Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1894-09-01

wealth and influence in Phpnixvllle
and the secretary of the board OF
trade, was FRANKLIN MacVeagh's
most intimate friend in his childhood,
and corresponded with him until the
cares of business terminated their
boyish intimacy.
II can remember franklin Mac.
Veagh as far back as 1s49," he said,
"but l think we we're playmates sew.
eral years earlier. We went to school
at that time In the basement Of the
cd Presbyterian church, aud the
Rev. Samuel Nash, an Episcopal
clergyman, was our teacher. Then
we went to the Classical Institute, of
which Abel MARBLE was principal,
and VIC have been friends ever since,
although of late years I have seen
very little of Mr.. MacVeagh."
"Do you remember his fathcr?"
"Yes, indeed. lie was man whose
individuality was impressed upon
every one who knew him. My father
and he were about the same age and
were intimately associated in busi-
ness and public affairs. l suppose
they were two OF the most public
spirited citizens In phpnixville, and
whenever any movement was inaug.
urated here they were generally the
leaders. They acted together in the
foundation of the Episcopal Church
and were It's wardens for many years,
and in the organization of the
borough. Squire Mcveagh, as they
used to call him, although l believe
he was never Il Justice Of the peace,
was the Democratic leader in the
politics of this part Of the county, and
besides running farm and keeping
hotel had care of several estates. He
was the guardian Of several families
OF orphaned children and did q gen.
eral law business, although he had
no Office and / believe was never ad.
mitted to the bar. lie was the leader
of whatever he went into, and took
an active part In religious and edu-
catiOnal matters as well as politics.
He was President Buchanan's conf.
dental man In this part of the coun.
try. The mother was quiet, gentle
and refined woman, with fine senti-
ment and lovely character. I think
Frank takes after her a good deal.
The last time saw him was at his
mothers funeral eight or ten years
ago. All OF the family are dead ex.
cept Wayne and Frank and their sis.
ter Rcbecca, who lives ut Beading,
and the widow Of their brother
Nathan"
"What kind OF q boy was Frank9"
"He was gentle, quiet boy, and
was never boisterous or unruly. He
loved books, and was not SO active
and energetic as Wayne"
"What did you use to call him?"
ave called him both Frank and
Benny, although nc never liked the
latter name. He used to sign him.
self b. Franklin MacVeagh,' and
the boys often leased him about his
first name. When he went away from
here and got among strangers he
dropped It,"
After the death OF his father,
Franklin MacVeagh went to West
Chester, where his brother Wayne
was practicing law. He was prepared
for college by Charlton Lewis, a
brother Of Wayne MacVeagh's wife
and the son OF his law partner, and
entered Yale in 1858. They told me
that the Hon. Anthony Higgins,
United States Senator from Della.
ware, was his roommate.
ayes, I was Frank MacVeagh's
roommate at college," said Senator
Higgins, In reply to my question:
shat Is, during his freshman year.
We both entered Yale In 1858, but l
had attended q scientific school ut
Newark, In my State, and was pretty
we'll along In mathematics, SO by
examining up on the languages was
able to enter the sophomore class,
while he entered the freshman.
During our second year at college !
went to room with one OF my own
class, because 1t was more convenient
and to my advantage for obvious
reasons; but we lived at the same
dining club all through our course,
belonged to the same literary SO.
ciety and were very intimate friends
until ! graduated. Ex.Secretary
Whitney ard Oliver II. Payne, Of
the Standard OIL Company, were In
the class behind him, and Edward
G. Mason, OF Chicago, was one year
before. l visited his home during
vacation and he visited mine, and I