Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1863-01-28
Sermon Of Rev. DIR. Sunderland, on
the Death of Hon. Elisha Whit

0CIul VI NV LIZ Vi
the Death of Hon. Elisha Whit.
tlesey.
Ps. 81: 81. Mark the perfect man and behold tn
upright; for the end of that man is peace.
II is impossible for me in the brie
time allotted to these funeral rites to-day
to do justice to the character and life O
our revered and honored father anC
friend. l can only present few facts o.
long, useful, unstained private anC
public life, now closed on earth, but clos
ed amid the bright and glorious hopes oi
a Christian immortality / intend, how.
ever, if God spares me to do it, at some
! future time to deliver d discourse more
elaborately prepared, upon this eminent
example of the Christian philanthropist
patriot and statesman, to impress, if pos
sible, its great and important lessons up.
on the mind and heart of those to whom
l may have the privilege of speaking, and
especially of the young men of the COM
ing generation. 1t would be vain for me,
in the suddenness of the dispensation
which has oyertaken US, to attempt this
on the present occasion. | must confne
myself here to the simple outline which
has just been furnished me.
The Honorable Elisha Whittlesey was
born in what was once known as Old
Washington, but is now part of New
Milford, in the State of Connecticut, 0c-
tober 18th, l7S3.* His father removed
soon after with his family to Salisbury,
where the chief portion of his childhood
spent--W When still scareely more
than lad, he commenced the study of
the law with an elder brother, Beale
Whittlesey, Esq, in the town of Danbury,
in the same State. When having finish
ed the usual course of preparation and
been admitted to the bar, he was married
on the Sd day of January, 1906 a union
which, lasting for half century in the
utmost harmony and happiness, the fruit
of which was large and respected fami-
ly, now scattered throughout the country,
was terminated by the death of his be.
loved and lamented wife in this city, but
a few years since.f
Sosn after his marriage with her, the
young lawyer, with his whole effects and
all his fortunes before him, emigrated
from his native State. to what was then
the borders of civilizations in the West,
and settled in the town of Garfield, on
what is known rs the Western Reserve
in the now great and powerful State of
Ohio. Here for many years he practiced-
law, taking a stand from the first among
the most prominent, respected and inhu-
ential citizens of the community. He
was several times elected to the State
Legislature. He bore arms in the service
of his country in the war of 1872, and
was active in the campaign under Gen.
Harrison, through that troubled period
in our eountry's history. In the year
1923 he was chosen to the House of Rep
in the Congress of the Uni
ted States, and remained a member of
that honorable body, by tine repeated
elections of his constituents, for period
of nearly sixteen years. His last term
was not quite completed when he resign
ed his position in 1888, and retired from
public life, that he might engage In the
less exciting and more congenial pursuits
of agriculture, among his kindred, friends
and neighbors, in the home of his adopt
ed State. During the time that he was
thus disengaged from the public service
of his country, he had with him at differ
ent periods, pursuing their legal studies,
men, several of whom have
attained positions of great prominence
and distinction in the nation, and one of
whom is now in the Senate of the United
States, But he did not long remain in
his chosen retirement. When his old
friend and companion in arms, General
Harrison, became President of the United
States, he was appointed to the Office of
9th Auditor1of the Department of the
Treasury, in l84l. But in l843 he re-
signed this position also, and again retir-
ed TO the more peaceful scenes of home.
Soon after, however, an eYinced interest
in the erection of the Washington Mon
1ment in this city, brought him again
hither to act in the capacity of General
Agent for that Association. He eontin-
ued to discharge the duties of this posi-
tion for several years, when reasons of an
nature compelled him to re-
liRquish it. In 1S48 Gen. Taylor became
der him Mr. Whittlesey was made First
of the Treasury, which i'm
portant and responsible Office of the gen
eral government, with the exception of q
short period during the administration
previous to the present, Notwithstanding
the fact that he repeatedly rendered his |
to the chief executive, he
to hold, discharging its great |
duties with eminent integrity and ability |
to the day of his death. In addition to |
The labors SO imposed upon him, he was
aver friend and patron of the American |
Colonization Society, and was for long |
time member of its Executive Commit |
Tee, acting with the great and good men
who conceived and carried forward that
benevolent and Christian undertaking.
de was also a commitment in the |
church of the Lord Jesus Christ from an
early period. and always consistently and
efficiently identified in the cause Of the
Redeemer upon earth. Though never
Onward to participate IN the ordinary
exercises of the Christian assembly, he |
vas always present when not providen-
tally detained, and when occasion offer
ID he spoke with depth of feeling and
gentleness of spirit and simplicity
md directness of manner which affected |
Washington New Preston Society.