Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1869-10-20
DEATH OF FRANKLIN PIERCE

President of the United States, died
at his residence, in Concord, N. IL.
yesterday morning. His disease was
chronic inflammation of the stomach,
attended with dropsical efIusion of the
bowels.
HIS ANCESTRY.
Fraklin Pierce was born November
%, 1904, in IIillsborough, N. II. His
father, Benjamin Pierce, was one of
the ealicst settlers in the town of
Hillsborough, and by his exertions
eontri outed much to its prosperity.
During the Revolutionary war lie
fought his way to distinction, under.
going all the hardships that the pa
triots of those days were compelled TO
suffer in their struggles TO redeem
their native country and secure for
her the prineeless boon of liberty. On
the intelligence Of the bloodshed at
Concord aud Lexington reaching the
neighorhood Of Hillsborough Benia
min Pierce, then only boy, forsook
the plough in the field, and providing
himself with his uncle's gun and
quantity Of ammunition, he left Tor the
fight, to strike blow for freedom, or.
if necessary, give up his life on the al
tar Of his country All through the
stormy period, the time that tried
mems souls, we find the father of the
future President, for seven long and
drcary years, serving with the army
Of the Revolution, until he was at last
disbandod 10 1884 at West Point, when
the calm of peace was about to bless
the efforts of the heroic patriots who
| fought for the freedom of their native
land. 1t is scarcely necessary TO men
tion that the Revolutionary soldier
was possessed of very little means
when the struggle was brought TO a
close, but with the little means be had
and little, indeed, it was-hc took up
his residence in a log hat which he
built on tract Of land in what is now
the town of IlillsbOrough Here he
married, but his wife dying, leaving
him a female child, he married again,
and by his second wife he had eight
children. lie worked steadily and en-.
ergetically, and among his neighbors
became man Of some mark. In 1889
he was elected to the Legislature, and
this position he continued to occupy
for thirteen successive years, and was
afterwards Governor of the State.
ENTRANCE INTO POLITICAL LIFE.
Whatever may be the alliance be-
tween lawyers and Legislators, it is
not the purpose here to inquire, but
certain il is that lawyers-good, bad
and indiflcrent-as rule. have
yearning for the honor or the profit,
either one or both, of political Office,
and Franklin Pierce naturally enough.
from other causes, however, than any
observation-disclosures. Jagissea j!s, from bis con
distinction in the forum. His father
was elected Governor of New Hamp
shire in 1921 and two years later
Franklin Pierce himself was honorod
by the votes of his native town, elect
ing him their representative to the
Legislature of the State lie contin.
ucd a member for four successive years.
the latter two being Speaker of the
House, 10 which place he was elevated
by a large majority of votes.
In 1888 Mr.. Pierce sought higher
renown. He looked TO the capitol of
the nation, and among his country's
legislators there he felt he could labor
to advantage. His constituents sec
ondod that desire, and he was elected
TO Congress. While in the House he
was patient observer OF the progress
of events, and although for the time he
attracted no marked attention by the
brilliancy OF his oratory or the depth
Of his reasoning he still was noted as
one Of the most laborious, painstaking
members in the whole assembly.
When Frank Pierce was on a commit
tee all felt satisfied that the labors Of
that committee would be attended TO.
This reputation he sustained through.
out his whole Congressional career.
He was a warm admirer and stnunch
upholder of Old Hickory. He believ-
cd in President Jackson, and during
tho most stormy periods of the old
mans administration Pierce always
rendered him whatever hid was in his
power. This led TO confidence which
lasted during the lifetime Of President
Jackson and was warmly rociprocated
by Mr. Pierce.
While a member Of Congress he de.
livereG forcible speech against the
billauthorizing the appropriations for
the Military Academy Of West Point
In after years he saw tho error he
made in taking the Wow he did and
acknowledged The wisdom Of the act
which upheld the school for the odu.
cation of the American soldier. OnI
the question of slavery, while a Nom
bcr OF the House, he took his position
firmly, conscientiously and resolutely.
He believed the South was pledged Ger
tain rights by the constitution, and
these he maintained bv his voice and
by his votes He continued as MON.
Der Of tho lower House for four years.
~ THE UNITED STATES SENATE.
In 1887 Mr. Pierce, then scarcely
arrived at the legal age for the posi-
ton, was elected TO The United States
Senate. He took his scat, the young.
est member in the Senate at the com.
mcncement OF the Presidency Of Mar
tin Van Buren, This was the period
whom the Senate was composed Of
such men as Henry Clay, Daniel
Webster, John c. Calhoun, Silas
Wright, Thomas H. Benton, and
many other distinguished statesmen
who, though inferior in intellectual
ability to those named, still were men
who invested with dignity and talent
the exalted position they occupied
This was the noontimc of the Ameri
can Senate, and mover before or since
has there been seen within the walls
of the Senate chamber a more able,
dignifed or venerable array Of states
men than those whom the young SEN
ator encountered on the entrance up
On his SanafoVta1 c,rnor His rDneum-