USA > Pennsylvania > A biographical album of prominent Pennsylvanians, v. 1 > Part 17
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But he was a Democrat, chairman of the State executive committee in 1862, and in the heated political discussions of those days was denounced by his po- litical opponents. It is said that his old friend, the late John W. Forney, re- marked, when he learned of his appointment of chairman of the executive com- mittee in 1862:
"I know Hughes, and there is no child's play before us. We must overwhelm him by an appeal to the war feeling of the people."
Mr. Ilughes asserted that the secessionist and abolitionist were both enemies of the Constitution ; that the one should be put down by force of arms, the other at the ballot box. The tactics of Colonel Forney were adopted. The address of the State committee was denounced as traitorous, and Democrats as hostile to the war. Hughes demanded that principles should be discussed. The right of Democrats to open their head-quarters or hold mass meetings was, on the other hand, denied. Democrats claimed the right of free speech and the right to peace- ably assemble to discuss political questions. The position taken by Mr. Forney and the Republican press was untenable. Popular sympathy on these questions favored the Democrats. Efforts were made to have Mr. Hughes arrested, which might have proven successful had it not been that Hon. Edwin M. Stanton, then Secretary of War, was his personal friend. He was assured there should be no order for his arrest without his being first served with specifications and allowed a hearing. As no charges could have been sustained, no order was issued. The Democrats carried the State, owing in part to Mr. Hughes' skilful management, and in part to the mistaken policy adopted by the Republicans in the campaign. In 1862 the President's emancipation proclamation was issued. This, as an act of arbitrary power, Mr. Hughes denounced.
In regard to this important act of the administration, it may be said Mr. Hughes' views later changed. Ile still held the act to have been arbitrary and without constitutional right, unless as a war measure, and justifiable under the law of self preservation, which he contended was as applicable to nations as to individuals. Ile afterward spoke with respect of the bold, open course pursued by Thaddeus Stevens at that time, as contrasted with the dishonest course of others who sought to vindicate certain enactments of Congress as within the pro- visions of the Constitution. Mr. Hughes also maintained that the right of a nation to defend and maintain its own existence is a right inherent in the fact of the existence of such nation, and in the case of our Federal Government exists, in the words of Thaddeus Stevens, " outside of the Constitution."
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FRANCIS W. HUGHES.
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As might have been expected, the extreme and unjust denunciation of Mr. Ilughes in 1862 by his political opponents made him very popular in his own party. He was a candidate before the Democratic Legislative Caucus for nomi- nation for the United States Senate in 1863. He had made little or no canvass, but the outside pressure was strongly in his favor. Hon. Charles R. Buckalew, however, received the nomination and election. The defeat of Mr. Hughes was ascribed by his friends to the Berks county representatives under the lead of llon. Hiester Clymer. This was resented by Schuylkill county Democrats, especially as Mr. Clymer had been a former resident of the county and professed, and no doubt felt, a warm personal friendship for Mr. Hughes. The late IIon. Warren J. Woodward, then President Judge in Berks county, was a devoted friend of Mr. Buckalew, and his influence, doubtless, had its effect on the repre- sentatives from that county. Mr. Clymer was a candidate for the Democratic nomination for Governor in 1863. Ile had a number of very warm friends in Schuylkill county, but the general feeling among the Democrats there was that he should be defeated for the nomination. Mr. Hughes was a member of the State Convention. He urged that he had no personal feeling against Mr. Cly- mer, but he was overruled by his fellow delegates from Schuylkill county, and opposition to Mr. Clymer's nomination was determined on. The difficulty was as to a candidate. Hon. Wm. 1I. Witte, of Montgomery, was very strong, but Mr. Ilughes feared that he would show his full strength on the first ballot. IIe was, however, selected as first choice. Mr. Witte understood the position of the Schuylkill delegates, but, of course, disagreed as to their opinion of his strength. When the balloting commenced a number of names as a second candidate had been discussed, but none agreed upon.
Mr. Hughes' prediction as to Witte was justified by the result. He showed his strength in the early ballots, but his friends were steadfast. Chief-Justice George W. Woodward started with about eight votes, which he retained. Whilst the third ballot was being taken, Mr. Ilughes asked quietly who represented Judge Woodward, was speedily in communication with his representative, and asked him to make no attempt to do more than hold his vote. In the meantime Mr. Witte had shown his full strength, about forty-four votes out of 133, and Mr. Hughes had sent to him asking permission to withdraw his name. He received in reply, " one ballot more." This was repeated, ballot after ballot, until when the tenth ballot was taken Mr. Clymer was only short a very few votes of a nomi- nation. The eleventh ballot was being taken, and Mr. Clymer's nomination ap- peared inevitable when Mr. Witte sent word that his name should be withdrawn. In an instant Mr. Hughes was on his feet, standing on his chair. He withdrew the name of Hon. William H. Witte, which was greeted with applause, and com- menced amid confusion a speech in which, with great eloquence, he introduced the name of Hon. George W. Woodward and made an appeal for his nomination. The effect was electrical ; cries of " by acclamation " were raised, but a ballot was had in which the nomination of Woodward was effected and in a moment there-
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after made unanimous. In 1866 the Schuylkill county delegates supported Mr. Clymer for the nomination. Mr. Hughes was a delegate to the convention held in Philadelphia in the early part of Johnson's Administration, and supported the general policy of that convention.
Mr. Hughes always insisted upon the right of the government to abso- lutely control the issuance of money as well as the amount of the issue, contend- ing that where the amount of gold and silver was not sufficient for the legitimate demands of trade, such amount should be supplemented with paper legal tender issues direct by the government instead of non-legal tender paper issues through the medium of banks. He contended that this was true Democratic doctrine, and as a consequence favored what was then known (in 1875) as the Ohio idea, and in the Democratic Convention held at Erie that year, he, as Chairman of the Committee on Resolutions, succeeded in having similar principles incorporated in the platform.
In 1876, at the Democratic Convention which met at Lancaster, and which Mr. Hughes did not attend by reason of temporary indisposition, the doctrines of the Erie Convention were repudiated. In an open letter he asserted that their action was not Democratic, and supported Peter Cooper, the candidate of the Greenback party, as President. He was thereafter influential in the Greenback party; was President of the National Convention at Toledo in 1876, and of the State Conventions-1877, at Williamsport; 1878, in Philadelphia, and 1880, in Harrisburg. He maintained the principles which induced him to connect him- self with the organization during the remainder of his life.
In the Presidential campaign of 1880 he became satisfied that certain of its leaders were improperly controlling it with the object of advancing personal views and ambitions foreign to its legitimate purposes. He was not willing to lend his influence in favor of such aims, and at once severed his connection with the party.
But notwithstanding the interest he had taken in politics Mr. Hughes was never a politician in the sense of being an aspirant for place. In 1863 he would have been gratified to attain the position of United States Senator, but even then did not make a canvass such as his friends think he should have made, and which they think would have insured his election.
Mr. Hughes was always very active as a business man outside of his profes- sion. He originated and aided in many enterprises; in the purchase and in- provements of lands ; in the opening and improvement of coal and iron mines ; in the establishment of iron works and other factories.
About 1883 Mr. Hughes' health became impaired, and though for several years after he attended to business, struggling with an iron will against the inroads of weakening illness, in 1885 he began to fail rapidly, and on October 22d of that year he breathed his last.
Mr. Ilughes was a gentleman of fine personal appearance, dignity of manners and character, pleasing address and amiable disposition. He was universally respected, and popular with political opponents as well as friends.
HON. H. JONES BROOKE.
HUGH JONES BROOKE.
H ON. H. JONES BROOKE, for many years a State Senator, was born December 27, 1805, and was the eldest of five children born to Nathan Brooke and Mary (Jones), his wife. His father was a well-to-do farmer, whose estate com- prised the valley of the Gulf Creek, in Radnor, adjoining Montgomery county. 1 His ancestors were the sturdy yeomanry of the early emigration from England and Wales. Those of his father were Quakers, and settled in and near Limerick (now Montgomery county), and of his mother, Episcopalians, who settled in Newtown and Radnor, and were among the founders of St. David's Church, Radnor. His father dying when he was but nine years old, he was brought up under the joint care of his mother and his paternal grandfather, who were well fitted to prepare him for the active duties of life. His education was of the character obtainable at that day in the local schools. At the early age of fifteen he took charge of the farm, and thenceforward led a life of active usefulness.
The prominence of his grandfather, who had been a Revolutionary officer, and was a large land-owner, as well as extensively engaged in industrial pursuits, brought him intc early participation in the administration of public affairs, and he almost continuously served his fellow-citizens in local matters, besides terms in both branches of the State Legislature, always being on important committees, mostly in leading positions, and his advice was frequently sought in National and State, as well as local, corporate and personal affairs.
In corporations he was largely interested ; and the Delaware Mutual Safety Insurance Company, the First National Bank of Media, the Twelfth Street Market Company, and the Media Gas Company were among those of which he was either the originator or a corporator, and assisted in the administration as president or director until his death. There were many other public interests with which he was or had been connected. To him Philadelphia is largely indebted for its present system of market-houses, he being the originator, and, until he refused to serve longer, President of the Farmers' Market Company.
In 1853 he purchased the farm in and adjoining Media, lying between the State (street) road and Ridley Creek, and removing from Radnor thither, thence- forward gave liberal attention to the development of that town, building with his own means the Chestnut Grove House, Brooke Hall Female Seminary, many private residences and other buildings, and aided largely in the construction and management of the Philadelphia, Media and West Chester Railroad that passes through it. The Pennsylvania Training School for Feeble-Minded Chil- dren near Media was located through him, and largely developed through his legislative influence in securing appropriations from the State for its building and maintenance. Both as an officer and citizen it had his earnest, sympathetic advice and assistance until his death.
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In the suppression of the Rebellion he took an active part, and when asked by the Secretary of War to assist in developing the Commissary Department he went earnestly to work, and served both in the field and at post with benefit alike to the government and the soldier until impaired health from overwork enforced his resignation.
In politics he was a Whig, and early became a Republican because of his anti- slavery convictions, which caused him to refuse a marshalship that might involve his official enforcement of the fugitive slave law. In business he spoke of him- self as a farmer, but, as before mentioned, he was that and much more. In religion he made no public profession, but was a regular and constant attendant at the services of the Protestant Episcopal Church. St. David's, Radnor, and Christ Church, Media, especially shared in his labors and his means. Of the latter he was the originator. He was especially interested in the amusement and instruction of the young, and was always ready at proper times to participate in the one or aid the other; and many were indebted to him for his good advice and material assistance for their start in life.
He married, April 16, 1829, Jemima Elizabeth, daughter of Nathaniel Long- mire (a manufacturer) and Elizabeth (Green) his wife, who, with his family, had emigrated from Nottingham, England. They had nine children, of whom three died in early childhood. The others-Nathan (died 1885), Francis Mark, Hannah Maria, wife of John L. Evans, Benjamin, Hunter, Sarah Ann, wife of George M. Lewis-and his widow, survived him.
After an honorable life of uninterrupted usefulness he died, December 19, 1876, and was buried at St. David's, Radnor.
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HON. CHARLES S. WOLFE.
CHARLES SPYKER WOLFE.
A SHORT time since the public prints contained a statement showing the average age at which the marked men who have attained fame in the various de- partments of human endeavor achieved their distinction. The most striking fact developed by this statement is found in the demonstration that the large majority of men of force and extraordinary ability since the dawn of civilization have been on their way to prominence before passing the meridian of life. There are, of course, a few notable exceptions to this general rule, as in the case of Moses the Hebrew lawgiver, Cromwell the Puritan ruler of England, and Knox the great Scotch divine; but the general tendency of all experience points with an unerring certainty to the conclusion that any notable human success must be achieved while the subject is in the heyday of his powers, physical and mental. The sub- ject of this present sketch adds another to the long list of examples which go to prove the truth of this proposition, he being the youngest man now in public prominence in this Commonwealth.
CHARLES SPYKER WOLFE was born at Lewisburg, Union county, April 6, 1845. His father, Samuel Wolfe, was of Pennsylvania Dutch extraction, his ancestors having originally emigrated from Berks county some time prior to the breaking out of the Revolution. One of his direct ancestors was killed by the Indians in one of their predatory excursions, about the time of the famous Wyoming mas- sacre, and is buried upon a farm a short distance from Lewisburg. Samuel Wolfe married Catharine Lawshe, a descendant of one of the pious Huguenot families who were driven from France on account of their religious convictions. It will be seen, therefore, that Mr. Wolfe continues in his own nature the solid and enduring qualities of the Pennsylvania Dutchman with the versatility and brilliancy of the French race. Samuel Wolfe was the leading grain-dealer of the West Branch section in his day, having extensive transactions with the farmers and business men of a large section of country. He bought the wheat from the farmers' wagons, and shipped it to Baltimore, Philadelphia and other points by canal, which was the method of transportation in those days. ITis reputation for honesty and uprightness was so firmly established over a wide extent of country where he was well known that his word was never questioned. This reputation proved to be a legacy of great value to his son, as in after years, when Charles, then little more than a beardless youth, started out among the people to make his first canvass for a legislative nomination, he was invariably greeted with the remark, that if he was as good a man as his father the district would have reason to be proud of such a representative.
Samuel Wolfe was one of the original founders of the " University at Lewis- burg," where his son was afterwards educated, and held the position of treasurer to the institution at the time of his death, which occurred when Charles was only
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CHARLES S. WOLFE.
five years old. By dint of his industrious and enterprising business methods he had accumulated a fair competency, so that his widow and children were left in comfortable circumstances and the latter given a good education. Charles was admitted to college in 1861, having been awarded the highest prize given his class at the preliminary examination. He was at this time in very delicate health, and in consequence was compelled to leave college one year, and did not gradu- ate till 1866, when he was awarded the highest honors of his class. The inter- vening year he spent in Minnesota with a party of civil engineers who were sur- veying the Winona and St. Peter's Railway. At the expiration of his collegiate course he immediately entered the Harvard Law School, and graduated there- from at the expiration of the usual two years' course. During his college course he had enlisted in Captain Lambert's Company of Independent Cavalry, and had served in the famous Fishing Creek Confederacy campaign, and also was with his company in one of the Cumberland Valley campaigns, where he served as orderly to General Couch. He kept up his studies during the period of his mili- tary service, so as to be able to keep pace with his class. He married during his last year at Harvard, and upon the completion of his law course at that insti- tution he returned to his native town and engaged in the practice of his chosen profession. Here, by his superior natural abilities and his indefatigable industry, he soon established a lucrative practice, which has been constantly increasing until, at the present time, although he has associated two able assistants with him, he finds himself unable to keep up with the demands made upon him by his clients. His powers of endurance are extraordinary, as he will frequently, when engaged in preparing some important case, continue at his work for from twenty- four to thirty-six hours without rest or sleep. He has achieved a very high place in his profession, standing to-day in the very front rank among the lawyers of this Commonwealth.
His most notable characteristics as a professional man are thoroughness in research and the power to state his positions in clear and forcible terms. Every person who has had the opportunity to hear him argue a point of law or a legis- lative proposition has been forcibly struck with those traits of his mental power. Hle first goes to the bottom of every subject with which he grapples, and then states his points in terms so clear and forcible that even a child might understand them. But while he has achieved notable success for one so young in his chosen profession, Mr. Wolfe is best known to the people of this Commonwealth as an able, honest and courageous legislator.
He was first chosen to represent the counties of Union and Snyder in the Lower House of the General Assembly in 1872, and was re-elected the following year. In 1874 he was elected to represent Union county, and took an active part in preparing the body of legislation enacted in that year for the purpose of putting in force the provisions of the new Constitution. He was associated in that famous body with John I. Mitchell, since United States Senator, Judge Orvis, of Centre county, Newmeyer, of Allegheny, Stranahan, of Mercer, and others of
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scarcely less distinguished ability and experience ; and, although the youngest member of the body, was considered one of the most active and useful legislators who had the honor to represent this Commonwealth in that memorable session.
He was again elected for the sessions of 1875-1876, and, although the Demo- crats were in the ascendency in this body, he divided the honors of the Republi- can leadership with John I. Mitchell, and made himself famous by his conduct of the notorious Boom bill investigation, and his management of the proceedings which resulted in the trial and expulsion of Lynott, of Luzerne, and Emil J. Petroff, of Philadelphia. In 1876 he was unanimously nominated by his county for the State Senate, but was beaten in the conference, and the Republicans were beaten in the district and have never been able to elect a Republican Senator from the district since.
During the session of 1877 Simon Cameron resigned his scat in the United States Senate and successfully transferred the Senatorial toga to his son for the remainder of his term. As the Legislature of 1879 would be called upon to elect his successor, Mr. Wolfe, who was a determined foe of the Cameron dynasty, offered himself again as a candidate for the Lower House upon the distinct issue that he would not vote for Cameron under any circumstances, and was over- whelmingly nominated and elected. When the Legislature of that year assembled the House was no sooner organized than under the call of the chairman of the State Committee the Senatorial caucus was called, although near two weeks in advance of the election. There were many protests and mutterings among the members and Senators at this haste, but the party lash was applied, and Mr. Cameron was nominated. Twenty-seven members and Senators, including Mr. Wolfe, absented themselves from the caucus, and if these had all stood firm Mr. Cameron's defeat would have been assured. But an adjournment was effected for one week under the plea of the necessity of time for the Speaker to make his committees, and the members were scattered to their several homes, where such pressure was brought to bear upon them that all but five yielded and Mr. Cameron was elected. Mr. Wolfe and his few " kicking" companions looked forward to the balance of the session with anything but pleasurable anticipations, as threats of ostracism and "boycotting " were indulged in very freely by the adherents of the so-called "machine." But this period of depression was of short duration, as Mr. Wolfe was a man of such aggressiveness and ability that in a short time he was able to turn the tables against his enemies, and assume his natural place as the leader of the House. This session was destined to witness one of the most stubborn and exciting legislative contests ever known in the history of the Commonwealth.
The Pittsburgh riots, which had taken place in 1877, had been accompanied by the destruction of an immense amount of property. By a special enactment Allegheny county was made responsible for all such losses occurring within her borders. These losses amounted to such an enormous sum that the people of the county applied to the Legislature for relief, and a bill was introduced appro-
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CHARLES S. WOLFE.
priating $4,000,000 for that purpose. The balance of the State objected loudly to being taxed to pay this claim, and a determined opposition to the passage of the bill was soon organized. Mr. Wolfe led the opposition, although ably seconded by the late Edward Law, Benjamin L. Hewit and others. The contest became very violent; and was so elose that for a long time it seemed very doubt- ful as to the final result. At last some of the friends of the measure, despairing of passing it by ordinary influences, undertook to compass its success by bribing and were detected and exposed.
A committee of investigation was appointed, of which Mr. Wolfe was a mem- ber, and, after a thorough and searching examination, made a report recommend- ing the expulsion of four members. The friends of the measure very unwisely banded together and prevented their expulsion, which required a two-thirds vote, and thus forced resort to criminal prosecution to purge the Legislature of the stain. This committee was composed of Messrs. McKee, Wolfe, Mapes, White, Hackett, Bradford, Kirke and Sherwood. As in all former reform measures connected with the Legislature of this Commonwealth since his first entrance into public life, Mr. Wolfe was once more the leading spirit in this endeavor to bring to justice the men who had attempted to corrupt legislation at its fountain. Eminent counsel were employed, including Judge Black, Matthew H. Carpenter, of Wisconsin, Franklin B. Gowen, Judge Simonton, of Harrisburg, George H. Irwin and others, and the suits were undertaken in dead earnest.
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