The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1901-08-13
Death of Ex-Governor Newell.

Former Governor William A. Newell,
who was best known by reason of his con
nection with the establishment of the
United States Life Saving Service, died al
noon Thursday at his home in Allentown
While in Congress, DR.. Newell served
on the Committee of Foreign Affairs and
Revolutionary Claims. He was the father
of the system of life saving, now extended
throughout the United States coasts, he
having inaugurated it while in Congress
He had been sinking rapidly for week
past. and his death was not unexpected
A brother-in-law and nephew were with
him when the end came
No particular ailment brought about the
ex- Governors death, the only trouble ap-
pearing to be old age.
Governor Voorhees, was at the State
House when the news of the death came,
and he ordered the flag of the Capitol at
half mast on the front of the building and
draped in mourning for thirty days.
William A. Newell was born in Ohio SO
years ago In his youth his family moved
to Allentown, in this State, where he has
lived for the most of his life. He was
graduated from Rutgers college, and then
took great interest in political matters.
AS Republican he served in Congress
fromS1S47 to 1851, during which time he
formed close friendship with President
Lincoln. In 1856 he was elected Governor
of this State on the Republican ticket by
majority of 1000.
He was nominated again for Governor
when the Democrats nominated General
George B. Mcclellan, his party at that
time considering him as the only man in
the State whose popularity approached
that of the famous General, but he was
defeated by a small majority. He was also
defeated on two occasions when he ran for
Congress. In 1871 he was leading can
didate for United States Senator, but was
unable to carry this campaign to success
full result He was appointed by Presi
dent Hayes as Governor of Washington
Territory, and later was United States
Indian Commissioner, which office he held
six years. After the expiration of his
term as Governor of Washington Terri
tory he remained in the Territory for a
time, and served term as the health
official of large city there
An event of unusual interest in the life
of Governor Newell was his memora BILE
walk from Allentown to Trenton for the
purpose of being inaugurated as Gov
ernor. 1t was in January, and blizzard
had blockaded the roads, making driving
or sleighing impossible Not daunted by
the storm, he set out on foot the day be
fore Inauguration day and alone travelled
the entire distance.
Until the past six months he enjoyed
the best of health, attending daily to his
practice at Allentown. He never smoked,
chewed or drank. At one time he was
worth considerable money, but lost it as
the result of some unfortunate invest
ments. His only public appearances of
late years has been to attend the State
Republican Conventions in Trenton, and
occasionally making a speech at some
harvest home in his neighborhood.
He has but one child, a daughter. Two
OF his sons, who died, were physicians.
The body of Mr.. Newell was removed
from the State House yesterday to a vault
in Greenwood Cemetery, where it will re-
main awaiting the return to this country
of the deceased's only daughter, Mrs
John N. Jordan, who was last heard of as
about to take vessel at Genoa, Italy, for
this country. Governor Voorhees,, Ad-
jutant General Oliphant and William A.
Newell, Jr., of Mount Holly, the grandson
of the dead Governor, were the only ones
to follow the remains to the vault. Elk
cept for the guard of honor surrendering
the remains to the undertaken, there was
no display in the removal of the body.