John, a classical education at Harvard college. John graduated in 1755, and at once took charge of the school in Worcester. Mass. This he found but a "school of affliction," from which he cndcavored to gain relief by devot- ing himself, in addition, to the study of law. For this purpose he placed himself under the tuition of the only lawyer in the town. He was well fitted for the legal profession, pos- sessing a clear, sonorous voice, being ready and fluent of speech, and having quick perceptive
powers. In 1764 lie married Abigail Smith, a daughter of a minister, and a lady of superior intelligence. Shortly after his marriage (1765) the attempt of parliamentary taxation turned him from law to politics. He took initial steps toward holding a town meeting, and the resolu- tions he offered on the subject became very popular throughout the province, and were adopted word for word by over forty different towns. He moved to Boston in 1768, and became onc of the most courageous and prom- inent advocates of the popular cause, and was chosen a member of the general court (the legislature) in 1770.
Mr. Adanis was chosen one of the first dele- gates from Massachusetts to the first conti- nental congress, which met in 1774. Here he distinguished himself by his capacity for basi- ness and for debate, and advocated the move- ment for independence against the majority of the members. In May, 1776, he moved and carried a resolution in congress that the colo- nies should assume the duties of self-govern- ment. He was a prominent member of the committee of five appointed June 11. to pre- pare a declaration of independence. This article was drawn by Jefferson, but on Adams devolved the task of battling it through con- gress in a three days' debate.
On the day after the Declaration of Inde- pendence was passed, he wrote a letter to his wife which, as we read it now, scems to have been dictated by the spirit of prophecy. "Yesterday," he says, "the greatest question was decided that ever was debated in America; and greater, perhaps, never was or will be decided among men. A resolution was passed without one dissenting colony, that thesc United States are, and of right ought to be, free and independent states.' The 4th of July, 1776, will be a memorable cpoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe it will be celebrated by succeeding generations,
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PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES.
as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance by solemn acts of devotion to Almighty God. It ought to be solemnized with pomp, shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illu- minations from one end of the continent to the other, from this time forward for ever. You will think me transported with enthusiasm, but I am not. I am well aware of the toil, and blood and treasure, that it will cost to main- tain this declaration, and support and defend these states; yet, through all the gloom, I can see the rays of light and glory. I can see that the end is worth more than all the means; and that posterity will triumph, although you and I may rue, which I hope we shall not."
In November, 1777. Mr. Adams was ap- pointed a delegate to France to co-operate with Benjamin Franklin and Arthur Lee, who were then in Paris, in the endeavor to obtain assistance in arms and money from the French government. He left France June 17, 1779. In September of the same year he was again chosen to go to Paris, and there hold himself in readiness to negotiate a treaty of peace and of commerce with Great Britain, as soon as the British cabinet might be found willing to listen to such proposals. He sailed for France in November, from there he went to Holland, where he negotiated important loans and formed important commercial treaties.
Finally a treaty of peace with England was signed January 21, 1783. The re-action from the excitement, toil and anxiety through which Mr. Adams had passed threw him into a fever. After suffering from a continued fever and becoming feeble and emaciated he was advised to go to England to drink the waters of Bath. While in England, stil! drooping and desponding, he received dis- patches from his own government urging the necessity of his going to Ainsterdam to nego- tiate another loan. It was winter, his health
was delicate, yet he immediately set out, and through storm, on sea, on horseback and foot. he made the trip.
February 24, 1785, congress appointed Mr. Adams envoy to the court of St. James. Here he met face to face the king of England. who had so long regarded him as a traitor. As England did not condescend to appoint a minister to the United States, and as Mr. Adams felt that he was accomplishing but lit- tle, he sought permission to return to his own country, where he arrived in June 1788.
When Washington was first chosen presi- dent, John Adams, rendered illustrious by his signal services at home and abroad, was chosen vice president. Again at the second election of Washington as president, Adains was chosen vice president. In 1796, Wash- ington retired from public life, and Mr Adams was elected president, though not without much opposition. Serving in this office four years, he was succeeded by Mr. Jefferson, his opponent in politics.
While Mr. Adams was vice president the great French revolution shook the continent of Europe, and it was upon this point which he was at issue with the majority of his countrymen led by Mr. Jefferson. Mr. Adams felt no sympathy with the French people in their struggle, for he had no confidence in their power of self-government, and he utterly abhorred the class of atheist philosophers who he claimed caused it. On the other hand Jefferson's sympathies were strongly enlisted in behalf of the French people. Hence origi- nated the alieniation between these distin- guished men, and two powerful parties were thus soon organized, Adams at the head of the one whose sympathies were with England, and Jefferson led the other in sympathy with France. In 1824, his cup of happiness was filled to the brim, by seeing his son elevated to the highest station in the gift of the people.
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THOMAS JEFFERSON.
31-32.
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The 4th of July. 1826, which completed the half century since the signing of the Dec- laration of Independence, arrived, and there were but three of the signers of that immortal instrument left upon the earth to hail its morning light. And, as it is well known, on that day two of these finished their earthly pilgrimage, a coincidence so remarkable as to seem miraculous. For a few days before Mr. Adams had been rapidly failing, and, on the 4th, he found himself too weak to rise from his bed. On being requested to name a toast for the customary celebration of the day, he ex- claimed "INDEPENDENCE FOREVER." When the day was ushered in, by the ringing of bells and the firing of cannons, he was asked by one of his attendants if he knew what day it was? He replied, "Oh, yes: it is the glorious Fourth of July-God bless it-God bless you all." In the course of the day he said, "It is a great and glorious day." The last words he uttered were "Jefferson survives." But he had, at one o'clock, resigned his spirit into the hands of his God. The personal appearance and manners of Mr. Adams were not particu- larly prepossessing. His face, as his portrait manifests, was intellectual and expressive, but his figure was low and ungraceful, and his manners were frequently abrupt and uncour- teous.
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