The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1893-01-28
JAMES GILLESPIE BLAINE
Sketch of One of the Famous Characters of
American History.

Sketch of One of the Famous Characters of
American History.
James Gillespie Blaine was born in West
Brownsville, Washington county, Pennsyl-
vania, Jan. 81. 1880. He was the second
son of Ephraim L. Blaine and Maria Gil.
lespie. On both sides he was Of Irish blood.
His great-grandfather. Ephraim Blaine.
born 1741, died 1904, bore an honorable part
in the Revolutionary struggle. was an Off
GER of the Pennsylvania line, u trusted
friend of Washington. and during the last
four years of the war served rs the commits
sary general of tho northern depart ment of
his command. Possessed of ample means,
he drew largely from his own private purss
and enlisted the contributions of various
friends for the maintenance of the army
through the severe and memorable winter
ut Valley Forge. From tho Cumberland
valley, whore his ancestors had carly settled
and had been among the founders OF Carlisle.
Mr.. Blaine father removed to Washington
county in 1918. He had inherited what was
fortune in those days, and had large landed
possessions in western pennsylvauia: but
their mineral wealth had not then bsen
developed. and though relieved from pov-
srty he WAS not endowed with Gffiuencs,
and a large family made heavy drain on
his means. He WAS q man of liberal educR-
ton. and had travelled in Europe and South
Pennsylvanis. where he served as prothono-
tary. MIR. Baine's mother. q woman of
superior intelligence and force Of character,
was devous Catholic. Tho early educs-
tion OF MIR. Blaine was sadnlously culti-
waited. He had the advantage OF excellent
teachers at his home, and for part OF the
wear Of 1S4l he was at school in Lancaster.
o., where he lived i'll the family Of his rela-
tive, Thomas Ewing. then secretary of tho
treasury. In association with Thomas
Ewing. Jr., afterwards q member of CON
gress, young Blaine began his preparation
tor college, and at the ago of 13 he entered
Washington college in his Ratlve county,
where he WAS graduated in 1917. 1t is said
that when nins years old he was able TO
reeite Plutaroh's lives. He had marked
taste for historical studies. and exoslled in
literature and mathematics. In tho
literary society he displayed the political
aptitude and capacity that distinguished
his subsequent career. Some time after
graduation he became a teacher In tho
Weste' IL Military institute. AT Blue Liok
Syringe. Ky. Here he fofmed the acquain-
tauos Of Miss Harriet Stanwood. of Maine.
who was connected with Il seminary for
young ladies at the neighboring town of
Millersbura. and to whom within few
months he was married. lie soon returned
to Pennsylvania. where, after some study
of the law. he became u teacher in the
Pennsylvania .ipstitation for the blind Al
Philadelphia. The instruction was chiefly
oral. After an association OF two years
with this Institution he removed in 1884 to
Augusta. Me-, where hs has since made his
home. Purchasing a half interest in the
kennebec Journal, he became its aditor,
his ready faculty and trenohant writing be-
ing peculiarly adapted 10 this fiald. He
speedily mxdo his i'm press. and within thtee
years was master split i'll tho politics Of
she state.
He engaged in the movements for the
formation of the republican party with all
his energy. and his earnest and incisivs
discussion of the rising conflict between
freodoIo and slavery attracted wide attsn-
titn. In 1856 he WAS delegate to the first
republican national convention, which
nominated Gen. Fremont for the prssi-
dsncy. His report at a public meeting on