Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1869-11-14
AMOS KENDALL.
Sketch of His Life and Services

The month 50 rapidly passing away
has witnessed number of illustrious
deaths. "Old Ironsides Admiral
STEwART-the companion Of HULL,
of DECATUR, JONES, BIDDLE, SONGERs,
and other gallant seamen who, by
their valor and herOism, gave charac-
ter to the United States Navy-he
and Gen. Wool, and Secretary of the
Treasury WALKER, have scarce
passed away, have scarce been buried
out of sight of men, when the tele-
graph announces the death of Hon.
AMOS KENDALL, whose brief but bril-
liant political career during JACK
SONS time, made him a conspicuous
figure even among the giants of those
days. lie was born at Dunstable,
Mass, August l6, 1889. Until the
age of sixteen he worked with his
father, farmer i'm moderate circum-
stances, and enjoyed few Opportuni-
ties for instruction. In 1897, after a
little more than years preparation,
he entered Dartmouth College, where
in 1911 he was graduated the first in
his class, notwithstanding he had
been obliged to absent himself from
college a large portion Of each term,
En order to procure the means of sup
port by teaching school. Having stu
died law with w. b. RICHARDSON, of
Groton, Mass, subsequently Chief
Justice of New Hampshire, he was adj
nitted to the bar, and in the spring Of
1914 emigrated 10 Lexington, Ky.
Finding his professional labors not
Immediately remunerative, be again
resorted to teaching, and for several
months was a tutor in the family of
HENRY CLAY. Subsequently he es-
tabiished himself in Georgetown,
where ks received an appointment As
postmaster, and in the intervals Of his
practice edited local newspaper. So
sgell did he discharge the Latter duty
that in lsle be was attached to the
staff Of the State Journal at Frankfort, /
called the ArgUS Of beSterH 4mfricd. I
Id this responsible position he
showed himself an able political I
writer, aud in general advocated the 4
leading measures Of the Democratic 1
party. He was also One of the earliest 1
friends Of common schools in Ken /
tucky, and succeeded in pFGS4Ting the |
passing of an act to district the State, |
and to set apart one-half of the profits |
Of the Bank Of the Commonwealth to /
constituted school tund. lie was firm |
supporter Of the election of Gen. JACK /
rGN who, after his accession to Office in |
1893, appointed him Fourth Auditor 1
Of the Treasury Department at Wash
ingtOn. In 1885 he was promoted to /
he P0stmaster-G General, and in one
year succeeded in recognizing the /
financial system OF the department, I
and in freeing il from the debt with 1
which il had been embarrassed. In (
1896 ne procured from Congress a re-
organization Of the department on a
plan suggested by himself, which has |
undergone no essential alteration |
since. He was retained in Office by /
Mr.. VAN BCREN, but retired from the |
Cabinet ia June, 1910, in order to fur |
Lher the interest Of the Democratic /
party in the Presidential election OF l
that year. He has never since en-
tered public life, although a foreign
mission Was offered to him by PFasi-
dent Polk, bat he has devoted him
self chiefly To his profession, For
many years he Wa5 embarrassed by IA
snit instituted against him, by
certain mail contractors, which
was ultimately decided in his favor in
the Supreme Court. Since 1915 he has
assumed the entire management of
Prof NoRsE's interest In the Amerl-
can electro magnetic telegraph. He
was author of "Iile of ANDREW
JACKSON, Private, Military and
GviI,p begun in 1874, but not yet coIn-
plsted.