Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1878-03-07
BENJAMIN F, Wade.

Ex-senator Benjamin r. Wade died a,
HI, home IN Jefferson. Ohio. SATURDAY. after
sickness OF several months. al the aye
OF "a years. lie was native OF West
Springfield. Massachusetts,. where he was
born Oct. %. ls00. Hi. father. James
Wade, fought at lexington. Concord and
Bunker Hill. His mother was the daught-
er OF Presbyterian clergyman and 4 WON
au 81 great strength OF mind and force OF
character. The family wa. very poor and
Benz a'uin. who was the younyes. of ten
children, was early left To his own re-
sources he worked Out on the neighbor-
ing farms aud what learning he got lie
picked up In the few leisure moment. n.
could command.
When about eighteen he concluded To
emigrate to the West. With 81 in his
pocket ne set on. Oh foot. lie walked the
whole distance to Asrabula. Ohio. wher.
be had a brother living, aud where be re-
manned several years choppng wood. roll
ing logs aud driving cattle-doing in short
anything he could md 10 do. In the IA II
Of ISIS he went to New York and taught
school At Albany during the winter ami in
the spring worked with a wheel.barrow
and spade on the Erie canal. La Is26 he
returned to Ohio aud began the study of
the law, and two years later was admitted
to the bar and settled at Jefferson. He
was about 70 years of age before he had
case. Six years later he had built I'D a
good practice and acquired consider able
local reputation. In 1895 he was chosen
prosecuting attorney for the county of Asst
abula. and in 1887 became member OF the
state senate. He was at this time Wing
HE hatred OF slavery and mis- sympathy
for the colorea man we're first revealed at
81. 81. o 81 -.
Texas was under discussion. From that
time till the abolition of slavery be was the
champion Of the coiored race. and q zeal.
Gus. and DEVOTED worker in the cause Of
human freedom. His labor begun In his
own state. At the solicitation Of the col.
ored population he presented petition for
the repeal OF certain laws which dlscrimin.
ated unfayorably az inst them. His action
raised such = storm of Indignation that he
was driven out OF public life and went back
TO the practice oil law. In ls4O be reap
peared aud stumped Ohio for General Har-
rison. In the following year such had
been the change OF sentiment that he was
elected again TO the state senate, and while
serving in that body drew up Q report de-
nouncing the resolution to receive no more
anti-siayery petitions which had been
adopted BY Congress. II was one OF the
aDleht dbtfe'dtcIy uOSuuebts ever puO-
lished 10 this country and Immediately
gave its author national repute. In lS47
Mr.. Wade was :c..Acied president judge Of
the third judicial district OF the state OF
Ohio, and in 1851 he was elected United
States Senator aud reelected In 1857 and
1888
In the Senate Mr.. Wade was Q steady
opponent Of all measures favoring slavery.
In 1852 he voted with only five other Sena-
tors to repeal the fugitive slave law; he
also spoke and voted against tile bill to
sbr0gsts :he Missouri compromise, against
the LecOmpton constitution for Kansas in
1858, against apprOpristing $50 600 900 for
the acquisition of Cuba, and against oil
compromises between the North and
South proposed after Mr.. Lincoln's elec-
lion in 1880. The homestead bill he advo.
csted for years. and it was la his charge
when Il was 1naiIy passed by the Senate
In 1859. From the Outbreak Qf the civil
war In 1851 Mr.. Wade labOred NECESSARILY
for more vigorous policy, was chairman
Of the joint committee on the conduct Of