Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-03-05
EsIINENTLY A SOCIAL MAN.
representative Grows House n Resort
for Distinguished Men.
Of The Evening Star.

special Correspondence of The Evening Star.
Gi-ENWOOD. Pa, March g. 1894.
Inc star correspondent has had the priv
llege Of an interview with one who proba-
biy knows more of the private and the pub
Tic lie as well Of Galusha A Grow than
any other person living 1t was Mrs.
Frederick p. Grow, his sister-in-law. and.
as Galusha was bachelor at the period
when ne found 1t necessary to do a great
amount OF entertaining at Washington.
Mrs. Grow presided over his house. She
was peculiarly qualified for the position.
and the result was that the home of
Speaker Grow was a popular resort for
many OF the greatest statesmen that the
country ever produced
Mrs Grow lives at Glenwood. and. as
Galusha remains unmarried, he finds p
pleasant home here when he is not off on
his political tours
Mrs Grow has lively recollection of the
scenes OF Washington life during the
stormy period of the war and the more
from the fact that she herself occ,,pied
an important part. She was Intimately ac-
quainted with the families of Stanton
sumner. Washburn and a score of other
statesmen of their class. and she can give
personal "reminiscences of them by the
hour. They were all very fond Of Speaker
Grow. and spent much time at his house
In a social way.
did you preside over Speaker Crows
home at Washington all through the war
period?" she was asked
Yes; and the associations that We form
ed there then We're very pleasant indeed
Among our nearest neighbors was the fam
lily OF William III. Seward. / used to see
great deal Of the Stewards The governor
was a very social man. and when we used
10 step over there frequently in the even
Ing We were almos4 sure to find him en-
gagged In a game of cards or visiting with
company of friends. His wife would he
sitting a little back from the rest, quietly
for
Seward did not appear to care much for
society matters, and would always rather
be doing something to help the soldiers
The entertaining at that house was super
intended by Mrs. Frederick Seward, the sons
wife. In society matters Mrs. Seward was
almost the opposite Of Mrs. Lincoln, whose
grand party during the war called forth Sc
| much criticism. 1t was pretty well known
| that President Lincoln did not want the
party to come off, but 1t was allowed to
plea his wife. i remember well attending
! 1t and how it was the last one that she
| gave.
I'VE always used to expect some Of them
| to come in every day." said Mrs. Grow
| land there were three with whom Mr.. Grow
was on more Intimate terms than with any
| OF the others. They were Fenton, ColfaN
| and Washburn. We always Set the tabl,
! for one of them, and it was rare indeed
| that We did not have at least one OF .hos,
| three men with us at breakfast time. Their,
were number OF distinguished bachelor:
| in Congress then. and, Mr.. Grow also be
| ing bachelor, they used TO find IL pleasant
| to visit him on that account. One of then
was "Thad.' Stevens, and he was a very
great friend of Mr.. Grows. We used &c
| see much of President Lincoln, and n,
used to make a great deal OF the children
rs Mr. Grow fond OF fishing and hunt
| ing as many of the great politicians are?'
mo: they are things for which he Ia,
no taste at all. He has nothing at all o
| the sport about him. He enjoys being a
home when he is not actively engaged n
| politics somewhere but when he is Resin,
| he finds more amusement in reading thar
! in going off a pleasure excursion. o.
| course, he is called away often during 70
| liticai campaigns to speak at political meet
| ings in all parts of the country, but wher
| he is not doing that he would rather be a
home than anywhere"