The Opelousas patriot. [volume] (Opelousas, Parish of St. Landry, La.) 1855-1863, 1856-09-06
STEPHEN w. WIKoFE.

eased, nor is such q relation necessary to en-
bile US faithfully to delineate his character and v
worth. We have received, in the brief period Il
;ince his dccease, in our limited intercourse /
With his neighbors and friends, abundant tesS
nony of the REPRESENTATION inAwhich he was
universally held while living, aud the general
falt by this community at his loss.
The Nv following incidents Of his life we're
| us by an old and intimate personal
fri of his
,l,e deceased was the second son of Col.
VIM. Wikoff, who emigrated from Monmouth
County, NewJerscy, at a n early day to this
district Of country. then Known as the prairies
of Opclousas, where the subject of this sketch
was born on the 18th of November lT95. In
early koyhood his native State and parish be-
ing comparatively a wilderness, and with no
educational resources, young Wikoff was sent
to u then celebrated Academy in the ancient
village Of Brunswick, in the County and State
from which his father had cmigrated, where,
after serving the necessary n~ovitiate prepara-
tory to the more advanced studies Of a classical
education, he was entered at Princeton college,
then, as now, one of the first seats of learning
in the United States. From some cause or
other personal to himself, although maintain
ing q high position in his class and distinguished
for general scholarship, and that elevated bear
ing which characterized him through life as a
gentleman, he discontinued his connection with
that Institution and matriculated himself at
Dickinson college, Carlyle, Pennsylvania, then
presided over by the distinguished DIR. Cooper,
late of the South Carolina college, where he
was graduated with honor and distinction.
AT this period of Mr.. Wikof's life, fresh
from his alma mater with the riches OF its
classic lore and the habits Of a student, his
aspirations for distinction and usefulness soon
indicated to him the profession of the Law as
the safest road to eminence.
In the Law Office Of David Hoffman of Bal
timorc, then among the leading members OF
that distinguished bar, in that age Of great
Lawyers, he commenced his studies. His
career which opened under such brilliant aus
pieces Of success, was destined, however, to be
of short duration. Transplanted from q quiet
and secluded lcttered association with the
mighty dead to the fascinating and alluring
society of that gay metropolis, he soon irresisti-
bly, became, from his personal attractions, the
cultivated refinement of his manners, and his
high intellectual accomplishments, the center Of
social pleasure and enjoyment.
Such scenes, alien in their effects and conse-
quenccs to the seyercr studies and mental dis
ciplinc Of the Law student soon captivated
him, who no doubt, after vain and Intellectual
efforts to escape such destinations yielded at
last, exhibiting another among the common
example of our day, that the rugged and pre-.
cipitors path to fame is but rarely traversed by
, those upon whom fortune has lavishcd its
lavors. He decided then, to return to his ma
tive prairies, there TO engage in the less ambi
!, lions and more ~congenial pursuit of agriculture
o Shortly after his return he was married tt
Miss Collins, of this Parish, who survived bu
o a short time, leaving an only child, now thu
g lady of DIR. John A. Taylor, of this vicinity
! ! who, with their bercaved family, now mourn
his untih sy loss.
AS an evidence of the estimation in which
G Mr.. Wike = was held by his fellow citizens, o
: this PARK y, he was twice returned withou
solieitat; d or agency on his part, by triumph
ant majoritics to The Legislature of this State
and by n constituency (whig) adverse to hi
8 own political views, and at that time, largcl.
: in the ascendant. From that period unit
1914, he constantly refused in answer to tn
II often and repeated solicitation of his friend
to permit his lame to be brought forward il
!, u connection with any public employment what
ever. In that year q convention was ordered
to remodel the organic Law OF the State whel
Mr.. Wikoff, yielding to the solicitations of tn
n pcople of his native Parish, permitted his nam
! to be used for a seat in that body, and t,
n show the consideration in which he was held b,
i. his fellow citizens, in the midst of whom he hal
spent his whole life, he was elected by NOR
u than three fourths of the votes of the politica
parties of that day.
n MIR. Wikolf, in point Of intellect aud yarie
attachments, had few if any equals in thi
country. Ills mind, decidedly Of the %reRectiv
order, exhibited in connection with his natura
modesty and suayity Of manner, much of dt
liberation in the expression Of his opinions, h
vet conversed with ease and elegance, and II
y one could be long in his society without bein
y aware that he was q man of nc ordinary CO
pacitv. Ills charities were of the most activ
' character, and it may be truly said Of ther
" that no mar ever gave so much Of which tn
" world knew so little. In every relation Of lii
The deceased nobly but unostentatiously aGIS
y his part, and the void created by his death
: long, long be felt by d large circle Of frieNN
and acquaintance, to which his friendly an
+, kind offices had strongly and l~as.ingly endeare
him.
-~1SG cu.
lei The Wings of New York.