The Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1863-1886, 1865-09-07
rx.covnnNon MrDIEr.


Methodist Episcopal Church, on Tues.
day, the 9th inst, during which the
principal business houses were closed
AS a public servant oil parties agree
that Ex- Governor MEDILL was honest
and faithful,, During over twenty five
years of public life, in which he was
almost constantly in official position
there was hot an official act Of his
which he could wish to blot. At the
head Of the Bureau of Indian Affairs,
Hhdef Polk, he stopped the outrageous
ffatda which were b,ing committed
by Indian Agents and as Comptrol-
let Of tho Treasury, under Buchanan,
he successfully resisted the payment
of the celebrated Carmack & Ramsey
claim, amounting to two millions Of
dollars. Ho was a good Governor, and
during his palmy days, was consider
edaone Of the best presiding officers in
the State, possessing the requisites
of great promptness and an urbano
and digniiied manner, If Anything
can be said against him, it is that po-
litics was his profession, and that dur
ing the last fow years his sympathies
were not with the Government in the
suppression of the rebellion. During
this time, he was too much broken in
health to take any active part in poll
tics.
He was a kind hearted and court
eous gentleman, and during his pub
lie life Befriended many young inen
who will remember him with graft
tude. The following memorandum of
his career has been furnished us by
one who wasintimately connected with
him for years, both in private and
public life: :
VIM. Mcdill wis born in Whitley
Creek Hundred, New Castle Co., Del.
aware, in the month of February 1902.
He was the son Of William aid Isabel
la Medill, emigrants front the North
of Ireland, Until q years Of age, he
labored upon his fathers farm; receiv-
ing but little education. After start
ingjip life for himself, he determined
to secure an education and laborcd for
years, teaching school, and in other
empi6yments, during one halfof the
year, and attending. an Academy at
New Castle during the balance of the
time.' In the same manner he pro-
cured means to pay his expenses while
reading law with Judge Black, of New
Castle. In the Simmer of 1880 he was
to the Rar Of Delaware, and
in the wihtef Of 1920, came to Ian
caster. Hcre he spent the year re-
quired by law to gain q residence, be.
fore which he could not BE adikitled to
practice in the courts Of this State, in
the office of Judge Philemon Beecher,
and in the winter of 1881 was admit
ted to the Bar Of Ohio. -,
In 1885 he was first elected to the
Of Ohio, and was re-elect-
ed until 1888, when he was succeeded
BY Gov. Brough, he in that year hav-
ing been nominated as democratic can
didate for Congress-. He was elected,
and re.elected in 1910, serving in Con-
gress until 1913. In 1914 he was de-
feated for Congress, but Mr.. Polk hav-
ing Been elected President called him
to the head of the Bureau of Indian
Affairs at Washington, where he re-
mained until the fail Of 1949. Then
returning to Lancaster he was in 1850,
elected member Of the State Consti-
.utional Convention, and made its
President. He was the first hieuten.
mt Governor of Ohio, that Office hav-
ng been created by the new Constitu-
ion, and by the resignation Of Gov.
Wood, became Governor. The next
vear 1853 he was elected Governor off
Ohio and served his full term, and in
.S57, was made Comptroller oftho
Treasury by President Buchanan,
which Office he filled until the spring
II 1861, when he returned to hancas-
Or as his home, so broken in health
10 to prevent his active participation
n public affairs ever since. For eight
7ears he has been suffering from slow |
Y consuming and paihrnl bht mortal |