Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1894-02-15
Republican ex-Congressman
of This State.
DIED AT HIS HOME IN MILFORD
His Personal, Military and
Political Career.



active Republican political leader. He
was conspicuous as being the only man
ever elected to Congress from Delaware
On the Republican ticket, at free and
fair election. N. B. Smithers of Dover
was elected at special election in 1868,
but Federal troops were ordered on
duty at the polls, and only II Democrats
In the entire State cast their ballots, the
others refraining from voting as pro-
lest against the outrage. Major Lofland
happened TO be tho Republican candi-
date in 1879, when the Greeley tidal
wave overwhelmed tho Democracy of
the country in disaster, and on that
was defeated for reelection, in 1874, by
James Williams.
HIS MILITARY AND POLITICAL CAREER.
Hon. James Rush Lofiand, member
of the Forty-tirst Congress from Della
ware, was born in Milford, November
27th, 1928. His father was DR.. James
p. Lohand, a leading physician of great
skill. lie was student of the cele.
brated DIR. Rush of the city of Phila-
delphia. DR.. Lofland served several
terms in the State Senate, and was
Grand Master OF the Grand Lodge of
Masons of the State of Delaware. He was
very successful as a physician, and died
greatly respected in August, 1851. He
married Miss Mary Lowber, daughter
of Peter Lowber of Kent county.
James r. Lotland was the first child Of
his parents and was carefully reared.
He attended Milford Academy, taught
ut that time by Rev. William Backns,
who afterward was a missionary to
China. Young Lofiand continued
AZ this academy until he was II
years Of age, when he was sent to Della
ware College, Newark, from which in
stitution he graduated with great credit
In 1874. He soon afterward commenced
reading law with Robert Frame, of Kent
county, who removed to Wilmington
before Mr.. Iceland had finished his
legal studies. He then entered the Office
Of Martin w. Bates of Dover, and was
admitted to the bar in 1S46. In 1S49 he
was elected secretary of the Senate of
Delaware, and served in that position
until 1851. He was elected to the State
convention in 1852, called for the pur-
pose of amending the constitution of
the State, serving MS member of the
Judiciary committee and taking promi-
nent part in the proceedings of that
body. In 1866 he was appointed Secre-
tary of State by Governor p. +. Causey,
and served in that capacity for four
years with great honor to himself and
profit for the state.
He was strong supporter of the party
which nominated Bell and Everett in
1860, but ON the breaking out of the
war Mr.. Lofand placed himself with all
his interests ON the side of the Union,
supporting the administration of Presi-
dent Lincoln warmly, using all his
personal and social influence. He was
appointed in 1869 by MIR. Lincoln one
OF the board of visitors to the United
States Military Academy ut West Point
and though the youngest member of
that body, was made its secretary.
In the autumn of 1862, DESTROYS of
serving his country in the field, he be-
came major of the First Delaware Cav
airy, of which Hon. George p. Fisher
was first colonel, but in February, 1868.
having been rendered by the President
the position OF paymaster, with the rank
of major of United States troops, he
accepted the appointment and reported
ut once to Paymaster-general Andrews,
and was Immediately ordered on duty
at New Orleans. Major Lofland ar
rived in that city May 3D., 1868, and re-
ported to Major Bingham, paymaster
In charge, and served in the Gulf De.
partment until August, 1864. He was
then relieved and ordered to report to the
paymaster.general at Washington, and ,
after short leave of absence, was or
dered to Columbus, Ohio, for the pur-
pose of assisting in paying off volun-
teers whose terms of enlistment had
expired. At the end of a few days he
returned to Washington as his head
quarters and served as paymaster in the
army OF the James, that Of the Potomac
and the army of the Shenandoah. In
September, 1864, he was again ordered
to New Orleans, and upon his arrival
there was sent by the paymaster in
charge to Vicksburg, Miss, as post.
paymaster. Ho remained at Vicksburg
for 10 months, being engaged in paying
off troops, who were being mustered
out of service. He then returned to
New Orleans and was engaged in pay
ing off the troops in Mississippi, Louisi-
ana and Texas until 1867.
He had previously been breveted
lieutenant-colonel for faithful and meri-
torious service, and his commission was
signed by President Lincoln.
The war now being ended, Colonel
Lohand sent in his resignation and re.
turned to Milford. He again resumed
the practice of law and devoted his
leisure time to agricultural pursuits.
In 1868 he was sent as delegate tO
the national Republican convention al
Chicago, which nominated General
Grant for President. He served as chair.
man of the Delaware delegates in 1877
which renominated General Grant for 9
second term.
In the autumn of 1879 Colonel Lofland
was nominated as candidate for Con
gress from his State on the Republican
ticket. He was elected and served as
member of the 41st Congress. He was
on the committee of the District OIL
Columbia, and was an active and faith
full representative He was again nomi
mated by his party for second term il
Congress, but was not elected.
He was chairman of the Republican
+ delegation to Cincinnati National Con
v vention in 1876, and voted throughout
s for James G. Blaine as the Presidential
n nominee. Col. Lotlsnd was also chair
a man of the delegates from Delaware t
the convention at Chicago in 1880, ant
was chairman of the Republican Stat,
Convention tho Same year. He was
K firm adherent of the Republican party
And was at all times interested in IL
5uccess.
He was married May 9th 1852, t.
Miss Sallie b., daughter Of JOSEPH
Brown, Esq, of Philadelphia; his wife
however, being native of Ken
sounty. One daughter, who was bori
aus. h. s- H. al 4,