The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-03-05
Tnese coni...ss.os4s ei0 ior Justices OF
she pence and notaries public.
A Pathetic Incident.


she pence and noiaries public.
A Pathetic Incident.
A pathetic incident OF his last sickness
followed postponement of the annual re-
ception given by the governor Of the COM
monwealth to the people on Washipgton's
birthday. What was then considered "a
slight indisposition rapidly developed into
the causes which brought his death. The
day previous was the time SGT for the pre-
sentation to the state OF finely executed
hnst of the governor. "a tribute of the re-
spect and esteem entertained by his follow
citizens of Lowell for him. A postpone
ment necessarily followed, owing TO his
absence from the state house.
The Friday following, Feb. %. was the
time, and the representative hall was the
place, when this bust was presented by
Mayor Courtney OF Lowell, for the city,
and received by Lieutenant Governor VOL
colt for the state. The following after
noon, just before he was stricken with
paralysis, the governor read In the paper
of the impressive ceremonies at the state
house. His last inform->ion OF the out
side world, through his ..gn eyes, told OF
the respect shown him aud the honor done
him by loving people.
STaule 10 oTaNc.
Frederic r. Greenhalge, lawyer, orator
and statesman, was born in Clitheroe,
Lancaster county, Eng, July -, 1S42.
His father, William Greenbalge, moved to
Lowell in 1854, where he assumed charge
of the copper roller engraving in the
MerTimac Print Works.
Frederic received his early education in
the public schools of Lowell, where he
acquired distinction as a scholar. He
.t-l l.e Id. 4. erID .I rar
ney medal scholar. During these years the
young man displayed great strength in
debate, where his fine oratorical powers
were well developed.
In the fall of 1859 Mr.. Greenhalge enter
ed Harvard Ct llege, intending to take the
regular classical course. His father died
soon afterward, however, and he was
obliged to abandon this plan. Securing a
position as a teacher, he studied law dur
ing leisure hours and entered the law
office of Brown x Alger shortly before
the war broke out. He entered the army
in 1861, serving IN the commissary depart
ment at Newbern, NC. An attack of ma
larial lever, which lasted several months,
resulted in his being sent home. Upon Is
recovery he again took up the study Of
law. and was admitted to the Middlesex
bar in 1866. He associated himself in
practice with Charles Il. Howe, which
partnership existed until 1870, since
which time he has practiced alone. His
ability as lawyer was early recognized,
and this, coupled with his great popular
ity in Lowell. led TO rapid promotion.
He served In the Common Council in 1868
and 1869. He was elected to the school
board for two years in 1871. He devoted
himself with great energy to the law prac-
tice and was appointed as spscial JUS
tice of the municipal court. He was elected
Mayo Of Lowell in 1880, and again in 1881.
"a ic oil Il In adt aftatc ctra-
tion of the Office challenged universal
respect and demonstrated his power as a
leader of men ana director of affairs.
During tho next few year he was in great
demand as public speaker.
Mr.. Greenhalge was nominated as Con-
gresham by the Republicans in the po-
Iiticai campaign of 1883, icing elected
amid gre at enthusiasm. He imme lately
became a prominent leader in the House,
where mis- keen logic and unsuual elo-
Quence attracted national ettenton. AS
a member of the elections committee he
took an active part in the debates over
the unseating of several Southern Demo-
Gratis and the seating of Republicans in
their places, his speeches being reported
in all the leading papers of the country.
In 1850 he was again in the field as cam
didate for reelection, but was defeated.
he was elected Governor OF the common
wealth in 1853, anu had just entered on
his third term in that capacity.
In business circles he was known az a
man of strict integrity, shrewd foresight
and possessed of a judgment broad, con-
servative and safe to follow.
Socially his popularity was not confin-
ed to class nor limited by local circles.
Among the more important offices that
he held are the following:
President OF the Loweli Humane So
ciety, president of the History Clur,
president of the Peoples Cub, special
justice of police court, Lowell; mem Der
of Lowell common council, 1868 and 1869;
memter of Lowell school toaro, 1871 and
1873; Mayor OF Lowell, 1850 and 1881; dele
gate to national Republican convention,
1884; city solicitor of Lowell, 1885; repre-
sentative to the Legislature. 1885; trustee
of City Institution, for Saving of Lowell,
from 1875 to the present time.
He wss married in Lowell, Oct. !, 1872,
to Isabel, daughter John Nesmith (Lieu-
tenant governor with Governor Andrew.
OF this union were four children
Nesmith, deceased, Frederic BRANDED
some, Nanut Nesmith and Richard Spald-