The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1896-09-23

and large numbers Of leading politi
clans of Wisconsin were here, together
with delegates from Milwaukee, Madi-
Lac and Neenah, to pay their respects
to the ex-senator. Mr.. Sawyer received
his friends in his hospitable mansion,
which was thrown open to the public,
and was assisted by his daughters and
granddaughters. Congratulations were
received from ex-President Harrison,
John Sherman, Senator Allison, SEN
ator Villas, ex-senator Spooner and
hundreds of others. Arrangements
were made to provide refreshments for
1900 people, and quite that number
called.
Mr.. Sawyer is one of a family Of five
brothers and four sisters. of whom he
and one sister are the only survivors.
He was born in Rutland, VT, Sept. 22.
1916. When the boy was about year
old his father moved with his family
to Essex county, New York, locating
at Crown Point. The elder Sawyer was
farmer and blacksmith who became
impoverished and embarrassed by sign
ing notes with others; man of scan
ty means and humble ambition. young
Philetus, until he was fourteen, did
chores and other work on the farm and
in the blacksmith shop. The summer
that he was fourteen he worked OUT
FOR Sc a month. On the west shore of
Lake Champlain. where the rocks ana
ravines of the Adirondack mountains
leave but narrow margin, and at
some points none,. of arabic land, hard
continuous toll was condition prece-
dent to supply Of the necessaries and
most common comforts Of existence.
The educational advantages Of the boys
were limited to the, annual three
months winter term of the common
schools during the brief period be-
tween early childhood and stalWart
youth. ?, 40
Before Mr.. Sawyer was twenty-five
years of age, in 1871, he was married TO
Melvina M. Hadley, Of an adjoining
town, eminently qualified for a help
meet to such a man, In every situation
and station of his career. Dec. 4, 1912.
his son and present partner, Edgar =.
Sawyer, was born. Fourteen years at
ter he had purchased the remainder of
his minority from his father. in the fan
Of 1847, Mr.. Sawyer, then thirty -one
years old, with his family. consistjng
of his wife and two sons. Joined the
tide Of immigration then flowing from
the East to the great West
Mr.. Sawyer first came West in 1910,
stopping at Milwaukee a few days,
meeting Solomon Juneau and other
pioneers He became impressed with
the possibilities Of the northern part
OF the territory at that time, but re-
turned eastward coming again to the
West in 1876. He located a farm in
the town of RosendaIe, in Fond du Lac
county. but it was disposed of, and in
December. 1849, he removed to the vii
lage of Algoma. sAsfss<s
Mr.. Sawyer, while In Fond du Lac.
lived in log house, IA by 16, with his
wife and small family. When he came
here he lived first in a rented house
On the south side, his wife doing her
own work. Mr.. Sawyer spent his first
and only winter as a woodsman, the
first year he came here, for small
wages. The next year he cast about
for an investment for himself. There
was saw mill in the village Of AL
gonna. which had nearly or quite ruined
its owners. This mill Mr.. Sawyer
operated successfully in the season of
1850 upon contract by the thousand
feet. Then he rented the mill and
operated 1t on hist own account until
1853. at1
1t was in 1855 that Nh. Sawyer began
his political career Prior to that tire
he had been an assessor, an alderman
and was known as ia Democrat of free
soil procIivities. He had voted for Ere
mont in 1S4S and Pierce in 1852 The
change of political faith was due he
says. to the influence Of the New York
World. He had been6induced to sub
scribe for ten copfessof the weekly edi
ton, which he distributed among his
men. The pro-slaveryfeditor of the
World 50 Disguised. him that he an
bounced his intention TO become Re-
publican to some eof the men in the
mill, which soon became noised abroad
md led to his nomination for the as
emily. 1t was after this that be
erved as mayor ofethis city His SUI
eauent public career comprised I. Y
ears in the house of representativ =
Ind twelve in the senate