Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-03-26


Ireland during the famine.
General Sherman
General W. T. Sherman was born
In Ohio, Feb. 8, 1920. He was a
West Point graduate but before the
war he had retired to cival life. He
was commissioned colonel in May,
1851 and commanded brigade at Bull
Run. He was then transferred to the
West and fought many battles under
General Grant. AS general he was
conspicuous for good judgment
DASH and energy. He died in 1891
at the age of II years.
Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln was born in Ken
lucky, Feb. -. 1909. His father was
unable to write or read and his own
education consisted of one years
schooling. His tablets were wooden
padels and when written on he would
cut off.
Hoping to better his fortune, the
father moved to Indiana, the family
floating down the river on raft.
When nineteen years Of age the future
president hired out at $40 a month
dS q udlu Oll q lldI-DOot anu 11aNS q
trip to New Orleans. On his return
he accompanied the family to Illinois,
driving cattle on the Journey. Hav-
ing reached their destination he help
ed them build cabin and split rails
for the enclosier of the farm. He
now in succession was flatboat hand,
clerk, captain Of a company of volen-
teers in tn eBlack Hawk War, coun-
try store keeper, post master, and
surveyor yet he managed to get
some knowledge Of law by borrowing
the books at the Office before closing
and bought them back when 1t opened
in the morning. On being admitted
to the bar he rapidly rose to distinc-
ton At 25 he was sent to the legis-
lature and was thrice reelected. In
1916 he was elected to congress and
served one term as representative.
After his accession to the presidence
his history like. Washington is identi-
fled with that Of his country. He was
tall, little versed In the refinements
OF society, but gifted by nature with
common sense, and was known as
Honest Abe"
In the midst of the universal'rejotc-
ing over the advent Of peace, on the
evening of April IA, Lincoln was as
sassinated. Lincoln was in his private
box in Ford's Theater with his wife
and some friends, he was shot by
John Wilks Booth. Lincoln was car
ried to private house. Next morn
ing he died. The whole nation mourn
ned. Most everyone wore badge of
morning and the engines, cars and
wagons and carriages were drapped
with black.
esorq Washington
George Washington was born in
Virginia, Feb. R2, 1882.
He was left fatherless at eleven
and his mother, directed his education.
OF her Washington learned his first
lessons in self-ocmmand. He was
a very bashful child. He inherited
some property and acquired more
through marriage and fortunate In
vestments On his Potomac farms
he had hundreds of slaves and at his
Mt. Vernon home he was like the
prince of wide domain, free from de-
pendence or restraint. He was very
found of high life He always rode
horse back but his family had
chariot" and "four black postelions
in carlet and white livery" The way
they lived always made people think
they were aristocratic.
At home he spent much of his time
in riding and hunting Washington
was over six feet height, robust, grace
full and very dignified. He had a
dread for public life and did not care
for books. He was calm in defeat
and sober in victory. His last illness
was brief and his closing hour was
marked with calmness and dignity
He died at Mt Vernon, Dec. IA, 1888
Others born in February are:
Ansel Briggs was born Feb. IT, He
was the first governor Of Iowa. His
term running from 1S46 to 1850.
Thomas A. Edison was born Feb.
IL. 1S47. He is great American in
ventor.
William Henry Harrison was born
in Charles City, Feb, 8, 1873. He was
made president on March 4 and was
president just one month, the shortest
Of any presidents term of the United
States.
Henry wadsworth Longfellow was
born at Portland, Maine, Feb. ~, 1907
He was considered the childrep's
poet He died at Cambridge, Mass,
March "a, 1882.
General W. s. Hancock was born
Feb. IA. 1924. He was great genec-
al He died on Governors Island New
York, Feb. 9, 1886.
Sidney Lanier was born in Georgia.
Feb. 3, 1912. He was poet and died
in N. g. Sept. Z, 1881.
Edgar Allen Poe was born in Bos-
ton. Feb. 10, 1909. He was famous
with his pen He died at Baltimore.
Oct. 1S49. =.
John Witherspoon was born in
Scotland, Feb. 5, 1922. He was a
noted educator. He died in 1874.
Ellen Terry was born in London
Feb. 27, 1S4S. Her real name is Mrs,
E. A. Wardell, but she isknown to the
world as ELLEN Terry" She is a
famous actress and has for fifty years
been playing in Shakespeare dramas
John Ruskin was born in London
Feb. s, 1919. He died at Brandwocd
and was hurled without pomp or cere-