Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1852-1859, 1859-03-03

In my intervals of leisure, / have enjoyed
pleasant satisfaction in reviewing. the memories
and scenes of the past, connected With the
lives and characters Of those who have lett be-
hind them, . name and fame identified with the
history of the community in which they lived
and died.
Hence, believing that it would be grateful to
the DID, and in some degree acceptable to the
young to keep fresh the memories of those who
in their dnyiand generation filled no small space
in the public estimation, have esSayed in this
paper to give hasty sketch of Noah LinsleY,
who may not inappropriately be styled public
benefactor to the community in Which he re-
sided.
A native of New England, he was born and
reared in the Stnte Of Connecticut, but of the
manner in which he spent his earlier years of
bOyhood we have no means of ascertaining. AS
soon as his age justih ID, he was sent to that
tine-honored institution, yale College" where
he received sound and thorough education,
and where he graduated with honor alike to
himself aud his Alma Mater.
Shortly after leaving college, he prosecuted
with success the study of the science of the law,
and while yet almost beardless boy, he launch
ed his fral bark Greighed with all his high hopes
and fond aspirations on the uncertain and bois
ferrous ocean of human life, with naught but q
brave heart and willing arm to guide him over
its treacherous quicksands and threatening
breakers. How well and how nobly he com.
batted the difficulties and dangers he was called
upon to encounter, his subsequent life exhibits,
in the ADVANCEMENT he made in his profession,
and in the confidence and affection of his fellow
men which he enjoyed. aE .as
Like most New England boys at that period,
who thought it absolutely necessary to success
| in life that they should exile themselves from
the firesidesof their youth, he emigrated to the
Western country, and located himself in the
then town of Wheeling. At this period the
Wheeling bar contained among its luminaries
| such men as Charles Hammond, SamUe ell Sprigg,
and that eccentric planet, Philip Doddridge-
giants who might well make the inexperienced
Lnsley quail and tremble. But he hesitated
not to enter the lists and break lance with
these valiant champions, and he soon showed
himself rs expert in the use and choice of his
weapons any Of them. 1G
| Although his intellect was not 80 sudden in
tits brilhancy, nor SO keen in its flashes as the
lglittering ftichiou ora Doddridge; so logic
Fal and acuts as the the-rapier thrust of Ham,
lmond, yet it sparkled with the Glittering gems
of virtue, and irradiated by the sacred light Of
truth every subject he presented and every
thought he elaborated.
! His talents were not Of that order which
'leads only to bewider, and dazzle to blind"
but Of more useful and less dangerous kind
| He spoke truth.-he acted truth, and he present
ed her to the judgment in the simple garb she
so loves 10 wear, and which makes her fascina-
tons TO the minds of juries SO irresistible
| Therefore, his success as an advocate was the
simple result of his prominent love Of truth,
which necessarily rendered him conspicuous as
an honest man, useful citizen, and an intelli-
gent companion. Is it any wonder, then, that
| he was universally esteemed, and that tho pos
session of these qualities, together with his un-
firing industry and strict attention to business,
| soon acquired for himself an extensive and lu-
crative practice, by means of which, and in the
exercise of economy, he in short period Of
time accumulated handsome estate!
| The habits of his mind, and the lnclinations
of his DESIRES were of character which led him
to avoid the excitement of the political arena,
and therefore he never hourished in the political
world, for neither ambition nor aspiration ever
| led him to seek political station or the honors
and emoluments of public Office. But his am.
btIon was to excel in the sphere of his profess
sion, without desire to step outside the circle
of its rewards and promises.
| He was a firm and devoted friend OF educa.
ton, and not only by his words, but by his acts,
proved that he was worthy to wear that name,
Eas his requests to Yale College, and also his be
4 quest for founding a Lancasterian School in
| Wheeling indicate. The will referred TO was
executed on the 22nd day of March, 1914,
short time prior to his death, and the follow
ling are the extracts: The first is "devise to
Noah Zane and Samuel Sprigg, or the survi-
vor of them, or their Executor or Adninistra
tor of one section of land on the waters Of Hook
| ing and Walnut Greek, near New Lancaster, in
the county of Fairfield, in the State Of Ohio, and
my house and lot where Isnow live, in Wheel
ing, in trust to sell and convey the same for a
fair price, and out Of the proceeds, to pay to
the incorporation OF Yale College, (where re-
ceived my educatien,) three thousand dollars,
for the general purposes of the Institution, &c"
The community in which he had lived the ten
derness of whose associations chung to him in
the death hour. WINS also to become the ben
eficary of his bounty and benevolence, and he
| provided for the future usefulness and welfare
| of her young men in the following devise, in
which, after specifying the gift of certain prop
erty, consisting of lots in Wheeling and farm
in Ohio county, for the purpose of education
on the Lancasterian system, he proceeds to di-
rect the manner of its application
I'm order TO carry the establishment of the
Lancasterian School into effect, his executors,
Samuel Sprigg aud Noah Zane, are authorized
to apply to the Legislature of Virginia for an
act Of incorporation, and when Trustees under
said act are appointed, then all funds are to
be conveyed and delivered over to the said
Trustees, to be held by them and their sue
CeSSOrS forever, for the purposes and benefits
of the Institution; and if such act shall be
passed, then to be held by my Executors un-
til such school is established on such prn-
ciples as they or the survivor may approve,
and they are also authorized 70 sell farm to
erect buildings for said school"
He also provided that all monies arising after
the payment of debts and legncies mentioned