The Potter journal and news item. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1872-1874, 1873-07-16

pci VI pdpclSs eiu"hS
ern Def,ocrat, Potter County Pioneer,
st. Mary's RepubIicdn, Democratic Re
publican, Milford Herald and the Haw-
ley Free Press, all in Pennsylvania, and
the Clinton Democrat, which he started
August 25, 1860, at De Witt City, Iowa.
At various times during this period
he was contributor to some OF the
ablest Democratic papers in Pennsylva-
mia and was recognized by the great
statesmen who made bright the annals
of our nation as an able defender OF the
fundamental principles of our govern
ment, and bold constitutional writer,
receiving from Buchanan, Cass, Wise,
Guthrie and others, high and flattering
testimonials of his ability and unSwerv-
ing attachment to the Democratic faith.
AS early as 1871 he urged the nomina-
rion of James Buchanan for the Presi-
dency, and while we write there lies be-
fore US the letters of the ex-President,
written through series of years, all
breathing spirit of intimacy, respect
and admiration. One urging upon
President Pierce, in the strongest Ian
guage possible, his appointment as Reg
lister of the Treasury. and failing to Sc
cure it, regretting his inability to OBJ
tain merited reward and expressing the
hope that at some future time opportu-
nifty might enable him to reward a
friend SO earnest and faithful; and 9TH
ers thanking him for his persistent ef-
forts at last crowned with success in
his elevation to the Chief Magistracy,
Both actors now sleep in deaths cold
embrace and hence we write not of
mans ingratitude, which full oft drives
its despairing victims to premature
graves.
The deceased at one time was on the
public works in Pennsylvania and re-
ceived high testimonials for his capaci-
ty and integrity. He was appointed
postmaster at Coudersport, Pa, but to
quote the language of James Buchanan
to President Pierce, she is one of those
who do the work while others less de-
serving reap the reward"
During the great civil strife he was
an unSwerving friend of the Union, be-
lieving that no anticipated danger war
ranted open rebellion against the fairest
fabric of human government aver reared
by man. EIe said it was our duty to
protect our nation intact, peaceably if
we could, forcibly if we must, and that
force once used to destroy could only
be counteracted by force more strong;
and often during those dark days did
he quote the stirring words of that soul
inspiring song, ''E Pluribus Unum, $"
written by his elder brother, George.
During his residence in this State he
has contributed many articles of merit
for the State press and has been the edi-
tor of two papers, the Saginaw Valley
Herald, at Saginaw City, and the Caro-
NetCS; but no man whose acquaintance
with him was not anterior to his resi-
dence in Michigan has any just appre-
citation of the man, for the friction of
passing events, wearing upon sensi-
tive mental structure unsustained by
public appreciation, unlubricated thro'
lifetime of inceSsant action by just
reward, can but enerYate both body and
mind and leave but wreck of towering
intellect and physical power, and had
appreciation not been withheld or, be-
ing given, secured merited reward,
bright might have been the closing days
of useful life now shrouded with un
realized hopes. He was an inventive
genius, and though unutilized he has
given to the world two valuable i'm
proYements, but he passed away with
out reward for any of his toll.
During the past few years his mind
has been devoted largely to the estab-
lishment of an Odd Fellows Home, and
without detracting one particle of hon
or from the noble men who have been
co-WOTkerS, or rather we might say who
have built the structure upon the foun-
dation he laid, to him must be aScribed
the honor of first acting i'll that direc-
tion, and when few years hence the
institution now being reared at Ian
sing shall have thrown it's protecting
arms around the widow and orphans,
many will be the thank-offerings laid
upon the grave of that departed broth
er, which, Sunday, was covered. AS
husband and father he was indulgent,
kind and affectiOnate. His habits had
been unexceptionable through life, no
excess had ever characterized his course.
Firm in all the relations of friendship
he never hesitated when friends claimed
service, nor ceased eXertion While efforts
would avail To do right, to deal just
ly, had always been his end and aim,
and though to err is human yet to for
give is divine, and he peacefully died
firmly believing that he was passing
from lower to higher sphere, from a
life of toll to one of rest, from vale of
tears to the bright land of promise
where he would be welcomed by Hea-
ven's approbative smiles.
The funeral services occurred Sun
day, under the auspices of the Indepen-
dent Order of Odd Fellows, of which
he was a member. Lodge No. AZ, of
Saginaw City, and Os-sa-wa-bon Lodge,
of this city, turned out about one hun
dred and fifty strong, escorting the re-