The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1870-03-18
From the Kansas Daily Commonwealth
SENATOR ]. r. MEAD.


James r. Mead was born May Sd,
1886, at Newhaven, Vermont, of the ia
nous Puritan stock a direct descendant
of Col. Ebenezer Mead, who command
ed a regiment during the war of the
Revolution.
"Putnam's Hill" noted in history for
Gen. Putnam's escape down the stone
steps, stands upon the old family home
stead, at Greenwich, Connecticut.
Though for the truth of history, it may
be said, Putnam did not ride down the
steps, but through Mr.. Mead's orchard.
who was on the ground and witnessed
his descent. The old homestead is still
owned and occupied by the family.
When quite young Mr.. Mead's father
moved to Davenport, Iowa, where he
still resides. A graduate of Yale Col
lege, an able, intelligent and active citi-
zen, Iowa, in her early settlement, owed
much to his genius and worth.
James r. Mead, the subject of this
sketch, spent his youthful days on q
farm adjoining the city of Davenport,
and received his education at Iowa Col
lege, whence, after completing his stu
dies, he commenced the ''battle of life
by embarking in the lumber business
on the Mississippi river, in which he
was very successful until the financial
crisis of 1857 came, which swept away
the wild cat banking institutions then
in vogue throughout the west, and car
ried with them almost every man en-
gagged in business at that time, and Mr..
Mead found himself at the outset of life
almost without dollar. But his strong
heart and willing hands would not
down" at the bidding of misfortune, but
with renewed energy and a higher re-
1rNlry krr,a 81 Il So To-
of adventure, sought fortune amongst
dangers that would have disheartened
and unpurposed any mind of less reso-
luton; but not SO with him, dangers
and the exciting scenes and daring life
Of the pioneer only renewed him to
greater achievements, and his acute and
rigid observations gave him such an in
sight into the habits and characteristics
of the various tribes of Indians on the
plains, among whom he spent many
years, that he became one of the most
skillful strategists on the border, and
more than once enabled him to extricate
himself and company out of dangers so
imminent that nothing but death seemed
possible.
During his hunters life on the plains
he killed immense numbers of buffalo
and other game. and was considered the
ing exploits, and adventures with In
dians would make an interesting vol
ume.
Mr.. Mead was for a number of years
engaged in traffic with the Indians, in
which he was very successful, and being
conversant with a number of Indian
languages, he is eminently fitted for the
dangers and exciting scenes of the wild
life of the plains. He has acquired
large landed property in Kansas, and
though never an Office seeker, he has al
ways taken an active part in advancing
the public interests of western Kansas,
and of the entire State. He has been
county surveyor, chairman of board of
county commissioners, and in the fall
of 1865, he was elected to the State leg
and is now in the Senate rep
resenting the fiourishing counties of
Morris, Chase, Marion and Butler. He
is an honored and efficient member, and
chairman of the important committee
of ways and means.
AS an organizer of business or polit-
icaI measures, he has been eminently
successful and in the last election, in a
closely contested district, he was elect
ed over a formidable opponent by q
heavy majority. He was a delegate to
the two last State conventions. A de-
scendant from the sold line wings" he
is found radical republican, sound on
all the great questions of the day. Mr..
Mead is emphatically "working man."
and no matter in what sphere of action
he may be placed, he acts promptly and
and his prudence, economy
and uprightness insures him great cred
it and decided success. He married
December LIST, 1861, Miss Agnes Bar
come, formerly of Bangor, New York,
q lady of very amiable qualities and
worth, and with every attribute of ex-
cellence that makes up the inestimable
of female worth. Faith
full and devoted, she shared with him
all the hardships and dangers of a from
tier life. But too soon, alas this no
blest, sweetest, lovliest gift of heaven
was called away from his side to dwell
with angels in the Paradise of God
On the seventeenth day of April last
she calmly passed away, leaving him
she loved desolate and crushed. A no.
BILE looking lad of seven years. and two
little daughters are the rich treasures
she has left behind.
Mr.. Mead is a man of medium size,
of mild, calm and manly appearance,
pleasant, courteous, and without the
least shade of hypocrisy or deceit. Ev-
er busy, he accomplishes his purpose
without noise or delay. He seldom
makes a speech, but does immensely
better by working. Mr.. Mead is an
earnest advocate of the rights of settlers
to the public domain but also believes
III encouraging the construction of rail-
roads by liberal and proper grants of
lands in the country they pass through
He is opposed to monopolies of all
kinds, is an implacable enemy to fraud,
and trickery, does not
''drink," or use profane Ian
guage !; is firm believer in christianity,
and was raised in the congregational
faith. AS friend, he is constant, OPEN
hearted and faithful to the last. His
in business is remarkable,
and his success equally so. He is di-
rector in several railroads, and has I'M
faith in the future glory of his
adopted State. Of the highest morali-
ty, he hates vice, and is cordially hated
by evil doors. He has great influence
in the Senate, and many friends wher-
ever his worth is known; nor is this
strange, for his kindness and unassum-
ing demeanor cannot but win the friend
ship of every candid heart.
Such is brief sketch of Senator
Mead and you will agree with me that
few men embody so many excellencies
such a combination of moral and in
worth, and as he is yet a Young
man, may we not predict for him a
prominent place in the glorious future
of our noble State? S.