Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1900-05-03
Special to the Register.

| hon. Naltman I. Wiley died at his
home in this place this morning, aged
IS years. 6 months and IS days.
The announcement of his death was
received everywhere with universal re-
gret, as he was revered and loved by
all without regard to party or creed
He had been feeble for many months,
hence the announcement that he had
passed away was not unexpected
For many years Senator Wiley has
been the most distinguished citizen of
Morgantown and leader in his State.
He had been the latter from a young
man. Nothing but good can be said of
his character or his blameless life.
Honor and truth are not mere idle
distractions. They are the living and
practical realities upon which men and
women found their best reliance for
personal happiness and that constitute
the real bulwarks of a nations well
fare and safety, without which writ
ten constitutions are mockeries and
laws mere pitfalls. In the life of the
modest, manly man whose personal
history | am now briefly writing these
qualities were constantly exemplitied.
and from our contemplation OF them
and their exercise we cannot do other
wise than pay them due respect, and
at the same time call for their recog-
milton and practice in the intercourse
OF men and women elsewhere.
/ 4 nif NJ ha 10 aff ~
the United States. Like single drops OF
water in the mighty stream OF popu-
| lation every one may freely run and
mingle in the great flow of human life
which pours in unbroken food
throughout the Union. In the make
up OF a model citizen. TO honor and
| truthfulness should be added culture
and refinement. Indeed. it may be
| truly said that the fate of a nation
! depends largely upon the education of
its citizens. The voyage OF life be-
gins with enthusiasm. It's bark floats
by banks covered with flowers, arched
| by the calm, blue sky and famed by
the balmy breath of spring that warns
everything into beautiful activity. But
as the voyage hastens shadows gather
and warn one of coming dangers.
| Hence the necessity of training In early
life which prepares men TO become true
citizens and be able TO preserve the
| liberties In a republic like ours that
may be committed To their charge. For
full half century the subject OF this
/ sketch stood forth in Western Virginia
not only as a leader of men, but in all
respects, both in public and home life,
a cultured, honorable, model citizen.
/ 1t can rarely be said of any one that
everybody who knows him has conf
1 dence in and respect for him, but OF
| Waitman T. Wiley, OF Monongalia, all
/ this and more can be truthfully writ
1 ten.
Mr.. Wiley was born on Buffalo
creek, Monongalia county (now Marion
county,, October is. 1911. He was
reared on farm until he reached his
seventeenth year, when he entered
| Madison College (now Allegheny Col
/ lege) Pennsylvania, from which he
| graduated in June, 1881. Commenced
/ the study of law at Wellsburg, Va,
under the distinguished Philip Dodd-
ridge, in the spring of 1892, and was
admitted to the bar in September, 1898.
I He Immediately settled at Morgan
/ town, in his native county, where he
1 has ever since resided In 1884 he mar
ried Miss Elizabeth Ray. daughter OF
Patrick Ray, Of Wheeling, with whom
+ he lived in happy wedlock until her
death, which occurred a few years ago:
was an elector on the Harrison and
Tyler ticket In 1910; was clerk OF both
county and circuit courts OF law and
chancery Of Monongalia county from
! 1871 to 1852; was a member of the Con-
stitutional Convention Of Virginia In
/ 1856 81: was the Wing candidate from
his district for Congress In 1852 and
was defeated: was the Wing candidate
for Lieutenant Governor OF Virginia in
/ 1859 and was defeated. In 1860 he was
a delegate TO the convention that nomi.
mated Bell and Everett for President
and Vice. President, was a member Of
( the Virginia Convention OF 1861. and
voted against the ordinance Of seces-
sion; was elected by the Legislature of
what was called the Restored Govern
ment of Virginia at Wheeling" TO
seat in the Senate Of the United States
to take the place Of James ~ Mason,
+ who seeded with the mother State;
/ was a member Of the Constitutional
/ Convention at Wheeling which framed
1 the first constitution for West Virginia,
I but being at the time a United States
/ Senator he did not take an active part
/ in the proceedings of the convention:
/ was a member OF the second Constftu-
/ tional Convention at Charleston In 1872
/ that framed the present constitution
/ of the State: was elected one OF the
first United States Senator's from West
/ Virginia in 1863. and drew the short
I term Of two years. At the expiration
OF the term he was reelected to tbs
same position for the full term OF six
/ years, which expired March 4. 1871.
/ For more than half century Sena-
tor Wiley has been conspicuous
member OF the NJ r. Church In 1874
he was elected the first lay-delegate
from the West Virginia Conference tn
the General Conference OF that demons
ination. but. owing TO pressure OF busIs
ness, declined to serve In 1880 he
was again elected 10 that responsible
position and took an active part In
the proceedings OF the General Confer
ence; was deiegate-at-Iarge to the
| National Republican Convention at
Cincinnati in 1876. In November. 1882.
he was appointed clerk Oh the County
Court OF 1lcnongalIa equity 90 I'll >
censinusz - sscsna rage,