The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1911-11-04
HENRY R. TORBERT
Death OF Former Veteran Editor OF
The Cecil Whig--Lived Well Be-
yond Mans Allotted Span

Henry Robinson Torbert, former owner
and Editor Of the CECIL WHIG, died on
Wednesday morning, after lingering ILL
ness, at the home of his son-in-law,
Frederick T. Haines, Esq, on North
street, Elkton, in the 18th year of his
age. Mr. Torbert was the eloes. son OF
the late William Torbert, leading mer-
chant Of Elkton. He was educated at
the old Elkton Academy and Dickinson
College, Carlisle, Pa, whence he was
graduated in 1855, with the honors of his
class He studied law and was auml -
ted to the Bar but for a time assisted his
father in the conduct of his business. In
1852 he resumed practice and in 1868 be-
came States Attorney. In 1866, by ap-
pointment of Judge John H. Price, he
succeeded Charles H. Haines, who died
in Office, as Clerk of the Circuit Court.
Like many other Democrats, Mr.. Tor
bert was an ardent Unionist at the out
break of the Civil War, and thencefor-
ward was an earnest and active Republi
can. He was his partys nominee for
Congress from the Eastern Shore dis
trict, which then embraced Cecil county,
and was hopelessly Democratic, and made
stirring while unsuccessful campaigns.
In 1869 he was appointed Deputy Sur
yeyor of the Port of Baltimore and serv-
ed with ability in that and other posi-
tions in the Custom House under several
administrations. His last position was
Appraiser of Customs, under President
Mckinley. He made highly creditable
record, but gave way to c.. Ross Mace,
of Baltimore county, under President
Roosevelt.
In 1876 Mr.. Torbert purchased the
CZECH WHIG from the late Edwin E.
Ewing, which he conducted with marked
ability until 1906, when he was succeed
by the president editor, Frank E. Will
liams For several years, prior to lne
change of ownership, Mr.. Torbert's son,
Victor NJ Torbert was associated with
him in the management of the WING,
and their joint efforts largely increased
its circulation and influence. Since his
retirement from the WHIG Mr.. Torbert
mad lived quietly and for more than a
year past had been confined to his home
by the illness to which he finally sue
cumbed. Few of his old contemporaries
survive, but he could readily and vividly
recall men and events of by-gone days.
and his "Reminiscences" were read with
interest and pleasure by patrons of the
WHlG, who could have wished that they
had been continued to later days.
Mr. Torbert was man of versatile
talents. He was ready writer and able
editor, a fluent speaker and effective ad
yocate He was we'll read and inform
ed, had made several trips to Europe
and wrote and spoke pleasingly of his
travels He was of cheerful and san
guine temperament and always compan-
ionable. His long connection with the
WHIG gave him a wide acquaintance with
residents of the county, and hi0 friends
in Cecil and elsewhere will learn with re-
gret of his death, even though 1t came
we'll beyond the common limit OF mans
earthly tenure.
Mr.. Torbert married Mary Rachel.
daughter of the late Col. Edwin and Han
nah E. (Megredy) Wilmer, who survives
him with a son, Victor NJ. Torbert, well
known journalist, and a daughter, Mrs.
Frederick 7. Haines, of Elkton. His fun
eral was held yesterday afternoon, with
services conducted by Rev. William
Schouler and interment in Elkton Gene
terry.