The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1859-10-01
Biographical.
For The Cecil Wing.
Jacob Tome.


Of time and are busted in the contemplation
Of the various phases Of human life that are
thrown up by the current, our attention is
unavoidably turned to the different forms OF
emincnce with which the world ahounds, and
the different ways by which that cminence
has been attained.
Greatness, or notoriety in some of It's forms,
is point to which the eyes of all men seem
to be turned with a longing and feverish gaze
it is hight which alt, even the humble
seem striving TO reach, yet how few are they
whose struggles are successful, and whose
desire is fulfilled.
The unthinking portion of mankind, who
form the majority, aic practically ignorant that
greatness is manifold, and that some OF its
brightest exhibitions are to be seen in those
very pAths' in which the multitude are tread
ing, OF round which they eagerly pressing.
How many suppose that true greatness can
only be found in the regions of brilliant
literary success; in the stirring appeals and
rounded periods uttered from the sacred desk !;
in the fiery haranguc and keen debate upon
the Legislative floor; or still more in that
cunning and bloody ingenuity exhibited on
those fields of carnage, which have shaken the
atmosphere Of half the world with grolnS, or
with songs and shouts of rejoicing
But in its onward march Of thought and IN
its growing mcditatiye capacity, the world, in
regard to these things will alter its verdict !;
we reasonably look for such an era IN the
;r Si, ii
are already before us.
The time is already AZ hand, in which the
man who, by the observance Of the strictrsl
requirements of integrity, masters his fate,
forces the very obstacles Of nature to yield to
his unconqucrable purpose, and rises from
obscurity and poverty, to influence and the
largest competence, will not willingly be ex-
cuded from the ranks Of human greatness.
These remarks are applicable to such IN IN
as Jacob Tome ofPort Deposit, Cecil county,
Md. Mr.. Tome was borne in the town Vi
Hanover, York Co. Pa, in August 1S1U !;
located in Port Deposit in the Spring OF 1893
and engaged in the lumber business with j.
L. Rinehart Esq.
The stranger who passes nortwardly through
the 50 Main ); Street of this ancient town will
be struck by the appearance ofan cd;fcc upon
his right, distinguished from the other build
ings of the place, by its size, its neatncss
the fitness Of its external appurtenances and
its palltial air AMI rising out Of the very
roots of the everlasting granite, that TANKS
the Susquehanna on the east
The Stranrpr W i'll nj once roncluln that t,,,
occupant Of this building, il he is identical
with the one who contrived and adorned it,
is no common man. His taste his energy and
mental constitution arc displayed before YOU.
The spirit Of the man is seen and to great
degree embodied in these material forms upon
which its autograph has been SO wildly
impressed.
The building itself is optwardly striking,
but the attention is soon turned to the display
of taste and the indications Of comfort, that
are visible around it..
The surroundings are evidently in an intia-
tory and incompleted state, but these is still
sufficient to admire. The cdiiice, as has
been said, rises seemingly out of the very
roots Of the eternal rock, but the skill and
industry OF man have reclaimed even this
and caused its very barreuncss TO rise and
unduate in a mantle of bloom. The eye rests
on terrace rising above terrace, not Of the
hard and naked granite, but of productive
soil, from which spring the vine and the tree,
that give to man the delicate and savoury
things Of earth. The dwarf pear, and straw
berry seem to thrive abundantly. Nearly on
level with the top Of the building, and in
appearance partly excayated from the solid
rock, is large reservoir, from which toun-
tain below sends up its perpetual streams Of
pearl
Enter the edilice, and there vou find every
thing in keeping with the external appear
ances. You are brought in contact with
openness, freedom, intelligence and hospital
ity. Within as without, there is the palatial
air.
You speak with the owner Of the mansion
and you are more and more convinced that he
has qualities that the multitude of mankind
do not possess. If YOU are at all skilled in
physiognomy, you will see in his countcnance
the indication Of frmness, and of that rare
quality, common sense, in the highest degree
The eye is expressive and the pcrccptivc
and intellectual organs are largely developed.
Upon the extension Of your acquaintance
with him, you will discover him to be one
whom fortune has not spoiled.
Worldly possessions and success, in sur
rounding himself with wealth, have not
scduced him from that noble and manly
height upon which he was placed by nature,
and which is indeed superior to all worldly
possessions. Success has not caused him to
forget the great, vital relations that bind him
to mankind. Fortune has not resulted in
pulling him up and in binding his eyes to the
dignity of labor. He belongs somewhere
among the highpriests of manhood, and it is
no small proof Of this, that he is not ashamed
to work. And in him We have one to whom
the eyes Of the young, who are looking
forward to emincnce and wealth, may well
be turned for an example.
Mr., Tome is no yet an old man, and conse-
quently in short term of life he has risen
from what may be called the common walks of
life to wealth and omineuce. lie has done
it by strict adherence to the principles of
integrity, without which let no man think it
will be well with him long he has done it by
wisdom, by industry, by careful perseverance,