The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1888-08-10

MATTHEW STANLEY QUAY.
the utmost Importance, and as he will
necessarily be a prominent figure in the
great campaign, our readers will, no
doubt, be glad to become familiar with
the personal characteristics of their gen
eral who Is to lead them on to victory.
Matthew Stanley Quay was born Sept.
80, 1883, at Dillsburg, in York county.
This was the same year in which Senator
Don Cameron was born and four years
after Simon Cameron had entered public
life as adjutant general Of pennsylvania.
That rugged old Democrat, George Wolf,
was then governor, and the places in the
United States senate now filled by Quay
and Cameron were then occupied by Will
lam Wilkins and George Mifiiin Dallas.
Quay's father, recalling the struggles and
friendships of his early life, named his
son Matthew Stanley Quay, after Gen.
Matthew Stanley, of Brandywine Manor,
in Chester county.
Senator Quay traces his family back to
Scotch-Irish origin, and to the sturdiest
of that sturdy race.
: The senator's grandfather, Joseph Quay,
was farmer and storekeeper in Charles
town township, Chester county, when he
made runaway marriage with Ascenath
Anderson, daughter of Patrick Ander-
son, who was captain in the Revolution
and the first child of European parents
born in Charlestown township. Ascenath
was also sister of Isaac Anderson, who
was member of congress for two terms
at the beginning of the present century.
OF this runaway union-which, however,
seems to have turned out very we'll
Senator Quay's father was born. He was
given the name of Anderson Beaton
hn
family of his mother and the second from
that of his mothers mother, who was
Ann Beaton, sister of Col. John Beaton,
who had charge of military affairs in
Chester county during the Revolution.
Anderson B. Quay early in life showed
disposition for the ministry, and, follow
ing the traditional bent of his race he
became a Presbyterian clergyman. He
made circuit westward beyond the Sus-
quehanna river.
The stories told of Quays very early
days make him out just the kind of hui
man boy that thousands of others have
been. One of his earliest recollections
was that his father one day brought home
to Dillsburg small Bible and tin
sword, and gave the boy his choice. It is
a favorite way of testing the inclinations
Of very young people which parents have
not yet outgrown. The small boy in this
case was but 8 years Of age. He had
even then, however, some Of the quick
wit which has since been so useful to him.
He knew very well that his father had no
one else to give that tin sword to, and he
chose the Bible, greatly to his fathers de-
light, and the sword was thrown in, as
the boy knew it would be. This kind Of
diplomacy he cultivated as the years went
on. On the first fly leaf of the book thus
presented the father had written few
lines Of inscription from Scott. On the
next leaf the mother had inscribed some
verses. Young Quay carried this book
with him when he went from home; it
was with him in all his subsequent
wanderings, and today is u part of the
library at his Beaver home-a quaint lit
tie book in very fine type and stout
leather binding.
1T would have been far better for me-"
said Senator Quay recently, eff had kept
out of politics and settled down to the
law" This will strike with astonish.
ment those who look upon the political
career Of the new senator as one of sue
cess almost from the beginning. Had he
said 1t at any time during the year or two
preceding his election as state treasurer it
would have been understood by all; but III
United States senate, and when it was on
oil sides recognized that he held greater
political power than any other man in the
state. What he said, however, was I'M
questionably sincere. In the stormy poll.
tics of the state for the last twenty five
years Col. Quay has taken more than his
share Of responsibility, which has not al
ways been desirable.
His sturdy friendships have cost him
great deal-a great deal moro than can
ever be calculated even by himself. His
friendship for Andrew G. Curtin through
a series of years made his political path o
rough one at the time, and he had to fight
almost hand to hand over every inch of
the way. And when he found that politi-
cal friendship parted and he found himself
going over other ground and with those
whom he had previously opposed in the
party management, he was still fighting
his way, but he was now doing still more
for others, and responsibility for their
methods and blunders was pretty steadily
shared by him, if not wholly loaded upon
his shoulders. 1t Is lttlo wonder that no
should even now feel that he would have
been better off had he settled down to the
practice of law at the outset. 1t would
doubtless have brought him wealth, and
certainly reputation, and political dis
tinction might then have been had with
no excrt:on which has now come after
years of turmoil and sacrifice which few
can comprehend.
It was not alone Quay's ability which
excited the jealousy and opposition of
some whom he had sought TO serve, for
it is undeniable that such feeling regard
ing him did exist. although but cautiously
manifested. He was always restless UNI
der any purpose TO drive tho party, and
this feeling has grown upon him. In the
stormy conflicts few years ago against