Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1880-07-08
NUMBER 81.


race for Congress. In October, 1852,
when just thirty years Of ago he was
elected to the United States House
of Representatives by 4SS majority.
Mr.. English entered Congress at the
commencement Of Mr.. Pierce's adj
ministration, and gave its political
measures q warm and generous support.
troy of the country-a time when quea-
tons of far-reaching consequences had
their birth and which . few years sub
ssquently tested to the utmost limit the
strength Of the Republic.
KANSAS AND NEBRASKA BILL.
Mr.. English served four terms In
Congress-lD all eight years -immedi.
ately:: preceding the war, and that dur
ing the entire period As stormy rs the
National Legislature ever experienced.
Mr.. English, who was member Of the
Committee on Territories, identified
himself with the celebrated Kansas
Nebraska bill. and suggested certain
changes and notifications In the bill,
which were adopted.
Upon the question of the admission
Of Kansas into the Union, Mr.. English
took firm stand opposing its admis-
sion under the Lecompton constitution,
until that was submitted to the people
of the State. He reported, therefore, q
bill which became known as the EN-
glish bill" and which was adopted by
one majority.
HIS RETIREMENT FROM CONGRESS-.
After the passage of the English
bill" a very determined effort was made
to prevent Mr.. English's reelection TO
Congress, but he was returned by n
larger majority than ever. There. had
been no change in the boundaries Of
his district, but his career, In this as in
everything else, had been upward and
onward, his majority grad ually ipcreas-
ing at each election from 400 IN 1852 to
1000 tn 1858, and this at q time when
Democratic Congressman were almost
swept out of existence in the Northern
States. At the close Of the Thirty
sixth Congress, and when in the full
meridian Of success never having been
defeated before the people, and with
fair prospects of being advanced to still
higher political honors, he retired from
Congress and active political life a. an
ofice-holder.
FINANCIAL RECORD.
At the close of his useful and honor
able Congressional services, Mr.. En-
glish was confronted with the fact that
a new departure In his business life
was inevitable. He had abandoned &C
tive politics and declined official posi-
tion. He had grown rusty In the law,
but bis native energy forbade that he
should remain quiet. At this juncture
Of banking, and In connection with ].
F. ID. Lanier, Of New York, and George
w. Riggs, OF Washington City, he es-
tablisbed, In the spring Of 1888, the
First National Bank Of Indianapolis.
This bank was among the first orRa-
nized In the United States under the
national system and the very first to
get out its circulation. Mr.. Epglish's
connection with this bank brought him
into great prominence - . financier,
aud In this position, ~ In other cases
Of great responsibility, he displayed
consummate ability. During the peri
cd Of his connection with the First
National Bank the question Of national
finances excited the profoundest solici-
tation and engaged the attention Of the
best thinkers In the country. During
the entire period of that discussion Mr..
English's views were well understood.
No mans opinions were less equivocal.
His knowledge Of business, Of finances
and Of the needs Of the country was
He was opposed to
initiation, and as certainly opposed to
extreme and hasty legislation looking
to forced resumption. With regard TO
gold and silver as the standards of value,
and to absolute necessity Of ultimate re-
no man In the country was
more pronounced in his declarations.
The heresy Of an irredeemable paper
currency found In Mr.. English an un-
opponent-as . result
his financial record is without hlcm-
ish. Mr.. English presided over his
bank over fourteen years, to the entire
Of the stockholders, and
nancial success, he resigned the presi-
dency and retired from active business,
IS he had years before retired from ac-
tive politics 40 an officeholder when in
the full tide of political success. Faith.
rul to every trust, he retained the good
opinion of his associates then, rs he had
,f his constituents when he retired from
Congress.
PRIVATE LIFE.
Mr.. English Is Q man of action rather
han of words. His efforts as q debat-
r. are more remarkable for practical
common sense than for brilliancy Of or
ltory or the flowers of rhetoric. His
mind, strictly practical in all its scope
energy of character, firmness Of pur-
pose and an unswsrving integrity arc
ais chief characteristics. In personal
Intercourse he IL inclined to be retiring
md reserved, which might be attribu-
ed to haughtiness or pride by q stran-
,er, bu to an acquaintance and friend
,e il open, candid and affable. In the
,rivate and social relations Of life he
tands "without blemish and above re-
As . business man he has
most valuable qualities. Without be-
ng too cautious, he II prudent and
He 10 above the average height, with
N erect, well-made fignre. His head
} Of good size, with regular features.
he forehead 10 high and broad. He is