Daily Los Angeles herald., 1879-11-27
The Late Col. E. &c. Kewen.
A Brief Biographical sket.h Of his Career.

a brlef bograpMcal Sket.n OF MS uareer.
From w ume entitled "Univer-
sal Biography" Issued u number of
years ago by the New York and
Hartford Publishing Company, we
copy the following biographical
sketch of Col. e. }. G. Kewen,
whose death is noted elsewhere in
to-day's paper:
Edward ]. G. Kewen was born at
Columbus. Miss, on the I'd of No
vember, 1875. His father, Capt.
Edward Keweu, was an Irishman
and came to this country in the
early days of the present century,
serving in the war of 1872, and af-
terwards acquired large fortune
as post trader on the Tombigbee.
Captain Kewen and his wife both
died while their ehildren-Edward
j. O., Achilles l.. and Thomas
were yet in their infancy, Edward,
the oldest, being only eight years
Of age.
At the age of eighteen Edward
entered the Wesleyan University
at Middleton, Conn. He pursued
his studies with ardor and enthusi-
asm for three years, when the dis
astrous speculations of his guardi-
an sum moned him to his home in
Mississippi, only to learn that the
large inheritance left himself and
brothers by his parents, had been
irretrlevably dissipated, and that
he was left the almost penniless
protector of his younger brothers.
Undaunted and undismayed by this
calamity, he selected a new guardi-
an to manage the dilapidated es-
tate and to provide for his younger
brothers, whilst he himself hired
a room in u secluded part of the
town and, after rpse.ving to ex-
clude himself from -ociety, devoted
himself with zeal 10 the study of
the law.
In the Polk an Clay campaign
of 1S44-that hard fought battle be-
tween Wings and Democrats
young KeweD, although only nine
teen years of age, proclaimed him.
self an ardent Clay man, and was
selected by the party managers to
stump the State ard advocate
Wing principles. An incident
connected with the campaign is
worthy of mention. 1t was at
Barbecue" where members of
both parties had convened to hear
discussed the political topics of
the day. The meeting was
to continue two days, and invita-
tions had been sent in all direc-
tions for the most effective speak
ers to sustain the respective causes.
From some unaccountable cause,
the Whig speakers had failed to at.
tend, and the party had suffered
considerably by their absence.
The Democrats were in high spir-
its and Wings despondent, as the
meeting drew to its close. AT this
juncture, they hastened to young
Kewen, who reluctantly con-
sented to take the stand
and address the already
weary and impatient assemblage.
His party, to whom he was
stranger, could not conceal their
chagrln and disappointment as he
rose to speak. These were soon
changed, however into enthusiastic
admiration. For three-quarters of
an hour the crowd, before impat
lent, were spellbound by the fervid
oratory of the young speaker. AT
the conclusion of his speech, he
was borne from the stand upon
the shoulders of the admiring
audience. The same night at the
request of members of both parties,
he delivered another one of his
able speeches, which, though con-
tinued two hours, did not abate In
interest, beauty or strength, but on
the contrary, filled every mind
with pleasure and confirmed the
good impression previously made.
From this period Col. Kewen be-
came more or less connected with
politics. When the campaign
closed, he turned his attention to
new fields of labor, and for two
years was editor of the Columbus
Wing. Under his control the paper
attained wide and merited infiu-
ence as an able exponent of WING
principles.
Wearied with political life, he
dissolved his connection with the
press and moved to st. Louis, Mo-,
to devote himself ex-
clusively to the practice of his pro-
fession, and at once began to make
it lucrative.
The nomination of Gen. Tyler in
1918, again called him upon the
hustings, and during the campaign
he made the tour of the States OF
Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama and
Mississippi.
After the campaign was over Col.
Kewen determined to make his
residence in the Ell Dorado Of the
Pacific, and, in company with the
party of DR.. White and family, he
crossed the plains and arrived at
sacramento in December, 1849.
Soon after his arrival he espoused
the eldest daughter of DIR. White,
an estimable and accomplished
lady, who still survives.
Col. Kewen had been In Sacra.
mento but day when he was
called upon to address q public au.
dience. His appearance, after a
three months trip across the
plains, was most uncouth and I'M
prepossessing, but the speedy
flashes of his almost matchless ora
tory were no sooner reflected upon
the audience than the name of
Kewen was mingled with the
widest and most enthusiastic
plaudits. He was at once placed
in the front rank of the orators of
the Pacific Coast. Col. Kewen
took up his residence in Sacra.
mento and commenced the prac-
tice of law, attaining great emil
nence.
The first Legislature of Califor-
y. l. & IL, A-.l