The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-12-24
FIRST EDITION
Oh TU
EDWIN M. STANTON.
Death Of the Great War Minister.
A Sketch of His UlustriOuus Career.
Death of Hon. Edwin NJ. stanton.

Death Of Hon. Edwin W. Stanton.
Special Despatch to The BUening Telegraph
WASHINGTON, Dec. 24.-There is a percepti-
BILE gloom in all loyal circles here this morning,
on account of the death of ex-Secretary Stanton.
The Rebel element can scarcely conceal its
manifestations of Joy. Surgeon-G General Barnes,
Mr. Stanton's attending physician, discovered
for the first time yesterday symptoms of trouble
about the heart. Proper remedies were imme-
diately applied but Mr. Stanton failed to rally.
His constitution has been so enfeebled by dis
case that it did not respond.
The Surgeon-General soon discovered that
congestion of the heart had set in, and the ex-
Secretary continued to sink from that time until
3 o'clock this morning. when he expired sur
rounded by his family. Surgeon-General
Barnes remained with him until he died. He
passed away without pain, and was conscious
to the last. This morning those of the Judges
of the Supreme Court who were in the city
called at Mr.. Stanton's late residence for the
purpose of making arrangements for the fune-
raj They will have charge of the whole matter.
The President will issue order during the
day closing the departments and flags will be
placed at half-mast on all the public buildings.
THE CAREER OF EDWIN VI. STANTON.
The announcement of the death OF the Hon.
Edwin NJ Stanton, at an early hour this morning.
will fall upon the whole great nation which he has
served so faithfully, so wisely, and so patriotcaly,
as a startling calamity. The arduous and exhaust
ing character of his abors during the reasonable
IniO WAS
mined the strongest constitution and since his
retirement from this position as well as for long
time previous to it, he was in failing health. Re-
Gently he was quite ill, and for time his friends
were somewhat alarmed at his condition; but within
a short time past he had greatly improved, and it
was thought that there were many years OF
usefulness and honor still awaiting him In the new
sphere to which, by the voice OF the nation speaking
through the President and Senate he had 30 recently
been called But in themidst OF these assurances Of
mending health, and just on the eve OF the great
Christmas festival comes the saddening news that
the man who during all the perilous days Of the
war; stood next to Abraham Lincoln in the hearts OF
the people, is more. And the nation bows Its
head to receive the stroke and while so bowed drops
upon the bier OF its departed greatness tears that
spring from Its very heart OF hearts,
His Ancestry and Birth.
Edwin NJ Stanton was born at Steubenville, Ohio,
in the month OF December, 1915, that at the date
of his death he just ffty-four years of age. He
was descended from Quaker ancestry, and the
Quaker influences were clearly discernibe in his
character and career.
His family originally settled in Rhode Island, from
whence his grandfather removed to North Carolina
about the year 1850. His grandparents, Benjamin
and Abigail Stanton, resided at Beaufort Tor many
years. and they were noted for their opposition to
the slave system, although they were slave owners
BENJAMIN Stanton died near the close or the last
century, and lie made provision in his Will that
.sal the poor black people should be entirely free
whenever the laws OF the land would allow it," and
with wise and benevolent forethought he directed
his executors to act their guardians, to protect
them and see that they were not deprived OF their
rights or in any way misused." After the death OF
her husband, Mrs Abigail Stanton removed to Ohio
at the commencement OF the present century. One
of her sons David Stanton, was married TO Miss
Lucy Norman, the daughter OF wealthy planter OF
Culpepper county, Virginia, and was settled in the
village OF steubenvilie, then new place in the
backwoods.
Edwin NJ. Stanton was the son Of this couple. His
father was physician, and in the course of an eX-
tensye practice accumulated competency suff-
cient to give his son good education. His father
died when Edwin was quite young, leaving faIg1ny
of five children, OF which he was the eldest. He
studied at Kenyon College, Ohio, and upon conclu-
ding the course OF instruction in that Institution be-
came clerk in the bookstore OF John Kenyon, Esq,
OF Steubenvllle.
He did not remain long, however, in this employ
ment; the active quality OF his mind could not be
satisfied with the monotony OF mercantile life. He
occupied his spare time In studying law in the office
of David l.. Collier, Esq, his guardian, and in 1886
was admitted to the bar. He removed to Cadiz,
Ohio ana entered into partnership with Hon. G..
Dewesy. He had the advantage OF the friendship
and tuition, at this time, OF the famous Benjamin
,rannan afterwards Senator OF the United States,
and a great anti-savery leader in his day. His prac-
tice rapidly increased, and during three years from
1883 he was reporter of the Ohio Supreme Court
decisions.
The McNulty Case.
During this early portion of his legal career he
was the counsel OF Caleb j. McNulty Clerk of the
House OF Representatives on his trial for embezzling
public money Mr. Stanton cleared his client, and
the case made a great excitement and gained the
Young lawyer considerable reputation.
Elected Prosecuting Attorney.
Shortly after he became of age MI. Stanton was
elected Prosecuting Attorney Of Harrison county
ohio, position probably never before held by SC
Young a man. He grew rapidly in public esteem
and in 1887 became the partner OF his Old preceptor
Br. Tappan.
He Moves TO Pitfsburg.
In 164S his business still increasing, Mr.. Stanton
moved to Pittsburg, where there was greater
field for his labor and became 1.-THE partner OF thu
late Judge Shaler. He remained in Pittsburg unit
1857 becoming the first lawyer at that bar, withou
question. lie was employed In all the most import
ant cases that were carried to the United State
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