Akron daily Democrat. [volume] (Akron, Ohio) 1892-1902, 1899-11-22

but S1.50 in his pocket. and from this
small beginning he made his way un-
aided to wealth and prominence. In
1869 be was admitted to the bar, and
the same year he married the daughter
Of Mr.. Tuttle. Mr.. Hobart made his
way rapidly at the bar of his native
state, and his bent led him early into
politics.
In 1871 he was made city counsel of
Paterson, and in 1872 was elected to the
state assembly, of which body he was
chosen speaker in the following year.
Even during these early years he dis
played that accurate knowledge of men
and exhibited that wonderful executive
ability which was the key Of his later
success, both in business and politics. At
the end of his second year in the assem-
bly, he retired to devote himself to the
law and to the numerous business inter-
ests with which he had become identi
fed. But the demands of his party
would not admit of his remaining long
in private life, and in 1876 he was
elected to the state senate of which
body he was chosen president in 1881.
During his service in the senate he was
chairman of the judiciary committee
and was the author of many measures
of importance which are now on the
statute books of the state of New Jer-
sey. His party became more and more
exacting in its demands upon him.
His was recognized as safe and guild
ing hand, and from 1880 to 1891 he was
at the head of the state Republican or
ganization of New Jersey, and as such
planned some of the most brilliant cam
paigns conducted by the party in the
state. From 1884 until 1896 he was a
member of the national Republican ex
ecutive committee and had much to do
with the management Of the national
campaigns during those 12 years. Dur
ing ell these years his business connec-
tions became broader. His keen insight
into affairs made his advice and counsel
of such value that he was sought after
by some of the largest corporations in
the country, and at the time Of lis eloc-
ton as vice president he was {; dir ec5or
of no less than so different companies.
Probably tie greatest business honor
which he ATTAINED was his selection as
one of the three arbitrators of the Joint
Traffic association, composed of 81 of the
most prominent trunk lines of the coun-
try. Through his business connections
and his law practice he bnilt up u large
fortune.
After his nomination and election to
the vice presidency on the ticket headed
by Mckinley he came to Washington
aud ;ook up his residence in the old
Cameron mansion, adjoining the site Of
the historic old Seward house on La
fay cite square, where Blaine died. The
Hobart residence during the past three
years has been the scene Of many de-
iightful social affairs. Socially the vice
president and his charming wife di.
vided the honors with the president and
Mrs. Mckinley.
Mr.. Hobart left but one child, Garret
A. Hobart. Jr., a boy OF Il years. His
daughter Fanny died at the age Of %
years In 1885, in Italy, while there with
her parents.
Mr.. Hobart was q popular presiding
officer and good parliamentarian It.
had been the habit of most vice presi-
dents to refer closely disputed points Of
order to the senate for decision. Mr.. Ho-
bart, however, usually decided all such
questions himself, especially if they in
volved parliamentary law and the rules
lid not provide for a decision by the
senate. He was quick in disposing of
business at his desk and proceedings
were never delayed on his part. His
firm and impartial manner won the re-
spect of all senators, while his genial
and pleasant manner made him one of
the most popular men vino ever filled the
high Office which his death leaves va.
can't.
He did not, like most vice presidents,
stand as mere tigurehead in the ad.
ministration. His Judgment was con-
suited by the president and cabinet Off
GERS. The nomination of John w.
Griggs as attorney general was per-
sonal triumph for the vice president.
He groomed Griggs first for the state
legislature. later for governor, and
finally put him in the cabinet. The
close friendship of the Hobart and
Griggs families has been marked for
years. Vice President Hobart finally
brought about the resignation of Secre-