The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1884-09-11
SECRETARY FOLGER.
He Passes Away Suddenly at His Home
In Geneva.
sketches or His Life aud Public Services
Ia the u. n. Government.

Secretary Folger died at his home in Geneva,
N, v, in the afternoon of September L. His
death was SO sudden that there was not time to
summon his children, and neither of them was
here, The only persons present were Mrs
Hart, of Auburn, his deceased wiie's sister,
Drs. Knapp and Law, associates OF his family
physician, DIR, A, b. Smith, and his colored
servant, James,
Secretary Folger was son of the old Bay
State, lie came OF true New England stock,
OF n family that settled IN Nantucket two cen
turtles ago. Tie was born in that islaud town
April 10, 1918. When he was IL years OF age
his parents removed to New York state and
took up their residence at Geneva which town
Mr., Folger for "a years regarded us his home,
lie was educated nj Hobart College, where he
graduated ut Is, with the highest honors ofh,s
class. After leaving college, he studied law in
Canandaigua with Alvah Warden and Mark IL.
Sibley, Mr., Sibley ranked as oae of the lead
ing lawyers in western New York,
and under his supervision the young
student laid solid foundation for
professional advancement. AT 81 he was
admitted to the bar of the supreme court at
Albany. lie practiced first at Lyons and after
ward at Geneva, and speedily attained repu-
tation by his knowledge of the law and elo-
quence in pleading, AT 26 he was appointed
by Gov, Bouck a Judge of the court OF common
pleas Tor Ontario county, but he resigned the
position after years service TO resume the
more lucrative practice Of his profession. AT
SO he WINS elected county judge of Ontario
county, an office which no held Tor four years,
At this time the republican party was begin
ming to assume an organized form; and, after
the close of his term on the bench, Judge
l..
the ranks of the new party. lie had begun
political life as Slas Wright democrat, and
then Joined the Free Soil party rs one Of the
original "Barnburners." With his views on
the slavery question, he naturally ranged him.
self under the republican banner. In 1861
Judge Folger was elected to the state Serate
on the republican ticket. He was reelected
four times and served for eight years. Du-
ring most OF this time he was president, pro-
tenn, OF the Senate, and after the first year was
recognized as the leader of his party in the
Chamber. lie was power in the Republican
party in New York before either Mr.. Fento,
or Mr.. Conkling had come to the front. He
was member Of the state constitutional con
vention of 1867, and was a candidate for the
presidency Of that body, but was defeated by
Mr. William Wheeler. He was, however
| chosen chairman of the judiciary committee
| and was acknowledged TO be one of the ables
| members. During the wa, his Legislative
| career was marked by uncompromIsing loyalt,
| to the Union. In 1868, when the fight be
| tween Vanderbilt and Gould agitated the New
| York Legislature, Judge Folger opposed tn,
| efforts OF the New York Central road to ge
control OF the Erie road, and was charged b,
the other side with being in the interest Q
jay Gould. But his reputation for intcgrit,
was so well established that no suspicion o
personal corruption could be attached to it
He was vigorous opponent of the infnmou
Tweed ring, and did his best to defeat the ia,
levies of the ring in the legislature.
| In 1862 at the close of his senatorial term
Judge Folger was appointed by Presiden
| Grant to be assistant United States treasure
at New York lie held the office fora vel
short time, but gave great satisfaction in ii
both to the government and in financial circles
In 1870 he was elected associate justice OF tn
stntc court Of appeals on the re- organization o
the court under the new judiciary article adopt
ed in the constitutional convention. In Ma
1880 the death of Chief Justice Church create
a vacancy which Judge Folger was designate
by Gov. Cornell to fill pro tempore. At th
election in the followi fall he was chose
chief justice Of the supreme conrt by pluralit
CT As, 100, receiving $50 S2l votes, against 5li
66l for Judge Rapallo, the Democratic cand
date. He was elected for the full term of foul
teen years. In October 1881, he was appoint
ed by President Arthur 10 the secretar, ship
the treasury in succession to Secretary Windon
In the following year he ran as the Republica
candidate for the 'vernorship of New Yorl
but sustained defeat at the hands OF Co
Cleveland.