Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1856-03-19
Hon. James Buchanan.

Hon. James Buchanan.
Gleason's Pictorial, published at Boston,
Mass, in presenting its readers with like
ness of the present distinguished Minister to
the Court of St. James, together with view
of his residence" Wheatland," Lancaster
county, Pa, gives the following brief synopsis
of his services to the country since the COM
mencement of his political career in 1914 =
'As statesman, he has long been promi-
nently before the country, which he has
served in various important capacities. He
was born in Franklin county, Pa April II,
1898, and is therefore in his sixty-third year
He early studied for the law, and at the out
set of life eyinced desire for public career,
and was actively engaged while quite young
in politics. In 1915, he was nominated for
membership in the House of Representatives
of the State Legislature, and was duly elected.
He was reelected the ensuing year. As the
position was one which was not highly promo
tive of financial and professional interests, he
declined another reelection, He was chosen
to represent this in Congress in 1920, and
took his seat in that body in the following
year. He continued member of the House
of Representatives until the 4th of March,
clined rendering further services, and with
drew to private life. In 1881, Gen. Jackson
proffered him the mission to Russia; which
he was induced to accept. Immediately up
on his return in 1884, he was chosen to fill
an unexpired term in she Senate of the Uni
ted States In 1886, he was elected for full
term, and in 1S43, he was reelected to the
same post. He was selected by President
Polk, in 1916 to fill the Office of Secretary of
State, the duties of which he discharged till
the close of MIR. Polk's administration. On
Mr.. Lawrence's return from Eng gand MIR.
Buchanan became his successor. The sketch
below, of the home residence of Mr.. Buchan-
an, is situated in the Eden of Pennsylva-
nia," as Lancaster county is called. 1t Is
within twenty minutes walk of Lancaster,
and about two and half hours ride of Phil
adelphia. The grounds though small in ex-
tent-about thirty acres-are beautifully laid
out in groves and lawns, and are hung with
the most luxuriant vines and shrubbery of
every description At the foot of the lawn is
a very large spring of cool, refreshing water,
which, singular to say, contains III solution
little or no carbonate of lime while all the
springs for miles around ate more or less i'm
pregnated with it. 1t is rendered lovely little
spot for meditation or revery, by its drapery
of graceful weeping willows. Back of the
buildings is pretty piece of woodland, under
whose ample shade we could take a delightful
afternoon snooze, or in whose walks moon
light stroll would be charming. To the left
is an extensive garden, laid out in parterres.
A former resident of Wheatland, in speaking
of the salubrity of the air, remarked, '' For
twelve years We never once required the SER
vices of physician, except continued he,
Hba ItcaIf &c
over hundred feet in length, and, though
large and substantial, is in perfect accordance
with the strictest republican simplicity. In
conformity to the tastes and character of its
eminent proprietor, the interior in all its de-
tails, though comfortable and neat, is thor
oughly Democratic. Wheatland formerly be-
longed to MIR. Thomas Potter Of Princetown,
and subsequently to Ex-Secretary Meredith,
of Philadelphia. After the dissolution of
President Polk's administration in 1S4S, Mr..
Buchanan, then Secretary of State, desiring
to abandon the turmoil and fatigue of public
life for the quiet and genial repose of private
citizenship, purchased Wheatland, and in
company with his family, consisting of his
niece, nephew, a lady acting as house-keeper,
and domestics, he has made it his home ever
since. Here then, in his native State, and Oh
the field of his former triumphs, he has led a
life of tranquility, occupied, when not engaged
in study, either in the exercise of a generous
hospitality towards his friends, or in social in
tercourse with his family. Here he remained
till called upon by the President to the re-
sponsible station of envoy to Great Britain.
The peaceful look that !" Wheatland'' bears
about it is most inviting to our eye and we
should think that its illustrious owner would
sigh for time when he may sit down beneath
his own vine and fig tree"