The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1893-10-07
4 coon WAN fONE.
DEATH OF EX-GOVERNOR AND
EX-U. S. SENATOR JAMES
BLACK GR0OME,

End of the Career of a Distin
guIshed and Prominent Cecil
CountIan, Whom His State
Had Often Honored.
The unwelcome intelligence of the
death of Elk Governor James Black
Groome, which occurred at his home,
No. East Preston Street, Baltimore, at
10 50 O'Clock, p. M, onWednesd2y night,
reached this town at an early hour on
THURSDAY, and created a profound sersa
tion. Among his intimate friends here,
to whom his precarious physical Cordi-
ton has beer known, the intelligence
while painful was not unexpected. Mr..
GIoome visited his mother very recently
and left Elkton on tie 1882 D. m. train
on Sunday last for his home in Baltimore.
His personal appearance indicated that
he was in impaired health, and which for
months past had been s1Ir3a Of deep
tuA " ilS fanny Ilt LIAtl Nf'lI JUS
past summer WITH his family st COopers
town. New Y ork, and had been in Ekton
several days siuca his return. He was
attacked with kidney cDhc on Tuesday
night of last week, AMI while the worst
results were not anticipated by his
family, yet after his return to Baltimore
he was too i'll on Monday and Tuesday
to leave his house. and not until Wednes
day, when the end came, did his family
fully realize the extremity of the case.
Governor Groome was a widely popular
man in Cecil county, iuheritiDg largely
the genial disposition, amiablity aud
courtesy of his father, the late Col John
G. Groome.
His grandfather Dr.. John Groome was
distinguished aaC popular physician of
this town, and repeatedly represented
Cecil county in the State Legislature at
period when it was the sentiment of
the voters of Maryland, that oaly her
ablest and best citj23as should fill posi-
tions of honor and responsibility. Ga
the maternal side his grandfather, Hon.
James r. Black of New Castle, Della
ware, was for many years distinguished
Judge of the Superior Court of that
State, and was highly esteemed for his
ability as d lawyer, as well for the
fidelity with which he discharged his
judicial duties.
His father Colonel John G. Groomo was
prominent member of the Cecil Bar,
than whom 10 m.n Of his day was more
highly esteemed aud respected, NJ less
on account of bis personal worth, than
by reason of his professional prominence.
COL Groome died in the autumn OF 1866,
and his county mourned the loss Of one
of her most valued citiZeuso
HIS son the Elk Governor was boru in
Ekton Oh the 4.h of April 1888. His
early education was obtained at the Elk.
ton Academy. In 1854 he with his
younger brother John, gifted and
promising young man, were sent to Ten
nent School, Huntsville, Pa, to De pre-.
pared for Princeton College. They were
both ambitious as students and over
taxed themselves physically. The
result was impaired health, so that
although JoAn catered c)lisge, ho ieli i
victim to consumption before completing
his collegiate course, and James SO
injured his eye sight, that he Was COM
PEELED to suspend his studies, and was
for several years under medical treat
ment. He was thus obligei TO aban ion
his intended collegiate course, and
entered as student at law il his father IS
office.
| HIS PROFESSIONAL CAREER.
After completing his legal studies, he
was admitted to the Bar at E.kton, in
the spring of 1861, and soon attained a
creditabe position and a remunerative
practice. Like his father, he had the
reputation of a high toned and honorable
lawyer, social in his personal intercourse,
affable in manner, courteous and consid
crate to all.
| HIS POLITICAL CAREER.
Mr.. Gro0me was a JEALOUS ard con.
sistent Democrat and his rise in politics
was almost unparalleled in its Iapidity.
He fully identified himself with that
party at the outbreak of the rebellion
aud was active in keeping up and main
tanning its organic itiOa through all il
defeats, until in the fall of 1866 it again
secured a majority in Cecil county. As
early as 1867 his ability and activity were
of the Democratic Reform Convention o
Maryland called to frame new consti
tuition for the state. Being yOung
man, and surrounded by Democrat
associates, many of whom were anon!
the abiest men of the State, he mani
tested no haste to engage in debate, bu
was a II attentive and working member o
, that body. His first speech was deliyere
upon the subject of the Usury Laws
and was generally considered and pre-
nouncsd by the press of the State, a
able and mastery effort. His subsequen
speeches delivered during the sitting c
the convention, increased the reputatio
which his first effort gained for him.
From 1867 to 1871, MIR. Groome con
tinued the practice Of his profession, an
evinced no desire for political prefermer
, but was always active in the canvass {
: the county for the success of his party
In 1871, he was nominated for the Hous
of Delegates and elected by larg
= majority. When the Legislature me
. although it was his first appearance as
: Legislator, and ne was personally una
quainted with most of his colleagues, "
he at once took rank as one of its mo-
prominent members After the Legisla
ture had been in session but two week
an election VAS held TO United Sat-
., Senator Mr.. GroOme vas very une.
pectediy to himself vote6 for, his v0
;, increasing until the seventh ballot, wht
It but three of the ten gentlemen in nom
nation received larger number of vot