The Indianapolis leader. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1879-1890, 1881-07-30


Some names so utterly transcend the narrow
limit of party politcs that, when they are
brought into the field of our glass they assume
National aspect only. Born of the healthy attri-
ton of all parties so to speak and of that large
aud benign philosophy which sees sermons in
stones aud good in everything" they related to
humanity as whole; and only wear u distinctive
should, in all essentials, be the badge OF man.
kind.
Distinguished among such names is that of the
illustrfous father of thtgentleman whose portrait
we herewith present to our readers, and who. as
all the world knows, fills the mportant post of
Secretary of War in the new Administration at
Robert Todd Lincoln was born in Springfield
H.. August ]. 1S43. When but seven years of age
he was sent to the acaceIny OF Mr. Eastbrook,
where he remained three years or until he en-
tered the Illinois State University at Springfield.
In 1859 he went East and in the following year
entered Phillips academy At Exeter \. IL. soon
University, and, having passed most successful
examination, received without a condition,
as a member of the class of 1864. Graduating in
this latter year. he entered the Harvard Law
School, but left il in 1860 TO accept commission
in the United States Army as Captain and Assist
ant AdiutanJ General on General Grants stall
This commission he resigned shortly afterward
and at once commenced the study of law at Chi
cago where he was admitted u member of the bar
of Illinois In 1867 After this he began the prac
tice of his profession as member OF the firm of
Scammon 4 Lincoln, but dissolving this partner
ship, he visited Europe In 1917, ana on MS return,
after six months trip. formed a new one with Ed
ward S. Isham, under the name of lsham d Lincoln,
of which firm he is still a member. In 1876 he
was elected Supervisor OF the Town oil South chi
| cago and was a member from Cook County to the
Illinois State Convention at Springfield, which
| nominated delegates to the National Convention
held at Chicago last year. He was one of the
Electors the Republican ticket for the State OF
Illinois, and early in 1850 was chosen by the Gov
ernOr of the State as one OF the Trustees OF the
illinois Central Railroad. On the Inauguration of
President Garfield he was appointed to his pres
| ent high position, in which, so far, he has had
but little opportunity for any display OF states
manship or executive ability, although the party
| TO which he belongs seems TO expect much from
HIM in this relation. In 1868 he married Miss
Mary Harlan and he Is an afsctioIate father and
| husband, having family of three children
| Mary. born 1869: Abraham, born 1913, and Jessie
Harlan, born 1873.
| Mr. lincoln. who has been most successful in
his profession, is gentleman of excellent attain
| ments. He is frank and hearty III manner, ana
| no admrer of red tape in either conversation or
business. His address is pleasing, and his hl1al
affection which has of late often been manifested
in certain relation, speaks well for him as son.
He is thirtyeght years of age about five feet nine
| inches ia height, well formed and weighs some
| thing like AS pounds. His eyes have the same
mild expression as those of his illustrious father.
but here all mblance ceases His hair is dark,
and his beard and mustache full and carefully
| tended. His features,sas may be judged from our
/ illustration are NEST regular and pleasing, and
his countenance quite prepossesslng. He dresses
with great care. and sets no small value on the
obServances which invariably distinguish gem
| with those officially connected with HIM; but
| being of somewhat retiring disposition he has.
we learn, holy horror of that offspring OF Amer
| lean civilization-the newspaper interviewer
| But Notwithstanding this pardonable weakness
on the part of Mr. Lincoln there is a certain class
of inteTviewers that all his ingenuity, we are
! told has been unable 20 exclude from his private
Office, and even from his reSioerce, ever since he
| entered the Cabinet This is demonstrative
portion of the coOred population, OF various
parts of the country, who, bress de lawd!' VIII
| shake hands with ''descn oh de ole man." But
quite recently, If we are correctly informed, an
| old negro from Illinois by some means or other
gained admission TO the presence OF the secretary
| who was engaged with some gentleman, and
| suddenly seiZing him By the hand, exclaimed
| "Why, bress de Lawdl MaSsa Rober, If you
| am mt de bone image Oh de Gle man down To dat
| foot OBJ yo's, deed yo Is! Pse Ole Jake sahl an
4 often seed yo fader shhl''
| The roar of merriment which succeeded this
| may be readily imagined: but nothing abashed,
Old Jake continued. while pointing to ''de son OBJ
| de ole man." who was convulsed with laughter.
| years. ant dey de rale ting? Dat smile, genl'-
| men. dat smilel Why, bress de LGr'! my ole
| oman Met'Odis' an all as she is would rob a
roos' 10 him il he coined our way"
| This capped the climax, but as il was feared
| that Old Jake's penchant for details might become
| inconvenient. IL was deemed advisable TO dismiss
| him with dOuceur, one OF the gentlemen enjoin
| ing upon him TO go and refresh himself He took
| he money with many scrapes and salaams, but
before retiring, chuckled:
| Goodbye Massa Rober, We'll hole regla jubi-
| lee i'm de cabin in yo' honah, an drink to de
heltiness oh dis ministration. Thankee goodness!
| dis ministration's not so watery as de las one.
| As previously observed. Mr.. Lincoln has not yet
| had an opportunity of displaying in any promi.
| nent degree his fitness for the office bestowed
| upon him in such generous taste. His name and
| associations alone, however, are tower oi
| strength and great aids to popularity.