The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-06-10
The Story of a Life nlustrious for
Good Works.
How He Rose to His Present Proud
Eminence.
His Great Achievement as Lawyer,
Jurist and Statesman.
How He Has Endeared HimsoE to
His Party and Won the Favor
of His Fellow Coun-
trymen.

Like many other statesmen OF the old
school, who have done credit TO their coun-
try Mr. Thurman was born in Virginia, the
mother of Presidents" He came Of good
stock. His grandfather was Baptist clergy
man, who owned by inheritance and other
wise a considerable number of slaves, but
who early in life became imbued with such
just ideas In relation TO personal liberty and
the general question of slavery, that he de-
termined to embrace the first favorable OPP
opportunity Of setting his human chattels free.
Chershing such feelings he soon found that
the atmosphere Of the Old Dominion was
anything but congenal. Realizing this he
removed TO Ohio in 1919. Young Allen was
then six years old, yet he is still able to re-
call many of the incidents of the journey
mountains TO what was then regarded
as the far western territory.
The road was little better than
an Indian trail. The appearance
presented by the band OF pioneers must have
been in everyday picturesque one. The
country was a wilderness. All the personal
effects Of the family were packed in huge
six-horse wagon, which, with great difficulty
and the help Of the negroes was laboriously
hauled up the steep pathways, through the
forests and along the New river A smaller
vehicle was provided
TO CARRY THE WHITE PEOPLE,
and, so, making never more than twenty
miles day, the boy was destined TO become
famous in American politics and who will be
long remembered as leader OF American
craftsmanship, trayersed the wilderness TO
the country which was 10 become his home.
Fortunately, other omigrants from Virginia
had gone over the same road. There were
occasional inns by the wayside, where shelter
and food could bc had, and the Journey was
made without encountering any adventure
oil interest, halt being made at Chillicothe.
The slaves were liberated.
The elder Thurman soon found employ
ment teaching school, and young Allen
enjoyed his fathers instruction. In 1925 the
boy attended the old Chillcothe academy,
and there acquired those habits Of industry
md close study which have ever since char
acteriEed him.
His mother was in many respects re-
markable woman. Following her example
and monitions, Allen studied nights often
rcciting-to her and soon became 10 proficient
IN mathematics that his mates called him
"RightAnglcd-Triang Thurman"
IN 1924 there came 10 Chillicothe IN er-
ratio, though highly accomplished
FRENCH EMIGRASr,
subsequently known as Prof. Gregoire. In
tended originally for Catholic priest, the
professor had begun his studies, but falling
In love with girl somewhat below his social
station, he married her and invested his
patrimony In lands In western Virginia His
wife died, leaving one daughter. who was
named Virginie. Grogorie found that his
purchase, made in Paris, consisted Of stony
mountain land and utterly worthless. So lac
drifted 10 Chillicothe and undertook 10 teach
French. Mrs. Thurman, hearing Of his mis-
fortune, took the little Nirgnie into her
house 10 live, this care being repaid by the
fathers teaching Allen French.
The little girl could hardly speak word
Of English aud In her constant society II Is
not 10 be wondered nj that the boy rapidly
acquired that proficiency In French which
he still retains. From the Gregoircs Allen
also learned TO take snuff, habit which has
since given him the familiar nickname Of
'Old Snuff"
Eventually the Grcgoircs went 10 Louis
lana, and at the age Of seventeen the subject
Of this sketch was graduated from the Chilli
Gothic academy-in those days a pretentious
institution. lie was tall, thin, pale and not
strong lie had stuck 10 his books and paid
little attention 10 physical culture About
this time, however, Dr. James Webb, the
father Of Mrs Rutherford u. Hayes, took an
interest IN the youth. DIR. Webb was an en-
thusiastlo sportsman and Allen became his
constant hunting companion. In those days
the farmers kept deer hounds and rough
riding was the order. Constant indulgence
IN such sport strengthened young Humans
muscles and improved his constitution. The
nrst money he ever earned was by making
a t.4a1s IN y ~
got. rather unpopular employment, which
Melted him u day for iiity-one days.
LAUNCHED IN LIFE.
Later he became engaged In n land survey
which developed him into thorough from
ticrsman. During these experiences he &C
quircd knowledge Of land values In the VI
entity Of Chlllicothc, and was urged 10 go
into the land agency business ~ n sure road
20 fortune His mother however, and his
uncle, VIM. Allen, who had begun 20 make
his mark In the State insisted that he should
study law, and he took their advice. lie en-.
tered the law Office Of his uncle, and At the
end Of three years was appointed private
secretary Of Gov. Lucas. At the same time
that be assumed his duties he also entered
the lew Office Of Judge Swayne
The Governor m those lays was In his
Office by 8 O'Clock every morning, and ex-
pcotcd his secretary At the same hour. There
NNfN NNtNfu NiiAiA y N'tNAh ~ hihhN A"AiN
the work which now requires the services Of
large number Of clerks. still young Thur
man found time nj night 10 keep up his
studies Of the law and 10 work out legal
problems submitted 10 him from time 20
time by Judge swayne. Indeed he seems to
have found
TINE ron EVERYTHING
except for sleep. since four or five hours out
Of the twenty.iour were all he allowed him
self for rest IN bed.
Not long after the settlement Of the famous
boundary dispute between Michigan and
Ohio, In which Gov. Lucas took prominent
aud aggressive part, Thurman gave up his
place as private secretary and went 10 Wash.
inr,on, thc county seat Of Fayctte county, 10
be examined for admission 20 the bar. The
examination was conducted by committee
oflawyers appointed by the court Young
T .'hnrinan was accompanied by an aoquaint.
ance. and after consultation, the chairman
informed the two candidates that the board
had decided 90 Kill two birds with one stone,
BY allowing Mr.. Thurman 10 examine Mt
-. Thus" he said "the examination
Of both candidates by Us will proceed at the
tame time"
This arrangement was not al oil 70 younf
Humans liking for he knew that his com
ranion had only vague and moagof kn0wl