New-York tribune., 1909-06-07

old he apprenticed to a tanner and he com
menced life a journeyman in 1916 After travel
ling through Pennsylvania. New York and New
England he returned to his native county, and
entered the newspaper publishing business He
established Mifiin The 'Juniata Sentinel" and
while devoting himself 10 it's editorial management
he also practsed and mastered the printers craft
Before he attained his jority young Mcclure
was a conferree at Congress conference In the
interest OF Andrew @. Curtin. The latter was de-
feated after bitter fight but from the intimacy
which sprang up during the progress OF the con-
n and lasting friendship was born be
tween these two men. At the age of twenty-one
Mr. Mcclure received commission from Governor
William F. Johnson aid with the rank of
colonel. ana IN $50 through Curtin's influence. he
was appointed deputy United States marshal for
Juniata County and soon afterward began the
study OF law
The marked ability with which Mr.. Mcclure had
conducted his paper attracted attention, and as a
result John VI. Pomeroy bought half interest IN
The Chambersburg Repository" and turned 4
over to Colonel Mcclure. The Whig convention at
Lancaster. in 1853 nominated him by acclamation
FOR Auditor General, when he only twenty-five
the youngest man ever named by any party in
Pennsylvania for a state Office. but he was de-
feated.
In 1855 Colonel Mcclure was appointed by Gov
ernor Pollock SuDerntendent Of Public Printing
bat resigned. after being short period in the post
The following year he became superintendent OF
the Erie a. Northeastern Railroad. The same year
he served delegate to the Republican National
Convention. and OF the few Republicans
elected TO the Legislature.
a member Of the Republican convention which
nominated Lincoln IN 1860 Mcclure was the
who suggested that the Pennsylvania delegates
should break away from Simon Cameron OF Penn
syIyania and vote for Lincoln. This was done, and
Lincon's stampeded the convention.
During the first Lincoln campaign in 1850 Colonel
Mcclure was elected chairman Of the Republican
Sf1fp qT1u He dagl 1ad he anna in
1855 but exerted hts best efforts bring about the
reelection Of Governor Curtin. In 1864 he again
a delegate to the Republican National Convention.
and in the year declined the state chairman
ship. again accepting the Republican nomination for
the Legislature in his district. carrying 1t by big
majority.
When the Civil War broke out Mcclure was A
leader in the state Senate. and urged vigorous
tion. He chairman OF the Committee on Mill
tary Affairs. and closely identified with the
war policy Of Governor Curtin. He formed close
relations with President Lincoln and his Cabinet
and took prominent part in national politics. AS
adjutant general he superintendent the drafting OF
Pennsylvania troops
The Confederate invasion Of PENNSYLVANIA and the
subsequent burning of ChambersburE swept away
nearly every dollar which Colonel Mcclure owned.
estimated at $4,000. In 1866 he almost penni-
less, besides being broken in health.
After the he moved to Philadelphia and took
up the practice of law. With his health and
restored the longing for excitement returned. and
during the Greeley movement he became one of its
leading spirits He chairman of the Pennsyl-
vania delegation which nominated Greeley and
Brown, and also chairman Of the Liberal Re
publican State Committee during the Presidential
contest 1872 In 1873 he the candidate Of the
Municipal Reform party for Mayor of Philadelphia.
This his last appearance as candidate.
Retiring from politics. Colonel Mcclure again
turned to journalism and, with the cooperation of
the late Frank Mclaughlin. established in 1875
THE Philadelphia Times" on his retirement in
May 1901. the Glover Club. of Philadelphia gave a
dinner In his honor As debater he said TO
have few equals in this country. and person in
Philadelphia I'm frequent demand a
public speaker. Colonel Mcclure again lost large
part of his fortune in the slump of the Lake Su-
perior stocks and afterward obtained the appoint
ment as prothonotary of the Supreme and Superior
courts of Pennsylvania largely through the recon-
mendation OF the late Charles Emory Smith, his
tagonst in numerous editorial battles.
Colonel Mcclure the author of Three Thou
sand Miles Through the Rocky Mountains 1869;
THE South" 1856 Lincoln and Men War
Times" 1892; Our Presidents and How We Make
Them" 1900; "Recoilections of Haf Century"
1900; 'To the Pacific and Mexico" 1901, and "Old
Time Notes of Pennsylvania" 1906.
He married twice-Matilda S. Gray in 1852, and
In 1879 Cora NJ Gratz.