The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1875-11-26
Death of Vice President Wilson.

Henry Wilson, Vice President of the Uni
ted States, died suddenly at Washington,
shortly after seven o'clock, on Monday morn
Ing. His death was complete surprise to
the whole country, the intelligence having
gone forth that he was rapidly recovering
from the sudden illness with which he was
stricken on the 10th instant
Vice President Wilson was another con-
spicuous example of self:made men, who have
risen from obscurty, without the advantages
of culture or education in early life, to oc-
cupy high position in the country. Hewas
born at Pennington, N. H., on the 10th of
February, 1919, and was consequently in the
Gath year ofhis age at the time of his death
His parents were in the humblest walks of
life and at ten years ofage he was apprenticcd
for eleven years to q farmer in the vicinity of
his home. His employer, kind and gener-
Gus man, sent the Woodworking boy TO school
at intervals when farm work was not press
ing, and he soon developed taste for read
ing. This taste was noticed by n lawyer of
Pennington, who offered the lad the free use
vi lOuuo w llSOH tNUllcu Hill
self of the kind offer, and stored his retcntive
memory with a vast amount Of information
upon nearly every topic, drawn from the
lawyers extensive library. Upon the COM
ple.ion of his apprenticeship he determined
to see the world. Putting his clothes and
his books his only treasures, into a bundle
he slung it across his shoulder and walked
to Natick, Mass where he hired himself to
shoemaker, determining to work at this trade
until he had accumulated fund sufficient to
maintain him in some good academy. He
accomplished his object in two years, when
lie returned to New Hampshire and studied
for time in the academies at Stafford, Wolf
borough and Concord.
By the insolvency of the man 10 whom he
had entrusted his savings, he lost them all
and was obliged to return TO the shocmaker's
bench, at Natick. He was now twcnty.six
years OF age, and was noted as Il modest,
well-educated young man, with great turn
for debating. Gaining some reputation as a
dcbater in the lyceums of the neighborhood,
he entered the political field as the champion
Of General Harrison, the Wing candidate for
for President in 1870 His ability was i'm
mediatcly recognized, and he was afterwards
successfully elected three times q delegate
and twice as Senator to the Massachusetts
Legislature.
While member of the LIE gislaturc he be.
came bold and avowed champion ofthc free
soil party, and soon became the leader of
the abolition party in Massachusetts, In 1852
he was elected to the United States Senate
in place of Edward Everett. He then took
prominent part in the organization of the Re-
publican party, and was particularly active,
as chairman of the committee of military af-
fairs, during the war, in originating and adj
vocating military measures. In 1872, Mr.
Wilson was elected Vice President on the
Republican ticket along with General Grant.
AS presiding officer of the Senate he is said
to have endcavored to be strictly impartial
in all his rulings. Naturally kind-heartcd
he had no personal enemies on either side of
the Senate.
He was married in 1910 to Miss Harriet NJ
Howe, of Natick, an estimablc young lady,
by whom he had one son Neither of these
survive him. His son died in the army,
where he had attained the rank of lieutenant
colonel
Mr.. Wilson was bitterly hostile to the
Democratic party, but it does not appear that
he cherished any personal vindictivencss to
his political or sectional opponents, His
spirit toward the South, especially of late
years. has been moderate and concilatory
Mr.. Wilson was without doubt great
man, and now that he has passed away, a just
estimate can be made of his talents His ca
reer furnishes another shining example to
the youth of The country, to prove that pow
erty and obscurity are no barriers to one ill.,
tent upon acquiring knowledge and upon
rising above his humble surroundings, AT
the same time it can not be overlooked that
il was inherent talent and genius that cleva-
ted Vice President Wilson to the high sta
tion he occupied; but yet the same qualities
he exercised will never fail to win for their
possessor higher place in The esteem of his
fellows, than can be gained by those with
greater advantages who have not the energy
to use them properly.