The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1868-07-24
MisfellanrnMs.
THE CANDIDATES.
IIORATIO SEYMOUR.

HoRATIO SEYMOUR, the Democratic
candidate for President of the United
States, was born in POmpey, OnOnda-
ga county, New York, in the year 1911
and is consequently about 81 years of
age. The family to which Mr.. Sey-
mour belongs is descended from Rich
ard Seymour, who was one of the ORR
ginal settlers of Hartford, Conn. Mai.
Moses Seymour, the fourth lineal de-
scendant, served in the Revolutionary
War, and subsequently represented
Litchtield in the Legislature of Conn,
for seventeen years. OF his five sons,
Henry Seymour, father of Horatio, was
born in 1880. He removed to Utica, n.
V, served in the State Legislature with
signal ability, and was for many years
Canal Commissioners, occupying a
prominent position in the politics and
legislation of the State. One of his
brothers was a distinguished member
of the United States Senate from Yer
mont for twelve years. Hon. Origen
S. Seymour, for some time Represents
tive in Congress from the Litchheld
District, of Conn, was the son of an
other brother named Ozias. The ma
ternal grandfather of Mr.. Seymour, Col.
Forman served through the Revolu-
tionary War in the New Jersey line.
Mr.. Seymour received liberal and
thorough education in the best institu-
tions of the State. His instincts and
preferences naturally led him to the
study of law, which he pursued with
great vigor and industry. lie was adj
mitted to the bar when only little
more than twenty years of age, and al
once commenced the practice of hi
profession in the City of Utica. The
death of his father, however, soon af-
forwards devolved upon him so great
responsibilities in connection with the
settlement of the family estate, AS tC
require the most of his time, and atten
tion, obliging him, much against hi
wish, to relinquish the practice Of hi
profession. The death of his wife's
father, the late John p. Blocker, oc
| curing about the same time, added t
his numerous cares in the adjustmen
of important property interests. Som'
of the best years of Mr.. SeymOur's lif'
were absorbed in this work, but NJ
doubt his mind was being schooled, a
it could not otherwise have been, TO
the graVer responsibilities and dutie
that were to come in after life. Up t,
this time Mr.. Seymour had acted m
prominent part in political life, al
though from his youth, as were his an
cestors before him, he had always beel
strongly attached, through sympath.
and taste, to the Democratic party. Ii
the fall of 1871, when not thirty year
of age, Mr. Seymour consented to tn,
use Of his name rs Democratic candi
date for Member of Assembly. Al
though the Wings were at that tim
largely in the ascondancy in Utica, Mr
Seymour was triumphantly elected b.
large majority. In the Legislator
Mr.. Seymour at once took command
ing position upon the great question
involving the interests of the State, Ell
gaging in the leading debates wit
great fervency and assisting largely i
shaping the legislation of the session
Among the legislative associates wer
John A. Dix, Michael Hoffman, Davi
II. Floyd Jones, Geo. II. Davis, Lemut
Stetson, and Calvin Il, llulburd. Th
Democrats at that time were in the as
cendancy in both branches of the Leg
islature, and the great measure of tn
session was Michael Hoffman's celebrf
ted bill in relation to finances, whic
was supported and passed by the Dem
ocrats. In the success of this measure
which was destined to restore the d'
! preclated financial credit Of the Stat
Mr.. Seymour took an active and syn
pathetic interest, displaying for I'll