Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1869-08-04
CLEARFIFLD, PA
HON. CYRUS L. PERSHINa.

nVN' OIhuo L. fhhSHlNG,
Cyrus l.. Pcrshing, the Democrats
nominee for Supreme Judge, was borI
in Youngstown, Westmoreland county
Pa, in the year 1925, and is now abou
~ years Of age. His father moved 1,
Johnstown in the year 1880, and die,
in April, 1886, A business connection
which he had formed proved unfortu
nate, and the property which he bac
accumulated IN a life of energy anC
industry, was sold under the hammer
topay partnership debts. The mother
and her three sons, of whom our can
didate was the eldest, were thus left
In destitute circumstances, but she
was not one of those who repine under
the blows of adversity. Possessed OF
an energy of character which rose su.
perior to misfortuncs, she, with the
sslstance of friends, established a
small business, and thus supported
herself and family. While attending.
this grocery store Mr.. Pershing was
made assistant at the Johnstown
weigh.lock at salary of $40 per
month, during the navigable season ;
and subsequently, in 1928, was ap.
pointed by General Potts one of his
clcrks in the Collectors Office in this
place. From these employments our
candidate derived the funds which ena.
bled him TO enter Jefferson College, at
Canonsburg, Pa. At this institution
be prosecuted his studies during the
winter term Of each year, clerking or
teaching during the summer. On this
subject the Pittsburgh Chronicle truth
fully says: at is evidence of the en-
ergy Of character possessed by Mr.
&" Pershing, that, though a poor boy,
without the assistance Of friends, be
made his own way through college,
" and graduated with honor TO himself
" and his professors " This was in
1913. In lsl9 Mr.. Pershing entered
the Office of Judge Black, in Somerset,
Pa, and together with Hon. A. II.
COfiroth, Of Somerset, and S. b. Will
son, Esq, Of Beaver, read law under
that distinguished statesman and iu-
rist. After thorough examination
BY a committee of four Of the leading
lawyers OF the Somerset Bar, in which
Judge Gilmore, of Fayette, then hold.
ing rourt in Somerset, also participa-
ted, Messrs. Wilson and Pershing were
admitted TO the Bar in November,
1853, Gen. Cofiroth having been ad-
mitted at the previous term.
In 1856 Mr.. Pershing was nomina-
ted as the Democratic candidate for
Congress in the district composed of
the counties of Somerset, Cambria.
Blair and Huntingdon. This district,
prior to that time, was considered
certain for majority of $500 against
tho Democratic party, and in 1854
Col. John r. Bdie, the competitor OF
Mr. Pershing, had been elected by
much larger majority. Mr. Pershing
was nominated late in the campaign,
but went TO work at once TO canvass
his large district, and addressed many
public meetings up 10 the October
election. Notwithstanding the ex-
element Of Presidential contest, and |
the closeness with which party lines
were drawn, Mr.. Pershing ran far
ahead Of his party, and was defeated |
by the meagre majority Of 2S4 votes
In 1858 Mr.. Pershing was again nom.
mated for Congress, but the unfortu. |
nate dissensions of that year brought |
disaster 20 the Democratic ticket, /
State and Congressional and Mr.. |
Pershing was defeated, Hon. S. S. /
Blair being the successful candidate.
In 1861 Mr.. Pershing was nomina-
ed and elected to the Legislature.
DC was reelected in 1862, 1868, 1864,
md 1865, serving for five successive
.erms During the whole of his SER
'ice at Harrisburg he was a member
# tho Committee Of Ways and Means,
he Judiciary, and other important
At the session of 1868.
be only one in which the Democrats
we're in a majority, Mr. Pershing was
)hairman of the Committee on Federal
Relations, and at the succeeding ses.
ion was the Democratic nominee for
speaker OF the House. In the Legis.
ature Mr. Pcrshing was an aoknowl-
dyed leader, and enjoyed in a rare
Iegree the confidence and personal
st,n,,, 90 i,p f,ll,... ,.,,,, A. -. -. -.
distinction Of party. Here too he was
'rought into contact with many of the
eadng men of the State, who. relying
pon his acknowledged honesty and
bility, committed important interests
o lis care As a legislator, Mr..
'crshing attended TO every interest
{ his constituents, whether in the
or the Departments, with
fidelity, and without the
east reference to the political senti-
lents of those whose business he was
allied upon to transact
We do not propose TO review Mr.
'ershing's legislative career On all
he great party issues of the day, he
!, where he has always been, with
he Democratic party. Weomit from
his brief sketch many incidents which
'oud he read with interest. The
omination OF Mr.. Pcrshing for Su-
rene Judge was unsought by him.
# his election we entertain no doubt !
nd in that event be will bring to the {
ischarge Of his responsible du,ios that {
lro, energy and fidelity, which have
Iade for him the character he now
lioys.-J0hRstopn Democrat. {
Some of the doaoons down East {
'em to have had a bad practice of {
loring loudly while in church, which I