The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1882-09-22


value in the head of the important de-
partment of Internal Affairs, including,
as it now does, the former duties of
the Surveyor General. Mr.. Africa has
been pronounced, by competent au-
thority, the best surveyor in Central
Pennsylvania, and has not his superior
in the State, if anywhere.
HIS POLITICAL POPULARITY.
The first office filled by Mr.. Africa
was that of County Surveyor, to which
he was elected in October, 1858.
When nominated by the Democratic
county convention as a candidate for
the office he had not attained his
twenty first year and had passed it but
a few weeks when elected The Wing
majority in the county at that time
was about 800, but Mr.. Africa was
elected by a majority of l65. His
Wing opponent was taken entirely by
surprise and could scarcely believe the
figures that told the result. Mr.
Africa was candidate for reelection
in 1856, and again ran so far ahead of
his ticket that the result was tie vote
between him and his opponent and a
failure to elect. He held over until
the following year, when he insisted
that the court should make an appoint
ment, and they appointed the Wing
candidate who last run against him.
LITERARY LABORS
In 1858 he became one of the found
ers of the Standing Stone Banmer, a
newspaper established at Huntingdon,
and was one of the editors and pro.
prietors until it was discontinued, two
years later He is well qualified for
editorial work and would no doubt
have been as successful at that as at
everything else he has undertaken had
he chosen to devote his efforts to it,
being correct writer and having
command of very pure English style,
He is also well posted on local history,
and is often consulted as an authority
upon the subject. The sketch of Hunt
ingdon county in Egle's "History OF
Pennsylvania" vas prepared by him,
and Milton $ Lytle. in his "History of
Huntingdon County" gives him creGit
in various places for information fur
nished. In the practice Of his pro-
fession he has had access to and has
obtained possession of records which
have afforded him vast fund OF
knowledge and whieh he has not fail
ed to study to advantage.
IN BUSINESS
Mr.. Africa has been identified with
the leading business enterprises of
Huntingdon, and has given assistance
and encouragement to every desirable
public Improvement. He has contri
buted his time and labor to the wei
fare and prosperity of the borough as
member of councils, having been
elected burgess in 1854, 1855 and 1859
becoming chief burgess in 1871, his
last election being for three years,
during the sessions of 1858 and 1859
he was one of the clerks of the State
Senate.
His next election by the people OF
Huntingdon county was as their rep
resentative in the Legislature in 1883
The majority in the county had chang
ed from Wing to Republican, and il
was against the candidate of the latter
party that Mr., Africa was successful
He was among the ablest and mos,
intelligent members of the body, serv,
ing on important committees, and both
on the floor and in committee exerteC
a great influence upon its proceedings
SERVICES RENDERED THE STATE.
The duty of organizing the Depart
ment of Internal Affairs devolvet
upon the first incumbent elected after
the adoption of the constitution o
1873, by which the office was created
1t was in recognition of his eminen
fitness for the place that Mr.. Afric'
was appointed Deputy Secretary by
General McCandless when the latte
entered upon the duties of the Office il
1878. Mr., Africa's knowledge an,
experience peculiarly qualified hin
above every other man in the Com
monwealth for putting the new dc
partment into successful operation
The entire labor and responsible y o
doing 50 devolved upon him, and it i
well known to the people of the Stat
how faithfully the duty was performe
and how creditably and honorably h
acquitted himself in the importan
trust The department owes il
efficiency today to the thorough an
practical manner in which it was organ
lied by Mr. Africa,
RUNS AHEAD OF HIS TICKET
| With view not only of continuin
him in the office, but of placing him 9
the head of it, the Democratic Stat
Convention of 1873 nominated hil
as the candidate for Secretary of Ii
ternal Affairs, AS it was the year
a most important general election, an
as the Republicans thoroughly orgal
lied their party and made an acti,
canvass for the success of their tick
and to retain control of the State, Il
election of Mr.. Africa could not
, regarded as among the prohahilitie
but it was evident from the day of h
domination that, even if defeated, Il
majority against him would be mu,
{ less than that against any other canC
date on the Democratic ticket, al
there was reason to regard his chanc
|