New-York tribune., 1891-05-22
OBITUARY.
ALPHONsO TAFT.
san Francisco, Nay 21.-Ex. Minister Alphonso Taft
died this morning Diego

san Francisco Nay 21.-Ex.Minlster Alphonso Taft
died this morning at san Diego.
Alphonso Taft, whose father was a farmer and was
himself an only child, was born In Townshend. VI,
OH November 5, 1910. His parents came to the
Green Mountain state from Uxbrldge Mass where the
family had lived for several generations. Alphonso
avalled himself Of every chance for obtaining good
rudmentary education, and by teaching country
school in the winter months he acquired the means Of
paying his way through college. He entered Yale IN
his nineteenth year, and he graduated with honor In
1888 For two years afterward he taught In the
high school at Ellington, Conn.,, which institution was
devoted chiefly to the preparation Of boys for college
In 1s35'37 he tutor at Yale, meanwhile attena
ing the lectures at the Law School. At this time
william NJ Evarts was a student there He was admitted
TO the bar In New Haven IN 1898. In 1889 Mr. TAFT
went 10 Cincinnati, and in 1910 he opened law oice
there. He soon gained large practice and had charge
Of many important cases. among them being several
real estate and railroad causes. lie was early
member of the Cincinnati City Council and also Tor
twenty five years the Union Board Of High schools
He for many years a trustee Of the University OF
Cincinnati from its foundation, and OF the Cincinnati
Southern Railroad. lie always took great interest IN
the of education, aud he had hve sons prePfeo
for college In the Cincinnati High School.
Mr. Taft gave his adhesion TO the Republican party
at the time Of It's organization, and In 1856 he was
delegate 10 the Republican National Convention whch
he was candidate for Congress in the lst District Oh
Ohio, but he was defeated by George II. Pendleton
(Dem.l In 1866 he was appointed Judge OF the su
perior Court Of Cincinnati, to fill vacancy caused Oy
the resignation Of Judge George Hoadly he was
twice elected to this Office, the second time Dy the
unanimous vote VI both political parties He resigned
In January 1872 to enter into the practice OF law wth
two OF his sons Charles p. and Peter r. Taft
In 1875 he was q candidate for the Republican nom
nation for Governor OF Ohio but dissenting opinion
that he delivered the question OF reading the BDie
In the public school the cause OF much oppositon
TO him. The opinion that defeated his nomination was
unanimously affirmed by the Ohio Supreme Court ana
Is now the law Of the State In the campaign thst
followed he warmly supported General R. Is. Hayes,
who held a high opinion of Judge Taft as pure man
and Republican. He made several speeches for Hayes
and hard money which attracted wide attention
On March 7, 1876, Judge Taft was nominated by
President Grant to be Secretary OF War; secretary
Belknap having resigned. On May %, 1876, he was
transferred to the Attorney Generals Office, in place
Of Edwards Pierrepont, who was made Minister 10
England. Judge Taft remained at the head OF the
Department OF Justice until the close OF President
Grants term In March, 1877. He then became
candidate for the seat in the United States Senate
vacated BY John Sherman, who had been appointed 10
the Secrearyship OF the Treasury by President Hayes
but the Republican caucus nomination went TO Stanley
Matthews on the third ballot In 1877 and 1871
ne was a cano0nte 1Of tne HepuDuCal HohiIiuion
for Governor OF Ohio but unsuccessful each time
Meanwhile Judge Toft had resumed his
law practice, which was not again inter
rupted until April. 1859, when he was ap
pointed Minister to Austria by President Arthur From
this place he transferred in 1884 to St. Petersburg
where he served until August 1, 1885. While in
Russia Judge Taft suffered severely from pneumonia
After his to America he was troubled with a
complication Of ailments, and went to Chill for his
health. on his return tApril,. 1e8D he. stopped at
San Diego Cal, where his health appeared to Improve
for time. Pneumonia, howeyer again attacked d him i'm
United states since February. 1900; was summoned to
ms Judge ' Taft T was twice married at first to Miss
Phelps, of Vermont family and after her death to
the three sons mentioned above there r., are two
County, N. Y. One Of these. Henry w., Is
lawyer, and the other, G. Taft, is master of new
school for boys. The ex-Secretary was an upright,
scholarly man, unostentatous,. yet maintaining a
proper and commanding the admiration OF
all who knew his hDe personal character and high pro
fessona abilities He received from Yale In 1867 the
title Of Doctor Of Laws and In 1s72's2 was trustee
Of that college.