National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1875-01-29
OBITUARY.
Death Of Major William Wade.

1t will be very sad news to the many warm
friends and admirers of Maj. William Wade in
these cities, at the seat Of government and else
where, to learn that his long and useful life has
come to an end. He died on Sunday, the oath
inst at o'clock n. m. at his residence 2ls Wash
ington avenue, Allegheny city. HIS serious i'll
ness was of short duration, and could scarcely be
called sickness. 1t was rather q elimination of
the intirmities Of old age-a sudden breaking
down OF the vital forces.
No man that has lived or died among us for
many years was more yenerated for his intelli-
gence and virtues. He was, during his long life
the exemplar Of all the attributes Of noble man.
hood. His mind was a storehouse of knowledge,
an encyclopedia Of general, and especially Of
practical scientific intelligence. His life was one
Of constant study and research, we'll Of busi-
ness in the various private enterprises and public
services in which, from time to time, he was en-
gagged. He was q gentleman whom IL was always
pleasant to meet and profitable to know. He
possessed much mechanical genius, and admired
this trait when he found it in the humblest Ia
boreT or arttZan. He was accessible to all such,
and was glad to converse and aid them. In per-
sonal intercourse with friends he was always ur-
bane and courteous. His society was often sought
and greatly enjoyed by the eminent men who were
his contemporaries.
Major Wade was born in New Jersey, In 1889,
entering the army as lieutenant of ordnance in
1872. One Of his frst duties was the superintend-
enee OF the building Of the arsenal in our city,
and he also conducted body Of troops from Pitts
burg to Plattsburg, New York, during the war.
He remained in the service till 1882 when he re-
signed and came to Pittsburg TO 90 Into the
foundry business, in the firm OF McClurg, Wade
Co. In 1889 he was sent by the United States
Government to Europe as a member Of a commits
sion to examine into the foreign systems of ord
nance. On his return to this country he re-en
tered the service as superintendent Of construc-
ton Of cannon, and in this capacity was employed
Tor several years at the various gun foundries of
the country in the examination Of metals and
processes, deVising testing machines, superin-
tending proof, &c. Under authority of the De-
partment he published the results of his re-
searches in a volume entitled Experiments in
Metals for Cannon" q work which led to the
great improvements made by the Ordnance De-
partment in the material and construction Of
cannon. In 1852 he again went into business
finally retiring in 1857. During the last few
years, being wholly out of business, he spent
some of his leisure in writing, at the request OF
the Ordnance Department OF the United States,
tOrdnance Notes." on the early systems OF artil.
lery, sc. These have been so highly appreciated
by the Government that they have been printed
as parts of series to be preserved among the
archives Of the Department, and for special dis
tribution.
1t ought to be said, also, that Major Wade was
fer several years a most highly valued member Of
the city councils Of Pittsburg, and served by the
the appointment OF the Governor, some years
ago, on a commission to fix and declare the high
and low water marks Of the rivers in Allegheny
county.
more blameless, symmetrical, even-tempered and
pure, whether in public or in private life in the
thOrOughfares of business, or in the sanctuary Of
his family and home. The public, scarcely less
than the stricken family, will always mourn
when such a man is gathered, even at so ripe an
old age, to his fathers.-GGzstte, PitfsbUrg, Pa.,
Jan. 20.