The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1879-08-15
College, and in 1s46 he removed to Lancas-
ter, where he died, on the 18th of Novem-
Der, 1852, In the 18th year of his age.

College, and in ls46 he removed to Lancas-
ter, where he died, on the 18th of Novem-
Der, 1852, In the 18th year of his age.
GOVERNOR WOLF.
George Wolf, the seventh Governor under
the Constitution of 1890, was born on the
18th of August, 1777, in Allen township,
Northampton county. He was of German
ancestry. and had liberal education. He
was clerk in the Prothonotary's Office, and at
the same time studied law in the office of
Hon. John Ross. Mr.. Wolf adopted the
principles of Thomas Jefferson, and in 1899
he supported Thomas Mexican for Govern
or. He was appointed Postmaster at Eas.
ton, by President Jefferson, and was after
wards appointed Clerk of the Orphans
Court by Governor Mexican. In 1914, he
was chosen a member of the Legislature,
and in 1915 was defeated for the State Sem
ate. In 1922, he was elected a member of
Congress, which position he filled until 1S29,
when he was nominated and elected Govern
or over Joseph Ritner, anti.Mason, by a
vote OF 7S,2l9 to 61,776, and was reelected
in 1882 over Joseph Rituer, anti Mason, by
vote of 81 1886 to S,l65. He was defeat
ed for third term on account of rupture
in the Democratic party and the formation
of double ticket. Governor WolPs great
ambition was to advance free system of
education, and to that end his whole life
was devoted. He not only advocated such
a system. but had the pleasure of seeing it
adopted in his native State, and his name
heralded abroad as the great benefactor of
mankind. Governor Wolf adhered to Jack
son, and advocated his second election. In
1886, General Jackson appointed him First
Comptroller of the United States Treasury,
and in 1888 he was appointed by President
Van Buren,, Collector of the Port of Phila-
delphia. Governor Wolf died on the 18th
of March, 1910, in the SD year of his age
GOVERNOR RITNER.
Joseph Ritner, the eighth and last Gov
ernor under the Constitution OF !!9O, was
born on the 25th of March, 1880, in Berks
county, and of German extraction. Mr.
Ritner was very unfortunate when young,
having received but little education. He
married Susan Alter at the age of twenty,
and after wandering about for some time,
finally settled in Washington county, upon
the farm of David Alter, his wife's uncle.
Here he found an excellent library, and de-
voted all his leisure hours in study, taking
for his motto, 'Energy-invincible determi-
nation Mr.. Ritner was elected member
of the Legislature in 1920, and served until
1926. In 1924, be was chosen speaker of the
House, and was re elected in 1926. In 1929
Mr.. Ritner was nominated for Governor by
the anti-Mason party against Wolf, but was
defeated. He was renominated in 1882
against Wolf but was again defeated. In
1925, he was again nominated and elected
over Wolf, Independent Democrat, and
Muhlenberg, Democrat, by the following
vote: Ritner, 94,O23 Wolf, 65,SO4, and
Muhlenberg, 40,5s6. Governor Rtner was
re-nominated in 1888, but was defeated by
David r. Porter, Democrat The cleo
ton of 1888 was close, and charges of
fraud were made against the friends of
Governor Porter. Thos. H. Burrowes,
Chairman of the State Executive Commit
tee of the anti-Masonic party, issued an ad-
dress in which he stated that until an inves-
tigation had been made, they would treat
the election as if they had not been defeat
ed During the interval between the elec-
tion in October and the meeting of the
Legislature, the excitement ran high
throughout the Commonwealth, and upon
the assembling of the two Houses, large
numbers from different parts of the State
had assembled at Harrisburg The Senate
was organized by the friends of Governor
Ritner, and in the House there was double
set of officers elected the anti. Masons choos.
ing I. S. Cunningham as Speaker, and the
Democrats VIM. Hopkins Great excite
ment prevailed, and lobby took possession
of both Houses. Governor Ritner called
out the militia and also called on the United
States Government for help, which was,
however, refused 1t looked at one time as
If this dispute would result in blood-shed,
but better council prevailed, and the House
was finally organized by the recognition of
VIM. Hopkins as Speaker, and the peacea-
BILE Inauguration of Governor Porter. These
troubles have since been known as the
'Buckshot War; and made the participants
famous in Pennsylvania politics. In 1S4S,
Governor Ritner was appointed, by Presi-
dent Taylor, Director of the Mint at Phil.
adelphia, and resigned at the death of Tay-
lor to make room for the favorites of Presi-
dent Fillmore. He was delegate from
Pennsylvania to the National Convention,
which nominated John G. Fremont for Pres
ident. Governor Rtner was warm sup
porter of the free school system, and has the
honor of preserving it at its most perilous
hour. He died on the 10th of October,
1863, in the 90th year of his age.