Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1875-11-24
HENRY WILSON.

The Hon. Henry Wilson. Vice Pres
idcnt of tho United States. died this
morning very suddenly. nj Z 80 n'rlk
in Washington City. Full particulars
appear in our Geographic report. The
suddcnmcs> of his sinking into death
from what appeared improved health
hut moment preceding, shows the
treachcrous nature of the disease
which las been proving upon himi
since his first attack, some two wears
ago. lie passed away without Il
struggle. lie was born al Farming
ton. New Hampshire. Feb. III. 1872.
Ills parcnts were quite poor. and nj
the carly age OF ten lac WAS apprcn-
ticcd Ia farmer in his native town.
W ith whom lac remained until of age.
Duriu. his stay upon the farm
| he attended school about twelve
months in all. He. however. was Il
great reader durin. his apprentices
ship. borrowing books from private
| libraries. On attaining his majority
he went To Natick and spent two
wears in learning The shoemaker
! trade. from whence came the appel
lation The ',Na,ick Coblcr. Having
| laid up some money. he returned to
New Hampshire, and attended for 4
while the academies at Stafford, Con-
cord and Wolfsborough. His studies
were cut short for want of funds. and
he returned TO Naiick TO work at lis
trade in 1888. In the celebrated liar'
rison campaign he made some ski!
speeches for the Wings. which bro
him quite prominently into notice II
political circles. In the next five year
lie was three times elected Il Repre-
sentative from Natick. and twice
= senator from Middlcscx. I'm the Leg
i>laiurc lic became noted n n lcade
i'm the anti-slavcry movements, II
!. | 1913 hc was delegate 10 the Viii
national convention. and upon The nc
lection therein of antics avery rcSQlt
4 lions. he withdrew from the CONVEX
: ton and took part in the Free SO
y party. In lS50-ol he was twice, cho
G Gu State Senator. lie WA, Preside,
II of the Free Soil convention OF 1S5
e and chairman of lis National Gel
N trail Committee. In 1882. rs n Err
u Soil candidate for Congress in II
lc Eighth District Of Mass. he was on
ne defeated by % votes. when the maio
ity against his party was over I.@
In 1853 he was elected n member
a the Constitutional Convention
:. Massachusetts, and in 1875 lie succcc
:! cd Edward Everett in the L. 5. Sc
:" ate. Here. as in the Legislature
W his own State, hc AT once becal
prominent as an advocate ol an
~ slavery. Al The time of Brooks
:" tack upon Senator sumner. he ma
speech dcnouncing the act as
..brutal. mur,lcrous aud cowartlls
" sault." For this Brooks challen2
him. Wilson declined the challci
-, on the ground that ducllin9 was
:; unlawful and barbmous practice.
at the same time took occasion 10
~, that he believed in The right and tt'
of self defense. which lic should at
times take occasion to act upon. -
:. inr the rebellion he was chairman
The senate committee on military
~ affairs, position which Inc filled
"a the entire satisfaction of the co'ln
and distinguished honor TO Trims
lie remained in the United st;
senate until elevated 10 the
will Presidency.
xxi Henry Wilson as a remarkable
In stance Of a self made mali--aS u ma,
ON. rare abilities. of uuauestionedpr pro-
~, Of character. as a devoted chaml
his Of The rights of nal,--as Il proini'
be and faithful Statesman for b ycai
rest well spent lifc--has carved OF
Il il name aud fame that will ever =
nor brightly and gloriouslv in The his.
Of the Republic.