The sun. [volume] (Morris, Stevens County, Minn.) 1882-1895, 1893-02-02

always been a member of the Presbyterian
church. l have never been a Catholic; but
would not make any public statement
that | was not Catholic, because | would
not be made to appear even in the slight
est degree as rejecting upon the religion
OF my mother"
HIS AncestOre.
M. Blaine came of distinguished family
He had behind him an ancestry of cultivated
and Ga5 wealthy Wealthy men, His great; ;grandfather
comnlissory general of the Continental army
from ITS TO the end of the war in 1888
With Gen. Washington at Valley Forge,
terrible winter of 1777-78. To his efficiency
as commissary general Is in great measure
due. the preservation of the American forces
during that most trying war crisis. The
grandfather of Mr.. Blaine James Gillespie
Blaine, for whom he was named, was edu-
Gated as q lawyer. He visited Europe and
remained there for number of years. His
life abroad diverted his attention from pur-
suing the practice of his profession. Pos
sessing independent means he was enabled
to follow a life of leisure. He returned from
Europe in 1793 having achieved certain
distinction in connection with the then strug-
Cling diplomacy of the colonies Mr. Blaine's
father was born in Carlisle. the place where
the diplomatic Blaine resided after his re-
turn from Europe. Ephraim l.. Blaine, the
rather OF James c., was q very skillful busi-
mean place then, and later parliamentary
tclerk of the district COURT of Washington
county, Squire Blaine was always highly
esteemed by his neighbors The Blaines
were all staunch Presbyterians. Several
We're Calvnistic divines. Ephraim, however,
fell IN love with lovely Miss Gillespie, of
Celtic parentage. She acknowledged the
Roman Catholic obedience. This did not de-
ter her from accepting the hand and name
or Blaine. Fine, sterling woman she was,
as mothers of great men are wont to be.
Several Years since she and her daughter,
Mrs. Robert Walker, wife of navy officer,
died at Elizabeth, Pa. OF three sons James
was her fayorlte.
The father of James used the means left
him by the elder James Gillespie Blaine in
the purchase of great tracts of land in
western pennsylvania. These lands are at
mines and are worth many millions. AL
though the father of Mr. Blaine did not hold
on to these properties until anything of their
modern value was discovered, yet he re-
tanned enough to leave a handsome property
to his son. Mr.. Blaine was the owner Of one
hela county, Pa. This has been developed
from tract of wild land into great prop
erty, which has for years brought in. very
handsome income. Mr.. Blaine inherited the
business qualities of his father. He made
most of bis money in coal lands of Western
Pennsylvania and West Virginia. He went
to Maineton account of his marriage with a
Maine lady. At the time of his entrance in
congress-, in 1862, his private fortune was
estimated to be in the neighborhood of $780,
900. His. estate is probably worth a million
dollars.
His personal appearance was altogether
striking. A. rugged nien, face furrowed
mouth and other features bespoke will pow
er indOmitable and tirmness answering.
Sparse, closely cut hair and full frosty
beard betrayed life's autumn. youthful