The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1894-10-05
ANDREW O. CURTIN.


Of sufficient Importance to have given n
lesser man lasting fame. lie served in
congress for several years, he represented
the United States government for three
years at the court of the czar of all the
kussias, and he was lawyer Of extended
practice.
He was a native of Bellefonte, and was
born April 20, 1918. His father, who was
from County Clare, Ireland, established
one of the first iron manufactures in
Pennsylvania, He was educated at the
common schools OF Belefonte and the
Academy at Milton, and when he had fin
ished the course of the latter institution
two professions were open to him-the
law and the ministry. He chose the for.
ger and was admitted to the bar In 1889
He won his first case and quickly built up
. good practice.
1t was during the campaign of 1910,
when he was but 2S years of age, that
Foung Curtin took the stump for Will
fnm Henry Harrison. Four years later he
was even more prominent in the canvass
Tor Henry Clay In ls4s and 1889 he was
a Whig elector. In 1854 he was consid-
sred one of the leaders of his party, and
his nomination for governor was strongly
nrged that year. He declined the honor
Because Governor Pollock, an old school
mate, desired reelection and worked
FOR his denomination and election with
hnbounded zeal. Pollock was elected
and Curtin became his secretary of state.
The Republican party was at that time
IN Its formative state, and Curtin was one
pf Its chief spirits. He secured the Re.
publican nomination for governor and
was elected by majority of 81, 900 votes.
His first acts after his nomination were
tarned toward the national Republican
dominating convention at Chicago, where
be Joined in the fight for Lineoln's nomi-
nntion.
The state contest closed in Pennsylva-
pia in October and was no less exciting
lhsn the national canvass. "As goes
Pennsylvania, so goes the union" was
Me cry everywhere. Mr.. Curtin took to
Me stump as soon as he returned from
Chicago and his labors were incessant un-
NJ the close of the state campaign The
victory won then went long way toward
Msuring national victory in November.
Governor Curtin was inaugurated Jan.
I, 1861, and was immediated confronted
hith unprecedented difficulties. 1t was
tTident that the south would revolt. Cur
Hn first met Lincoln on Feb. 22 at Harris
burg The president elect was on his way
70 oWashington, and at a private confer
puce, at which Governor Curtin was pres
int. the startling news was told that a
plot against Lincoln's life had been dis
lowered Governor Curtin invited Lin
poln to spend the night at his house, and
70 allay suspicion left the remainder Of
Me presidential party at the hotel In
htead of taking tho president to his house,
purtin drove with him to the outskirts Of
she town, where special train was in
Batting.
Shortly after his Inauguration President
Lincoln called Governor Curtin to Wash
hgton and asked him to recognize the
Existence Of civil war In message to the
Pennsylvania legislature, This Curtin did
ha document that, considering the haste
sith which 1t was prepared and all the
attendant circumstances, must be regarded
p one of the strongest of modern state
hpers. Within forty, eight hours the leg