The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1888-04-13
Death Of BENZ H. Brewster.


Benjamin Harris Brewster died sud
denly at his residence in Philadelphia
at half past one o'clock Wednesday of
last week, aged about 70 years.
DIR. George X. Moorehouse, who
was Mr.. Brewster's personal friend and
medical attendant in speaking OF the
cause OF Mr.. Brewster's death, said;
"Mr. Brewster has had heart disease
for. several years, which caused the
organic troubles from which he was a
sufferer About three weeks ago |
was sent for by his SOD, and found him
suffering from an acute attack OF kid
ney disease, attended by ur@mia He
rallied and was able to ride out until
ten days ago. when he was again pros.
trated. After he had rallied from his
first serious attack he very nprudently
drank bottle of ale. This proved an
irritant, and perhaps hastened his death,
although believe he had passed be-
You'd the reach of human skill long
before that time"
Mr.. Brewster leaves one son, sixteen
years of age, and an only sister, the
brilliant letter writer, Anna Brewster,
now living in Rome. ~.
Benjamin Harris Brewster was born
in Salem county, N. j., October 8 1916.
He was the Oldest son of Judge Francis
Brewster, of Phila., and at the age
of lS, after graduating from Princeton
College, entered the law office of Eli
X. Price. He was admitted to the bar
on January 6, 1888, and at the very
outset of his career gave promise of his
future greatness For nearly thirty
years his brilliant career was almost
exclusively confined to civil cases, in
which he established a reputation sec
ond TO none. In 1S46, at the age of 80,
he was appointed by President Polk
commissioner to adjudicate the claims
of the Cherokee Indians against the
United States Government. Until 1861
he was Democrat, but on the break
ing out of the rebellion he became
Republican and was jealous in his sup.
port of the government.
In 1867 he was appointed Attorne,
General of the State by Governor Gear,
and held the Office for two years, when
he voluntarily resigned it, after ser
ious disagreement with the Governor.
After the death of President Garfield
he was formally retained by United
States Attorney General Wayne Mac
Veagh to assist in the Star route pros
ecutioDs.
On Mr.. MacVeagh's resignation
shortly afterward he was promoted to
the vacant position by President Arthur.
and on January 8, 1882, the appoint
ment was confirmed by the Senate. In
honor of the event Mr.. Brewster was
rendered banquet by the Philadelphis
bar at the Aldine Hotel, on which
occasion he said: 81 have entered the
office with honor, and with Gods help
shall leave it without disgrace" o.
his retirement from office he returned
to Philadelphia and removed from his
old house at 7O6 Walnut street to his
late residence, POS South Twelfth street.
He was twice married. His first
wife was Elizabeth Won Myerbaoh de
Reinfeldt's to whom he was married in
1857, and who died in 1868. His
second wife, to whom he was married
in 1870, was the daughter of Robert
j. Walker. Secretary Of the Treasury
under President Polk. She was an &C
complished and fascinating woman
and an acknowledged leader of society.
While Mr.. Brewster was Attorney
General she was one of the most brill
liant ornaments of the White House
receptions and was popular not only
on account of her beauty and attain
ments but for her true womanly quail
tiles. She died about eighteen months
ago, leaving one child, who attended
his father in his last moments
When an infant in charge of care
less nurse one day his dress caught fire
from a stove and before his mother,
who was attracted to the scene by his
screams, could extinguish the flames
his face had received the terrible in.
juries which disfgured him for lite.
Everything that money could do wa-
done to make the Disagreement less
marked. Thousands of dollars we're
spent in expensive operations to i'm
prove the appearance of his face. As
the boy grew old enough to understand
his misfortune he Stunned the society
of other boys and sought consolation
in study. This doubtless had much to
do with forming his brilliant intellect
and developing his wonderful eruditnn.
In spite of his, SCARED a features there
was no greater favorite with ladies than
Mr.. Brewster. Many woman who on
first presentation to him was so shocked
as to be scarcely able to control herself,
has in few moments under the inhu-
enoe of his fascinating conversation
been perfectly charmed, and in the
pleasure of bearing him talk has entire
ly forgotten the dis6gured features
and peculiar dress. His easy and grace
full manners made him universal fav
orite among ladies' and whenever he
appeared in society he was always the
centre of an appreciative circle of lis
ten ers.
He was what was called running
tslker, his conversation going along
gently and sweetly. His word pictures
of celebrated men were beautiful, and
he has furnished material for more
obituaries than any other man of his
times. He was man of deep feeling,
and there was seldom bar meeting to
take action on the death of some mem-
ber that he did not attend and make
the most affecting speech. Although
he possessed a wonderful control over
his temper, there were times WHEN his
anger would carry him away. He was
once trying case before Judge Lynd,
and had as his opponent Theodore
Cuyler, In the course'of heated argu
ment both lawyers became excited and
began abusing each other. Several
times they were called to order by the
Judge, and finally fined for contempt
of court. Mr.. Brewster ceased his in
vective long enough to bow to the
Judge and pay his fine, when he re
newed his invective more violently thar
A.. 4. 4