Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1863-01-28
Hon. Elisha Wbittlesey.

The announcement of the death of few
men in this nation could call forth so uni
versal an expression of regret, over the
whole country, as that Of Hon. Elisha
Whittlesey. Here, in the vicinity of his
home, to the sorrow felt for his loss as a
public man, is added that which is his
due for the virtues of his private charac-
ter. Such was his purity of life, kind
ness of heart, ~urbanity of manners, en-
tire absence of selfishness, and his read
mess at all times to labor for the good of
others, that he leaves behind him only
regrets that such a man could not live
Away.
Mr.. Whittlesey was born at New Pres
ton, Litchfeld county, Connecticut, Oc-
tober 10, 1888. His early education was
limited to that of a common school, and
a short academical course at Danbury,
Conn. He studied law with his brother,
John Beal Whittlesey, in the same town.
On January 5th, 1906, he was married at
Danbury, to Miss Polly Mygatt, daugh-
ter of Comfort S. Mygatt, Esq, and sister
to George Mygatt, Esq, of Cleveland, and
Mrs. Abigail GoodseIl and Mrs. Lucy
Adams, of this place. The same year
Mr.. W. and wife removed to Garfield, in
this (now Mahoning) county, and two
years after Mr.. Mygatt and his family
followed him.
The first winter, Mr.. Whittlesey taught
school in Garfield. In the fall of 1906,
he, with the late Hon. Peter Hitchcock,
was examined by the Judges of the Su-
preme Court, and admitted t o the bar of
this county. At the time of his examin-
alton the court was held in the second
story of the house on the corner of Main
and High street, and is o part of the bull
ding row occupied by Mr.. A. Graeter. He
soon became widely known as a lawyer
his practice extending to all the counties
of Northern Ohio.
In 1912 he enlisted in General Wsds-
worth's Division. He was Immediately
appointed Major by Gen. Simon Perkins,
and served in that capacity during the
campaign on the Maumee, and until the
troops were disbanded.
Many prominent lawyers, some of them
now occupying important positions, were
graduates from his Office, among whom
were Hons. B. F. Wade, j. R. Giddings,
Eben Newton, and R. W. Tayler, (his
successor as Comptroller of the treasury
In 1919 he was elected to the State
Legislature from this county, and served
sessions with high credit to himself.
In 1922 he was elected to Congress from
this District, then composed of Ashtabu-
Ia, Geaug6, Portage and Trumbull, and
was elected each term thereafter till
1889. when he resigned. His course in
Congress was marked by unrsmitting in
and attention to the interests of
his constituents. He never made speech
Is for effect, but when he spoke was lis
tened to with the closest attention. As
chairman of the Committee on Claims, |
which position he held for many years, |
he exhibited the same indomitable indus
try and answering honesty which have !
been his characteristics through his whole
life. Few men in Congress exercised a |
greater influence, and none ever welded
influence more steadily for the right.
When President Harrison came into
Office in Is4l, he appointed Mr.. whittls-
sey LIST Auditor of the Post Office, which
Office he held until 1916, through the
term of Mr.. Tyler. In 1849, President
Taylor appointed him LIST Comptroller Of
the Treasury, which position he held till
1857, during the terms of Presidents
Fillmore and Pierce. In 1861, Mr.. Lin
coin recalled him to the same position,
and in the performance of its duties he
continued up to the last hour of his life.
In accordance with his request, the re-
mains of Mr.. Whittlesey were brought
to Garfield and inferred by the side Of
his beloved wife, The funeral took
place on Wednesday the l4th inst. all
of his children, though widely scattered
owe the United States, were present.
tsays one Ffo resided in the region Of