Towanda daily review. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1879-1921, 1881-03-03
Secretary Quay.

writer in the West Chester Local
NeWs thus sketches Hon M. S. Quay, Sec
retary of the Commonwealth, and one of
the ablest men in the State:
Col. Matthew Stanley Quay fills the Of
flee Of Secretary Of the Commonwealth,
and he fills it full-no better man for the
place being in this State, and every one
who knows him will accord with this
mention that common expression of re-
ciprocal appreciation known as "put it
there old fellow"
The Colonel is about feet 8 inches
high. He fits his clothes nicely, still he
isn't given to aldermanic abdominal pro-
portions, though there is a little tenden-
cy in that direction. His figure is good
he stands and walks erect, which, with
his rosy complexion, blue eyes, brown
hair, neat "get-up' and clean appearance,
makes him man such as you always like
to look upon. His head is a massive one
bigger than the kind ordinarily dealt
out, and looks mighty we'll under silk
hat, which he keeps well sleeked up un-
der all circumstances.
The subject of this sketch comes from
good stockholm fighting and religious
stock-and without running into lengthy
pedigree relating to him and his antece-
dents, we tell you the following relating
to his starting point
His father, the Rev. Anderson b. Quay.
was born in Charlestown township, Ches-
ter county. His mother, whose maiden
name was Cain, was born in West Cain
township, Chester county, and was dis
tant connection Of the late General Stan
ey, and in whose family she was brought
up.
The grandfather of Colonel Quay's faith
er on his mothers side, Colonel Patrick
Anderson, of Charlestown township, was
a prominent man in the Revolutionary
history of our country, and was captain
of one of the companies in one Of General
Wayne's Battalions.
The father of Colonel Quay studied for
the ministry with old DR.. Grier,at Brandy
wine Manor, where he was married, and
where he for some years resided.
Soon after his ordination he received
call to a Presbyterian congregation in
York county, where Col. Quay was born.
While his son was still quite boy the
father received a call to the Presbyterian
Church at Beaver, in Beaver county,
where he removed with his entire family
and there Colonel Quay received his edu-
cation, and where he continued to reside
until 1879, when he purchased the Rob-
erts Mansion, at the northeast corner of
18th and Spruce streets, Philadelphia, af-
ter selling out at Beaver, subsequent to
which time he removed with his family to
Philadelphia, where he now resides. Hay
ing selected the law as his profession, he
underwent the usual course of study and
was admitted to the Bar in 1854. In 1856
he was nominated for Prothonotary Of
Beaver county on the Republican ticket
and elected by a large majority, and in
1859 he was again nominated and elected
running largely ahead of his ticket, and
consequently WAS III once WIN Almost TWO
years ahead of him at the breaking out of
the Rebellion. Considering it to be his
duty to assist in upholding the Govern
ment, he early assisted in the organization
of a company which became ''F" compa-
ny of the 10th Pennsylvania Reserves and
resigning his position Of Prothonotary he
accepted the 1st Lieutenantship of the
Company.
Upon reaching Harrisburg, his peculiar
executive ability attracted the notice of