Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1894-04-20
The Death of Henry E. Wootton.

The news of the death of Henry E. Woot-
ton, which occurred at his late residence in
Ellicott City, on Friday last, after painful
and lingering illness, awakened a profound
feeling of sorrow in this community. He
was no stranger to our people. Here is the
playground Of his boyhood. Here yet re-
main some of his school companions, some
of his most cherished and lifelong friends
and associates. 1t has not been many years
since he knew the inmate of our every home
stead. There was not birding in the near
woodlands whose note he could not tell
not streamlet around that has not caught
the image of his youth, not tree where
song and shadow blend under which he has
not rested-whilst every hillside, every little
dimpled valley was to him poetic with the
most cherished "reminiscences of his rounded
boyhood and budding manhood. The strong
ties Of early associations, the roseate memories
of youth, the balmy sunshine of his bright
and beautiful home with its romantic sur
roundings, the devoted attention of a loving
wife and affectionate brother and sister, who
watched at his bedside during the long
dreary hours of the day and night for con-
tinuous months, neither one nor all could
stay the infexible purpose of an unpropi-
tious destiny. The great common law of
human hope and human ambition, which
is symbolized by the broken column and
unfinished work, was rigidly followed and
enforced, and he was cut down in obedience
TO its memorable decree. There are few
favorites of this mysterious and revengeful
Nemesis whose names stand out at long in
tervals on the highway of history, who seem
to have lived out the purpose of existence
in seeing the iulfillment and enjoying the
fruition of a llles work of sacrifice, toll and
endeavor. But these exceptions only serve
to justify humanity in its mutinous mutter-
ings of rebellion against the common lot
The great and innumerable hosts which
struggle on the upward road to fame are lost
amid its inhOspitable crags and treacherous
steps.
We had thought that silence would best
attest our affectionate remembrance Of the
dead, whose memory consecrates this hour,
but the wishes of his friends, seconded by
the strong demands of our own heart,
prompt us to ask brief indulgence of our
readers that We may pay his great worth
a feeble tribute-speak OF stately tree that
has fallen, rich in the foliage and fruits Of
its gathered years, at once an ornament, a
beauty and hlessing-te fling flower, be-
dewed with tears OF sympathy and breath
ing fragrance, from the home of his youth
The deceased was in the fifty seventh year
of his age, and was the eldest son of the
late DR.. Turner Wootton. He was but a
little boy when his parents removed from
Nottingham, Prince Georges county. His
father determined that he should have fin
ished classical education, and at a very early
age he was placed at the Rockville Acad.
envy, where he remained until he was able
to enter one of the advanced classes at
Georgetown College. Graduating with
marked distinction at the latter institution
of learning, he entered Yale, where he like
wise acquitted himself with great credit.
Thoroughly equipped, and having select
ed the law as his profession in life, he en-
tered the office of the late Judge George A.
Pearre, of Cumberland, in January, 1857
During the time he was in the office of Judge
Pearre he was a close and hard student
Later in the fall Of the same year, however,
he had severe spell of illness. On his re-
covery he returned home and finally closed
his studies in the law Office OF the late Thos.
S. Alexander, of Baltimore.
Soon after his admission to the bar, Mr..
Wootton located at Ellicott City aud was
fast growing in prominence when the war
broke out between the states. In this strug-
gle he threw his fortunes with the South.
He acted in that fearful emergency from no
rash impulse, he was influenced by none of
the allurements of military glory or politi-
cal ACKNOWLEDGMENT, but proceeded TO con-
slider calmly, coolly and dispassionately what
duty demanded at his hands, and his con-
cusion once attained, he closed his eyes TO
every other consideration, to every thought
of personal ease, to every aspiration of pro-
fessiona ambition, and with his life in his
hand, with privation, toll, imprisonment
and death before him, entered the Confed-
crate ranks as a private soldier, and re.
NAMED as such until that memorable April
morn when up the river gorge and over the
hills came the last echoes of artillery from
Appomattox Court House, and the guns
which Numbered in the last charge sounded
the last salute of honor over dead nation.
At the close of the war Mr.. Woott0n re-
turned to Ellicett City, resumed the prac-
tice of his profession and was soon in the
enjoyment of lucrative business. About
this period he led 10 the marriage altar the
object and idol of his first love, Miss Ada
ODonnell, of Howard county, a lady whose
charms of person and brlliancy of intellect
were equaled only by her own amiability OF
disposition, and who, as wife, has proved
herself one of those choisest blessings vouch-
safed to man by God. In hope she has been
his bright incentive, in the hour of his
triumph his joy, in prosperity his pride, in
pain and anguish his support, In all his con-
slant companion, his guardian angel, his
heaven sent friend
He was a man Of fine attainments, posi-
tive character, fixed principles and strong
convictions OF commanding presence and
dgnified department he inspired the respect
of all with whom he came in contact lie
was eminently social. Possessed of rare
conversational powers added TO a richly
cultivated mind, amiable disposition, and
genial manner, warm-hearted and affection
ate, he drew around and cemented TO him
friends wherever he went.
A hard, close student, he was an able, in
genious and persuasive lawyer. He under
stood law as a science and was known as
the "Great Howard county lawyer" He
was very generally employed in all the i'm
portant cases docketed at his court. AS an