The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-03-16
A N0N0GENARIAN DEAD.
Henry j. Weed, Father Of Mrs. A. NJ.
Robertson. PASSES Away.

Henry J. Weed, aged ninety years died
yesterday at the home of his daughter.
Mrs. A. M. Robertson. No. $50 North Me-
ridian street. Death was due to bronchitis.
At his age Mr.. Weed could not withstand
severe attack of this disease in its acute
form. The burial will be at st. Louis Thurs
day. Tomorrow there will be services at
the home of Mr. and Mrs. Robertson, and
to-porrow night they will leave for st.
Louis with the remains. The time of the
services tomorrow has not yet been de-
termined. Besides Mrs. Robertson Mr.. Weed
leaves one other daughter-Mrs. j. Il. Rora-
back, of Kansas City-who is here, accom-
panied by her daughter
Mr.. Weed was a man who had many
friends. With q flowing white beard and
a noble patriarchical face he could not fail
to impress all who saw him with his strong
personality. His face was round and open,
with an expression that betokened good will
to all men. Even at the ripe age of ninety
he retained all his faculties and was very
much interested in the daily news of the
country and the world at large. He could
talk of the politics of this country and of
Europe in a manner that can only come
from actual knowledge of facts of history
at the time they happened. His mind was
feet He could tell of things that happened
seventy years ago, and often recalled events
of his boyhood with a keen humor that
pleased his listeners
Mr.. Weed celebrated his ninetieth ami
versary Jan. Is. He received many callers
during the afternoon and evening" and was
said to be as young as any in thought and
conversation.
Henry j. Weed was born in Connecticut
Jan. Is. 1907, and. when small boy. moved
to Madison county, New York, with his
parents. He spent his boyhood on a farm.
and at the age of seventeen entered Casen-
class of seven boys that formed the original
class of this school. He was i'm school only
one year, and then went to Albany where
he spent year. The day he left Albany
for home Governor Clinton died. and the
news began to spread in time for him To
get 1T after he had stepped into the stage.
He was thus the bearer of this important
news TO his home, and for that reason he
was looked upon as somewhat of hero, al
though he had done nothing whatever more
was not disseminated then as ii is now,
and the one fortunate enough TO be the
bearer of something as startling as that
was important figure.
a few years after returning to Casenovia
Mr.. Weed embarked IN general merehan-
disc business. which he continued for forty
five years, remaining in Casenovia until he
had educated his three daughters at the
seminary. He then retired from business
and moved to st. Louis, where his eldest
daughter. Mrs Sells. now dead. then lived.
For the last twenty-five years he has spent
considerable of his time in this city with
his daughter, and made many friends here.
Mrs. Weed died about four years ago, after
living with her husband only a few days
less than sixty years
Mr.. Weed was the last of the original
class of seven OF Casenovia Seminary. Last
year he was requested by the principal of
the school TO send his photograph and au-
tograph, which is now framed and hang
ing in the chapel OF the school. At the time
the picture was sent he dictated long let
ter recalling many of the events of the
early days Of the school. One of these is
dsts About 1892 big preparations were
made in CaSenoyia for the celebration of
the 4th of July. There was TO be a pa
rade, with fireworks and all the usual .ap-
purtenances not excepting some rouSing
patriotic speeches. The time for the cele-
bratiOn arrived, but the orator of the day
did not. There was a dilemma. The COM
mittee could not select man in the town
that was deemed capable and suitable for
the occasion. Someone suggested that the
college be searched for an orator. The COM
mittee met there and was referred to
Tommy Bowman, as he was then known.
Tommy Bowman consented 10 DO what
he could. but his appearance was against
him. He was a tail youth. with absolutely
nothing in his appearance to recommend
him to the favor of the committee. He was
on time and made an address that was full
of good. rounded periods and abounded i'm
patriotism. without senSatiOnallsm or any
thing of an intlammatory nature 1t was
looked upon as the best speech or the Kind
that had ever been delivered in the town.
Tommy" Bowman is now much better
known as Bishop Bowman.