Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-12-21
Andrew Gleason.

pastor of the church. A short service will
be held at the house prior to that at the
church The pallbearers have not been
chosen, but at the residence this afternoon
it stated that they will be old friends
Of the deceased.
Mr. Gleeson a member of the EIks,
Ancient Order of Hibernians, John A. Raw
lings Post No l. Grand Army of the Re-
public, and of the Jolly Fat Mems Club of
which he was the president. The members
of the latter organization will hold meet
ing this evening to take. action relative to
the death of Mr.. Gleason.
The interment will be in Mount Oivet
cemetery.
In Public and Political Affairs.
Throughout his lifetime Andrew Gleeson
was prominent figure in public and po-
litical affairs of the national capital, and
only the infirmities incident to advancing
age caused a slight curtailment of his ac-
ttvities in those fields in recent months In
the business world Mr.. Gleason made his
mark as a contractor, and many municipal
improvements of note, in addition to scores
of private building enterprises were exc
cuted by him. Politically the deceased was
always a republican and in the elimination
of many presidential campaigns he repre-
scented his party a delegate from the
District of Columbia to the nominating con-
ventiOns.
Andrew Gleason was born in County Clare,
Ireland, November 20, 1884. When in his
by his parents, Mr.. and Mrs. Patrick Glee-
son. The family settled in this city and,
with his brother John A. Gleeson, the only
other surviving member of the original
family. Andrew Gleason practically grew
up with the capital. Whether his boyhood
activities had in them any forecast of his
future life Is problematical. yet Andrew
Gleeson's first employment was as a labor
er at So per week in laying the old plank
road on the line of what is now 7th street
and 7th street extended, otherwise Bright
wood avenue. In his later career as a con-
tractor Mr.. Gleeson built or laid, many of
the streets that are now important thor
oughfareS of. the CITY,.
Future Wife on Same Ship.
By a strange coincidence the ship which
brought young Andrew and the Gleason
family to this country also carried little
Miss Helen Lynch and her parents. Both
families were from County Clare. but they
were not acquainted, nor did they become
Intimate until a considerable time after
both had determined upon Washington as
a dwelling place. Familiar associations in
the home of their childhood may have sped
the wooing of Andrew Gleason, for he dis
tanced all rivals for the heart and hand of
Helen Lynch. and they were married
Patrick Gleeson and his wife, the immi-
grant parents. died in 1875 and 1873 re-
spectively. Andrew Gleeson and his wife
rounded out almost half-century of mar
ried life together, Mrs. Gleeson dying a lit
tie more than seven years ago. OF the
eleven children born of the union only four
are living Mrs. Minnie Flaherty, Mrs. An
ME DAILY Andrew Gleason, jr., and Martin
Gleason. John A Gleason, the brother and
eight grandchildren also survive the de-
| ceased
Activity and Geniality.
Popular alike for his hustling activity and
| for his unfailing geniality, 1t is regarded as
| no wonder that Andrew Gleeson for many
years reigned as a power in local politics
| In fact, it has often been said that the.
| greatly restricted field presented by the
| District of Columbia alone prevented Mr.
| Gleeson from hising to prominent position
| in the ranks of the republican party. In,
addition to his services as committeeman
and delegate to national conventions of the
| party. Andrew Gleeson was not infrequentIy
called into council by men prominent in the
republican party. in national affairs. In
no friendship that Mr.. Gleason held in
| greater esteem, nor pointed to with great
| er pride than that of the late James G..
| Blaine. When Mr.. Blaine was a candidate
| for President he had stouter adherept
than was the Washington contractor. and
when Mr.. Blaine was Secretary of State Mr.
| Gleeson was one of the most welcome call
ers at his home and at his office.
story Is told, to illustrate the value set
| upon Mr.. Gleason by Mr.. Blaine, that a
| position In the government printing office
| was open and not few politicians, sem
| ators and others, were anxious to secure
| the appointment for one of their respec-
| tive constituents. John A. GIeeson, it
| administration. but with the entrance Of
| the democracy into power he was deposed
Naturally he wanted the position again,
and at the eleventh hour Andrew Gleeson
| took hand in the matter, and the auto
| graph letter from James G.. Blaine to
| Frank w. Palmer. then public printer,
| which secured the position for him, is still
| held as treasure by John Gleason. The
| letter bears the date Of May 20. 1889. and
! in it Mr.. Blaine spoke of Andrew Gleeson's